Choosing vehicle & armor model kits starts with one practical decision: do you want a classic car project or a specific military subject? The four choices here cover a 1967 Pontiac GTO, an M48A2 Patton, a US M4 Sherman, and a German Panther. Scale, part count, assembly format, and listed price then separate the projects.
Quick take
Start with the subject before comparing the specifications. The MPC kit is the classic-car route, while Revell, Hobby Boss, and Tamiya each center on a named tank. If you already know the vehicle you want to build, the choice is straightforward; if not, the matrix and notes below clarify how each kit approaches the project.
Listed-price comparison
| Kit | Listed price | Price bar | Quick fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revell M48A2 Patton Tank Model Kit | $21.88 | 1:35 tank with 152 pieces | |
| MPC 1967 Pontiac GTO Model Kit | $17.99 | 1:25 classic car, 85+ parts | |
| Hobby Boss US M4 Sherman Model Kit | $23.99 | 1/48 unassembled Sherman kit | |
| Tamiya German Panther Ausf A Model Kit | $26.35 | German Panther subject |
Decision matrix
- Subject: MPC covers the 1967 Pontiac GTO. Revell focuses on the M48A2 Patton, Hobby Boss on the US M4 Mid-Production Sherman, and Tamiya on the German Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A.
- Scale: The stated scales are 1:25 for MPC, 1:35 for Revell, and 1/48 for Hobby Boss. Tamiya is identified by its Panther subject rather than a scale in the product name.
- Build detail: Revell lists opening hatches, a movable turret cannon, machine gun, and tank treads. MPC lists engine, transmission, suspension, exhaust, and optional custom components. Hobby Boss is identified as an unassembled, not-painted kit.
- Project character: MPC is an automotive replica with a defined skill level and parts count. Revell is a figure-and-mechanical-detail tank project. Hobby Boss is a Sherman-specific armor build, while Tamiya suits shoppers drawn to the Panther's historical setting.
Product notes
Revell M48A2 Patton Tank Model Kit
The Revell M48A2 Patton is a strong fit for builders who want a 1:35 military vehicle with several hands-on features. Its 152-piece kit lists opening and closing hatches, a movable turret cannon, machine gun, and tank treads, along with two crew members and six military figures. At $21.88, it occupies the middle of the listed price range. The limitation is preparation: the kit calls for a hobby knife, plastic cement, sprue cutters, and paints including olive drab, gunmetal, silver, brown, and flesh. Choose it for the M48A2 subject and articulated components, not for a project that avoids tools and finishing supplies.
MPC 1967 Pontiac GTO Model Kit
Go with the MPC kit when the build begins with a classic muscle-car subject. This 1:25 scale 1967 Pontiac GTO is listed in blue with 85+ parts and skill level 2. Its automotive details include a 400 cu. in. V8, 4-speed transmission, separate rear suspension and exhaust, plus optional supercharger, headers, custom wheels, and racing bucket seats. The $17.99 price is the lowest among these four kits. Its limitation is its focus: shoppers looking for armor, tank mechanisms, or military figures should choose a tank-centered kit instead. For a Pontiac GTO display project, however, the title and component list point in a clear direction.
Hobby Boss US M4 Mid-Production Sherman Model Kit #84802
Hobby Boss gives Sherman fans a specific subject in 1/48 scale. The US M4 Mid-Production Sherman Model Kit #84802 is identified as an unassembled kit in gray, with the attributes also specifying that it is not painted. That makes it a direct choice for someone who wants to assemble and finish a Sherman rather than select a general vehicle subject. Its $23.99 price places it above the Revell M48A2 Patton and MPC Pontiac GTO. The limitation is the amount of finishing work built into the format: assembly and painting remain part of the project. Pick it for the 1/48 Sherman identity and accept the hands-on, unpainted presentation.
Tamiya German Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A Model Kit
Tamiya's kit is aimed at the shopper who specifically wants a German Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A. The accompanying description places the Panther in its World War II context, including its 1942 ordering and service from mid-1943 through the end of the war. That historical subject is the main reason to choose it over a Patton or Sherman kit. At $26.35, it also carries the highest listed price in this comparison, which is the clearest limitation. Select Tamiya when the Panther's identity and historical setting matter more than matching the $17.99 starting point represented by the MPC GTO.
Final recommendation by use case
- For a classic-car build: Choose the MPC 1967 Pontiac GTO, especially if its 1:25 scale and muscle-car subject match your display plan.
- For an M48A2 Patton build: Choose Revell, whose title and detailed feature list center on that tank.
- For a Sherman build: Choose Hobby Boss for the US M4 Mid-Production Sherman subject in 1/48 scale.
- For a Panther build: Choose Tamiya when the German Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A is the vehicle you want to represent.
If the subject is undecided, MPC provides the car route at $17.99, while the three tank kits let you choose among Patton, Sherman, and Panther identities. Match the named vehicle first, then use scale, finishing requirements, and price to make the final call.
