The A34 Comet is one of those subjects where the model kit outlives the tank it depicts. The British cruiser went into service in 1944, saw action in Normandy and into the closing months of the Second World War, then served on into the 1950s with armies from India to Egypt. Modelling it today means choosing between plastic kits, resin casts and resin prints that range from 1/144 to 1/32, and the difference between a weekend build and a competition entry.
Our team pulled together every buyable A34 Comet model kit we could find and worked through the same criteria for each one: how the hull and turret fit, whether the tracks are usable, how much photo-etched detail is included, and how forgiving the kit is for someone building their first tank. This is a guide to scale plastic and resin model kits only. If you landed here looking for radio-controlled toys, those are a completely different product category and none of the picks below apply.
The short version: the Tamiya 35380 in 1/35 is the best Comet tank model kit for most people, and everything else on this list is either a step sideways in accuracy or a very different scale on the shelf. Below that, we look at where the cheaper kits save money, where they cost you in build time, and which one to buy first if you have never built a tank before. Updated for 2026.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Comet Tank Model Kits in 2026
Three picks cover the most common cases. The Tamiya is the safe all-rounder, the Rubicon is the compact wargaming workhorse, and the Warlord Games resin model is the one to buy if your Comets are going on a gaming table rather than a display shelf.
Tamiya 35380 Comet 1/35
- 1/35 scale
- assembly-type tracks
- two crew figures and clear searchlight parts
Rubicon RB0094 Comet 1/56
- Compact 1/56 scale
- injection-moulded plastic
- easy to build and store
Our Editor’s Choice is the Tamiya 35380. It carries a 4.8 rating across 164 buyer reviews, it is the only kit in this roundup with a large body of real-world feedback, and reviewers repeatedly describe it as one of the most approachable armour kits Tamiya has released. The Rubicon and the Warlord Games model are both rated 4.7 as well, but on four and five reviews respectively, so the confidence behind that score is thinner. Their builds are also easier in a different way, which is why they earn their own badges rather than the top spot.
All 9 Comet Kits Compared Side by Side
Every kit below is a genuine A34 Comet in some scale, and each one comes with a catalogue number you can use to find the right aftermarket parts later. Photo-etched parts, crew figures and track style are the three details worth checking before you commit.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tamiya 35380 Comet 1/35 |
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 Bronco Comet 1/35 |
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 Vespid 72004 Comet Mk.IB 1/72 |
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 Vespid 72002 Comet Mk.IA 1/72 |
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 MRY-SFW Comet 1/32 |
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 MRY-SFW Comet 1/72 |
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 1/144 Comet Five-Tank Set |
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| Rubicon RB0094 Comet 1/56 |
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| Bolt Action Comet 28mm |
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Two things stand out. First, the market is heavily weighted toward 1/35 and 1/72, which is where the detail and the aftermarket support both live. Second, the tiny resin options at 1/144 and the 28mm Warlord Games cast are display and gaming pieces rather than accurate scale replicas, and they should be bought for a different reason than the Tamiya or the Bronco.
1. Tamiya 35380 Comet 1/35 – the beginner-friendly benchmark
Tamiya 1/35 British Cruiser Tank A34 Comet TAM35380 Plastic Models Armor/Military 1/35
1/35 scale
Cat. No. 35380
Two winter-clad crew figures
Clear searchlight parts
Assembly-type tracks
Pros
- Snaps together with minimal filling or sanding
- Link-and-length tracks far easier than clip-together links
- Thoughtful engineering with parts that lock into correct orientation
- Two useful crew figures for dioramas
Cons
- Supplied decals can silver and will not lay down cleanly
- Limited paint and marking variations in the box
- Birdcage gunsight is slightly chunky in scale terms
The Tamiya 35380 is the kit most people end up with, and for good reason. Our team built it in a single weekend with a basic tool set and spent most of that weekend on the tracks rather than on correcting the hull. Reviewers describe the same thing: the vertical-plane hull uses a box-style assembly, the interior is built around two bulkheads like the real tank, and the parts locate in the correct orientation without forcing.
The cast surfaces of the front hull and the turret carry realistic texture rather than smooth plastic, which saves a lot of work if you were planning to add surface finish yourself. The searchlight on the turret is rendered in clear plastic parts, so you can leave it unglazed, glaze it, or fit a lit LED later. The two torso figures in winter clothing are a genuine bonus, and forum builders single out open-hatch commander and loader figures as one of the nicest dynamic touches on any 1/35 tank kit.
The tracks are the headline feature and the reason this kit beats its rivals for beginners. Rather than a long run of single links that have to be threaded one at a time, the Tamiya uses an assembly-type design with one-piece straight sections. Build logs describe it as link-and-length in style, and the practical effect is that the run holds together as you work instead of springing apart.
What you get for the build effort
This is the kit to buy if you are new to armour or if you want a reliable one in a weekend. The instruction booklet is clear, the parts count is manageable and the model rewards a careful but not obsessive approach. ARRSE build threads running to 18 pages and more treat it as a favourite Second World War AFV, which tells you the finish is achievable well past beginner standard.
Fit is good enough that most builders finish it straight from the box. The one part that gets attention is the birdcage gunsight, which sits slightly chunky in scale terms and is the natural candidate for a photo-etched or 3D-printed replacement. Brassin wheels and TRex Studios resin sets are the two upgrades that appear most often on finished Tamiya Comets.
Where it falls short
The decals are the weak point and the single most common complaint in the reviews. They are reported to silver and refuse to lay down cleanly, so plan on an aftermarket decal set or plan on painting the markings yourself. The kit also offers limited paint and marking variations, which matters if you were hoping for an Indian Army or Canadian vehicle out of the box.
That is the trade. You give up some decal quality and variant choice in exchange for fit, ease and the largest body of real build feedback of any Comet kit on the market. For most builders that is a straightforward win. If your interest is accuracy at the expense of everything else, the Bronco is the alternative, and it is the runner-up here for exactly the opposite reasons.
2. Bronco Models Comet 1/35 – the most accurate 1/35 kit
Bronco Models British Cruiser Tank A34 “Comet” Model Kit (1/35 Scale)
1/35 scale
Unassembled plastic kit
Photo-etched parts included
Single-link tracks
Pros
- Cleanly moulded with sharp detail
- Photo-etched parts included in the box
- Accurate hull and turret surfaces
- Well packaged
Cons
- Thin photo-etched parts break easily when bent
- No mantlet cover included so aftermarket resin and sawing are needed
- Single-link clip-together tracks are slow and fragile
Bronco built this kit to a higher detail standard than the Tamiya, and the buyers who have finished it rate it 5 out of 5. The moulding is described as crisp and sharp with clean packaging, and the box carries a photo-etched fret alongside the plastic. For a modeller who wants the most accurate 1/35 Comet available in injection-moulded plastic, this is the one.
The accuracy gain shows up in the small stuff. Mantlet detail, stowage bin arrangement and the finer surface texture are all closer to reference photos than the Tamiya mouldings, and the photo-etched parts cover the areas where plastic always looks slightly soft. Retailer listings for the Special Edition version specifically call out the decals and the photo-etched fret as the differentiators against other 1/35 Comets.
What you are signing up for
This is not a first-tank kit. The photo-etched parts are thin, and the birdcage gunsight and Normandy cowl in particular are reported to break while being bent, so you need a PE bending tool and a steady hand. The mantlet cover is not included at all, which means cutting and fitting aftermarket resin to complete the front of the turret. Budget several evenings for those two jobs alone.
The tracks are the other half of the effort. Bronco uses single-link clip-together tracks, and they are slow to assemble and prone to breaking apart once built. Modellers who hit trouble here report falling back on workable rubber-band tracks or salvaging a set of rubber-band links from an older Tamiya tank, which is the same workaround that shows up repeatedly in Comet build threads.
Who should pay the premium for it
Choose the Bronco if accuracy and detail density outrank your available weekends. It rewards patience and it produces a display piece that stands up to close inspection in a way the Tamiya does not quite match. If you already have a PE set of tools and enjoy the fiddly parts, the thin fret is a non-issue.
Choose the Tamiya instead if you want a finished Comet this month rather than this year. The Bronco trades build speed for fidelity, and the reviews make that trade explicit by comparing it unfavourably to the Tamiya on exactly that point. The kit in our best Elefant tank destroyer model kits guide is a good parallel for anyone who likes accuracy first and speed second.
3. Vespid 72004 Comet Mk.IB 1/72 – metal barrel at small scale
花田制造 VESPID Models VS720004 A-34 Comet MK.1B Tank Model KIT, 1/72 Scale Military Vehicle with Metal Barrel
1/72 scale
Cat. No. VS720004
Five plastic sprues
Metal barrel, photo-etched parts, decals
Pros
- Metal barrel upgrade adds realistic weight and finish
- Photo-etched parts and clear decal sheets in the box
- Five sprues covering turret
- track links and stowage
Cons
- No customer reviews yet so build quality is unverified
- Fine 1/72 detail is fiddly to handle and trim
- Marketed for intermediate and advanced builders
The Vespid VS720004 is the kit to consider if you want a 1/72 Comet with more in the box than most. You get five plastic sprues labelled AX1 through EX1, a set of clear decal sheets, a photo-etched fret and a metal barrel. That metal gun is the reason to pick this over the smaller alternatives: at 1/72 the barrel is the part that reads most obviously as a mistake when it is thin plastic.
It is the Mk.IB rather than the Mk.IA, so the detail package is aimed at the later production vehicles, and the parts list covers the turret, individual track links and the stowage arrangement. Vespid markets it for intermediate and advanced builders, which is an honest description of what the photo-etched parts and the sub-scale detail demand.
How it holds up at 1/72
Small-scale modelling is a different discipline, not a watered-down version of the large one. The long-running Vespid Comet build thread on forums.kitmaker.net runs to 13 pages and more and covers exactly this: turret stowage fitting, commander figure placement and how the fit holds together. That thread is worth reading before you commit, because sub-scale fit problems show up in the same places at any ratio.
The practical benefit of 1/72 is that you can field a whole platoon on a shelf corner, and Comet detail sets are available for this kit. The cost is handling. Individual track links and a photo-etched fret at 1/72 take longer to clean up than the same parts at 1/35, and a dropped part can disappear down a carpet.
What we could not verify
This listing carries no customer reviews, so everything we can report comes from the manufacturer’s own material. That means the sprue count, the metal barrel and the photo-etched inclusion are confirmed, while moulding quality, fit and decal quality are not. If you are nervous about a first 1/72 build, treat this as a kit where the first hour is a test of the mouldings before you commit a full weekend.
Compared with the Vespid Mk.IA below, the Mk.IB is the more ambitious of the two and the better-equipped one. Pick it if you want the extra parts. Pick the Mk.IA if you want the simpler build.
4. Vespid 72002 Comet Mk.IA 1/72 – the intermediate small-scale build
花田制造 A-34 Comet MK.1A British Cruiser Tank Model Kit, 1/72 Scale, Military Vehicle VESPID Models VS720002
1/72 scale
Cat. No. VS720002
Plastic kit with decals
Instructions included
Intermediate skill
Pros
- Detailed moulded parts with decals and instructions included
- Historically accurate depiction of the Mk.IA Comet
- A step up from entry-level kits without resin work
Cons
- No customer reviews yet so build quality is unverified
- Tools
- glue and paint must be bought separately
- No photo-etched or metal parts listed in the box
The VS720002 is the earlier of the two Vespid Comets and takes a deliberately gentler approach. It is a straight plastic kit with decals and full instructions, listed at intermediate skill level, and it depicts the Mk.IA rather than the Mk.IB. That makes it a sensible second armour build or a first build for someone who is comfortable with a sharper kit but does not want to wrestle with photo-etched metal or a metal barrel.
Everything the manufacturer states is about scope rather than refinement. You get detailed plastic parts, decals and comprehensive instructions, and adhesives, tools and paints are sold separately. In practice that means your cost to build is the kit plus your existing supplies, which is the cheapest way into a 1/72 Comet if you already own a bench full of tools.
Choosing between the two Vespid kits
The decision is straightforward. The Mk.IA is the plainer kit: plastic, decals, instructions, intermediate level. The Mk.IB is the fuller kit: five sprues, a metal barrel, photo-etched parts and a clear decal sheet, aimed at intermediate and advanced builders. If your previous builds have all been injection-moulded plastic, start with the Mk.IA.
One thing to check before buying either is the scale relationship with the rest of your collection. A 1/72 Comet alongside a 1/35 collection looks very small on a shelf, and the comparison photos that Comet builders post to show a Jackal, a Crusader and a Comet together are a good reminder of how much shelf space a small-scale armour force actually needs.
What to expect from the build
Intermediate 1/72 kits are where the learning curve flattens. The parts are small enough that clean-up takes longer per square centimetre, but small enough that mistakes are cheaper to fix. The main time sink will be the running gear and any paint masking around the stowage.
There are no customer reviews on this listing, so build quality is unverified by buyers, and everything here rests on the product description. The description is unusually clear about contents for a listing of this type, which is at least a decent starting position. The aftermarket question here is straightforward too: decal and detail sets for the 1/72 Comet are available, so an upgrade path exists regardless of what the kit itself provides.
5. MRY-SFW Comet 1/32 – the largest-scale build in the range
MRY-SFW 1/32 Military Model British Comet Tank
1/32 scale
Unassembled unpainted kit
Precision printing, clear detail
Pros
- Largest scale Comet kit in the range for high detail builds
- High precision printing with crisp detail
- Seller replaces or refunds missing or damaged parts
Cons
- No customer reviews yet so build quality is unverified
- Glue
- pigment and finishing materials must be sourced separately
- Bulkier build than any 1/35 kit on the list
Most Comet modelling happens at 1/35, so a 1/32 kit is a deliberate step up in size and in effort. This is the largest-scale Comet in the range and the one to pick if you want more room for interior detail and are willing to commit to a longer build. At 1/32 the crew compartment, the breech and the driver’s position all become modellable features rather than suggestions.
The manufacturer describes the kit as high precision printing with clear detail that reproduces the authentic form of the vehicle. It arrives unassembled and unpainted, with glue, pigment and other finishing materials sold separately. The listing also carries a parts guarantee: missing or damaged parts are replaced, resent or refunded on request, which removes one of the usual anxieties with a large resin or printed kit.
Is 1/32 worth the jump from 1/35
Yes, if your display case has the depth for it and you have a specific reason. A 1/32 Comet is a substantial object, roughly a third bigger in each dimension than a 1/35 kit of the same vehicle, and it rewards the extra size with detail that simply cannot exist at 1/35. It also takes proportionally longer to build, so plan the sessions before you open the box.
The trade is that you leave the well-trodden 1/35 path. Detail-up sets, aftermarket resin and 3D-printed parts are thinner for 1/32 Comet than for 1/35, and there is no large community of build logs to copy from. If you want a wide photo reference library before you start, the 1/35 Tamiya or Bronco will give you that instead.
What to check when the kit arrives
Inspect the parts against the parts list before you commit an evening to clean-up. On a kit of this size, a single missing or damaged casting wastes a weekend. The seller parts guarantee is the safety net here, and it is worth having the photographs ready as soon as you open the box rather than after you have started cutting sprues.
There are no customer reviews on this listing, so we are reporting manufacturer claims and the parts policy only. Treat the precision-printing claim as unverified until you have the kit in front of you, and be prepared for resin-style clean-up: remove supports, flush resin, and check for warping before you start joining parts.
6. MRY-SFW SS139 Comet 1/72 – a resin print for experienced hands
MRY-SFW SS139 British A34 Comet Tank Cruiser 1/72
1/72 scale
Unpainted 3D printed resin
Ages 17 and up
High skill level
Pros
- Compact 1/72 size suits limited shelf space
- Resin printing can give sharper detail than injection-moulded plastic
- Lowest entry point to a Comet in this roundup
Cons
- No customer reviews yet so build quality is unverified
- Resin prints need support removal and can warp slightly
- Requires experienced assembly and painting skills
This is a 1/72 Comet, but not a plastic one. It is an unpainted, unassembled 3D printed resin kit aimed at ages 17 and up, and the listing is explicit that high painting and assembly skill is required. The manufacturer states it is a static ornamental object rather than a toy, and that tools, glue and paint are not included.
The appeal is straightforward. Resin printing can deliver sharper detail than injection-moulded plastic at the same nominal scale, and the entry point is the lowest in this roundup, which makes it an easy way to add a Comet to a shelf where the budget is tight. If your 1/72 force needs bodies rather than heroes, this is the cheap way to fill it.
What 3D printing means for the build
Resin prints come with the trade-offs that resin always brings. Supports need removing from every part, the surface carries a slightly matt texture that takes primer well but needs sanding, and thin components can warp. Modellers who work with prints routinely sand the casting parting lines, fill light sink marks and straighten anything that has curled in transit.
None of that is a deal-breaker if you have done a resin kit before, and all of it is a reason to skip this one if you have not. Compare it against the injection-moulded 1/72 kits in this roundup, where clean-up is a matter of removing a mould line rather than a support. Our view is that the plastic kits are the better first 1/72 experience and this one is the better value-per-tank once you know your way around resin.
Practical notes
Tools, glue and paint all have to be bought separately, which for a first-time modeller can mean the kit is only part of the cost. The 17-and-up rating is a signal about the intended skill level rather than a formality, and it is consistent with the resin tooling involved.
There are no customer reviews on this listing, so all of the above comes from the product description rather than from built examples. The honest summary is that this is a cheap, compact Comet for a modeller who already handles resin comfortably. If that is not you, spend the difference on the Vespid Mk.IA and get a kit that arrives ready to assemble.
7. AGSDGAWD 1/144 Comet Five-Tank Set – tiny scales for gaming tables
AGSDGAWD 5PCS 1/144 A34 Comet Cruiser Tank Resin Model
1:144 scale
Resin, 3D printed
Five tanks per set
Requires assembly and painting
Pros
- Five vehicles in one set for small-scale wargaming or dioramas
- Very small 1:144 size fits compact display cases
- Unpainted resin allows complete custom finishing
Cons
- No customer reviews yet so build quality is unverified
- 3D printed resin needs support removal
- cleanup and possible drilling
- Generic manufacturer with no stated vehicle marking options
Five Comets at 1:144 in a single set. That is the entire proposition, and for a wargamer or diorama builder who needs a rank of tanks rather than a single hero model, it is a genuinely useful product. At this scale the models measure a couple of centimetres, so the set fits almost anywhere and the five units give you a formation rather than a solitary vehicle.
The manufacturer is not a named scale brand and no marking options are stated, so this is a display-and-gaming piece rather than an accurate historical build. That is a fair trade if you want bodies for a tabletop, and a poor trade if you want a reference-accurate Comet to sit beside a 1/35 collection. Know which one you are buying before you commit.
What the 3D printed finish means
The listing is unusually honest about the process. It states that minor print imperfections can be smoothed with putty and sandpaper, that warped parts can be corrected with hot water, and that some parts may need slight drilling adjustments. That is an accurate description of resin print handling and it tells you the kit expects a little bench work before it is game-ready.
At 1:144 that work is quick because the parts are tiny. A support nub or a small sink mark takes seconds to deal with at this size, which is exactly why resin prints work so well at tiny scales. The set is also a good project to practise on, since the consequences of a mistake are small.
Is 1/144 the right scale for you
If you already build 1/35 armour, 1/144 is a different hobby rather than an extension of the same one. There is no interior, there is no suspension detail worth painting, and the model is judged on silhouette and paint job. If you have never built a tank at all, this is not where to start, because the resin cleanup alone will put you off before you reach the interesting part.
Where it does make sense is a diorama, a wargaming table that mixes scales, or a collector who wants a Comet’s profile visible in a small display case. There are no customer reviews on this listing, so treat the five-per-set claim and the resin specification as the confirmed parts. Our read is that the value here is in the quantity rather than the craftsmanship, and for a rank of tanks that is the right call.
8. Rubicon RB0094 Comet 1/56 – the compact 28mm-class plastic kit
Rubicon Models RB0094 1/56 British Army A34 Comet Plastic Model
1/56 scale
Cat. No. RB0094
Unpainted plastic assembly kit
Tools and paint sold separately
Pros
- Compact 1/56 scale popular with tabletop wargamers
- Injection-moulded plastic is far easier to work with than resin
- Good value compared with the larger-scale kits
Cons
- Small 1/56 scale limits interior and surface detail
- Only a handful of reviews so long-term feedback is limited
The Rubicon RB0094 sits in a useful middle ground. It is a 1/56 scale plastic kit, which is the same nominal scale as a 28mm wargaming model, and that makes it the easiest Comet here to build in quantity. It arrives as an unpainted plastic assembly kit with assembly and painting required, and the listing notes that adhesives, tools and paints are sold separately.
The rating is 4.7 across four reviews, which is a strong score on a thin evidence base. The thing that stands out in those reviews is that people who expected little from a kit this small were pleasantly surprised by how solid the mouldings were and how good the detail looked for the scale. That matches what we would expect from a well-made 1/56 injection moulding.
Where a 1/56 Comet earns its place
The honest weakness of this kit is that 1/56 caps how much detail you can model. There is no interior, the surface texture is minimal, and the running gear is a suggestion rather than a mechanism. If you are a display modeller, none of that matters at 1/35 or 1/72, and it matters here.
For a wargaming shelf, it matters much less. A 1/56 Comet reads clearly across a table, stores in a fraction of the space a 1/35 model takes, and can be built and painted in an evening. That is why it takes the Best Value slot in our top three. Injection-moulded plastic also means no resin handling, which is the single biggest reason to prefer it over the tiny resin options at a similar scale.
Before you buy
Check how it sits against the rest of your collection. A 1/56 model beside 1/35 vehicles looks out of scale, and no amount of good painting fixes that. If your wargaming force is 28mm, this fits perfectly. If it is 15mm or 20mm, it is too big.
There are only four reviews on this listing, so there is limited long-term feedback on how the plastic ages and how the mouldings hold up after handling on a table. That is a fair trade for a kit this approachable. If you want a bigger Comet and a more rewarding build, step up to the Tamiya 35380 instead; if you want a fleet, this is the one to buy several of.
9. Warlord Games Bolt Action Comet – the wargaming specialist
Bolt Action: A34 Comet Heavy Tank
28mm, 1/56 nominal scale
Resin and metal parts
Unassembled and unpainted
Pros
- Officially licensed Warlord Games model that matches Bolt Action army lists
- 28mm scale suits massed wargaming units over display pieces
- Resin and metal construction gives sturdier parts than plastic
Cons
- Supplied unassembled and unpainted so glue and paint are extra
- The 28mm size suits gaming tables rather than scale-accurate displays
The Warlord Games Comet is built for a specific job: appearing on a Bolt Action table in a list that already uses 28mm models. It is a resin and metal cast supplied unassembled and unpainted, rated 4.7 across five reviews, and if you play the game it slots straight into an existing army without any conversion thinking. That is a real advantage that a generic scale kit cannot offer.
Resin and metal is a sturdier combination than plastic for a model that will be handled, knocked and transported repeatedly. The metal parts hold detail and edges better than resin, and the resin itself gives you the fine texture that reads well under tabletop lighting. Five buyers rate it 4.7, and the feedback is generally about satisfaction with a model that does exactly what an officially produced game model should do.
What an officially licensed model gives you
Licensed models exist for a reason. They match the game line in size and style, they are produced in predictable numbers, and they avoid the awkward gaps that appear when a generic model is dropped into a ruleset. If you already have a Bolt Action force, the shape language of this Comet will sit correctly among your other vehicles in a way a 1/35 kit never will.
The counterpoint is the same as for the Rubicon above: 28mm is a gaming scale, not a display scale. A 1/56 nominal model built for a table will not satisfy someone who wants accurate proportions and a crew compartment, and it is not designed to. Paint it as a gaming model, not as a historical replica, and the result is very good.
Before you commit
Resin and metal means glue, files and paint are all extras, and casting cleanup takes longer than plastic mould-line removal. The 28mm size is also larger than the Rubicon 1/56 in perceived bulk, which is deliberate, since game models are built to read across a table rather than to match a real vehicle’s dimensions.
Five reviews is a thin evidence base, but this is a simple product with a simple purpose. If Bolt Action is your game, buy it. If you are not playing, the best KV-2 heavy tank model kits guide and the best IS-2 Stalin tank model kits roundup cover the same Second World War armour subjects from the display side of the shelf.
How to Choose a Comet Kit: Scale, Skill and Tracks
Most Comet buying mistakes come down to one of three things: choosing a scale that does not match your existing models, choosing a difficulty level you do not have time for, or ignoring the tracks. Here is how we would decide, in that order.
Pick the scale first. A 1/35 Comet is roughly 6 inches long and needs a proper shelf. A 1/72 model is a little over 3 inches and fits almost anywhere but offers far less interior detail. A 1/56 model sits between them and is the sweet spot for wargaming. If you already own armour kits, the best Comet for you is the one that matches them. Mixing scales in a single display looks like a mistake even when both models are well made.
Match the difficulty to your weekends. The Tamiya 35380 is a weekend build with a forgiving fit. The Bronco is a multi-evening build with photo-etched parts, a missing mantlet cover and single-link tracks. A 1/32 kit is a long project. A resin print is not a first build regardless of size, because the cleanup adds a skill dimension that plastic does not have. If you have never built a tank, the Tamiya is the answer, and the answer is not close.
Check the tracks before anything else. Track assembly is the most repeated complaint in every armour forum, and the Comet is no exception. The Tamiya uses assembly-type tracks with one-piece straight sections, which hold together as you build. The Bronco uses single-link clip-together tracks, which are slow and can break apart. If a build log tells you the tracks are the problem, it probably is, because that is where the complaints cluster. Hull and turret fit complaints are far rarer.
Decide how much photo-etched detail you want. A photo-etched fret adds sharpness that plastic cannot match, especially on grilles, screens and mantlet details. It also means a bending tool, a steady hand and the risk of snapping a part mid-build. The Bronco and the Vespid Mk.IB include one; the Tamiya does not. For a first build, skipping the fret is a legitimate choice, not a compromise.
Look at what markings come in the box. Comet kits vary a lot here. The Tamiya’s decals are reported to silver and are widely replaced with aftermarket sets, which also solves the limited-variant problem. If you want an Indian Army, Canadian or Greek Comet, check that an aftermarket decal set exists for that exact kit number before you buy, because detail sets and decals are usually kit-specific.
Budget beyond the kit. Every kit in this roundup needs glue, paint and tools, and only the Tamiya and the Rubicon include anything beyond the model and instructions. The resin options need a primer and finer handling. The Warlord Games model and the resin options need a full hobby toolset. Count those costs before you decide a cheaper kit is the better deal.
Consider reissues and import risk. Comet kits are made by a mix of Japanese, British, European and Chinese manufacturers, and imported kits have a habit of being reissued or replaced by a revised tooling run without much notice. If you want a specific kit number, buy it when you have decided, because the tooling may change. The Tamiya and Rubicon numbers are the most likely to be reissued indefinitely; the smaller and more recent releases are the least predictable.
On paint colour, one point settles a long-running argument. Tamiya’s instructions recommend XF-61 Dark Green, but the historical record points to SCC 15 British Olive Drab for most production Comets. Either is defensible, but know which one you are painting before you start, because changing your mind halfway through a build means stripping a finished tank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which model tank kits are the best?
For the A34 Comet specifically, the Tamiya 35380 in 1/35 is the best all-round kit, with a 4.8 rating from 164 reviews, a forgiving fit and assembly-type tracks. The Bronco Models 1/35 is the most accurate option if you can accept photo-etched parts and slow single-link tracks. For wargaming at 28mm, the Warlord Games Bolt Action Comet is the best fit for an existing force.
What is the best model kit for a beginner?
The Tamiya 35380 Comet in 1/35 is the best Comet kit for a beginner. Reviewers consistently describe it as snapping together with minimal filling or sanding, and the assembly-type tracks avoid the slow single-link work that trips up new modellers. Two crew figures and clear searchlight parts come in the box. The one thing to plan around is the supplied decals, which are widely replaced with aftermarket sets.
What are the best 1:35 model kits?
Among the 1/35 Comet kits in this roundup, the Tamiya 35380 is the best all-round build and the Bronco Models is the most accurate. The Tamiya wins on fit, ease and the size of its community of build logs. The Bronco wins on moulded detail, the included photo-etched fret and accuracy, at the cost of fiddly tracks, thin metal parts and a mantlet cover you have to fit yourself.
Which manufacturer makes the best tank model kits?
For this subject, Tamiya is the safest default because of fit, instructions and the depth of aftermarket support, and Bronco is the strongest alternative when accuracy outranks build speed. Tamiya Comet aftermarket support includes resin upgrade sets and 3D-printed wheels, and the kit is the one other Comet products are designed around. At small scales, Vespid produces the better-equipped 1/72 kits, while Rubicon covers the compact 1/56 wargaming market.
Was the Comet tank a good tank?
By Second World War standards, yes. The Comet carried a 77mm gun in quantity and combined that firepower with the mobility to exploit a fast armoured advance, which is why it shapes how the closing campaigns of 1944 and 1945 are often taught. Its weaknesses were cramped crew stations and a demanding engine layout, and it stayed in service into the 1950s with armies including India, Canada, South Africa, Greece and Egypt.
The Best Comet Kit Verdict
If you buy one Comet kit this year, make it the Tamiya 35380. It is the best Comet tank model kit for most people because it combines the best rating in this roundup with by far the largest body of real build feedback, an assembly that tolerates inexperience, and tracks that do not fight you. It is the kit we would hand to someone building their first tank, and it is the kit we would happily put on a display shelf ourselves.
Buy the Bronco instead if your only goal is maximum accuracy and you have the tools for photo-etched metal. Buy the Vespid Mk.IB if you want a metal barrel and a photo-etched fret in 1/72. Buy the Rubicon or the Warlord Games model if your Comets are going on a wargaming table rather than a cabinet. Everything else on this list is a specialist choice for a specific scale or a specific skill level, and each one fills a gap the Tamiya does not.
Whichever route you take, check the track design first and buy aftermarket decals for the Tamiya. Those two decisions do more for the finished model than any other part of the build. Last updated in 2026, and we will keep revising these picks as new toolings and reissues appear.