WW2 military models · Compare UK prices
WW2 Military Models & Kits
Explore Second World War model kits, from Spitfire, Mustang and Zero fighters to Tiger and T-34 tanks, battleships, U-boats and military figures. Compare the exact subject, wartime version, manufacturer and scale.
Find Airfix, Tamiya, Revell and ICM plastic model kits, brick builds, folded metal model kits and ready-built display models. Match markings and period before planning a WW2 collection or diorama.
Featured build · Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I, 1:72
Featured WW2 military models
Three recognisable WW2 subjects across air, land and sea: Tamiya’s Spitfire Mk.I, the Airfix Tiger I starter set and Tamiya’s wartime USS Missouri. Compare scale, construction demands and display space before choosing your project.
Best for a compact aircraft build
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · RAF fighter
Best for a first glued tank kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · Paints, glue and brush included
Best for a detailed WW2 battleship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Waterline model · 38.65cm long
WW2 aircraft models
Compare American and German fighters in Airfix’s Mustang and Bf109 set, a Japanese A6M2b Zero and ICM’s Soviet Po-2VS light night bomber. All are 1:72, but the fine struts of the biplane make it a more demanding build than the Easy-rated fighter kits.
Best for a starter aircraft set
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Two aircraft · Paints, cement and brushes
Build the P-51D Mustang alongside its German Bf109F-4 opponent. Airfix’s gift set includes 61 parts across the two aircraft, plus basic finishing supplies. It uses conventional glue-and-paint assembly, so it is an Easy project rather than a QUICKBUILD push-fit model.
Best for a first plastic aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
A6M2b naval fighter · 1:72 scale
A compact Zero with an Easy build rating. Choose the exact A6M2b version for your collection and allow for separate glue and finishing supplies; this is a conventional plastic kit rather than a starter set.
Best for a WW2 biplane project
Challenging · Plastic · 1:72
Soviet light night bomber · 1:72 scale
ICM’s U-2/Po-2VS adds a Soviet light night bomber to a collection of WW2 fighters. Its biplane wings and slender supporting struts need careful alignment. The compact 1:72 scale leaves fine parts to handle, supporting its Challenging construction rating.
WW2 Spitfire models
The Spitfire served throughout the war in changing versions. Compare Tamiya’s Mk.I kits at 1:72 and 1:48 with Airfix’s later Mk.VIII at 1:24. Choose the specific mark, markings and scale for your intended period rather than treating every Spitfire as a Battle of Britain aircraft.
Best for a compact aircraft build
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · RAF fighter
Choose this 1:72 Spitfire for a compact British fighter display. Its Easy rating offers a gentler route into traditional plastic aircraft kits, while keeping a recognised wartime subject at the centre of the build.
Great for a 1:48 Spitfire collection
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
1:48 scale · Traditional plastic kit
Compare this Tamiya Mk.I with the smaller 1:72 version when choosing your aircraft scale. The 1:48 kit is rated Challenging, making it a more involved option for a Battle of Britain-era Spitfire collection.
Best for a large Spitfire project
Expert · Plastic · 1:24
1:24 scale · Later-war Spitfire variant
The Mk.VIII offers a later-war Spitfire in Airfix’s large 1:24 range. Choose it for an extended project with room for detailed assembly and finishing. Its Expert rating and substantial wingspan make workspace and display planning part of the decision.
WW2 tank models
German Tiger I, Soviet T-34/76 and Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha offer contrasting WW2 armour subjects. Airfix’s 1:72 starter set includes basic supplies; Tamiya’s 1:35 kits provide larger builds for painting, crew and display details.
Best for a first glued tank kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · Paints, glue and brush included
A compact Tiger I with simplified assembly and basic finishing supplies. This is a conventional plastic kit rather than a snap-together toy: trim and join the parts, then paint the model. Its Easy rating makes it a useful introduction to tracked armour.
Best for a classic Soviet tank
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
1:35 scale · 1943 production subject
Tamiya’s T-34/76 depicts the 1943 tank with its distinctive hexagonal turret. Hatch choices and crew figures offer ways to personalise the finished model. The larger 1:35 format suits modellers who want to spend time on assembly, painting and weathering.
Best for Japanese WW2 armour
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
1:35 scale · Japanese medium tank
The Type 97 Chi-Ha adds Japanese armour to a collection dominated by European subjects. Tamiya’s 1:35 plastic kit includes crew figures and marking choices for a painted display. Match the specific vehicle and period if combining it with figures or scenery.
WW2 military vehicle models
Look beyond frontline armour to a British ambulance, Scammell tank transporter and RAF Albion fueller. Tamiya and Airfix cover medical, logistics and airfield subjects at 1:48 and 1:76. Match scale and markings before combining them in a scene.
Best for a military medical vehicle
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
1:48 scale · Driver and Red Cross markings
This British 2-ton 4×2 ambulance adds a medical-support role to a WW2 collection. Tamiya’s 1:48 plastic kit includes a driver and marking options. Build and paint the body carefully before applying the prominent Red Cross decals.
Best for a WW2 transport scene
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:76
107 parts · Tractor and trailer
Build the Scammell tractor and transporter trailer for a British Army logistics display. Airfix’s 1:76 kit has 107 parts and a finished length of about 21cm. Check the dimensions of any separate vehicle you intend to display on the trailer.
Best for a WW2 RAF support scene
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
113 parts · RAF 1940 scheme
The Albion is an RAF refuelling vehicle, rather than an armoured tank. Airfix’s 1:48 kit has 113 parts and a 1940 scheme. It offers a compact support subject for a wartime airfield display with appropriately scaled aircraft and figures.
WW2 warship models
Compare Tamiya’s wartime USS Missouri, Revell’s Bismarck and the WW2 aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV-6. Check the depicted fit and hull format: the later missile-era Missouri and nuclear Enterprise CVN-65 are different subjects from the kits selected here.
Best for a detailed WW2 battleship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Waterline model · 38.65cm long
Missouri brings a WW2 battleship to a 1:700 naval collection. Tamiya’s fine anti-aircraft weapons, masts and floatplanes need patient handling, while the long hull needs a clear shelf area. The kit represents a wartime fit rather than the later missile-era ship.
Best for a detailed 1:700 Bismarck
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
295 parts · Full-hull display model
Revell’s 1:700 Bismarck combines a full hull, display stand, fine masts and two Arado seaplanes. Its 295 parts call for steady assembly. Choose it when you want the complete hull rather than assuming every 1:700 warship is waterline-only.
Best for a compact WW2 carrier
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:1200
Waterline model · 38 parts
This Enterprise represents the wartime CV-6, not the later nuclear-powered CVN-65. Its 1:1200 waterline format makes a compact naval display, while the small island and deck aircraft still need careful placement. The kit is rated Intermediate despite its modest part count.
WW2 submarine models
German Type VII and Type IX U-boats contrast with Japan’s aircraft-carrying I-400. Compare Revell 1:72 and 1:144 with Tamiya 1:350, and check completed hull length as well as scale before allocating shelf space.
Best for a large U-boat display
Expert · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · About 93.4cm long
Revell’s Type VIIC/41 is a substantial 1:72 display project. Its long hull, conning tower and fine deck fittings demand a clear workspace and patient handling. The Expert construction rating reflects the extended assembly rather than simply the subject’s size.
Best for a mid-sized long-range U-boat
Challenging · Plastic · 1:144
1:144 scale · About 53.1cm long
The Type IX C/40 adds a different U-boat family to a German naval collection. Revell’s 1:144 U190 is smaller than a 1:72 version, but still needs a substantial display shelf and careful alignment of hull and deck details.
Best for an aircraft-carrying submarine
Challenging · Plastic · 1:350
1:350 scale · Japanese WW2 subject
The I-400 offers an unusual Japanese submarine subject, with its aircraft hangar and Seiran floatplane equipment. Tamiya’s Special Edition is a conventional 1:350 plastic build for a patient modeller who enjoys small naval fittings.
WW2 figures and dioramas
Airfix’s 1:76 figure sets support painting and scene building. British 8th Army troops, German infantry and US Marines call for different uniforms, equipment and settings. These preformed figures are painting projects rather than conventional vehicle-style construction kits.
Great for a North African scene
Figure set · Plastic · 1:76
Unpainted figures · Painting and scene building
Airfix’s British 8th Army figures suit a North African desert-warfare scene. Prepare and paint the unpainted 1:76 miniatures, then arrange them with suitable vehicles and scenery. Check uniform, theatre and scale rather than treating every British WW2 figure as interchangeable.
Best for a small-scale infantry scene
Figure set · Plastic · 1:76
Unpainted figures · Painting and scene building
These 1:76 infantry figures are supplied as preformed figures rather than a conventional assembly kit. Use them for painting and scene building, checking compatibility before pairing them with 1:72 armour.
Best for smaller-scale military scenes
Figure set · Plastic · 1:76
Unpainted figures · Painting and scene building
Add US Marine figures to an appropriately scaled WW2 scene. Airfix’s set includes varied poses, weapons and an inflatable assault boat. The figures need preparation and painting rather than a full vehicle-style build; match their 1:76 scale with the surrounding models and scenery.
Brick and metal WW2 models
Reobrix’s Sherman, Metal Earth’s Tiger I and Airfix QUICKBUILD Spitfire offer three ways to build familiar WW2 subjects. Compare interlocking bricks, shaped metal tabs and pre-coloured push-fit parts. A no-glue model can still require patient assembly.
Best for a brick-built Sherman
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:30
836 bricks · Manufacturer-stated 1:30
Reobrix’s World of Tanks Sherman uses coloured interlocking bricks rather than glued sprues. Build the M4A3E8 hull, turret and tracks as a substantial assembly project, then keep the finished model on display. Its 1:30 format differs from conventional 1:35 plastic armour.
Best for a small metal display
Intermediate · Metal
Folded metal sheets · No stated scale
Metal Earth’s Tiger I starts as flat metal sheets. Cut out the components, shape them and secure the small tabs with suitable pliers. Its compact polished finish provides a different building experience from a painted plastic tank; small bends still require care.
Best for a first push-fit aircraft
First Build · Plastic · No stated scale
34 pre-coloured parts · No glue or paint
This QUICKBUILD Spitfire uses pre-coloured interlocking parts and D-Day invasion stripes. Build it without glue or paint for a straightforward First Build project. Airfix lists no scale for J6045, so choose it as its own display rather than matching a scale diorama.
Choosing a scale for WW2 models
Use scale to judge the relative size of the same subject, then check the completed dimensions. A battleship at 1:700 can be longer than a fighter at 1:48. Match figures and vehicles by scale, service, theatre and date when planning a diorama.
| Scale | Subject | What to consider | Catalogue examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:72 | Aircraft and compact armour | A broad choice for smaller displays. Fine struts, tracks and glazing can still make a kit demanding. | Tamiya Spitfire / Airfix Mustang & Bf109 / Airfix Tiger |
| 1:48 | Aircraft and support vehicles | More room for cockpit and surface detail. A matching scale is only the first step towards a historically coherent airfield scene. | Tamiya Spitfire / Tamiya P-51B / Tamiya ambulance |
| 1:35 | Detailed armour | Useful for hull fittings, running gear and crew. Allow space for gun barrels and any display base. | Tamiya T-34/76 / Tamiya Chi-Ha / Tamiya Tiger II |
| 1:76 | Figures and transport vehicles | Close to 1:72, but not identical. Check the proportions of figures, transporter loads and surrounding vehicles. | Airfix Scammell / British 8th Army / US Marines |
| 1:700 / 1:1200 | Warships | Check hull length and whether the kit is waterline or full hull. Masts and deck equipment can be delicate. | Missouri, 1:700 / Bismarck, 1:700 / Enterprise CV-6, 1:1200 |
| 1:72 / 1:144 / 1:350 | Submarines | The long hull makes completed length particularly important. A smaller scale does not guarantee a simpler build. | Type VIIC/41, 1:72 / U190, 1:144 / I-400, 1:350 |
| 1:24 | Large aircraft | Plan your work area and display case before starting. Large scale can bring more detailed subassemblies and an extended finishing project. | Airfix Spitfire Mk.VIII |
| Alternative formats | Brick, push-fit and folded metal models | Use a stated scale only where the exact product supports it. Compare assembly method and dimensions when scale is unstated. | Reobrix Sherman, 1:30 / QUICKBUILD Spitfire, no scale / Metal Earth Tiger, no scale |
1:72 WW2 models
Tamiya’s Spitfire and Airfix’s Mustang/Bf109 pair and Zero keep the same scale across several air forces. Compare the individual kit’s build rating and supplied materials. Check markings before planning a period display with other aircraft, figures or airfield vehicles.
Best for a compact aircraft build
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
1:72 scale · RAF fighter
Choose this 1:72 Spitfire for a compact British fighter display. Its Easy rating offers a gentler route into traditional plastic aircraft kits, while keeping a recognised wartime subject at the centre of the build.
Best for a starter aircraft set
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Two aircraft · Paints, cement and brushes
Build the P-51D Mustang alongside its German Bf109F-4 opponent. Airfix’s gift set includes 61 parts across the two aircraft, plus basic finishing supplies. It uses conventional glue-and-paint assembly, so it is an Easy project rather than a QUICKBUILD push-fit model.
Best for a first plastic aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
A6M2b naval fighter · 1:72 scale
A compact Zero with an Easy build rating. Choose the exact A6M2b version for your collection and allow for separate glue and finishing supplies; this is a conventional plastic kit rather than a starter set.
1:48 WW2 models
Compare a detailed Tamiya Spitfire, an earlier P-51B Mustang and a British ambulance at 1:48. The shared scale can support a scene, but location, service branch, markings and date still need to agree.
Great for a 1:48 Spitfire collection
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
1:48 scale · Traditional plastic kit
Compare this Tamiya Mk.I with the smaller 1:72 version when choosing your aircraft scale. The 1:48 kit is rated Challenging, making it a more involved option for a Battle of Britain-era Spitfire collection.
Best for a larger Mustang kit
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
Earlier fuselage profile · Pilot and stores
The P-51B adds the earlier raised rear fuselage profile to a Mustang collection. Tamiya’s 1:48 kit includes a pilot, bombs, drop tanks and three marking options. Its 20.5cm length gives room for cockpit and exterior detail without the footprint of a large modern jet.
Best for a military medical vehicle
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
1:48 scale · Driver and Red Cross markings
This British 2-ton 4×2 ambulance adds a medical-support role to a WW2 collection. Tamiya’s 1:48 plastic kit includes a driver and marking options. Build and paint the body carefully before applying the prominent Red Cross decals.
1:35 WW2 models
Tamiya’s T-34/76, Type 97 Chi-Ha and Tiger II provide three distinct national armour subjects. The larger format gives space for hull and turret detail, while the exact vehicle version and crew remain important for a convincing WW2 display.
Best for a classic Soviet tank
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
1:35 scale · 1943 production subject
Tamiya’s T-34/76 depicts the 1943 tank with its distinctive hexagonal turret. Hatch choices and crew figures offer ways to personalise the finished model. The larger 1:35 format suits modellers who want to spend time on assembly, painting and weathering.
Best for Japanese WW2 armour
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
1:35 scale · Japanese medium tank
The Type 97 Chi-Ha adds Japanese armour to a collection dominated by European subjects. Tamiya’s 1:35 plastic kit includes crew figures and marking choices for a painted display. Match the specific vehicle and period if combining it with figures or scenery.
Best for a larger German heavy tank
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
1:35 scale · King Tiger with production turret
Choose the Tiger II for a different German heavy-tank silhouette from the Tiger I. Tamiya’s production-turret edition gives room for careful running-gear alignment and a painted camouflage finish. Compare the exact turret and kit code when building a historically consistent collection.
How to choose a WW2 military model
Start with a subject and setting you want to explore, then choose the assembly method and level of detail that fit your experience.
Choose the variant and wartime setting
A Spitfire Mk.I and Mk.VIII represent different stages of aircraft development. A 1943 T-34/76 belongs in a different setting from a Pacific Type 97 Chi-Ha. Check markings, uniform and equipment for the scene you intend to build.
Decide whether to build or display
Conventional plastic kits need assembly and finishing; QUICKBUILD uses pre-coloured parts, while Metal Earth uses folded metal tabs. The Browse grid also includes finished die-cast models. Check that a product is a kit if construction is the part you enjoy.
Match the construction demands
Airfix Tiger starter and Airfix Zero are Easy-rated kits, while ICM Po-2VS and Revell Type VIIC/41 require more patient handling. Our difficulty ratings describe construction, not optional advanced weathering or historical significance.
Compare WW2 military models
Compare every recommended model by subject, scale, construction demands and current price. Preformed figure sets are shown as painting and scene-building projects, without a construction-difficulty rating.
| Model / brand | Subject | Scale | Difficulty | Price | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiya 60748 Spitfire Mk.I | RAF fighter | 1:72 | Easy | £15.04 | |
| Airfix A55004 Tiger I Starter Set | German heavy tank | 1:72 | Easy | £12.29 | |
| Tamiya 31613 USS Missouri BB-63 | US battleship | 1:700 | Challenging | £31.50 | |
| Airfix A50193 Mustang & Bf109F-4 | US / German fighters | 1:72 | Easy | £20.77 | |
| Airfix A01005B A6M2b Zero | Japanese naval fighter | 1:72 | Easy | £8.99 | |
| ICM 72243 U-2/Po-2VS | Soviet night bomber | 1:72 | Challenging | £17.22 | |
| Tamiya 61119 Spitfire Mk.I | RAF fighter | 1:48 | Challenging | £31.95 | |
| Airfix A17002 Spitfire Mk.VIII | Spitfire Mk.VIII | 1:24 | Expert | £91.12 | |
| Tamiya 35059 T-34/76 1943 | Soviet medium tank | 1:35 | Intermediate | £21.67 | |
| Tamiya 35075 Type 97 Chi-Ha | Japanese medium tank | 1:35 | Intermediate | £15.14 | |
| Tamiya 32605 British 2-Ton Ambulance | British ambulance | 1:48 | Intermediate | £21.49 | |
| Airfix A02301V Scammell Tank Transporter | British tank transporter | 1:76 | Intermediate | £14.38 | |
| Airfix A03312 Albion 3-Point Fueller | RAF aircraft fueller | 1:48 | Intermediate | £19.33 | |
| Revell 05098 Bismarck | German battleship | 1:700 | Challenging | £25.05 | |
| Revell 05824 USS Enterprise CV-6 | US aircraft carrier | 1:1200 | Intermediate | £10.53 | |
| Revell 05163 Type VIIC/41 U-boat | German U-boat | 1:72 | Expert | £79.29 | |
| Revell 05167 Type IX C/40 U190 | German U-boat | 1:144 | Challenging | £19.95 | |
| Tamiya 25426 I-400 Special Edition | Japanese submarine | 1:350 | Challenging | £133.16 | |
| Airfix A00709V British 8th Army | British 8th Army figures | 1:76 | Figure set | £5.95 | |
| Airfix A00705V German Infantry | German infantry figures | 1:76 | Figure set | £5.95 | |
| Airfix A00716V WWII US Marines | US Marine figures | 1:76 | Figure set | £5.95 | |
| Reobrix 77030 M4A3E8 Sherman | US Sherman brick build | 1:30 | Intermediate | £49.99 | |
| Metal Earth MMS203 Tiger I | German Tiger metal build | — | Intermediate | £16.95 | |
| Airfix J6045 QUICKBUILD D-Day Spitfire | D-Day Spitfire push-fit | — | First Build | £12.04 | |
| Tamiya 61042 P-51B Mustang | US fighter | 1:48 | Intermediate | £24.01 | |
| Tamiya 35164 Tiger II Production Turret | German heavy tank | 1:35 | Intermediate | £30.66 |
WW2 periods and theatres
Second World War modelling spans several years, climates and service branches. Use the kit’s exact version and markings to narrow the historical setting.
Battle of Britain and RAF airfields
Tamiya’s Spitfire Mk.I offers a Battle of Britain fighter, while the Albion 3-Point Fueller depicts an RAF support vehicle with a 1940 scheme. The two recommended kits use different scales; choose matching versions when building a single airfield scene.
North African ground forces
British 8th Army figures suggest a desert-warfare setting. Compare uniforms and equipment with European infantry before adding vehicles and terrain; a general WW2 label alone does not make every figure suitable for the same diorama.
Eastern Front and later-war Europe
The 1943 T-34/76 and Soviet Po-2VS night bomber offer distinct Eastern Front subjects. A D-Day Spitfire instead points towards the Normandy campaign. Match the kit’s specific scheme to the period you want to portray.
Pacific war and naval operations
Japanese Zero, US Marines and the wartime USS Missouri span air, land and sea subjects from the Pacific war. The I-400 submarine adds a specialised late-war Japanese design; check the individual dates and markings before combining subjects.
Browse all WW2 military models
Browse WW2 kits and ready-built models by subject, scale and manufacturer. Compare aircraft, armour, support vehicles, warships, submarines and figures, then use the numbered pages to see the full selection.
Hasegawa Kyushu J7W1 Shinden 1:48 Model Kit JT22
Revell 05824 USS Enterprise CV-6 Aircraft Carrier 1:1200 Model Kit
WW2 military model FAQs
Which WW2 kit is suitable for a simpler first build?
The Airfix A55004 Tiger I Starter Set and Tamiya 60748 Spitfire Mk.I have Easy construction ratings. The Tiger set includes basic finishing supplies. For a model without glue or painting, compare the Airfix QUICKBUILD D-Day Spitfire.
Are all Spitfire models suitable for a Battle of Britain scene?
Should I choose 1:72 or 1:48 for WW2 aircraft?
For the same aircraft, 1:48 produces a larger model with more display space and potentially more individual detail. Compare the Tamiya 1:72 Spitfire with its 1:48 Mk.I by dimensions and build demands. A smaller scale does not automatically mean easier assembly.
Can I mix 1:72 vehicles with 1:76 figures?
They are close in size but not identical. For the same full-size subject, a 1:72 model is about 5.6% larger in each linear dimension. Compare Airfix 1:76 figures with the exact vehicle dimensions before planning a consistent scene.
Do WW2 figures need the same assembly as tank kits?
The British 8th Army, German infantry and US Marine sets shown here contain preformed figures. Their main tasks are preparation, painting and scene arrangement. They are not assigned a conventional kit construction rating in this comparison.
Is every model of Missouri or Enterprise a WW2 subject?
No. Tamiya 31613 Missouri represents a wartime battleship fit, while later versions of the ship can have missile-era equipment. Revell 05824 Enterprise depicts the wartime CV-6 aircraft carrier, not the later nuclear CVN-65. Check the exact kit code and configuration.
Are ready-built models included as well as kits?
Yes. Use the Ready-built filter in the Browse grid for finished display models. Conventional plastic kits, brick builds and folded-metal models still require assembly. Check the listing before ordering if you want a completed model rather than a construction project.
How do I choose models for a historically consistent diorama?
Match scale first, then check the date, location, service branch, vehicle variant and uniform. For example, 8th Army desert troops call for a different setting from a late-war European scene. A 1940 RAF Albion fueller also needs aircraft and figures appropriate to its airfield role.
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