I have an opinion question for you all. I currently do all my work in 1/48 scale (which admittedly takes up a large amount of ceiling space, as I hang all my aircraft). My question is this…when building helicopters, I’d like to stick to 1/48, but so many are only offered in 1/35 (or are very difficult to find in 1/48).
I like sticking with this scale for size-comparison and because it’s a great scale to work in. Thoughts? What do you all build in?
I prefer 1/35 scale. I can do a greater amount of detail on them and use figures, accessories, and weapons from my armor models to flesh them out as well. Plus they can be put in a dio very easily with other 1/35 scale vehicles and figures.
Having built helos from 1/72 to 1/35, I prefer 1/35 for figures and dioramas and 1/48 if just displaying solo.
I concur with you that it’s frustrating at times to get specific helos in 1/48 but it looks like the community is coming around…1/48 AH-1s, UH-1s, AH-64s, and soon CH-46E just to name a few. I waiting for Academy’s CH-46E and the day that a company releases a 1/48 CH-53E…time will tell
I’m having a heckuva time trying to find a 1/48 AH-1 Cobra of any sort…seems like they don’t exist. I built one about 15 years ago (Monogram, I think, maybe Revell…) but they seem to be scarce now. Frustrating! [:(]
The AH-1 and CH-47 a couple of the most used helicopters today and you can’t find a 1/48 kit of them. At least not easily and the old Aurora “47” is antique. Go figure!
I found the Monogram AH-1 at of all places a craft store that at the time had several. More often than not I end up finding what I’m looking for in odd places or ebay.
How is shopping for models on eBay? I’m a little hesitant to use it, just because I have no experience…but it seems just about the only way to find those hard-to-find kits.
I have ordered many models off of Ebay with great results each time. Sometimes you can get a great deal. Look for the Buy It Now option, you can get some low prices that way, mainly on newer kits. I got the new Tamiya M2A2 ODS recently for $30 including shipping. Look out for high shipping costs though. Some people will try to screw you on the shipping by charging excessive amounts for shipping, anything they don’t spend on the postage goes into their pocket. Good Luck.
I like 1/35 for the same reasons as HeavyArty has already mentioned, but I will work in 1/48 if that’s the only scale offered for a certain subject. 1/72 I only do as a last resort, juat a little too small for my clumsy hands. I’m looking forward to the -46 coming out and hope they’ll be joined by a -47 and a -53 in 1/48, then I can dream about those same birds in 1/35[:P]
I usually stay with the 1/35 myself but I plan to do a 1/48 H-3 Sea King for my brother who flew one at Viet Nam. Don’t have to worry about the room to put it as he will take it to his place and I am really looking forward to the chance to add a bunch of detail to a size I don’t build that often. It should be here next Tuesday…Wheee!
I dunno… I just built an ESCI 48th OH-58. While I liked the kit and the exterior detail was very nice, the kit was just too small to show anything. Can’t wait until I get my 35th Kiowa Warrior. That should be interesting!