I try to stick to one scale/subject: Armor 1/35, ww2 warships 1/450, pre-dreadnoughts 1/200, etc. Aircraft are tricky due to huge size variation between eras and types, even more so than ships.
When I was modelling WWII aircraft in my teens, I started on 1/72 scale aircraft and kindof stuck with it despite some forays into the 1/48 scale. Returning to the bench in my late 30’s I have been more interested in armoured topics, and have set about “ruining” a bunch of cheaper 1/72 scale tanks in order to develop an appropriate level of skill before I tackle a well-intentionally-gifted 1/35 scale Dragon kit. Inspired by my interest in scale modelling and relieved at finding something other than booze to gift me at special occasions, my kit acquisition at birthdays and Christmasses has been a little unscripted and covers a spread of scales from 1:144 to 1:35 - I intend to build it all!
I try to keep to one scale within subject matter. 1/48 for planes and 1/350 for ships for example. I’m open to doing other scales, the limiting factor is my eyesight and how small I viably can work with something.
I have to build larger scales because I’ve got really bad eyesight.
1/48 and/or 1/32 for aircraft.
1/350 for ships.
1/35 or larger for armor.
Any large scale for sci-fi, fantasy, and/or Gundam.
If I build anything smaller, it depends on what the model subject is and if it interests me enough.
For aircraft, it’s 1/48 for the most part. I like it best for the combination of detail and size that displays the best. I have some 1/32 kits, but they take up more room. I have a good number of 1/72 kits, too.
For armor, it’s 1/35 but also some 1/72.
For ships, it’s 1/700, but also a collection of 1/1200 kits.
For figures, it’s 54mm / 1/32 scale, because I like larger displays and I want the figures to be uniform.
And I build Maschinen Krieger subjects, which are mostly in 1/20. There are more MaK kits in 1/35 scale, but I stick to 1/20. A good scale for detail without taking up too much display space.
I love the 1/32 aircraft but I didn’t have the room for them. I have a B-1b, C-130 and B-58 all in 1/48 and they are all Huge and once I get around to building them I might have to add an addition to the house.
Still, one day, ill probably build a the 1/350 USN Ford, the 1/32 tamiya F-14 because I hear it is a gem.
Thank you, I’ve only built USMC aircraft thus far but I have ordered a Sherman in 1/48 which seems kind of small but I was locked into that scale which is why I made this post.
I’m even considering the 1/48 WWII sub but that thing is HUGE!
Many years ago I decided to standardize on 1/48 aircraft and 1/35 armor. But I also like to dabble in the occasional 1/32 armor kit as well. Years later I decided to try my hand on 1/32 aircraft like I had built long ago. Then along came Tamiya introducing their 1/48 armor kits…. Man I wish that they had introduced that line in the late 80’s when I started my “standardizing”, I would have gone down that path.
I don’t have a standard scale because I build so many different types of models. There are some scales that I do not deviate from, like 1/35 for armor. But aircraft come in so many sizes, it is not practical to settle on one scale. Same thing with anime models.
I just ordered my first armor kit, Tamya 1/48th USMC easy 8. I was excited to discover the scale and subject existed. In fact, that is what prompted my original post. I suspect it will feel small but I like that they will all look correct in the display case/shelf (once I get one).
So, why do you wish you had gone with 1/48th instead of 1/35th?
I mainly build 1:48 scale aircraft but I have dabbled in other scales. I tend to avoid smaller scale aircraft because they lack detail and are so small. I love building detailed cockpits and spend extra time working on the interior of the plane.
I’ve heard of a few guys who caught a “computer virus” that purchased the new bf-109 from Airfix in 1:24 scale. I’m afraid to go to the Airfix website in case my computer gets it to.
My preferred scale is 1:48, but I’m not averse to other scales. This year alone I have done 3 72nd kits (Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat), 1 32nd kit (Ju88A-1), and 1 24th kit (F6F-5 Hellcat). I don’t frequently change lanes to other subject types, but do have a sports car in my stash, which is a Tamiya at 1/24. There are a couple of tanks, both 1/35. And a bunch of starships at varying scales, from 1/72 to 1/5000.
I mainly build aircraft and I prefer to stay in the 1/48 scale. But not all the aircraft I have interest in building are in 1/48. I do this mainly for, as some have said already, presentation on the shelf. It just looks better with everything in the same scale.
For subject matter outside of aircraft, I still choose to stay in the same scale factor. i.e. I recently bought the Razor Crest from the Mandalorian. It’s a 1/72 scale. So now, any Star Wars I buy will probably be 1/72.
I like the continuity of scale. Like was said above, 1/72 is too small for armor and for many aircraft. 1/32 gobbles up a LOT of shelf display space. But 1/48 offers the best balance of detail, selection, and shelf space footprint. My only gripe against 1/48 armor is it being a much more limited selection, particularly in modern armor/vehicles. But Tamiya is still slowly expanding their product line, and with 3-D printing, the possibilities have truly blossomed. Not to mention that there is also a reasonable variety of airfield/aircraft support type vehicles now available to pair up with the 1/48 aircraft for diorama projects.
