Is it just me or have there been a lot of releases in larger scales recently? I’m talking from 1/32 - 1/16. This includes model kits that are put together to pre-builds like those pointed out in the forum of a 1/16 F-16C. I’m all for the variety in scales but for a modeler with limited space (as we’ve all confronted this problem before) it’s just not an option. Maybe it’s something I can look forward to as a retirement project…get a large house some where and build. Maybe something like a small barn I can set up a workshop in and call my “dog house” if I’m in hot water with the wife.[:D] Just my thoughts and rambling…
Carl,
There certainly has been a lot of large models put on the market lately. The 1/32 scale is really taking off. I have concentrated on 1/72 scale all my life, with an occasional digression into 1/48. Those 1/32 babies are absolute monsters to me. And that is from a guy who builds RC models that are 5 to 6 feet across. [alien]
Yes, you are dead on target Carl. It’s a trend in modeling a lot of people have been hoping in vain for for a long time. For me, it’s not that I especially want to model in 1/32 (maybe if I move back to Texas, but not in a NYC apartment), but what it’s meant is that the best subject used to be released in 1/72 only, and now that’s been bumped up to 1/48, my scale almost exclusively.
However, I just go through posting my second message ever on the armor board asking for advice. Why? Eduard, for reasons I’m not sure of, sent me their 1/16 scale Schwimmwagen. In my 30 years of modeling, I’ve built one simple, ancient Tamiya tank. That was a few years ago, and I did it because I got a couple or three tank kits for nothing, and I wanted to practice using gradations of sun-faded OD on something other than a perfectly good airplane. But this is a whole different animal. As I said over there, this is a fine kit by any standards, though at a hundred bucks retail, certainly nothing I could afford, and if I could you know it wouldn’t be spent on armor. But it’ll be fun to work with these big photoetched parts instead of microscoping, carpet-loving PE. And, this is the first model I’ve ever seen in any scale that comes with hard inner tubes to go in the soft rubber tires so the weight of the model will make them flatten naturally the perfect scale amount. What a great idea. Any way, enough about armor on this site.
Models are getting bigger, but they are getting more expensive, as are all the things that go with them from paint to resin and PE accessories. That’s reason for concern. I think it’ll shake out finally that guys and women who build will be spending the same amount of money on their hobby, but building fewer kits. For economic reasons more than reasons of space. We always seem to find a place to put our builds, best if their in someone else’s office, for example.
TOM
have you seen the top-view shillouettes of the bone VS the blackjack ? the bone isnt a fraction of the size of the blackjack. the blackjack is more like a mutant bone…
I get too many ideas with a 1/32 kits. I’ve got 3 Bf-109s,2 F-4s,a Fw-190,and a Beaufighter, and i’ve got huge plans for each.
Tankmaster7- Are you nuts?!? Have you seen how big the 1/72 B-52 is?
I started in the hobby by building 1/72 scale exclusively. For the last 10 years, it’s been 1/48 scale. I find the 1/32 scale very tempting from a build perspective, but concerns about displaying them after the build have deterred me from going to the larger scale so far. But some of the new 1/32 releases from Hasegawa & Trumpeter are really nice kits. Anything larger I simply wouldn’t consider.
I’ll agree that I like my armor and helicopters in 1/35th, but thats about it. 1/32 aircraft just doesn’t appeal to me for the reasons of cost and space. When you start modelling in1/32nd scale, you really have to treat it as an investment rather than a hobby, and that’s where I think some of the fun goes away. I’d like to see some more of the companies work on updating old kits and new releases in 1/48, personally. [2c]
I have been working off and on for about 5 years on a 1/72 B-52D diorama with lots of activity. Engine change, bomb loading, refueling, etc. It will have a base 3 ft by 4 ft ! I have seen several Viet Nam era pictures of BUFFs having bombs loaded or refueling or doing maintenance. That triggered the diorama idea. SAC had restrictions for many years that these activities could only take place one at a time. While I was part of the 43 Strat Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam, in 1977-1979, they had an exercise called GIANT THRUST. They took all 15 B-52s and loaded them with live bombs and tried to obliterate a small chunk of coral called Farallon de Mendinilla Island. It was the northermost island in the Mariannas chain. During this exercise, they experimented with the concept of doing all three major “turn around” acitivities at once. It worked quite well. The BUFFS would fly a mission, land, do the turn around thing, and go back out again. This went on around the clock for 7 days. Doing this dio in 1/48 would be gargantuan. 1/32 would be beyond comprehension. A 1/32 BUFF would have a 69 inch wing span!!! Darwin [alien]
Personally I like the 1/48th scale for propeller driven aircraft. However Jet Fighters really fit my eye in the larger 1/32 scale. I’m a rather novice builder, mainly because my painting skills leave a lot to be desired. Currrently I have an F-18, in 1/32 scale, on the go and hope to post pics of it in a couple of weeks. But? If I had a choice, and the painting skills to back up the more expensive purchases of 1/32 scale jet fighter kits, I would would rather build and buy the 1/32 scale Jet Fighter kits in a heart beat, Bill.
I just hope the spike in interest in 1/32 planes gives us more variety. Might be sad for the vacuum formed manufacturers, but the detail and relative eas of construction would be welcome at my house.
I love the ideas for truly huge examples, but I like 32 more for the detail than the vast size. If I started building BUFFs, Blackjacks and Spruce Gooses (Geese?) in that scale I’d have to move for sure, either because my house wouldn’t be big enough or because I’d come home to find my suitcase (and models) on the front porch.
For my wish list, how about the F-100, F-111, A-6 and maybe even state-of-the art A-4, F-86, and F-104. I’ve enjoyed building the Hasegawa kits of the last few, but would truly love to seen them available in the quality of the new Tamiya F-16.