I don’t know you all, I really am tempted to swicth to 1/48th scale. I’m soo frustrated with having to frequently scatch-build major detail on 1/72nd scale kits due to kit inaccuracies. If it isn’t constant fit problems, it’s detail, or both. I am an award-winning modeler in 1/72nd scale, and I have learned an emense amount of knowledge to deal with any of the sortfalls 1/72nd scale can dish out. However, I’m getting burned out after 13 years with the small jets. I originally settled on 1/72nd scale due to the fact that I can display my large collection of jets, making comparison emmediate, and it doesn’t take up the house in the process. Then I sometimes peer at the box contents of a few1/48th scale jets in my stash…all the detail is there, dry-fitting reveals excellent fit, and accuracy was top notch (even for some older Monogram kits I have). I go and take a gander the few 1/48th scale kits I have on display, and brother, do they look great!
So, what do you all think, should I keep on truck’in in “braile scale” or give up the ghost and be turn to the Dark Side? (Sorry, my kid was watching Star Wars Episode III). I get so envious after looking at you all’s finished 1/48th scale models…they’re the perfect size, impressive detail and very accurate…some built completely OOB! Space is not a real issue, however I’m a bit concerned about subject availability in 1/48th scale. Suggestions, thoughts? HELP!
I personally would go with 48th. I build exclusively 1:48 WWII subjects, and I like them for the same reason you did: accuracy, parts fit, details, etc.
Follow your heart my friend is all I can say.
I would like to see your skills on the 1/48 scale though.
I build mainly 1/48 scale and like them but size is a problem for me especially with jets like the SU-27 which has a wingspan too big to fit in the glass case I have.
My Revell F-15E barely fits so anything larger I will have to find somewhere else to store them.
I guess I could just build WWII aircraft and F-16s but that would get tiresome after a while. [:D]
Greg,
Although the variety of subjects in 1/72 is HUGE compared with 1/48, and the little planes are far easier to display because they take up do much less space, I find that 1/48 scale a much better option because of the impressive size, better scope for detailing, and just overall more visual impact.
That makes sense, good suggestion. I thought about that and while very logical and very tempting to do both, I would have to stick with one or the other. This is due in part, mainly for space and cost. From the looks of it, knowing whats out there, what with my own abilities, aftermarket products, and etc…I could easily tap the bank close to dry! LOL!
I think you’ll find it easy to do in either scale[;)] but, that’s just my [2c] I do both but, also into the Star Trek stuff as well (1/350, 2500, & 1/1000)
By all means come to the dark side, but do it with your eyes open. Yes you are going to get more detail in a 1/48th scale kit vs. 1/72nd scale kit, the size lends to it. It is not a forgone conclusion that fit will be better though, especially with Monogram kits. It is easier to deal with, again because of it’s size.
hmmm. Having built in both, I actually prefer the 72nd. Half of the fun of working on the project is having to use all the assorted tools to make the odd assorted fiddly bits (have to validate the cost to the missus somehow!), and the diorama potential is larger. With so many modelers switching over to 48th, though, there certainly has been a noticable improvement in 48th accessories and vehicles.
Two of my favourite kits, the Monogram Hind and the Monogram P-61, are in 48th…don’t know how many I’ve built, and yep, the detail is fantastic, so it’s worth the space…but boy, some of those buggers are just tooooooo big ! (the catalina comes to mind…great kit, but oh the wing size)
Among other things, it sounds like you may be a bit “burnt” with 1/72 and due for a change anyway.
My rule of thumb is if it’s wingspan gets over two feet, and a 1/72 scale version is available, that’s the one I prefer.
On the other hand, if I am feeling finiky about interior or biplane rigging details, then I prefer to stick with either 1/48th or larger.
Some of your 1/32 kits really arn’t all that large, especially ones like the Hawagawa P-26 or P-12, or a an old Williams Bee-Gee.
Unless it simply is unavailable in any other scale at a resonable price, usually I stay away from 1/72 if the subject is a single piston-engined model, mainly because until you get into the more current jets, like the F-14, they are still extremely tiny.
However for the larger jets and anything with two or more engines, I feel 1/72 is worth a second look. I have built the Monogram 1/48th B-17, and I found it too large, so I am going to the 1/72 B-17 kits now being produced by Academy, since their variety seems to look a lot better then the old 1/72 B-17E Revell release (you know, the one with the non-swivelling ball belly turret?[yuck]).
Well, I seem to be leaning the other way. I built a bunch in 1:48 and now I’ve done some recently in 1:72 and I really like them. For me I think it is mainly a space thing. Like Tom mentioned, anything with two or more engines I go to 1:72. I still mainly build single engined ww2 aircraft in 1:48 though. The best advice is to go with what your heart tells you.
I really like all the scales. I build 1/72 1/48 and 1/32. For detail, I still buiold all of them. I can honestly say that super detailing in 1/72 is more rewarding though. Mostly, I’ll build a subject in all 3 scales if I like it enough. Why restrict yourself? Build them all!
IMHO, 1:72 is very hard on one’s eyes (especially old timers like me), but I do build 1:72 kits if 1:48 is unavailable or too limited (Collect Aire, etc) to be affordable. You are correct in that the detail and fit is usually better in 1:48, and it is easier to see. Given your success with 1:72 builds, I can see many more awards in the future if you go with 1:48. Go with your gut feelings on this one, and as Pix and Swanny always say, Build what you like, like what you build"!
I build a little of everything in every scale. I’ve got kits for various demo teams in 1/48. Migs in 1/72. My main scale for aircraft is 1/144. Whatever you pick will likely trade off something. 72 has more subjects. 48 has more details. I wanted at least one of everything, so I went with 144. The kits were small enough I could display them and keep one in a small toolbox to travel with when I’m in the field. Cheap enough I could by multiple kits to create the differant variants. There is enough challenge that I wouldn’t get bored. The kits have little detail in a lot of cases and the smaller planes are limited, but I made the decision because I had time. 48 has it’s share of problems. I’ve got a F18 that the fuselage is so warped it’s not been touched yet. It is a big plane so it’s a big warp. Go with what works for you.
This is how I see it :
1/48 would be the logical choice, since (maybe that’s only hearsaying) the master models from wich the molds are made are orriginally made in 1/48, so, since there is no upscaling or downscaling involved the fit would be better. Just my [2c]
If it is, it is very common with them and fairly easy to fix as well.
A pain, but not all that hard.
The main reason they got so much warpage is because to meet Wal-Mart standards, they cut a corner or two by using a very thin castings as well as not allowing the part to cool sufficiently before packaging the kit.
For me I really have a hard time building in different scales. I like having everything the same scale for some perverse reason. I also like to build different subjects so the availability of both armor and shipping as well as aircraft in 1/72 really appeals to me. I thought long and hard about switching to 1/48 when Tamiya started releasing their 1/48 armor kits but in the end I just couldn’t do it because I’ve already built up a realatively large 1/72 collection. That and space and costs are still an issue for me. I say give 1/48 a try on a couple of builds and see if you like it. If not you can always go back to 1/72. [2c]
Don’t ask me! I would build 1/12 scale if they would exist! I just love details and usually, the bigger the scale, the most details you can get. I’m actually building a 1/32 jet and I love it but I actually asked myself to buy only 1/48 due to space.
Just say that to yourself: 1/48 scale takes less space than 1/32 instead of comparing 1/72 with 1/48.