As someone who’s just coming back (with a vengence) to the hobby, I’m often surprised at how the industry, in general, has decided that 1/48 and 1/32 (hi Trumpeter !!) is what everyone wants/needs.
For all of you who have been building like mad folks, just how much space do you have (or need to have) to display your finished kits? I am just imagining the problems I’m going to have and I’m only building 1/72 [:D] so what about you folks that adore building in 1/48 and, heaven forbid, 1/32?
Dave, I don’t think I could ever have enough space. But it keeps me creative. My 1/32 kits are displayed wherever I can find a place to safely put them. Most of my ceiling space is taken up by R/C Aircraft which takes up a lot of ceiling. I Display my 1/48 & 1/72 on simple wooden book cases from those Furniture in the Raw stores same as my Tank’s, Ship’s and Auto builds. Then also in my library there are 1/72 dotted all over the place. So most likely I did not answer you direct,but you will find a place when the time comes.
These little 1/72 builds are space friendly… [:-^]
I started my modeling with 1:72 as my dad was in the AF and moving was always expected, and a house on base modest in size.
Today I prefer to work with 1:48, currently have my models displayed in glass display cases (cats and lil grandkids proof) and on the upper out of reach shelves of the book cases. Some adorn the walls and ceilings too.
Fortunately I have ample space for my collection…though I do need another one or two large glass cases, but I had sufficient square footage to accommodate them.
My goal is to build a huge 1:48/O guage diorama or series of them depicting life on military bases at various periods in history. The runway will be the backdrop focusing on the support side starting at the edge of the ramp into the industrial areas, showing what goes on behind the scenes to ‘Keep’em Flying’.
Dave I have had the same thought, I primarily build 1/72 scale aircraft (the exceptions being when I can’t find something in that scale), also 1/35 armor, 1/25 autos and the occasional 1/700 ship. I see these great large scale kits like the 1/72 WW2 Gato Submarine and I’d love to build one but where would I put a 4 1/2 foot long model?
I asked about the 1/32 aircraft sometime back, a lot of guys hang them from the ceiling. One guy posted pics of his office, it looked like the Battle of Britain in 1/32, must be a cool office to work in. [:D]
Not near the amount that I need. I have a 1/32 habit with 1/144 space. If my models had feelings that feeling would be claustrophobic. [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [8D] ART
I model exclusively 1/72 for many reasons- space, wealth of esoteric subjects (my favorite), and the ability to compare numerous aircraft to each other.
As for space- I was lucky enough to have enough room to build a custom set of shelves- HUGE ones.
The top shelf is about full. The Spruce Goose takes up the whole second shelf, but there’s room to fit stuff undernieth and around it, so… no problem there. The third shelf is as yet unused. So I have space for a while, I think!
I build mostly in 1/72 too for many reasons including the space issue. Up till now the only display space I’ve had is a couple of shelves in the workshop. I say up until know because last night my wife bought this for me at an auction [:D]
I won’t be able to get LucienHarpress’ Spruce Goose in there but it will handle anything in my stash.
That display cabinet your wife bought is perfect imho That would be what I’d be looking at to display the built kits.
Lucien… I never knew a 1/72 Spruce Goose was made - that thing looks gigantic!! [:O]
I just hope I’ll retain enough space to be able to “move around” my place once these kits are complete; luckily, I’ve been able to “stick to” RCAF aircraft and there aren’t a lot of “large” ones save for birds like a Lancaster!
Models like the Gato can be displayed/stored in the space above a doorway. Just make a gunrack type hanger for it. (PVC pipe hangers will work in a pinch) When you want to show it off, you simply lift it off the rack and set it down onto a table in the stand that came in the kit. Rarely does anyone hang ornimentation over a doorway…it is the perfect spot for large airships, subs or ships out of reach of little fingers and pets.
I like to display my models on glass shelves using wall rails and brackets. I was fortunate enough to buy the glass for only a dollar per shelf from a local hobby store that went out of business. I miss the hobby store, but I love the shelves. The problem I have now? Well, I’d like to add more shelves, and I have the room to do it, but the brackets that are now available to me no longer fit the rails!!! As a matter of fact, when I visit my local hardware store, they always seem to have a different style of rails and brackets!! And you can’t mix them! HOW UTTERLY ANNOYING!!
For larger kits, I’ve started “layering” them on the ceiling. For example, hang two kits really close to the ceiling, and you can probably hang one a few inches lower between them. Like this:
ceiling
kit kit
kit
Does this make sense? Just don’t let any tall people into the room!
I used to build 1/48 but when I got back into the hobby I decided 1/72 would be better spacewise. They really fill up space when you get enough of 'em though!
Just one more nostalgic reason for having been younger and able to buy better fireworks in the past. After a few years we could “recycle” the old kits back to landfill components.
This idea is on the opposite end of the scale - cheap & easy
I don’t have alot of space to display my models, but I made this rack for my sons and I. My models are now in a different spot but my sons still have this rack in their bedroom to display some of the kits we’ve built together. Dust is the only major issue with this method. (As it would be in most boys’ rooms) But it is incredibly space efficient and it allows you to control the attitude of the plane in three different axes. At one time I had three 1/72 scale models hanging from each disk for a total of 30 models. It could have been more except for the shelf that was under it. Some of you may have seen this before when it was loaded up.
I guess I should’ve wiped away the dust and cobwebs before I took the pic. [:I] With a flash, the fishing line is much more noticable. It isn’t so obvious in regular room lighting.
It’s pretty simple. A 1x2x4, 10 wooden disks with 3 holes drilled in them , 10 brass screws, and two or three molly bolts to stick it to the ceiling. Here’s a close up of the rig.
I loop a fine fishing line around the front fuselage near the nose, run the line through the two holes in a disk, and then loop the other end of the line around the tail.
By positioning the fuselage within the loops I can change the roll attitude of the plane (dipping one wing or the other). By moving the thread back and forth through the disk I can change the pitch axis (nose up or down). And by rotating the disk I can change the yaw axis. It’s pretty cool to see all 30 models arranged in the same attitude. And if you’re feeling completely outta control one day - you can change 'em all. Whoa - hold me back !
I hang mine from the ceiling mostly. I use really, really thin clear plastic sewing thread from the notions department. Make a loop, pull it taut and wrap the knotted end around a thumb tack a bunch of times then stick it into the ceiling. For large models use one loop for the front of the airplane and one for the back. Small models can have two loops wrapped around one tack.
This Betty got a single line supporting two loops.
I’ve never had one fall or drop even when I’ve done things like swing (centripetally drying) an F-106 fuselage overhead, smacking my 1/48 Black Widow so hard it bashed into the ceiling, swung again to bash the ceiling again on the return and then bounce around while various parts clinked off. …still did not drop. They do get dusty, but it’s a ritual to clean them and “fly 'em” around, strafing and bombing cats and such…
That would be what I’d be looking at to display the built kits.
