What do you experienced modelers figure is the most popular scale that most modelers tend to favour? 1/48, or 1/74. I’m just getting into this hobby but I’ve noticed that there sure aren’t the number of 1/48 kits to choose from compared to 1/74 or is that just the way my local HS stocks his kits?
Could you post a word or two about why you favour a particular scale? I’d like to get to know as much about this fascinating hobby as possible.
Hard to say which is more popular, 1/48 or 1/72. I prefer 1/48. The size works well with nice detail but isn’t gargantuan to display like 1/32 is.
Others prefer 1/72 because they’re cheaper and easier to display. I find it too small for detail work, but others have no issues.
Just my [2c]
I think you mean 1/72, not 1/74. There are a large number of kits available in all of the popular scales, 1/144/1/72/1/48/1/32/1/24. Worldwide, I would guess that 1/72 remains the most popular, but in the U.S. 1/48 is arguably the most popular. There are more aircraft kitted in 1/72, especially the more esotoric birds, but there are more choices available in 1/48 than most modelers could build in a lifetime. My normal scale of choice is 1/48, but I build a few 1/72 & 1/32 as well. Size & storage/display space can quickly become an issue with the larger scales & aircraft types, while the larger scales offer more possibility of super detailing. For me, 1/48 is a good compromise for size & detail, although the lager multi engine or modern jet aircraft are more manageable in 1/72, so I choose accordingly.
Regards, Rick
I’ve done many 1:72s before but I was never happy because of the lack of detail built in by the manufacturers. One will need aftermarket stuff to detail in these scale. I’m rather happy with 1:48s because I am able to make out-of-the-box built with a pretty good amount of detail. !:32 will be great but I will need a hangar to keep them as they are really big. So until I built my hangar I’ll be a 1:48 guy.
I would say in aircraft 1/48 scale is the most popular, follow closely by 1/72. I go to alot of shows and contest and those 2 usually have the most entries by a long shot. Larger scales have recently become more popular with alot of new kit in both 1/32 and 1/24. More odd ball stuff can be had in 1/72. I personally build mostly in 1/48 and 1/32. I have a few 1/24 and 1/72 stuff but not much.
I enjoy 1/32 but there’s not a ton of options like there is in 1/48. The odd 1/72 kit can be cool.
Displaying the 1/32 is tough. Each one takes its own bookshelf. (assuming you are doing modern jets)
Just about finished the Academy 1/32 F/A-18C that I converted to an A to make the 2006 Canadian demo jet.
I don’t think you’ve built a modern 1/72 kit then. Check out the FineMolds 109’s, Hasegawa’s Lancaster, He 111, Ju 88, B-25, B-26, Revell’s Fw 200, He 177, etc. These kits all have detail that stack up against their larger scale counterparts.
1/48 because the detailing is acceptable and there are lots of after market options, and they typically don’t take up as much shelf space as 1/32. 1/72 is really too small for these aging eyes.
I build almost exclusively 1/48, but do have a few 1/72 and 1/32 birds in my stash. I like the presence of the 1/32 kits, but the cost of some of the most recent kits can be prohibitive. Also, when they get that large a lot of detail that is almost unnoticeable in it’s absense in 1/48 and especially 1/72 is glaringly obvious in 1/32. Usually means a lot of scratchbuilding and/or AM accessories which can put an even bigger dent in my already dwindling wallet! [xx(]
Limitations in display space have me building aircraft that will not exceed a certain size. For example, I’ll build a P-47 in 1/48, but something like a B-25 would be done in 1/72. There are times when I’ll bend that rule a little, if it’s a kit/aircraft I really want.
I like the 1/48 scale because I find them easier to work on because of the size. However I have made a number of 1/72 models when I couldn’t find the model I wanted to do in 1/48 scale.
You’ll just have to try them and see what you like. I’d say start building as fast as you buy, don’t build up a stash right away until you figure out what you like. There’s a whole bunch of considerations, many of which have been expressed. I’ve surprised myself in at least three hobbies by now.
Stay open minded. If you remain genuinely interested in this hobby, I would bet you’ll find a niche that really turns your flame up.
I’m sure that FSM’s parent company Kalmbach has done any series of polls over the years that would answer your question in point of fact, so a little web search will tell you that. The thing is that the availability of great kits in just about every scale is pretty unreal, compared to even the recent past. And if you buy most of your models online, you can find it all.
Bill
For me personally, I tend to go with the 1/72 stuff more. Its easier to display, and transport for shows. I have a lot in 1/48 as well, in fact most of my workbench is in 1/48 right now. As for 1/32…I only have a couple unbuilt, and some built helo’s. And they are a pain to take to shows. I also prefer larger birds, such as the C-130’s, KC-135’s, B-1B, B-2, etc. And they are mostly only available in 1/72.
Not so much related too popularity, but if you are trying to pick a scale it is something to consider. What do you want to build? If your primary interest is WW1 fighters then even 1/32 scale isn’t really a problem, there is a good selection of kits and they don’t take up that much space. On the other hand if you want to build 4 engine bombers or jet airliners 1/72 looks a lot better unless you have a barn, maybe even 1/144.
I like to build a mix of everything so I usually stick with 1/72, helicopters and fighters are not too small and the big bombers are still managable.
You will find a good selection in both 1/48 and 1/72. The common stuff is available in both scales and the odd ball stuff is fairly evenly split between the two, with the larger stuff usually going 1/72 and smaller to 1/48.
I think you shouldn’t be worried about what is more popular and that you should just try a couple of different kits to see what you like and what is comfortable to you. In doing so you should not only consider the scale but also the kit manufacturer. Building a Revell 1/48 scale aircraft kit will be an entirely different experience than building a 1/48 scale Tamiya kit. The detail and quality of the kit (how well it goes together) will vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next and sometimes even within a manufacturer’s own line of products. Some 1/72 kits will have far more detail than a 1/48 scale kit of the same aircraft made by a different manufacturer. It’s best to read up on reviews of kits either online or in magazines before you make too big an investment.
For the record, I like building mostly in 1/72 scale because I like building a wide range of subjects (see my sig below, they are all 1/72 except for the two destroyers and the carrier) and I like having it all in the same scale. Aircraft, Armor, Artillery and even ships are all readily available in 1/72 scale. No other scale can offer the variety that this one does.
[soapbox]
Like many have already stated, I , too build in several scales. Given my druthers, I would do all 1:32 scale, but their very size make them a bit problematic. Most of my work is in 1:48; I find it to be the best compromise in level of detail, a.m. accessories available and my ability to see the small work. Just to show that I am a glutton for punishment (especially from the wife when she sees it), I have a 1:48 B-One B in the stash, several 1:48 B-17, B-25, B-26, and other assorted fighters and bombers. I usually give most of my builds away to youngsters in the neighborhood in a attempt to attarct them to the hobby, or I’ would have to put on an addition to the house to display them!
Bottom line, don’t worry about trends or general preferences - build whay you like and LIKE what you build; you’ll be a happier modeler for it!
My [2c]…
Brian [C):-)]
Although I’ve made a resurgence to 1/72 as of late, there’s no doubt that 1/48 is the linchpin scale. A good measure of this, is decal sales. Many of us use the kit decals. Many more of us hardly ever build kits using the box decals. So we buy large amounts of aftermarket decals. And in that market, 1/48 outsells 1/72 or 1/32 by a huge margin. It’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-4:1 for 72 to 48. This leaves the decal guys with a stockpile of 72nd scale sheets that don’t sell. Thus they’re reluctant to release more in that scale. We know we all cry for them in the smaller scale and say we’ll buy them more, but the numbers can’t be denied.
I have no doubt that is an accurate statement, but I wonder what the market share of these decals is for a small group of aircraft. I’m guessing P-51, P-47, Spitfire, Me-109 and FW-190 are the subjects for the vast bulk of aftermarket decals, and of the remaining I guess quite a few go to modern US firghters. I know from looking at the new releases in the magazine each month I could probably build 20 P-51’s with after market decals and not repeat myself. Not that decals in 1/72 are much different. I’d also guess 1/48 is more popular than 1/72 with people who want to customize their kits since there is often more detail to work with. In the end though decal sales really are apples and oranges to kit sales. Just based on what I see in hobby shops I would be surprised to see that there is much difference in overall sales between the two scales since they are usually stocked fairly evenly (my very unscientific estimate of the typical hobby shop stock levels would be 35% 1/48, 35% 1/72, 15% 1/32, 10% 1/144 and 5% other).
i got a couple of 1/32 scale in my stach but when built they gonna takes up 2 much display space
i use the size of the original plane as my guide out of space reasons
all single eng 1/48 scale
small twin eng ie p-38 1/48 scale
large twin eng ie b-26 or 4 eng aircraft i go 1/72
besides with the bombers (for the most part) they are large enough for detailing and bad eyes
My [2c]:
Most model makers tend to approach the market from the approach that if they are unsure whether a release will be popular, they tend to minimize their losses by going with the smallest scale first, usually 1/72, but there are some 144th scalers out there.
Then if the subject takes off, and there is a demand for a larger scale kit, then they will do that.
Hence the graduation from 1/72nd to 1/48th to 1/32nd for some subjects, such as the P-47 Jug and the P-51Mustang.
As for myself, it entirely depends on the subject.
Frankly, I do not care for all my ceiling or shelf space being taken by a single giant bomber, so I prefer 1/72 or smaller for larger airctaft.
Anyone remember the old Monogram 1/48th B-52? Unlike their B-17, a giant flop.
Once I saw the built finished model as a kid, I realized that by the time I got done finishing one end, I would have to go back and do repair work to the rest of the airframe for damage that occured to it during the build time alone.
On the other hand, for meduim sized bombers to large single-engined fighters, I prefer 1/48th.
For the smallish WWI biplane fighters, as well as others such as the Boeing P-26, Grumman F3F, etc., I prefer the 1/32nd scale, since I can actually see the finished product with out a magnifier. I would like to see a 1/32nd SBC-3 (or -4’s) for instance, since it was significantly smaller then the SB2C’s
I still prefer the 1/72nd scale for the huge-winged WWI Gotha bombers vs. the old Aurora 1/48th.
So, there again, it basically depends on the subject and personal taste.
Tom [C):-)]