Hi
I generally make aircraft in 1/48 scale I’m considering making a WW2 bird in a larger scale. I’d appreciate kit recommendations and any insights about the challenges of these larger scales.
thanks
darren
Hello Darren!
I’ve built some in 1:35 - in this scale you can really cram a lot of detail in your model. That’s why good references and good research get more and more important as the scale goes up. Some people say in larger scale the parts are bigger and easier to handle - now that’s not really true, there’s more detail and more subassemblies to handle. Plus you need a bigger (or better organized) working space, more paint and more display space.
Anyhow - good luck with your builds and have a nice day
Paweł
I recommend the Revell P-51D in 1:32. Not as good as say aTamiya, but it is cheap, and a very good buy for the price. There is nice aftermarket available, but it is a nicely detailed model on its own.
Nice size to be able to detail,but you do run out of display space faster,open shelves and hanging them cause them to accumulate lots of dust too.
I’m currently building one of the 1/32 Tamiya Corsair kits. It’s a dream. My first 1/32 kit after several 1/48. It’s pricey but worth the money when you consider the build time and the flawless way it goes together. I recommend a subject you are super interested in because it’s on your bench much longer than most 1/48.
Hi Darren,
I agree with the other suggestions, either a 1/32 Tamiya kit(fantastic fit and detail but high cost) or a recent 1/32 Revell kit(good fit, good detail, fantastic price). Trumpeter’s 1/32 kits can go either way, their early ones are pretty rough and their later kits seem overengineered with a ton of parts. Their prices are reasonable. Just don’t go down that rabbit hole and try an older Revell, Hasegawa, or Matchbox kit. The prices are great but you’ll toil away with filling & sanding.
TJS
The first large scale aircraft model was the Phantom Mustang. It is still one of my favorites.
I built my way through the whole group of Revell ones when I was in high school. The Corsair had folding wings and moveable gear! And all of the problems that caused. I loved the big Beaufighter, Heaven in a box.
I know there are “big bird” forums, you might swing by some and see what those folks think.
Bill
THanks for the input everyone, it’s a big help.
Any love for the 1/24 Airfix Kits?
Darren
There are lots of good ones out there. If money is not a concern, get any of Tamiya’s kits. The Corsair and P-51 are among the best building experiences I have ever had. I would not get a recent release of one of Revell’s 60s-era 1/32 kits; go to eBay and find one there. I always loved their P-40E with gorgeous Flying Tiger artwork on the box. I recently did a Me163 by Meng, good kit with good detail.
I’ve only done the Airfix Mosquito in 1/24 ( with their Typhoon in my stash). Very detailed. Very big. But what I remember from building it is that it taxed my patience with what felt like a thousand small parts just to do sub-assemblies, and I actually stepped away from the bench for months after I finished the Mossie.
The big Airfix Mustang is I think not very good though it does have good shapes, the Hurricane and Spitfire have possibilities, as do the Stuka, Me-109E, Fw-190, and Harrier, but these are all very old kits and require some love and elbow grease. The Typhoon, F6F, and Mosquito are recent kits with as Stephen said a huge number of parts. If you enjoy large crossword puzzles with small pieces they may be your thing, everyone has their own taste. They do fit better than the older kits.
I’ve built the old Airfix 1/24 Stuka and enjoyed it a lot! Airfix used some type of funky plastic back then but for its age, it builds into a accurate massive aircraft. The only negatives are I used the kit’s decals and they were terrible and when you’re done it takes up a huge amount of shelf space. I also have their old boxings of their Spitfire, Me-109, Fw-190, and Hurricane in the stash. I also got their new 1/24 Mosquito and Typhoon awaiting me in the stash. I ended up giving my Stuka to a coworker whose father flew one back in WWII and my coworker loved it. Did you see the notice that Airfix is coming out with a new 1/24 Spitfire IX for 2022?
TJS
Italeri is releasing a brand new tooled 1/32 Macchi MC 202 Folgore this year
I would recommend the Revell/Monogram 1/32 He-111 if you can find it. It’s an excellent kit and not expensive. I’ve built two for my collection.
I agree with the He-111 and don’t forget Revell’s 1/32 Ju-88.
TJS
And Revell 1/32 He-219 Uhu also an excellent kit
The big problem is display room. It doesn’t take very many completed kits to fill a house! Then you have to start giving the older ones away to make room for newer ones.
If you have the displace space then go for it. Lots of selections out there in 1/32 but 1/24 I think is too big again, if you have the space then why not. That Airfix 1/24 Typhoon looks yummy!
I did not know about that one. Do you think that it’s the old 1/32 kit from Pacific Coast Models? Gee, I wonder how it would stand up to the 21st Century 1/32 kit that I have as far as accuracy. The 21st Century kit is very basic, no wheelwell or cockpit detail but for $10.00 you can’t complain.
TJS
I agree with the other posts regarding more paint, work space, display space, detail, build duration and generally more cost.
As for kits, the Tamiya 1/32 Corsair, Mustang, Spitfire Mk IXc and Mosquito are phenomenal - definitely a cut above other 1/32 kits as far as the build experience goes. Revell’s new Bf 109G-6 and Eduard’s Bf 190E are decent but take a little more effort and cleanup.
Good luck.