Ok... Let's Talk About Multiple Scales...

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

I do 1/72 simply because I have delusions of actually completing the kits in my stash one day and if I do space will be a consideration.

Consistency of scale is important to me and lot of subjects I want to do that just aren’t available in larger scales, i.e. Ju 290, Bv 222. Throw in the fact that I’ve got about 10 Ju 88’s in the stash, almost all the Luftwaffe WW2 floatplanes and you start to take up some serious space.

I also consider 1/72 a challenge, it’s very satisfying to put somethimg together that small that can compare with larger scale efforts,

22

I mainly do aircraft in 1/72.

I’m not an impatient modeler but I do need to see regular signs of progress to keep my energy up for a build and see it to completion. These signs of progress happen with a bit more frequency in the smaller scales than they do in the bigger ones.

Additionally, most of the time I’m after a good representation of the subject on the shelf, not a heavily detailed replica accurate down to the pilot’s body odor in the seat cushion. If the external shapes and dimensions are right and the cockpit looks passably like the original through a closed canopy, I’m a happy camper.

I find 1/72 works well to find representations of most of the aircraft that I really want in my collection.

In the case of larger aircraft like bombers and transports, I take it down to 1/144.

Case in point is that I’d love to get my hands on one of Italeri’s 1/72 B-58 Hustler kits but I have not at all got the room for it and don’t suspect I will any time soon so I took Academy’s nice little 1/144 gem of a B-58 instead. Its a very nice little kit that I think will satisfy my desire for a B-58 in my collection quite nicely.

There’s also the matter of how to allocate the limited shelf space, what do I want for sure in 1/72 and what could I be satisfied with in 1/144. If I wanted a Harrier it would be 1/72 all the way. On the other hand, Trumpeter’s lovely 1/144 F-22 Raptor handily satisfies any urge I have to get a representation of that beastie on my shelf.

Its all about priorities really. I used to buy bigger scales when I had more room and time and was trying to superdetail everything. This led to an intimidating stash, an unfocused approach to building things and the hobby in general and the superdetailing end almost took all the joy out of the hobby for me.

I took some time to reconsider the hobby and what I wanted from it, got rid of anything over 1/72 that had not been started and focused on building in a way that I could reasonably build what I had on hand without old age catching me first (and I’m not very old really).

So, I went back to basics, gave up the superdetailing (though I do occaisionally use some aftermarket if I feel its really warranted) and relearned how to be satisfied and how to say “good enough” to a model, put it on the shelf and move on to the next one.

23

Growing up I built 1/72 almost exclusively. There wasn’t as much of a selection in 48th then. As I’ve gotten older I am switching more to 48th. Right now the ratio is 70% 48th 30% 72nd. I have never built an armored vehicle (i.e.target) in 30 years of bulding. Cars I’ll build now and then for a change of pace.

I am detailing my aircraft more now then in the past. And 48th lets me do that with out going blind. I have 2 display cases at home one for 48th and one for 72nd so I still get to show the size difference in same scale aircraft.

24

The majority of my stash is 1/72 aircraft. A lot of the subjects I like are not kitted in any other scale. My stash (and build models) has a lot kits of small (short run) manufacturers like MPM, Special Hobby, Azur, Dakoplast, Mikro72, Togo(Roden), Vami, Magna Models, Pegasus, Pavla etc etc. I like strange aircraft and 1/72 is the scale with the biggest choise.

I do like 1/48 and have a few of those in the stash. Size vs detail is good in 1/48.

As for none aircraft: could be any scale, depending on subject matter.

25

I was going to say 1/48 Aircraft, 1/35 Armor and 1/350 ships. Do I build other scales? Oh yeah sure. Mostly based on what I did as a child but then there are things like 1/72 subs and 1/500 Jap carriers that I gotta go for. Oddly though I have noticed that I take better care of the first 3 scales. Must be where my heart is.

26

So far this year I’ve built:

  • 5 1/48 aircraft

  • 4 1/72 aircraft

  • 1 1/32 aircraft

  • 1 1/144 u-boat

It’s the subject that matters to me, more than the scale.

Karl

27

This year I’ve built

1 - 1/72

5 or 6 - 1/48

about to start 2 - 1/32

28

Good addition to this subject fellas!

So far this year, I have built 7 1/48 scale models and have two more on the bench. Another one or two yet at the end of the year.

29

It looks as thought I pretty much fall in with the majority here, 1:48 aircraft with some 1:72 subjects that aren’t available in 1:48, and a few 1:32 aircraft. I’d love to do all 1:32, but I’d need to build a substantial sddition to the house to display them…As far as cars, I don’t do many, most are 1:24, but I do have two Lindberg 1:8 scale futuristics in the stash and two 1:12 cockpit kits…kind of all over the map, I guess…

Brian [C):-)]

30

Great question.

I’m all over the road… err… “sky”…

I build the planes that I want and in the scale offered.

Having all the classic, World War Two, single engine fighters in 1/32 scale is a goal of mine…

To that end, I’ve got a Fw-190A, P-51B… Dang. Is that all?! I need to go shopping!

31

WOW Troy…I`ve got someone beat with a stash??..Harv

32

Well… I remember back in 1975, I counted all the models hanging from my ceiling… total of 50!

…so I need to relive my glory days!

Harv, you got more and bigger too, but my Pop had told me there’d be situations like that as I went through life. HAAAAAA!

Good ol’ Pop!

33

1975? Why am I picturing Trexx in a white tux and mirror ball with his finger in the air?

34

If I can find em AC in 1/24 if not 1/32 except jets and bombers, on those I will condescend to build something smaller. I like to scratch the powerplant & arms detail, anything smaller is just too fiddily. Armour 1/35 is fine, although I am scratching a Tiger2 in 1/16. Just bought RG’s1/350 Bis, my 1st ship since I was a lad and its not certain I will even begin building this cyclops.

35

I do 1/32 at a rate of one every 4 - 6 months. I get about 3 models a year done but I usually do something different between builds. Like a 1/12 motorbike or somesuch.

36

I build WWII aircraft only and only in 1/48th scale. It does tie my hands a bit but, I like all of my aircraft to be in the same relative size with each other. Besides, 1/72 scale looks funny to me.

37

1/32 is my preferred scale for fighters

1/72 for the heavies.

I have a few 1/48 nostalgia kits.

RIc

38

Hey! Only if said, mirrored ball has a power to weight ratio of at least 2:1

HA!

39

…that ain’t no mirror ball, that’s a UFO!!! [(-D]

Brian [C):-)]

40

I model mostly in 1/72, with a few of each in smaller (1/144) and larger scales (1/48 & 1/24)

I’ve bought the 1/48 AccMin Dauntless and Avenger just cuz I heard what great kits they were (and I like WWII navy a/c)

Reading through this string - I just had to comment on this one…

That’s kinda gross, but it does present an idea for a new kindof aftermarket. “Excuse me, do you have any stock of US Navy 1945 Pacific seat cushion scent for my Avenger ?”[yuck]

Model on,

Chris