1/72nd! It’s the Gentlemens scale! I have a bunch of 48th kits in different stages of completion all shelved in the closet. The sheer munumental task of detailing a 48th scale marauder would kill me. The guys down at eh LHS slowly convinced me to switch with their amazingly detailed 72nd projects. If you can pull it of in that scale nothing looks better!
1/48 WWII Fighters 1/72 Modern Fighters and Large Bombers…good balance of size and detail.
1/144 for my main collection (one of everything). 1/48 flight demo., 1/72 Migs, and a few odds and ends that got my attention.
1/72 mainly… it’s not just the “gentleman’s” scale, u see… [:D]
1/144 if it’s a larger subject like b-17 & sr-71…
frosty[:)]
1/48 mostly for me. I like the detail and easier scratch buiding parts. Plus my eyes do not handle the 1/72 well. Space can be a issue…tho
Willi do…kept the radar on…multiple contacts approaching…
72nd, the one and true manly scale for all things plastic.
Of course, the larger starships are good in 1/1000 but what other scale can you see the size difference of a F-16, B-17, P-51, Sherman, Tiger, Abrams, PT-boat, U-boat, and a X-Wing.
I like 1/48 for reasons you already stated. Great selection of both kits and AM sets. The size is good for detailing and super-detailing while still small enough to not too much shelf space when complete. This scale also makes great dioramas.
Tough decision. I build exclusively in 1/72 for several reasons. First are availability and price. I build exclusively aircraft flown by British armed forces (RAC, RAF, Fleet Air Arm Royal Navy, AAC) and my perception is that there is more available in 1/72 although many are old Airfix kits that could be better. I like staying in one scale because I think it is interesting to display models in constant scale. That brings space into consideration. All of that said, I sometimes look at the 1/48’s built by others and think it would be nice to work with a bit more detail. I remember doing some 1/48’s as a teenager, and thinking it was the best scale. Big without being monstrous. I think I might do a few “centrepieces” in 1/48 or even 1/32 of some of my favourites.
I have been building 1/72nd scale aircraft for 40 years. In order to display some 400 models the scale must be 1/72nd or smaller. I also specialize in unusual aircraft and experimentals. The best scale for this catagory is 1/72nd, particularly if the only kits available of a given subject are vacumforms. Naturally I have a large accumulation of parts and decals that are geared to 1/72nd. I also insist that all the completed models be the same scale, within reason, so as to show the relative size of each aircraft. I also include a 1/72nd person among the models to show relative size. i can’t see mixing scales if you are displaying the finished models.
Richard
I couldn’t agree more mats.man! What I do now-a-days is display my finished models in-flight on a custom display stand. My inspiration were examples by Pro-Modeler, Pat Hawkey. Below are photos of my latest work. Only 1/72nd scale allows me to display my “airforce” in this manner, among over 100 in my collection.
1/72nd scale A-7E Corsair II VA-46 “Clansmen”
Due to space limitation in my bedroom, I build mostly 1/72 scale jet and prop with some 1/48 small single engine planes (Spitfire, SBD Dauntless).
BTW, question (my curiosity[:D])for small scale lovers: Remember the 1/100 scale from Tamiya in the 70’s, if Tamiya release new tool 1/100 scale plane with reasonable details (close to 1/72 and better than 1/144), will you try it?
I/48 and 1/32 is for me mainly because I want more detail in my models.
But It also depends on the actual aircraft size. An f-15 in 1/48 is almost the same length as a f-16 in 1/32.[:D]
Greg.
Great photos! Keep 'em coming. [:D]
Regards,
Greg,
I build almost exclusively in 1/48th, mainly because it’s just easier for me to work with. I tend to shake a bit, and the smaller the parts, the more I shake. Nothing severe; just enough to make working with small parts an interesting experience. The only 1/72nd kits I have are large aircraft, like the XB-35 and YB-49 Flying Wings, the B-36, etc. Trying to do those kits in 1/48th would require an extra addition added on to the house.
Greg, will you be attending the Circle City Modelers contest this Saturday in Indy? If so, it’ll be good to see you again. Haven’t seen you at any of the Roscoe Turner club meetings for quite awhile.
Great-looking pictures of that A-7 Corsair II, by the way. I wish my stuff came out looking that good!!
Devil Dawg,
Nice to see a fellow club member here! Unfortunately I was unable to attend the recent contest. Work, training and school have kept me busy! (AAAARRGH!) I’m lucky to squeeze in an hour or two for modeling. Thanks, glad you like the photos. Modeling them in this manner, I can really crank out finished kits. A bit more slow-gowing if I were to attempt it in 1/48th scale, although I do plan on an in-flight desk piece…one of these days.
Greg,
You didn’t miss much at the show. It was pretty much all cars, with a few boats (2), tanks (3), and motorcycles (4) thrown in. Unfortunately, I was the ONLY person to enter any type of aircraft models at this contest. So, accordingly, I grabbed the trophies for each thing I entered. I don’t like winning a trophy that way - no competition. I’m assuming that it was because of little advertising for this event, but that’s just a guess. The cars (about 200) that were entered looked great. There were some there that were awe-inspiring builds. The paint jobs were most impressive.
Hopefully, we’ll see you soon at the next Roscoe Turner meeting in November. Talk atcha later.
Gary
At first I was pure 1/72. Over time I have “softened up”. Now I have a combo of 1/144, 1/72 (of course), 1/48, and 1/32. I’m now at the point that I’ll buy almost any scale if the plane/subject looks interesting to me. My plasticholism is starting to get the best of me[
] Hi, my name is Chris and I’m a plasticholic…
My personal rule of thumb is; Japanese WWII; 1:72, FAM(Fuerza Aerea mexicana); 1;72, American, UK and German WWII( one and two engines); 1:48, WWII Four engines;1:72, Modern fighters;1:72 and 1:48, Airliners;1:144…Cheers!
i prefer 1/48 for ww2 planes and 1/72 for modern jets… its less expensive and doesn not take up much space… the availability of subjects are wider… pluse it can also be as detailed as the bigger planes, with a little patience and determination, of course Ü