Why is 1/48 scale taking so much abuse? i personally think it’s great. i try to avoid 1/35 scale stuff because it’s just too big and takes up so much room. then again sometimes 1/72 is just too small. 1/48 is just about right, not as big as 1/35 but still big enough to have a decent amount of detail and you don’t have to mess with the microscopic parts.
i mean if you don’t like it, ok, don’t buy it but i see people going all out to put it down and it really surprises me.
I don’t hate 1/48th scale. I just can justify spending money on smaller kits that I have in
1/35th and haven’t built yet. I have enough of the kits in 1/35th that Tamiya has released in 1/48th. If they would release some kits that aren’t available in 1/48th or are better kits
than their 1/35th counterparts (T-62, Centurion and Chieftain to name a few) I would seriously considering buying them.
I don’t like double-posting, but my reply in another thread fits here too:
I wonder how long it’s going to take before every single post about new trends in 1/48 armor isn’t met with a barrage of negative replies.
I don’t mean that statement as a rant at all, just an observation of current trends and the sociology of modelling. It’s easy to understand all the resistance to Tamiya’s re-introduction of 1/48 armor; 1/35 has long been established as the “standard” scale, and most armor modellers have already invested a lot of their time and money in 1/35 modelling. A lot of folks just plain think that 1/35 armor is the “right” size (I’ve always thought that 1/25 was perfect!).
But seriously, do you think it’ll be months, years, or decades before we see an overall acceptance of 1/48 as a viable choice for armor modellers, along with 1/72, 1/76, 1/35, 1/25, 1/24, 1/16, and 1/15 scale?
And why doesn’t any other non-1/35 scale catch the kind of flak that 1/48 does?
Nobody gripes about other scales. Interesting.
Anyway, the reasons, pros and cons of the new generation of 1/48 armor have been argued to death here and elswehere. All opinions, both for and against the scale, are completely valid and should be respected. And again, I’m not presenting these ideas as a rant at all. [:D]
I am honestly surprised we haven’t seen the introduction of 1/32 scale… I think the re-introduction of 1/48 was to meet the Aircraft builders demand that wanted more armor to go with the 1/48 scale Aircraft… I personally don’t have anything against 1/48… I have the Tamiya TigerI, but I probably won’t be buying much more…
I wonder how many people complaining about the 1/48 scale Tamiya have actually built one. I’m working on the Hetzer right now and it is a fine quality kit. Honestly, if this is the only way to keep Tamiya alive and well and competing in the world market, so be it. But this can be a boom to all the track makers, barrel makers, and accessories makers. Having another good scale to chose from with quality kits is a very very good develpoment. And all the moaing about Tamiya bringing out new 1/35 kits, lets face it, not going to happen. Too expensive. I pass on the 50-60 dollar kit range, however these kits i’ve been snapping up like hot cakes. And i can’t wait to throw some PE kits on these little beauties.
Well back to the Hetzer. Bill
[:D]i dont hate 1;48 scale,i just like to do the bigger scale kits,the small kits need two hands to build,i can only use one,thats why i like the bigger kits [:D]
perhaps it’s because Tamiya is not aparticularly “popular” company, even though they make good kits?
i definitely fall into this caregory.
i like their aircraft and armour in 1/48 and 1/35, but am pleased new entrants are doing equivalent stuff at 1/2 the price…especially because i live in the UK and am fed up with being ripped off all these years
1/48 armour is just tamiya squirming trying to save itself (as any company would do, so nothing wrong there), but people should see it for this.
i can assure you that tamiya is not on some altruistic crusade for us down-trodden modellers as many of the pro 1/48 ers seem to indicate.
wake up people.
N
I don’t get very excited about 1/48 scale. Here’s why:
These are the factors which keep ME from getting excited about 1/48 scale armor. In the interest of keeping an open mind I have decided to build Tamiya’s 1/48 Sherman after a couple of other projects, but I perfer 1/35 for now.
You’re absolutely right. Tamiya is in business to make money, as are all businesses.
But what “pro-1/48er” has ever indicated otherwise? Are you referring to the lower pricing of the 1/48 kits? Well, they are certainly cheaper. Definitely not “altruism” on Tamiya’s part, as you have so correcty pointed out, of course. Business! Now, whether this is a smart business move on Tamiya’s part will only be known in time.
So, the problem is not really with 1/48 scale itself, but more with our love/hate relationship with Tamiya…very interesting.
I haven’t commented on any of these never ending negative threads about 1:48 armour kits on just about every forum but I think it’s time for some basic home truths.
First off this is not aimed at anyone in particular and no disrespect is meant to anyone putting forward an opinion but I fail to see any point to the “1:48 has no interest to me” type comments?
The reason Tamiya are producing these kits at a great rate (and coming soon from Skybow) and the reason the list of aftermarket companies (Eduard, Lion Roar, Voyager, Warriors, Armour Workshop, Finemolds, Gaso.line, Hauler and more every day) are releasing update/detail sets as quick as the kits appear is very simple, they sell and sell in large numbers especially in Asia.
The first Tamiya kits (Tiger I and Sherman) saw queues forming outside shops in places like Hong Kong and Japan on the day of their release and they sold out in hours, the others have gone just as quick.
They may not have sold as well in other parts of the world due to some degree by the pricing policies of some distributors but when a company has the vast proportion of a production run walking out of shops they must get a good laugh when reading these endless “what are Tamiya doing” and “I don’t like 1:48” type threads.
What Tamiya are doing is producing a range of kits that sell well that’s what Tamiya are doing, so maybe we can see and end to these pointless threads every time the subject comes up, I mean we don’t see the same thing when 1:72 or 1:16 scale is mentioned so why with 1:48? In these other threads those with an interest comment and those who don’t, well don’t, yet with 1:48 there it is this endless contribution by those intent on telling everyone they have no interest, to what point?
Fine if you don’t like 1:48, but let’s get over it and keep the discussion on the same level as with other scales by just talking about the kits and not commenting if you have no interest or have nothing constructive to contribute.
TA
Well heres another spin on the 1/48th phenomenon.
For the last 5 years I have predominantly built in 1/48 scale…ok well close to it. A lot of wargame figures are this scale , I built GW stuff which is all futuristic with its own tanks n stuff , but there are many skirmish style WWII games out there which just have no AFVs to back them up. This influx of armour could just be what everyone into these games have been looking for.
It also means that dios such as Tankysgal just posted pics off are possible with zombies lurching into a German camp.I think this is awesome and a breath of fresh air .Anyone looking for figures and accesories should take a look at the various wargames selection , it might just surprise you how much is already available.
I don’t think anyone hates a scale ,I think some folks are upset with Tamiya. Not for making 1/48 armor but for not making 1/35 armor. I agree with the positive posts choice is great. I’m sure I will build a few 1/48 kits. It does seem that Tamiya is choosing for us by ignoring 1/35.
lol we modellers are a conservative bunch I think and we love to gripe. I think the negativity comes in because many think Tamiya are overpriced and could still bring out some very important models in 1/35th so therefore why not fix the pricing and concentrate in 1/35the that they really championed and used to own as a scale.
Basicly i think that to compete Tamiya have had to look for new markets or offshore production. 1/48th is one answer to new markets. Offshore is probably a very hard thing for Tamiya to do. I mean construction facilities in Hong Kong or China would not go down to well in Japan where they have been in recession for almost ten years. Same as GM building cars in Mexico was a hot potato back in Detroit.
The scale thing is quite funny. I build in 1/72 mostly and I’m used to hearing the negative comments on that scale. But think of the different scale this way. A 1/35 tank is going to take the average modeller about 50 hours or more to build. Thats for the normal busy family pamily person a long time. Its hard to keep motivated for that long.
A smaller scale takes less time, therefore more satisfaction through completed models.
50 hours for me would be on the order of 70 to 100 elapsed days, plus since 1/35th is so big I’m bound to try to put more detail in and then the time starts to double fast. As much as I love building I also love to get that finished element of satisfaction.
I just finished a 1/72 T34 took me 20 hours and was done in less than a month.
I have 3 of the Tamiya 1/48 models and with the exception of the molded on equipment that I’ll have to remove they are all very nice and will make a very nice step up in scale for me. There are 1/48 aircraft builders out there and huge markets in Asia. Sorry but I think 1/48th is going to mushroom wihin 1 or 2 years. I see this as a good thing, its just another option and fun scale. But i do see the point about taking away from 1/35th.
Another reason for the fast rollout of 1/48th. Tamiya know that they have to build critical mass, this wont happen if they bring out a model every 6 months or year. They also know that the window of opportunity for large profits is probably 3 years. Once the market gets going Dragon and Trumpeter will be in there and then dilute Tamiya’s ability to make a profit. They can’t compete anymore in 1/35th which is sad but thats business. So really why gripe about 1/48th. i think Tamiya are to be congratulated on thinking outside the box and trying to create another option in scale.
Oops sorry about meandering.
I do not “hate” 1/48 scale armor any more than I hate 1/72 scale armor. That is, I don’t “hate” either scale. However, I do not have any desire, nor any interest, in building armor kits in these scales. Every modeler is free to choose how their modeling money is spent and I’ve chosen to dedicate my expenditures to 1/35 scale.
I DO have a problem when these 1/48 scale kits are represented - both in this forum and elsewhere - as something more than they actually are. There have been frequent posts about how “inexpensive” these kits are when in fact, other than in the Far East, these kits are NOT substantially cheaper than many 1/35 scale kits. The kits are touted for their “outstanding” detail (perhaps for the scale!) when they naturally have less detail than most 1/35 scale kits. Many posts about these kits seem to indicate that they are nearly flawless! However, as has been pointed out in many reviews, these kits have significant flaws - many that I would consider “showstoppers” when buying any model in any scale.
I’ve sent a letter to Tamiya and indicated that they have lost any chance of collecting my modeling dollars as long as they neglect the 1/35 scale market. They can continue to produce as many 1/48 scale kits (or any other scale) they desire, but my money will never make it to their coffers unless they produce 1/35 scale products as well. I also indicated that while I completely understood their business decision to explore 1/48 scale, I personally believe they could have refocused their resources on improving and streamlining their 1/35 scale product line to better compete with the changing marketplace. It’s too late for that now.
I don’t hate 1/48 scale…I just don’t like it…
Hrmmm the price thing. I dont know about the US but LHS up here in the great white north have the Tiger for around $25 CDN. The Tamiya 1/35th Tiger is around $50 and the Dragon is around $42-45 So I have to say there is a saving. Not sure its worthwhile, thats a more personal thing.
I’m sure I can get the models cheaper on the net, but by the time I pay exchange, shipping, customs and lol a customs handling fee I end up not saving much if anything over LHS prices.
However in Japan and the far east which are the biggest model building markets this is all moot, The models are very well priced there.
I guess it’s just me but I never got from anyone that they hate 1/48.Like I said in another thread, to me 1/48 is aircraft and 1/35 armor. I’ve built 1/72 in both, 1/48 in both and 1/32 in aircraft. I hope the 1/48 armor thing works well for all who want to pursue it. I may build a couple to compliment some aircraft, but for me armor is 1/35.I can’t say space is an issue because I usually use the same basic size base for my 1/48 aircraft and 1/35 armor. Micheals has those sweet little plaque bases for 1.99. But I digress.
I don’t hate 1/48 armor. I bought the Tiger 1 when it became available locally. My main complaint is the metal hulls. My hull had some pretty bad flaws in it. Then when I started to build it, The hull top would not fit properly. If I centered the hull top onto the hull there was nearly a 1/16th in gap on EACH side of the Top. The machine gun plate and the rear plate did not fit much better. Anyway it went back in the box and haven’t worked on it since. No one else has complained about fit problems so maybe it was just my kit, but it sure soured my notion of getting any more.
It’s only frustration. Most of us have built up our collections in 35th, now they’re bombarding us with 48th.
It’s a little like Window OS. “Here’s WinXP, now your Win98 you’ve grown to love is obsolete.” - followed by - “Damn, I just spent $400 on games that aren’t compatible with XP.” – now everyone has accepted WinXP and rejects Win98.
Ive seen one at a club meeting. I thought it looked pretty good. I’m also a big fan of Tamiya. I like their quality and predictability.
The only drawback for me is it’s another group of models to choose from when I’m deciding what to get next.[:D]
[2c]
IF they released some kits I personally want in 1/48, I would be fine with them (ie. T-90, improved T-72, T-64) But, I would prefer to see them in 1/35. Plus, you can build almost anything you want in 1/35 if you’re willing to use conversions, so I don’t see the point of 1/48. I mean, Dragon’s new 1/35 stuff is cheaper and better than Tamiya 1/48.