Why 1/48?

[Ralphonso]

So what draws you folks in to 1/48 AFV modeling?

For me it is all about the ratio of attention span to surface area. Let me explain my madness.

I have a relatively short attention span when it comes to modeling. When I'm painting or weathering a 1/35 scale tank I'm very meticulous in the area I begin at, and then begin to get more careless as I move along. As a result, some of my larger models look great from one side, but only kind of okay from another. They may look like absolute crap from a third angle.

As for 1/72 - while I love the scale for aircraft, I find myself unable to do much with the wee tanks. My weathering techniques look overdone in 1/72 (which I know is my own shortcoming, and not that of the model or the scale), and the very small details tend to get lost on the shelf. I don't know, to me 1/72 just doesn't convey the heft of a tank.

But give me a 1/72 bomber and I'll be the happiest modeler on the block!



The fact that I'm probably the only modeler on the block isn't important right now.





So what about the rest of y'all?

[calum]

I build 48 scale aircraft pretty much exclusively. 48 Scale armour looks good next to my aircraft and is a nice change when a aircraft build gets me down.

[kyle]

i started 1/48 to match my planes but ive done some other scales and prefer this
they go together quick enough without getting to obsessive yet there is enough detail to have fun with
...not too big-not too small... just right

[paulie]

Ive always sculpted in 35th scale.........the move to 48th scale for me was simple, Airfix released some land rovers (I also have a full size one) I had multiples of all landys for all companies. I built the Airfix landy, then looked for stowage, there wasn't any, so built my own, being able to sculpt it was easy enough. Others saw the stowage and having resin vacuum casting set I did a few for friends, haven't stopped since.............jackal/ coyote/warrior and quad sets, and working my way through the Tamiya range, and now general accessories :-)

[mike]

1/48 models are the perfect size for dioramas.

If you want to build a diorams with multiple vehicles in 1/35 scale, you have to create a very large base.
1/72 scale is too small for details and I do not want to model the whole building.

The only problem is there are very few scale bulidings in 1/48.

[biggles]

I'm also of the opinion that 1/48 is a 'Goldilocks' scale.  But I think that just as Tamiya re-invented and re-popularized the scale, they did just as much to hurt the scale - with their 'realistic' die-cast lower hulls (I know that they are now styrene), and over-simplified construction.  Just compare Rainbow/AFV Club's Tiger l to Tamiya's; and their SdKfz 251 C is excellent!  Hobby Boss's KV series is adequate, but their T-34's, with full interiors, can't be beat!  And Bronco's Staghound and SU152 are miniature's of their 1/35 releases (which are also excellent!).  Mirage (surprise, surprise!!) has a WWl Ford 1916 military ambulance with interior, detailed engine, and open vents in the opening hood!  (This same chassis, BTW, can be used to scratch/convert to several other vehicles - from an armored car to a draisine).  If a big company, like Tamiya, had the interest to produce what the smaller companies were able to do better, and produce a decent line of styrene figures (not the midgets they have released!) would be a much better and productive scale. 
Rant over!

[biggles]

Jan 14, 2015 12:08:07 GMT -5 mike said:

The only problem is there are very few scale bulidings in 1/48.

Grandt Line, who make accessories for model RR, has a line of 'O' scale (1/48) styrene windows, doors, and other architectural details to scratch-build buildings.  The only problem is that all their windows are of the horizontal sash opening type (as common in North America), and none of the vertical opening casement windows common to Europe.   Verlinden has some resin buildings, there are some hydrocal/ceramic buildings from various manufacturers, and DPM (Design Preservation...something) make modular styrene sectional buildings.  

[Ralphonso]

Jan 14, 2015 12:21:29 GMT -5 biggles said:

I'm also of the opinion that 1/48 is a 'Goldilocks' scale.  But I think that just as Tamiya re-invented and re-popularized the scale, they did just as much to hurt the scale - with their 'realistic' die-cast lower hulls (I know that they are now styrene), and over-simplified construction.  Just compare Rainbow/AFV Club's Tiger l to Tamiya's; and their SdKfz 251 C is excellent!  Hobby Boss's KV series is adequate, but their T-34's, with full interiors, can't be beat!  And Bronco's Staghound and SU152 are miniature's of their 1/35 releases (which are also excellent!).  Mirage (surprise, surprise!!) has a WWl Ford 1916 military ambulance with interior, detailed engine, and open vents in the opening hood!  (This same chassis, BTW, can be used to scratch/convert to several other vehicles - from an armored car to a draisine).  If a big company, like Tamiya, had the interest to produce what the smaller companies were able to do better, and produce a decent line of styrene figures (not the midgets they have released!) would be a much better and productive scale. 
Rant over!

Ugh. Sad but true. I still hope Dragon kicks the door in, some day. Imagine 1/48 Smartkits!!!

[biggles]

Dragon may well have to do this, just for a fresh fan base - they're struggling as it is in 1/35.  But I really doubt they will do this.

[Ralphonso]

Are they really? I know there has been grumbling about the black label line, but they seem to churn out kits left and right (granted - they're all minor variations on about a dozen subjects) but they are nice kits.

[biggles]

Yes, Dragon still produce good kits - as long as they are from previously released moulds. The annoyance is, apart from poorly researched and developed "Black Label" line, is a 10 yr. old kit (still excellent!) with 1 or 2 new parts (an antennae + mount, ie., also from another previously released kit) to make a 'new' kit. The re-boxing and revised instruction sheet actually cost more than the plastic contents! (But this is really neither here nor there, and belong on a totally different forum!)

[calum]

Jan 14, 2015 12:06:51 GMT -5 paulie said:

Ive always sculpted in 35th scale.........the move to 48th scale for me was simple, Airfix released some land rovers (I also have a full size one) I had multiples of all landys for all companies. I built the Airfix landy, then looked for stowage, there wasn't any, so built my own, being able to sculpt it was easy enough. Others saw the stowage and having resin vacuum casting set I did a few for friends, haven't stopped since.............jackal/ coyote/warrior and quad sets, and working my way through the Tamiya range, and now general accessories :-)

And it's most appreciated Paul

[paulie]

no worries Calum, some new sets on the way soon :-)

Pleased you liked the sets so far :-)

[malcolm48]

1/48 is just big enough to get a lot of extra detail without going to extreme lengths, and a very good size to display. It's also the best scale for small and medium sized dioramas. Shelves to display a few 1/35 kits are just too expensive and bulky for my situation. On the other hand, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my 1/48 Lancaster, FW200 Condor, Halifax, He177 Greif, Ju88, Do17Z, He111, and Short Sunderland when they get built. Even my 1/48 Supermarine Walrus will take up a fair chunk of shelf space.

Another reason I prefer 1/48 armour is a characteristic that is typical for me, it's something that not everyone else is flocking to. I don't do trendy or popular, which means you'll never see me turn out an armour kit with overdone chipping, rust, and weathering. I don't play follow the herd .