Model scales: pros, cons, and personal preferences

[stona]

Like Barry I build almost exclusively 1/32 WW2 (ish) aircraft for myself.


The parts count is not relevant, indeed some very good limited run or specialist kits don't have many parts at all. To these you can, if you choose, add your own detail.


I have to disagree slightly about the fiddle factor, that is that smaller scale kits are more fiddly with smaller parts. The detail parts in, for example ,a 1/32 cockpit, engine bay or wheel well can be just as small and fiddly as those in a small scale kit, and they are likely to be more numerous. Anyone who has put an RB or HGW harness together will know what I mean!


Like Barry, I like the impact a 1/32 model can make. I recently built a 1/32 Do 335 and that certainly elicited a reaction from non model makers who saw it. I only display one model in the living room, so it can become a talking point. It's the only model most visitors will see, unless they ask to see more, and is displayed in glorious isolation in the corner of the room on a shelf originally specified to hold a 1/48 (yes, 1/48) Lancaster. I've attached a piccy of the current subject. People rarely peer inside a model, but they can do that with a larger scale and the two things they usually notice are seat belts/harnesses and instrument panels. All the other detail serves for nought!


As far as space goes, I used to rotate models as someone else suggested, but now I have about 15 displayed in a second living room, maybe 6 in a cabinet upstairs and the 1 mentioned in our main living space. The rest I dispose of, usually recycled. As I complete my current project (which will take a while as work is getting in the way) something else will have to go! It's not looking good for the PCM Fw 190 A


If you build in any scale for any length of time you will run out of space, unless you are fortunate enough to live in a very large property in which you can devote an almost indefinite space to display. Most of us live in more 'normal' properties and have competing demands for space, so the scale we build in doesn't alter the fact that we will run out of space, just how long that will take to happen. That's when some ruthless decisions over the fate of at least some of the models will have to be taken.


Cheers


Steve

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[Gern]

I found this, scroll down for some wall brackets: http://www.toysandmodels.com/model-airplanes/accessories.htm

Probably me being thick but I can't see how these are supposed to work?


Just to answer your question Adam, I try to build just about anything that takes my fancy - usually larger scale stuff - and one of these years I'll end up with something I won't find fault with (that's my dream!). As Steve says though, just because it's larger scale doesn't mean you don't have tiny bits to deal with! Quite the opposite in fact. The larger the scale, the more detail you will want to include - which means you're still fitting parts as small as those you get in small scale kits; but there are usually a lot more of them!


One of the few truly universal rules is: "There's never enough shelf space". It doesn't matter whether you're talking books, DVDs, stuff that needs to go in the fridge - or models. Sooner or later you will run out of space. Are you going to build smaller models you don't really like; rather than the big stuff you do like just 'cos you don't want to fill up your shelves?


If you like it - build it! Whatever scale it's in.

 

[Ian M]

I build mostly 1/48 scale aircraft with the odd 1/32 here and there, and 1/35 armour. The odd boat here and there. 1/72 mostly with a few in 1/35! (just bought a 1/200 as well!) Why these scales. well I like them. 1/48 is a good scale for aircraft, as like 1/35 is for armour. although as more and more 1/48 armour comes out I might be tempted...

 

[stona]

One of the few truly universal rules is: "There's never enough shelf space". It doesn't matter whether you're talking books, DVDs, stuff that needs to go in the fridge - or models. Sooner or later you will run out of space.

You got that right. This is just one of my book cupboards and it's about to collapse! I do have a plan in place to get rid of the 1,000+ CDs on a wall in another room and put some bookshelves there, but I foresee long and hard negotiations with SWMBO. It would be easier to negotiate the terms of BREXIT


Cheers


Steve

 

[Mark P]

I love to build cars and motorbikes and as most are 1/12 and 1/24 that's the scale I like to build

 

[PaulTRose]

swmbo made the rules...........i can have most of the spare room but i cant display models anywhere else so i have two ikea glass display cases.....room is tight at times and once a year i will have a tidy out and put less worthy kits in the loft in a box to make some room............one day i will have a room big enough to get them all out again


thts one reason i have to give thought to the size of what i build


for me its the building stage i like the most followed by the painting/weathering.....pet hate is masking canopies  >  but i also like the planning/research stage (or wasting time on the lap top as she puts it  xD )

 

[Flyermay]

Thinking  about this we all build for different reasons and enjoy different aspects...


Do you build, primarily, for the build/painting/weathering experience?


Is your preference to admire the models built?

I was asking because of curiosity about what you guys like, and to chat a bit with other modelers. But in answer to your questions: the reason I began modeling again -did it for a while when I was a kid- is because I've always been interested in aviation, and for the last few years also been very interested in history; specially around the WWII period. So, because of this, recently I kind of fell in love with the Spitfire, and I though one would look really nice in my living room. After building the Spitfire, I thought a Bf 109 would also look great next to it -as I also like that plane a lot- and after the Bf 109 came the Fw 190, the P-51... so on and so forth... and now I can't stop.


I like building, painting, and now also weathering; but exposing them is also important for me, as I also love the plains I'm building.

But I'm also giving thought to better, more creative and more practical ways to display them. In this way i hope to diplay them in the home so that they are both safe and add to the decor (like they belong).

Yes, exactly, I like the plains to decor my living room -and maybe also my bedroom- but now I'm running the risk of over doing it; since now I'm kind of hooked to modelling.

Barry: When you say "wall mount", is this some method of fixing aircraft flat to the wall? I had thought of this many moons ago but couldn't see a way of doing it other than making a long hook to support the wings or some ribbon fixed in a loop to go over the wings - I hadn't got to the stage of gluing the wheels to the wall!

I too looked into this Dave, the way I could see it and be tidy, was to have a plaque or frame and the model attached via a support tube. I have seen some purpose built plastic fastenings that I guy did to put his diecast F1 cars on the wall...damned if I can find it now...maybe I dreamt it. 

I saw some people that hang them by a thread from the ceiling, next to the walls; have you considered this? I thought about doing it in my bedroom, if I run out of space elsewhere.

I have to disagree slightly about the fiddle factor, that is that smaller scale kits are more fiddly with smaller parts. The detail parts in, for example ,a 1/32 cockpit, engine bay or wheel well can be just as small and fiddly as those in a small scale kit, and they are likely to be more numerous. Anyone who has put an RB or HGW harness together will know what I mean!


View attachment 259415

As Steve says though, just because it's larger scale doesn't mean you don't have tiny bits to deal with! Quite the opposite in fact. The larger the scale, the more detail you will want to include - which means you're still fitting parts as small as those you get in small scale kits; but there are usually a lot more of them!

Don't have much experience, but I think you are right; so far I saw no difference in how small some parts can between 1/32, 1/48, and now the 1/72 bomber I bought.

For me its the building stage i like the most followed by the painting/weathering.....pet hate is masking canopies  >  but i also like the planning/research stage (or wasting time on the lap top as she puts it  xD )

I also feel kind of lazy towars doing the canopies, which are usually the first step in most kits; reason why I like to work on a model as long as possible, so I don't have to start the next kit.

 

[Flyermay]

Sorry, completely mixed canopies with cockpits there at the end, and I can't edit it.

 

[Ace]

I'll give my answer as it relates to automobiles since I build them the most. I prefer 1/24 or 1/25 scales because the size is large enough to add lots of details if I want but not so large that they look like toys if the extra detail isn't there. Also, any larger takes up way too much room.


I build 1/32 scale cars if I really like the subject matter but extra details like wires and plumbing are harder to keep in scale.


It's an aggravating pet gripe of mine that cars come in 2 scales (1/24 and 1/25) that are so close and yet not the same. I think it evolved from two schools of thought: 1/24 scale came from doll houses (half inch scale) in which inches are divided in halves, quarters, eighths etc. and 1/25 came from engineers who divide inches into tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. But it still irks me. Given a choice I'd rather work with a traditional ruler so I guess I'd opt for 1/24 scale.