What is your favourite scale and why?

[Spitfire]

Sounds like the title of a school essay, doesn't it? I just thought I'd throw this one in to see whether there are any throwbacks from the past like me who still prefer 1/72 scale.

The reasons for my preference are firstly one of space, since my aircraft models have to share a room with a model railway layout. Then there is that of nostalgia, since this is the scale I grew up with. Last but not least, there is that of cost, since my budget has to cover two hobbies.

The detail on modern kits is so good now that I don't feel that this is a poor relation of 1/48, although if it weren't for the first of the reasons above I'd probably choose it instead.

Cheers,

John

[Llarry]

I build mostly 1/72 myself, and mainly for the first two reasons you mentioned -- nostalgia and space. I've also been working in 1/144 a bit, because of the great new offerings (mainly Sweet and Platz). I have started dabbling in 1/35 figures/vehicles, and expect at some point to build a 1/24 or 1/32 plane for the experience. At this point 1/48 is the scale I have the *least* interest in.

[Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy]

Just seemed like there were more options I wanted in 1/72, back when I was doing tons of MiGs in the late 80's and early 90's. Also ideal for a huge fleet of adversary aircraft like I was doing, and MUCH more affordable. Soon I got good at detailing in a small scale, and I've just been very comfortable with it for many years now.

[Grey Ghost 531]

1/72.

Space, price and (except for recent releases of aftermarket decals) selection. 1/48 might be okay in size for fighters, but, I like everything in the same scale for comparison. I don't have room for any 1/48 bombers. That and I don't want to spend 150 bucks for them.

[Av8fan]

I admit that 1/48 is the scale I build. Mainly due to the fact that I have too much trouble with cockpits as is. I think painting a 1/72 cockpit would send me round the twist to borrow an English expression.

Room is a consideration, who knows what will happen when I start building again.

Bombers have to be 1/72 or 1/144.

[jrallman]

1/48. for me it is a good compromise between space/size and detail. i feel like i can get a decent result with this scale without spending too much, and the range of subjects available is quite large. also, there is just something impressive about a big 4 engine bomber in 1/48 scale.

[Chuck1945]

The very first plastic models I built were the nominaly 1/48 Aurora WWI kits from the mid 50s, then Monogram. However when I started getting serious about aircraft modeling the best selection was by far in 1/72 with Airfix and Frog at the forefront. While I have crossed to the dark side and actually bought a very few 1/48 kits that had appeal (CA NF Meteor, Canberra, Bf 109A, Whirlwind) I have not actually built any of those :D

1/72 remains my preferred scale, Even thogh I periodically purge my collection of built kits (usually in conjunction with a cross country move) I do like the minimal space and all to the same scale (or as Airfix used to advertise, 'Constant Scale') whether a four engine bomber or Fokker triplane. Besides if I were to change to a bigger scale, I would need to get rid of 40 years worth of after market stuff and start over

[The Mikester]

I do 1/72, mainly for space considerations and consistency of scale. I do look longingly at other larger scales occasionally (especially 1/32) but some of the newer offerings in 1/72 are really beautifully detailed so I'm not really missing out on much.

Plus there's some really obscure planes that are only available in 1/72.

[Chris Kethan]

When I returned to the hobby in 1998, I started building 1/48 because that's what I built when I was a kid. I have continued in 1/48 to keep all of my subjects the same scale.

Maybe someday I'll start a new 1/72 flightline!

Chris

[Shawn C.]

I build mainly in 1/48 because of the nice compromise between price, detail and size of the finished product. I do have completed models in 1/144 through 1/32, but I do enjoy 1/48 the most with 1/72 being a very nice diversion for me. The new 1/32 models such as Hasegawa's and Trumpeter's offerings are fantastic looking kits, but they just take up too much space for me to really get into building many of them.

[modelldoc]

1:72

It's my best one, a large size of models from pre WWII until today.

It's my favourite!

modelldoc

[ScottD]

1/48, best balance of size and detail for me

[I love airbrushing]

As many others, I like building 1/48 stuff - especially ww2 fighters. Size is standard, doesn't take much space,

price is modest, lots of detail sets for this scale..and thats about it.

Big planes give a nice result in a 1/72 scale.

[lasermonkey]

1/72.

It's the scale I grew up with, and the one with which I feel most at home. There are more subjects to choose from in this scale, I like the fact that you can detail to your heart's content and it looks great, or leave well alone and it doesn't look too obvious. It doesn't take up too much room (Lockheed Super Constellation in 1/48 anyone?) and it really lends itself to that "constant scale" idea, ie you can hapilly sit a Bu 133 next to a Ju 280 to gauge the size difference between the real thing.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy]

Yeah, I didn't mention the space...my place is incredibly small, so it's handy to be able to store the dozens of finished aircraft I do have.

[gearheadrandy]

Long ago, in bygone days, there was chaos and disorder in the land. Modelers everywhere did gnash their teeth and cry Lo, my models are scaled to fit a common box; but I display my 1/40 Wright Flyer with my 1/188 Constellation and behold, they do not make sense together.

And confusion did reign.

Then the mighty prophet Airfix (let his name be spoken with reverence) did decree, Let all models of things which flyeth in the air be made to a common scale. And that scale shall be six feet to one inch; for those are units which all civilized men do comprehend. Thus will the smallest fighters be not too small, nor will the largest bombers be too large; and behold, they can all be displayed together without causing pain to the onlooker.

And let this be called, The One True Scale.

And on hearing these glad tidings modelers did partake of the wineskin and rejoice, saying, Surely shall the wisdom of Airfix conquer all lands. For The One True Scale is righteous and good. And order shall return to the earth . . .

II Styr. 26-29. No offense intended.

[WymanV]

...Ah-men...

Ken (sacrilegious 1/48 builder)

[Quailane]

That was hilarious.

I pretty much have to do 1/48 scale. I have tried a few 1/72 scale kits but they are just too small for me. I still strain my eyes a little with 1/48 and my butterfingers don't help the situation any. I finally gave up on the scale while trying to do all the tiny photo-etch parts on a 1/72 MPM Bf-109T.

I think prop fighters in 1/48 are the perfect size. One of my current projects is a 1/48 F-106 and that is the size limit for me. I consider Hasegawa's 1/32 Bf-109 a little large too. Besides an F-16 in my stash, if I do any other jet fighters I may go for 1/72. I wish I had enough space to finally build my 1/48 B-29.

I have done a couple 1/144 airliners, but those are easy.

[albert_sy2]

1:48. these kits usually have more detail than smaller scales.

[Steve N]

I'm encouraged to see how many (other) 1/72 builders are out there. I usually feel like a voice crying in the wilderness among the 1/48 builders. They all treat me like some liberal democrat who's undermining the traditional values of the hobby!

Personally, I like 1/72 because of the variety, and the fact that they take up less space.

SN

[latormentabritanica]

I am loyal to the 1/48 line. I find the aircraft to be large enough to allow good realistic detail without becoming so large that there are major fit problems. I also find the larger scales to sometimes have a tendency to look too much like a toy. So I've only ever built 1/48 scale, and I suspect that's all I'll ever build. But that's just my humble opinion...

[trojansamurai]

Exclusively 1/48 now. Grew up with Monogram and Hawk 1/48 and dabbled with Airfix and Heller 1/72 as a kid. But then I discovered Tamiya, Nichimo, Otaki in the mid- to late '70s. When Hasegawa started producing 1/48 in the '80s, and Tamiya re-entering the aircraft market in the '90s, that's all it took to get me hooked.

I never build anything larger than a twin-engined night fighter, so space isn't that much of an issue.

Seems like 1/48 is generally the preferred scale in the U.S. and Japan, while 1/72 is still very strong in Europe.

Edited February 21, 2007 by trojansamurai

[modelsntoys]

1/48 because I can actually SEE the cockpit when I try to paint it. I do have LOTS of other kits in other scales that I like, but mainly because they're not available in 1/48th or they would be WAY too large for me to display!

[Scotsman]

1/32 is my preffered scale - these days - space isn't really too much of a problem for me , (ok I know i'm lucky in that respect!)

Really my detoriating eyesight , means that even 48th scale is just too small for me these days. The other advantage is that the choice of kits is rather more limited in 32nd - so my overall spend on models is reduced, (even taking into account the cost of some of the Tamiya/Trumpter monsters!).

In addition , since going up to 32nd , I've never yet given up on a project - unlike 48th or even 72nd - when one aspect of the project gets boring I start another part of it - each Hornet Drop tank/missle/pylon assembly uses more plastic than most 72nd scale fighters!

After a 32nd Su-27 - nothing seems that big again!

[David Walker]

For me 1/48 just seems the best compromise: big enough for decent detail but not so big that I have a hard time finding a place to keep them.