1:48 models

[boristheblade]

Hey guys. I have only made 1/72 kits and 1 1/32 kit and ive never seen any 1/48 kits made so i have no idea how big a 1/48 is. Can somone please post a photo of a 1/72 jet like a tornado, F-15E, F-16 etc next to a 1/48 of the same jet so i can have some kind of visual indication as to how big they are. I want to move up from 1/72 and 1/32, while nice and big, is too expensive for me and i would like to see if 1/48 is a cheaper solution.

[TXCajun]

I don't have any models that I have done in both 1/72nd scale and 1/48th for comparison, but I'm sure others do. However, finding out the size of 1/48th scale as compared to 1/72nd is quite easy.

If you take the actual dimensions of any aircraft in which you have interest and do the scale calculations, you can arrive at what the dimensions would be for 1/48th. For instance, An F-4 Phantom has a wingspan of 38 feet, 4.5 inches

First, you figure out the total inches (38x12"= 456", + 4.5" = 460.5")

Next, divide the measurements by 48 (48" on a real aircraft = 1" on a 1/48th model)

So, a 1/48th scale Phantom will have a wingspan of about 9.6 inches

Now, that same model in 1/72nd scale, for comparison, has a wingspan of 6.4"

An even easier method is to take the dimensions of any of your 1/72nd scale models and multiply that dimension by 1.5, since 1/48th is half again as large as 1/72nd.

Hope this helps.

Stew

[FCM]

The 1/48 kits are 50% bigger than the same kits in 1/72 scale, and the 1/32 ones are again 50% bigger then the 1/48 kits of the same airplanes. So you can have an idea about the size looking the image below.

Edited August 9, 2010 by FCM

[TXCajun]

Great comparison images FCM! That should be pinned.

Edited August 9, 2010 by CenTexModeler

[Jennings]

1/48 is mathematically exactly half way between 1/32 and 1/72 in size.

J

Edited August 9, 2010 by Jennings

[strikeeagle801]

There's also a scale calculator on the ARC main page under the tools and tips section.

aaron

[xavi84]

I agree with CenTexModeller, FCM's image should be pinned.

[PNW_Modeler]

well...I built a couple 1:48th scale Tomcats and a couple 1:32nd scale Tomcats.

The 32nd scale ones were about this big, while the 48th scale ones were only that big.

Hope that helps.

[TXCajun]

Good perspectives

Edited August 10, 2010 by CenTexModeler

[fasteagle12]

The 1/48 kits are 50% bigger than the same kits in 1/72 scale, and the 1/32 ones are again 50% bigger then the 1/48 kits of the same airplanes. So you can have an idea about the size looking the image below.

While not claiming to be any expert, I can see where 1/72 is 2X the size of 1/144 scale (or 50% bigger), but when I do the math, I don't see that 1/48 is 50% bigger than 1/72 and 1/32 50% bigger than 1/48.

50% bigger than 1/48 should be 1/24, not 1/32. 50% bigger than 1/72 would be 1/36th, not 1/48.

This is how I see it, but what do I know?

[Lucas C.]

While not claiming to be any expert, I can see where 1/72 is 2X the size of 1/144 scale (or 50% bigger), but when I do the math, I don't see that 1/48 is 50% bigger than 1/72 and 1/32 50% bigger than 1/48.

50% bigger than 1/48 should be 1/24, not 1/32. 50% bigger than 1/72 would be 1/36th, not 1/48.

This is how I see it, but what do I know?

Don't think about multiplying the scale factor--it's not mathematically correct. Think about it this way: an object 3 feet long (36 inches) in real life, when scaled down to 1/72 scale, would be 1/2 inch long. In 1/48 scale, that object would be 3/4 inch long (50% longer than 1/2 inch); in 1/32 scale, it would be 1.125 inches long (once again, 50% longer than 3/4 inches).

[fasteagle12]

Don't think about multiplying the scale factor--it's not mathematically correct. Think about it this way: an object 3 feet long (36 inches) in real life, when scaled down to 1/72 scale, would be 1/2 inch long. In 1/48 scale, that object would be 3/4 inch long (50% longer than 1/2 inch); in 1/32 scale, it would be 1.125 inches long (once again, 50% longer than 3/4 inches).

Again, as I said, I'm not expert, but look at the scale comparisons of the P-51. The 1/72 is twice the size of the 1/144, but the 1/48 certainly isn't twice the size of the 1/72, nor the 1/32, twice the size of the 1/48. I can't see why a 1/24 wouldn't be twice the size of a 1/48, and so on and so forth.

I've read that to scale a plane, you take the dimension, say the length of an F-15, around 64 ft, and divide that number by the scale you're factoring. For a 1/72 conversion, this would be 10.6 inches, for 1/48, 16 inches, for 1/32, 24 inches. I have all 3 scales of the Eagle. These numbers are pretty close, as I measure them. I'm not trying to be argumentative and maybe I'm missing something, but it seems math works, but again, I'm no expert.

[Skyraider Maniac]

well...I built a couple 1:48th scale Tomcats and a couple 1:32nd scale Tomcats.

The 32nd scale ones were about this big, while the 48th scale ones were only that big.

Hope that helps.

[Lucas C.]

Again, as I said, I'm not expert, but look at the scale comparisons of the P-51. The 1/72 is twice the size of the 1/144, but the 1/48 certainly isn't twice the size of the 1/72, nor the 1/32, twice the size of the 1/48. I can't see why a 1/24 wouldn't be twice the size of a 1/48, and so on and so forth.

I've read that to scale a plane, you take the dimension, say the length of an F-15, around 64 ft, and divide that number by the scale you're factoring. For a 1/72 conversion, this would be 10.6 inches, for 1/48, 16 inches, for 1/32, 24 inches. I have all 3 scales of the Eagle. These numbers are pretty close, as I measure them. I'm not trying to be argumentative and maybe I'm missing something, but it seems math works, but again, I'm no expert.

From your writeup, I'm thinking you're stumbling over the "50% larger" issue. "50% larger" is not the same as "twice the size," it means "half again as large as the smaller item." So that means if I'm 5 feet tall, someone who is 50% taller would not be 10 feet tall, he would be 7.5 feet tall (50% of 5 feet is 2.5; add that to the original 5 feet, you get 7.5 feet). You're right on the money on the math, by the way--that's how I got my numbers. 16 inches is 50% longer than 10.6 inches, and 24 inches is 50% longer than 16 inches.

[Unit19]

16 inches is 50% longer than 10.6 inches, and 24 inches is 50% longer than 16 inches.

That's what she said!

[Lucas C.]

That's what she said!

:rofl:

[Jennings]

48 x 1.5 (aka 150%) = 72

32 x 1.5 = 48

Or....

72 x .66666 (aka 2/3) = 48

48 x .66666 = 32

It's about percentages. You'll have to trust us on this, okay? I absolutely promise I'm not making it up.

J

Edited August 11, 2010 by Jennings

[fasteagle12]

From your writeup, I'm thinking you're stumbling over the "50% larger" issue. "50% larger" is not the same as "twice the size," it means "half again as large as the smaller item." So that means if I'm 5 feet tall, someone who is 50% taller would not be 10 feet tall, he would be 7.5 feet tall (50% of 5 feet is 2.5; add that to the original 5 feet, you get 7.5 feet). You're right on the money on the math, by the way--that's how I got my numbers. 16 inches is 50% longer than 10.6 inches, and 24 inches is 50% longer than 16 inches.

I see you're point. Thanks for explaining it terms I can finally understand.

[Jinxter13]

I agree with CenTexModeller, FCM's image should be pinned.

PIN IT!! PIN IT!! PIN IT!!...K that's enough!!......Whew!!