Unable to do good jets in 1/72

[ALF18]

Seems to me that when I was younger all I could afford was 1/72 for jets. I also like the vast choice available in that scale.

Lately, I find myself avoiding 1/72. The lack of detail makes it less fun for me (not a scratch-builder am I). I also find that it's hard to do a good job (small parts, hard to glue and paint).

For jets, I like 1/48 and 1/32 when I can afford the cost and/or shelf space.

I'm curious why you do or don't build jets in 1/72...

ALF

[phantom]

Used to ONLy build in 1/72. Not so much anymore. Hardly ever in fact. I just do a better job in 1/48. Mind you having said that, I do a even better job in 1/32 but they are just too big on the shelf and expensive.

[Laurent]

Shelf space. I'd love to build a Tu-16 or the incoming 1/72 A-400M but I don't know where I'd put it.

[waylandcool]

I build 1/72nd due to space restrictions. When I move, I'll start building my 1/48th kits.

[2qwik4u]

I only build 72nd.

48th looks too toy like to me.

[Bulldog 09]

I have always liked 1/72 and 1/144. I find that scratch building in these scales challenge my skills and make me a better builder all the way around. But that is just me most people call me crazy.

Dave Fassett

[thegoodsgt]

I build 1/72 scale for the three obvious reasons: size, range of subject matter, and in the last few years, price. In addition, there's the slow pace that I build models. I can "crank out" a 1/72 jet in about 2-3 months. The same aircraft in 1/48th or 1/32nd would probably take me twice as long.

But most importantly is the challenge. Go to any contest and you'll see a lot of really well built models in 1/48th scale, but those in 1/72 are rarely quite as good. I find it a challenge to build 1/72nd to the same standards, with the same degree of realism.

And if you don't think 1/72 can be detailed, take a look at this AH-64 Apache! It's got more wow factor than many 1/48th models.

Edited February 17, 2011 by thegoodsgt

[loftycomfort]

Too small. IMHO 1/72 built models don't have the wow factor the bigger ones offer, especially 1/32.

Terry

[Skyraider Maniac]

How about the option of " I don't build 1/72 cause its too stinkin small"?

I want a model, not a "micro machine". This is one of those cases where I think bigger is better. just more fun. As for shelf space, not a problem; issue is when I run out of ceilling..... Both my 1/48 AC-130 and B-1B are going to be "gear up" and hung from a ceilling whenever I get around to 'em! Now won't that be fun

And I don't have a big house either in case anyone was wondering.....I can only manage a "man corner".....

[ross blackford]

, I build in 1/72, although I do have a few larger scale kits in the stash. I concentrate on 1/72 for a few reasons that have alresdy been mentioned. Shelf space, cost and I like a bit of a challenge. I'm also a very slow builder (with a huge stash) but 1/72 suits my tastes better than the larger scales.

,

Ross.

[SCOUT712]

But most importantly is the challenge. Go to any contest and you'll see a lot of really well built models in 1/48th scale, but those in 1/72 are rarely quite as good. I find it a challenge to build 1/72nd to the same standards, with the same degree of realism.

And if you don't think 1/72 can be detailed, take a look at this AH-64 Apache! It's got more wow factor than many 1/48th models.

I aggree, it's a way bigger challange to replicate a subject in the smaller scale. Detailing and especially the paintjob is way tougher.

Scout

[Pirata]

I build 1/72 exclusively. Personally, I just like it. As far as space: I have to agree with the women in my life, any model that takes up more space than a Thanksgiving turkey is an eyesore.

As far as not being able to do as much detail: I object. In the past ten years, a 1/72 M1 Abrams has won the Best of Show at the IPMS Nationals, along with a 1/72 C-130 & B-2. The detail easily rivaled anything that can be done in a larger scale. Remember that railroad pocket watches were very small, hand made and had to tell time to exact standards, so one can do amazing things in miniature. Of course, watch makers were faithful about using magnifying loops, something I've noticed that many modelers shy away from.

I do find it curious that as much as 1/72 gets knocked, 1/144 has been flourishing in recent years.

[Sarathi S.]

I build in 1/72 mainly because of cost, space, and I'm just not a fan of larger scales. The range of subjects in all forms, like armor, fixed wing, and helicopter, also seems greater in 1/72.

[thegoodsgt]

I do find it curious that as much as 1/72 gets knocked, 1/144 has been flourishing in recent years.

I'm currently building a 1/144th F-16 for fun and with the intention of seeing just how realistic I can get the finish/weathering so it doesn't look like a toy. Stay tuned....

For all the wish lists we've seen for 72nd, 48th, and 32nd scale models, I really wish we had a wider, more detailed selection of the big aircraft in 144th. There have been a handful of really nice releases over the last few years (e.g., Minicraft E-8 and C-130 and the Revell E-2C), but the market is wide open for all of the many variants of these aircraft and others. Resin is a decent alternative but how nice would it be to see a quality C-135 series, B-2, or C-141 from someone like Minicraft!

[farmerboy]

Maybe I only do 1/72 because the flaws on builds are harder to spot, or I can use the excuse for the flaws that my builds are so small and I no longer see well enough to spot them!

[giles]

Maybe I only do 1/72 because the flaws on builds are harder to spot, or I can use the excuse for the flaws that my builds are so small and I no longer see well enough to spot them!

Right on the dollar!

I started on 1/72 when I was a kid. Moved on to 1/48 when I was able to afford them.

Gave them all (mostly 1/48 jets) away twenty years later .

Some how found myself building vintage 1/72 left over that no kid wanted (luckily I did not offer all of my stash to a real hobbist!) And, nowadays I am buy (too much of that) and occassionally build 1/144, 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32! The most extreme I have done are Dragon and Hasegawa 1/400 airliners!

My main concern is (the lack of) space. I enjoy scratching oddball or oneoff a/c. In general, 1/72 is a good compromise. I dabble in 1/144 when I am building up a collection of the same a/c with different markings (e.g. US Navy). I buy 1/48 and 1/32 for (the possibilty of) more detailed work.

Giles

[f5guy]

I started off with 1/48th scale, and got to the point where I couldn't finish anything due to adding so much resin/detail, ect. A buddy of mine gave me a 72nd ESCI F-5A kit, and I built it right away. I had a blast with it, and quickly decided to switch scales, and sold or traded off most of my 48th scale stuff. I find that I prefer to model in this scale due to many of the comments that others have made: more available display space, costs, ease of build (most of the time anyway), more models finished, and a much greater array of available subjects.

However, I didn't quit building in the larger scales completely. I really like different camo scheme's, and its hard to top aggressors for that, so I still build all of my USAF, and many USN aggressors in 48th scale, and a select few USN/USMC aggressors, and other jets with killer camo jobs in 32nd scale. I feel that the often intricate paint schemes of the aggressors look much better in the larger scales than in 72nd scale. So when I feel like building in a little bigger scale, I'll build in 48th, Plus the selection of decals is much better. When I really want to go big and detail something, then I go with 32nd, but 80% of the time my choice is 72nd, or maybe even 1/144th if its a bigger aircraft.

Building in all of the major scales has helped keep my interest in the hobby. If I had forced myself to stick strictly with 48th scale, I would have burned out long ago. FWIW, Fred K.

[Pirata]

I'm currently building a 1/144th F-16 for fun and with the intention of seeing just how realistic I can get the finish/weathering so it doesn't look like a toy. Stay tuned....

I look forward to seeing that. I bought a Revell 1/144 F-104G Starfighter for the same reason but I'm such a 1/72 fundamentalist that I don't know if I'll ever start it though.

Resin is a decent alternative but how nice would it be to see a quality C-135 series, B-2, or C-141 from someone like Minicraft!

Maybe I'm crazy but I seem to remember DML doing a stealth something, an F-117 or B-2? I don't remember off hand and I'm too lazy to Google it at the moment.

[Ventris]

I once had a phase where I built lots of 1/72 helicopters, then switched to 1/35 armour. Then I switched to 1/48 US Navy birds last year.

I also built some 1/72 jets, but they just look wrong in this scale, way too small to reflect the image of the real thing.

[jester292]

1/48th exclusively. I think 1/72 looks too toy like, doesn't have enough detail, and is way too small. The only reason I'm not in 1/32nd scale is because of price.

Aaron

[Kev67]

1/72 La revolution

[Laurent]

I think 1/72 looks too toy like, doesn't have enough detail, and is way too small.

Type "Asao Shirai" in Google, look at the Hyperscale gallery articles. And cry.

[janman]

I avoid 1/72 - don't like the lack of detail

That's just a myth. A modern 1/72 kit is about as detailed as a modern 1/48 kit. And vice versa, old 1/72 and 1/48 both suffer from low level of detailing.

If I want something bigger and even more detailed, then the 1/32 scale is the answer.

Edited February 18, 2011 by janman

[haneto]

Just one pic could tell the all.

1.No such variety of ground vehicle to enjoy a life like diorama, especially Russian ones only available in 1/72.

2.Not enough details?

How many details are up to you, not the kit.

1/72 Russian Aircraft Mania

Yufei

[JackMan]

For me, a variety of reasons:

1) Nostalgia...started out with 1/72 Airfix & Hasegawa kits as a boy. Still can't forget the feel of that 1/72 Hasegawa Ki-44 Tojo in my hand :)

2) Space - The MAIN reason. I live in a flat

3) Variety - there's just so many to choose from. Yet to see a 1/48 Fuji T-1, British EAP, etc. The best JASDF Senkyo markings are in 1/72 :D

4) Cost - another main reason.

I do occasionally build 1/200 airliners (esp the special livery schemes). I sometimes do envy the 1/48 & 1/32 scalers whenever I see a superdetailed kit like those on Hyperscale. And although folks like Yufei & Asao Shirai put the bigger scalers to shame, I lack their skills ( & patience). If I had a bigger house & more money, I'd like to build a variety of scales. A mix of 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 as well as cars & sci-fi.