This may be a loaded question, but I am looking for an honest opinion...1/72 or 1/48

Lots of good information here! Thanks guys!

AShton

The point most people are missing is that the original poster was looking for a scale so that he could have models of different genres (aircraft, armor, sci-fi, ships, etc.) all in the same scale.

I agree that the best scale for individual genres is based on industry standards. But if you want a common scale for the majority of your kits, 1/72 scale has the most to chose from. It is a standard aircraft scale, the second most common armor scale, and has a good selection of sci-fi and ship models available.

There are multiple downsides to the scale such as smallness, lack of detail compared to a larger scale, limited selection for some areas (ships or cars), but overall there are more cross-genre kits in this scale than any other.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, people.  The bottom line regarding scale is that it's whatever makes you happy.  End of sentence, next paragraph.

 BUT since the question was asked, let me throw this into the mix:  Early aircraft, WW-I, biplanes and between the war can be modeled in either 1/48 or 1/32 and either looks great.  To me, 1/72 for those types requires an OptiVisor and occasionally a microscope to be able to see the detail. Beyond that, have you tried rigging a Bristol Boxkite in 1/72?

From WW-II on, it's basically a question of your preference and available space.  There's also the matter of practicality.  A 1/32 B-36, for example, would have an 86 1/4" wingspan.  Build an Airbus A380 to the same scale and you'll need to build a garage to house it.  As a result, consider different scales for different aircraft types.  

Armor is probably best modeled in 1/35, in large part because of the extensive selection.  Railroad modelers, of course, have a slew of 1/87 scale armor available.

As for science fiction, I don't know that it's possible to have a standard scale.  For example, consider the size of a Babylon 5 habitat in even 1/72 scale. The 'real' thing is 5 miles long (I think), which would make a 1/72 scale model nearly 31 feet in length. That pretty much eliminates the idea of constant scale where science fiction is concerned.

As I said in the beginning, the bottom line is that it's your choice.  Besides, every last one of us will build something that's outside of our preferred if it's a subject we've been lusting over and it's the only kit made. 

That's my two cents for what it's worth.  Or considering the length of this post, two dollars worth. 

Wirraway wrote:

But I cant see the point in making, say, a WW2 fighter in 1:144 scale - they're tiny !  The detail would be practically non-existant, and, to my way of thinking, its the detail that separates "models" from "toys"

Take a look at this. Amazing work- only made more difficult by the scale.

Now I wouldn't even attempt it.... I couldn't see stuff at that size. 

Have you seen the photo etched detail sets for 1:350 scale aircraft? You'd be amazed at the look of those tiny planes. They are for aircraft carrier decks.

It is a common airliner scale.   Granted.  And if you are going to make the really large aircraft, its 1:144 or 1:200 or even 1:300.  But I cant see the point in making, say, a WW2 fighter in 1:144 scale - they're tiny !  The detail would be practically non-existant, and, to my way of thinking, its the detail that separates "models" from "toys"

(Now I'm really going before Cassibill gets here !)

PS:  sorry for hijacking the thread - no more  from me.

Wirraway wrote:

And whats with 1/144 scale ?  Ok if you're  building a C-5 or an An-124..... but sheesh ! (God I hope cassibill isnt reading this)

Bgrigg wrote:

I'll throw in my preference for 1:48 aircraft. My old eyes and fumbly fingers just don't work well with smaller scales, and since I don't have space for 1:32, 1:48 rules!

I started back into the hobby in 1/72 scale aircraft, but I realized that after 23 years out of the hobby, my eyes were not as sharp, my coordination not as fine, and despite the ease of storage.... I made the switch to 1/48 to spare my eyes.

I just recently built a couple of 1/72 kits again, and enjoyed it. But I did not go into much cockpit detail. I figure if I can't see it- why worry?

storing is an important issue for many  people

as a builder of any scale anything

in model aircraft as an example

i will say this single eng aircraft i like 1/48th  multi eng  i like 1/72

Thanks everyone for all of your input!!  As for now I think I will stay w/ the 1/72 scale for the majority of my projects unless of course I find the inevitable 1/32, or 1/48 that I just gotta have! ;)

Thanks again guys!!

Ashton

1/72 if you are looking for variety...no question!

1/48 lots of A/C, but limited Armor

1/35 (1/32) lots of Armor limited A/C

INCOMMING!!

Nah, it's not a loaded question. It's a matter of personal preferance. Rob hit the nail on the head, selection. 72 scale by far has the farthest reaching selection availible including some of the more obscure subjects. 1/48 is mainly an aircraft scale. There are fewer detail items availible for 1/72, but it is growing. 72 scale is also known to be cheaper for it's kits while having similar external detail to 48 scale. Most 'lack of detail' would come in the interiors which are very hard to see into anyways. So there's no real loss there in my opinion.

Good luck with your decision

1/72 scale is probably the most prolific scale for aircraft and since there are ships, tanks and spacecraft in that scale, it would be the most universal scale for a modeler wanting to stick to one scale.

1/48 has fewer options for non-aircraft kits. Armor has begun to re-emerge in the 1/48 scale field and there are some sci-fi kits, but that's about it.

I'm not going to get into the debate about which kits are better, have more detail or whatever. I think 1/72 scale just haves more commonality between genres.