Large Scale Aircraft Kits Imminent

I would love a 1/32 Gladiator in Swedish livery with skis. 

Oh my, I could see myself getting that Stearman.  I got several rides in a Stearman when I was grade school age.  My dad was in the CAP, but I was too young to be a cadet.  But the squadron kind of adopted me, and let dad take me up in the squadron's PT-17.

I guess I should put an addition on my house...

As you all know, 1/32 is the new 1/48.  Actually, for biplanes and similar types, 1/32 is the perfect size - neither too big nor too small (especially important for rigged models).

A ski-equipped Gladiator is almost a 100% guaranteed prospect.  I got ICM's I-153 Chaika with skis and Finish markings, and I just love it!

But once you get to the heavy bombers like the B-17 and Handley Page HP 0/400...  Good greif, I know it's only a matter of time before someone announces a 1/32 B-29.  Who knows how far the "crazy" dial will go?  A B-36?  B-52?  A Vulcan?    THEN you need the house extension!

Real G

As you all know, 1/32 is the new 1/48.  Actually, for biplanes and similar types, 1/32 is the perfect size - neither too big nor too small (especially important for rigged models)...

I'm going to have to disagree.  1/32 is still too large for me to display, generally.  1/48 is still the right combination of size to show detail, without requiring too much display space.

I think a big factor driving the release of subjects in 1/32 is all of the ageing Boomers, who turn to larger scales because of their failing eyesight.

Bugatti Fan

I believe all in 1/32 scale coming soon

Gloster Gladiator...

I think there was already a 1/32 Gladiator, from Silver Wings.  I recall that someone involved with that label-the owner/proprietor?-used to post about Silver Wings kits here in the forum, but I think he was eventually banned for what was in effect advertising his kits for sale.

    I would love a 32nd scale Whirlwind, rather odd bird with very little service life. It just looks fast though.

Baron,

What I meant was the market is calling 1/32 the new 1/48, judging by the crazy stuff coming out now.  Like you, realize I don't have enough space for large 1/32 kits.  I have been selling off my big kits and trying to avoid getting new ones.  Zoukei Mura is so tempting, but I picked up a 1/48 Hasegawa Hs-129 so that I would not be able to justify getting one in 1/32.

The smaller single engine kits work out to around 12" wingspan, which is manageable.

1:32, even single engine biplanes, is still to big for me. I have every bit of shelf and cabinet space filled, and models waiting for display space.  The PT-27 is an exception- I'll hang it from the ceiling.  But I am in the situation now that I must get rid of a model for each new model I build.  I will be contacting places like recruiting centers to see if I can get rid of some.

For decades 1/48 scale was my "go-to" scale for builds. Anymore though, I just don't have the room for the "modest" wingspan of a P-40 or a Wildcat fighter on the display shelf. Since January of this year, with the exception of a couple of 1/144 scale Boeing Clippers, every build has been in 1/72 scale. Even in that scale, the bookcase is filling up fast. And just so ya know, at age seventy-three my eyesight is still pretty good. My fingers might be fumbly but my eyes are still on the job...

Real G

What I meant was the market is calling 1/32 the new 1/48, judging by the crazy stuff coming out now...

Understood, but I'm still going to have to disagree that 1/32 is the new 1/48, in any context.  I think the only way we can really tell if 1/32 is replacing 1/48, is to look at the numbers of new kits released in either scale, and their sales, over the same span of time, and see whether 1/48 is declining in numbers, both in new releases and in overall sales.

I can agree that there might be more new offerings in 1/32 than in the past few years, but I don't think it's really come close to replacing 1/48, or 1/72, for that matter.