Whats the point of 1:48 or bigger?

The point is to annoy everybody. No, wait. I do 1/48 and up because I have large hands, bad eyesight, and it 's alot easier to work on. In addition, some of the detail kits are magnificent. Sometimes, bigger model kits just look more impressive (and intimidating at contests.) Don't get me wrong, I also like the 1/72, but not near as much. If there's a choice in scale, I'll almost always get the largest, within price limitations, of course.

demono69

When I got back into building model aircraft, the ones I wanted to build were in 1/48 scale. A friend, who also built 1/48 scale, and I would get together on weekends and build models. I just stayed with that scale. I Have also built in larger scales, 1/32 and 1/24. I have a pretty good collection of 1/48 scale jet aircraft on display in my home.

The reason I build in that scale is I am able to detail some areas without going blind. I still have 20/20 vision and I want to keep it that way. My hands are big and with arthritas in them, working with a smaller scale is extremely difficult. It gives me a little more room to play with. It also isn't as delicate and less danger of breaking something when my hands lock up on me.

As for larger scale, my 1/32 scale "Mig Killers and Mig's" is sure going to look imprssive. A large attention getter.

I have plenty of space to display my completed models. When something better comes out, I replace some of the older models with newer ones. I keep the classics and others I donate to a local hospital childrens ward.

And, havent you always heard, "Bigger is better".

Migs,
1/48 and bigger can be an incredible experience - imagine creating a model with real moving parts - we're getting close to miniature engineering, not scale modelling. That's the true test of your modelling abilities - can you make it look AND function EXACTLY like the real thing? Not as easy as it looks.
Plus, aside from the ease of assembly that the previous respondants have indicated, they bloody well look impressive.
Have you ever gone to the Smithsonian and seen their large scale models? They have an unbelievable amount of the WOW factor.
You can see very clearly how structures were assembled and that helps with understanding how thinks work, which has always been one of the major reasons why I find scale modelling fascinating.
There is also a massive amount of detail that you can cram into these large scale models - that in itself can be amazing if the detailing is well done. Gives the eye hundreds of things to look at and keeps contest judges very busy.
I make all sorts of things in all sorts of scales - I love the variety of aircraft in 1/72 and 1/44 scale, but I also love the much larger scales.
I find the only real problem with the big scale stuff is that the model sometimes ends up turning into an epic adventure - two years after starting and "it's nearly ready to paint!!!" - yegads. I hate that, and do it all too often. So with the contract building I do, and the fact that I do so much work on one model, I end up finishing one or two models for myself (if I'm lucky!) per year.
Such is life.
Cheers,
LeeTree

Hey, i'm an old fashioned kinda guy and love 1:72 - i just found the topic 'whats the point of 1:72' someone posted needed its counter question, all answers are far more sensible than the questions !

I work on 1/48th scale since it's a good comfortable scale for me. I draw at 1/48th all the time so the math is second nature . CAD has pretty much ruined that.

I also like 1/32, when I can afford them.

I've looked at at 1/24th and my head started hurting at the possibilities.

The larger the scale the more opportunity for superdetailing.
A 32nd scale Panavia Tornado leaves alot to the imagination!

When I started building 1:1 scale, the detailing possibilities multiplied! the best part is I can weather my models with real dirt and oil! Talk about convenience! As for display? I built an airport in my back yard. Who could beat a diorama like that.

Big scale models gives that "model of a lifetime" feel which makes us actually want to put our best effort into it. Big scale models is A LOT more impressive than small ones. I have a couple of 1/72 kits, but I bought them just for practice. I would not want to put my full effort into building one when I know it's not going to be very impressive anyway. After I get enough practice I'll tackle my 1/32 kits which I treasure so much...I have to check them out everyday.

It's just I've been to many model shows and contests, all the 1/72 aircrafts simply doesn't impress me, even if it was superbly done and win first place in their catagory.

I must agree with the guys, the bigger thay are the more detailsyou get.... the only thing I wish was that somebody would make 1:35 scale airplanes....... I could see myself building a c-5 with my M-1 coming off the ramp :-D

I like 48th because of the nice balance you have between size and detail. Also, overall, there's a helluvalot more stuff out there in 48th than in 72nd or the large scales. There seems to be a larger selection of kits in 72nd, but in 48th there are far more detail sets, decals and incidentals such as figures and ground equipment. Although I do like the possibilities present in combining 72nd aircraft with 72nd/76th armor kits...

As for 32nd or larger; as I get older I'll probably turn to these bigguns more often, what with deteriorating eyesight and all. After all, that's why they're called "braille scale".


Fade to Black...

Easier to work with and more importantly not as much of a strain
on my eyes. Seems to be more aftermarket decals available too.
fuzzy