Is 1/48 scale armor the wave of the future?

waikong

Member since
December 2002
From: NYC, USA

Posted by waikong on Thursday, November 18, 2004 1:35 PM

For me, the main attraction is constant scale between my aircraft & armor. I don't really plan on building too many dioramas, but its nice to put small vignettes together with armor & aircraft. But really, having the same scale on my display case so i can get a overall sense of relative size is goof enough reason for me.

Besides, I've got to have some limits or I'll be running out of space and money!

My website: http://waihobbies.wkhc.net

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 18, 2004 2:53 AM

What is the main attraction for 1/48th? Merely cost? There is obviously a long way to go before 1/48th scale catches up with everything that is available in 1/35th. While you can put more objects into a 1/48th scale diorama for the same size base as a 1/35th, the loss of detail between scales is such that I won't be buying 1/48th anytime soon. I'd rather build a larger diorama than to try squeezing in detail in 1/48th. 1/48th scale won't catch fire with me. Just my My 2 cents [2c]

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Thursday, November 18, 2004 12:03 AM

Tamiya is already releasing a kit in 1/48 that they have failed to do in 1/35- the Hetzer. I thought that would have been a no-brainer after they produced their cool Marder kits. It will be disappointing to the 1/35 builders if Tamiya starts releasing a slew of kits they never produced before in 1/48.

Eric

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 11:44 PM

I see an advantage to having 1/48th scale armor available for compatiblity with 1/48 aircraft diorramas. I built a number of the old Bandai quarter inch kits and was pleased with the level of detail in a kit that size, and in the smaller size of the kits. I also enjoy 1/35th and 1/72, so I'll be able to add a new section of builds to my collection. I'm interested in seeing how Tamiya will choose it releases.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 11:19 PM

Welcome cmog. I agree, that the old Bandai kits (at least my friends Panther was quite nice indeed, even came with a turret basket if I remember correctly) were pretty detailed. Had I never started 1/35 and there were an equal amount of 1/48's available, I might just be in that scale.

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 10:33 PM

It might not be a tsunami but I think the possibilities of armor in 1/48 scale are a long overdue in an overpopulated 1/35th 1/72 scale world. The kits in 1/72 are too hard to detail for many modelers and 1/35th scale kits are great to detail and the subject of small dioramas. Large dioramas take up quite a bit of room and the prices are getting out of control. I have several Bandi kits I picked up in the late 70's and am still amazed at the detail they packed. I say to MRC, Academy and Tamiya BRING IT ON!!!! Beat the old Bandi kits and you will win my modeling heart and lots of my cash.

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wbill76

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 3:34 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

QUOTE: Originally posted by wbill76

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

And here I've been the whole time, foolishly waiting for 1/25 scale to make a comeback...

Never fear J-Hulk, there's always 1/16!

Speaking of which, what have you been doing with your T34?

Yes, well...ahem! *coff coff*
My 1/16 T-34...still safe and sound in the closet, I'm afraid!
(Slacker alert! Slacker alert!)

Whoops! Didn't mean to put you in a corner....move along now, nothing to see here, move along! Wink [;)]

BP Models

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:02 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by wbill76

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

And here I've been the whole time, foolishly waiting for 1/25 scale to make a comeback...

Never fear J-Hulk, there's always 1/16!

Speaking of which, what have you been doing with your T34?

Yes, well...ahem! *coff coff*
My 1/16 T-34...still safe and sound in the closet, I'm afraid! Blush [:I]

(Slacker alert! Slacker alert!) Dead [xx(]

~Brian

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MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:46 AM

Yeah i'm still trrying to get my hnds on the old Italeri Neblewerfer [sp?] halftrack. Shy [8)]

Pops on ebay from time to time to time but I always miss out on it. Shy [8)]

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:53 AM

There's a lot of demand for halftracks, Martian, judging by the 2005 wishlist thread. And Robert, I think you forgot the M7 Priest in there. Smile [:)]

Italteri's old kit routinely goes for modern kit prices on eBay. They could also do a cast hull Sherman, and their M4 and M4A3 et al could use retooling. No sponson bottoms, no casting texture on the turret, etc.

Plus the M34, the armoured car that replaced the M8, and the M22 Locust paratrooper tank...

M.

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 8:00 PM

Artillery is still a negelected subject, though there have been a few Pak 40's released lately. Tamiya could hit that hard and add a few Valentines, Comets, BT 7's, etc. I'll just be patient and wait for Dragon.

Eric

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MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 5:03 PM

OUCH!
Though I do not know what most of those vehicles are...i stand corrected!LOL
Black Eye [B)]

Still demand is the key. None of those are kits I want. [at least not yet!lol]

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

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Foster7155

Member since
July 2003
From: Pensacola, FL

Posted by Foster7155 on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 4:57 PM

What isn't produced in 1/35 plastic that Tamiya (or anyone else - come on Dragon!) could make?

M1M1 Wrecking Truck, M2/M2A1 Halftrack (the short one), M3/M3A1 Halftracks (accurate new ones), M4 High Speed Tractor (HST), M5 HST, M6 HST, M8 Ammo Carrier, M10 Ammo Carrier, M19 Motor Carriage (MC), M23 Ammo Trailer, M29 Weasel, M31 ARV, M37 MC, M40 MC, M41 HMC, M43 MC, M44 SPG, M55 SPG, GMC 352, 4-Ton Diamond T, Mack 7.5 Ton Truck, 240mm Howitzer, 75mm Field Howitzer, Staghound T17E1, Ontos, V-100, M422 Mighty Mite, M992A2, M715 Jeep Cargo Truck, M561 Gamma Goat, M198 155mm Howitzer...

And that's just the U.S. equipment list. The British, French, German, Italian, Soviet, and others list is twice as long as this one.

Robert Foster

Pensacola Modeleers

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MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 4:41 PM

Well the way i see it what more can Tamiya possibly produce in 1/35 that really isn't a variant of something that isn't already out. There are a few odd-ball vehicles and such that have not been produced but how much demand is there for them. I guess the only logical step IS to try another scale... It would seem to be the only way the military model portion of the company can survive. Many of the kits they have now are older kits or retooled older kits. There is not enough new armour to fuel the market for Tamiya. It's not like the auto industry where new cars and variants pour out almost monthly. just my My 2 cents [2c]

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

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wbill76

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by wbill76 on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 3:58 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

And here I've been the whole time, foolishly waiting for 1/25 scale to make a comeback...

Never fear J-Hulk, there's always 1/16! Big Smile [:D]

Speaking of which, what have you been doing with your T34? [:0] Clown [:o)]

BP Models

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72cuda

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by 72cuda on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 2:45 PM

well I build both A/C and Armor, I remember Tamiya was mostly Armor and very few A/C but now I guess the powers that be in the Tamiya Corperation wanted to expand their views and dab into the A/C modeling business, and back in the 70's Tamiya DID run 1/48 scale Armor kits but then 1/35 scale became the norm for Armor and 1/48 for A/C, also Bandai produced 1/48 scale Armor and I think even today they still do it but it's not really in the U.S. market, I'd like to see the 1/48 Armor and even 1/72, because I really don't have that much space for Both A/C & Armor (and I think it'll make one realize on the size of a tank to a plane or helo if they share the same scale)

84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum

Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer

'Cuda

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 7:42 AM

And here I've been the whole time, foolishly waiting for 1/25 scale to make a comeback...

~Brian

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Fabio Moretti

Member since
March 2003
From: Brazil

Posted by Fabio Moretti on Monday, November 1, 2004 8:36 PM

Well, perhaps some vehicles for dios with aircraft in 1:48 (jeeps, kubelwagen, GMC,etc..)...only this...
I like 1:35 scale for military models that´s it....

Next on the workbench

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Monday, November 1, 2004 7:43 PM

I agree that 1/48 will have its own market. But for me, I'll stick with the 1/35 for the time being.

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razordws

Member since
September 2004
From: Vernon, BC, Canada

Posted by razordws on Monday, November 1, 2004 9:59 AM

I build almost exclusively in 1/72 for aircraft and armor and I have some of the new 1/72 ships (LVT and Revell's U-boat) high on my priority list. The appeal of this to me is to have that universal scale for comparison accross genres and for the opportunity of diorama building though I have not yet delved into that. I recently picked up Revell's Ju 290 and plan to have a couple of light armor pieces rolling out of it. Or how about some tanks rolling out of an LVT (this is now possible in 1/35 I realize)? The big concern for me of course is display space. As someone mentioned earlier, at 1/48 a military transport with armor would require a table top rather than shelf space. Or how long would a 1/48 U-boat be? I doubt I would switch to 1/48.

Now if only somone would make an electric train set in 1/72 scale...

Dave

Dave

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Monday, November 1, 2004 8:40 AM

Somehow, I don't see a major shift to 1/48 armor happening any time soon. True, Tamiya is pushing at it, with, well lets face it, a mediocre at best listing so far. The rest of the 1/48 armor offerings are very limited as well. It will take years for manufacturers to begin to put out some of the things wanted in 1/48. Now, unless through these years people stop buying 1/35 armor, I do not see it losing it's crown.
As for me, I'm going to stick with 1/35. Pleanty still out there for me to buy and build, even if they stopped making them now. And I feel that most armor fans will wish to stick with their 1/35 offerings.

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wbill76

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by wbill76 on Monday, November 1, 2004 8:22 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman

QUOTE: Originally posted by buff
All the AM manufacturers work in either 1/35 or 1/72 or both. I don't think they're going to want to change just to suit Tamiya.

Perhaps, but another market opens for them guys as well. Question is: will it be cost effective for them? Well, someone is bound to pour their resources into it.

I think you're going to see a hide-and-watch approach on this front for at leas the first year as they monitor sales and #/type of kits released and their popularity or lack thereof. AM stuff requires a certain critical mass of demand to be profitable, same as with the kits themselves. Current AM mfgers can cover lower demand on certain items on the 1/35 scale arena with broader more popular stuff because the market is broad enough to allow it. 1/48 being as new as it is will definitely see a trial-by-fire while still in its infancy. Only time will tell on whether this turns out to be the greatest decision or greatest flop of all time in the modelling world.

BP Models

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Monday, November 1, 2004 1:00 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by buff
All the AM manufacturers work in either 1/35 or 1/72 or both. I don't think they're going to want to change just to suit Tamiya.

Perhaps, but another market opens for them guys as well. Question is: will it be cost effective for them? Well, someone is bound to pour their resources into it.

Eric

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Sunday, October 31, 2004 1:11 PM

I hope we don't see a major shift. Among other reasons, those stubby things on the ends of my hands don't handle the small stuff very well. If Tamiya want to add a scale, so be it, but if they want to move from 1/35 to 1/48, I think they'll be in for a hiding. AM being as important as it is now, a lot of modelers will avoid kits if they can't buy AM for them. All the AM manufacturers work in either 1/35 or 1/72 or both. I don't think they're going to want to change just to suit Tamiya.

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Sunday, October 31, 2004 11:27 AM

1/35th all the way for me! Wink [;)]

as for mr tamiya, they make quality kit but it's all brutally overpriced Angry [:(!]

.

they had better watch their behind, otherwise soon people will just buy hassy/trumpeter/dragon...and they will become irrelevant...AND they take an age to release new stuff!! Angry [:(!]

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, October 31, 2004 7:12 AM

I don't think 1/48 is intended to replace 1/35. I think they've discovered 1/48 to be an untapped market and that 1/35 has been over saturated by all the recent releases. They have quite a selection and panographing the 1/35 kits down to 1/48 should be much cheaper than creating new kits in 1/35.

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Foster7155

Member since
July 2003
From: Pensacola, FL

Posted by Foster7155 on Sunday, October 31, 2004 3:03 AM

As I mentioned in another forum, I think that there are many estalished aircraft modelers who will view this as a good move and use the 1/48 vehicle kits to build interesting dioramas. They only have to build one new kit and put it with an aircraft that they may have already completed. However, I think there are fewer established armor modelers who will view this as a good move. For an armor modeler to build the same diorama, they need to not only build a new aircraft kit (a genre they may not enjoy), but also shift scales and build a new armor kit. There are established armor modelers out there who will make this shift...I'm just not one of them.

Enjoy your modeling...

Robert Foster

Pensacola Modeleers

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Jeff Gunn

Member since
September 2004
From: Henlow, England

Posted by Jeff Gunn on Sunday, October 31, 2004 2:16 AM

hmmmmmmmmm cargo plane loading armour eh ..... very interesting.......would need some fine detail in the cargo bay..... and some nice little light armour pieces. Maybe doing a TALO drop off ..... getting my juices going here Smile [:)]

JG Per Ardua

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Awood23

Member since
May 2003
From: Belgium

Posted by Awood23 on Sunday, October 31, 2004 1:59 AM

I hate to say that I would welcome a 1/48 scale as I build almost exclusivly 1/48 scale aircraft and wouldnt mind posing an armed HMMWV next to one or Avengers doing ABD. I aslo like the idea of 1/72 dios with cargo planes loading armor. A 1/48 or 1/35 C-130 w/ HMMWV's rolling out the back would be rediculously huge. That said, I wouldnt mind seeing more 1/35 scale helo's for armor dio's either

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/Awood23/DarkSideBadge.jpg

"your' not trying if your not cheating" "no one ever won a war by dying for his country, he won it by making the other poor bugger die for his" 'never before have so many owed so much to so few" 1/48 Spitfire %80

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