1/72nd or 1/48th scale

The affordability of 72nd really appeals to me but for those really special projects I'll choose larger. Right now I have my heart set on Tamiya's 1:32 Strike Eagle Bunker Buster. It'll probably happen some day but I could get 10 smaller kits for the price of that one. And that doesn't even take into consideration the aftermarket details!

Actually, I have a bit of nearly everything: 1:32, 1:48, 1:72, 1:144 aircraft, 1:35, 1:72 armor, starships in all scales from 1:72 to 1:1400, 1:350 Tamiya USS Enterprise (should be fun...), some 1:24 and 1:32 automotive, 1:35 dinosaurs.

Scale doesn't matter much... I just love models!!!

-Mark

For A/C I prefer 1/48 but do 1/72 for large bombers.
I've several 1/32 as well.
I've done 1/72 biplanes as gifts, I'd never buy one myself.
It may be my 1/2 century eyes, but even as a kid I found 1/72 too small.

Like most people it depends on subject.

Currently on the bench:

1/72

Me163, tiny, I'll go 1/48 in future.
Ar555, ideal size, with plenty of detail.
He177, would be way big in 1/48.

1/48

Me262, nice size for fighters.

The one thing that does bug me with 1/48 is the lack of detail.

I know there is resin and PE out there, but if have already paid £25 for kit, why am I having to fork out another £10 for decent wheels and etched belts and pedals?

Even me He177 and Ar555 have belts and pedals, they may be tiny, but at least they are included!

Rant over.

Karl

1/48 scale is especially helpful for builders that are new to the hobby.

Over and out.

I myself build strictly 1/48th scale, but when it comes to aircraft that are to big such as E-3 sentry, C-130, B-52, KC-135 and so on i will build 1/72.

Because of my 51 year old eyes, I build:
1:48 WWII fighters
1:48 or larger WW1
1:72 modern fighters. While space is a huge consideration, I have to see what I am building. I actually love the way 1:72 WWII fighters look, however, I can't even do the details on the cockpit anymore. 1:48 can be a challenge.

I am trying to find a new Trumpeter, or I should say afford 1:32 corsair. I want to build it for my office at work. One plane on display. But, at the moment, I just bought a Hasegawa stuka and funds are low.

i mix both scales though now i m of into 1/48 cos of the detail but ill build sumthing in 1/72 if its cheap(read if im desperate!@##@!)im still13 so nay problems wiv me eyes

I have generally build 1/72 in the past, but I am starting to move more towards the 1/48. That probably has a lot to do with my age and expereince. Since I am 24 and just starting to make my own way in this world I finaly have my own money to spend how I see fit. Additionally, since it wasn't too long ago when 1/72 was plenty big I still have many 1/72 kits left to build. Of course when it comes to WWII models it has always been 1/48. I built a 1/72 P-51, but I hated how small the plane seemed. If it is 1/72 it has to be a modern fighter or a bomber, otherwise it just isn't worth it. Now that I have my own place to display as I please, 1/48 size can be an advantage. They are easier for guests to notice and to look at. I think people will be more interested in looking at your work if they don't have to strain to see all of those super accurate details. I think my days of 1/72 are coming to a close and now, bigger is better!

I only build 1/48th, space isnt to much of a issue as the models are displayed in a 20x20 den.

I'm almost exclusivley 1/72. I like the variety of AC available. I'm into AC eslpecially, thugh I've done cars ships etc and have a couple that I haven't started yet. I've got about 60 unbuilt AC kits, and have almost finished my modeling room (I'llbe in there by Xmas).
I really am into bombers (my son is a B-2 pilot and was in B-52's). By building everything in '72 it provides a good relative comparison as to size etc.

Bruce

With my eyes 48th is the smallest I can handle,Space would be the biggest problem with anything bigger.

I am staying in the the 1/48 scale due to the fact I can't see the 1/72 and smaller scales Hehehe. I am working on a 1/24 Spitfire right now but I think I will not do to many of those due to the fact they are huge :P

Well it has to be 1/48 for me, as I find 1/72 too small, and 1/32 too big. I aslo like to dabble with the old tanks in 1/35 every now and again. I have a big collection of 1/48 fighters from WW2 to present day (around 150 ish), just need to find the time to make them. I used to think that there were more kits available in 1/72, but every year Tamiya and Hasegawa seem to roll out more and more.

I used to build in 1/25 and 1/32, tried 1/48 but 1/72 scale presents a challenge in seeing how much detail canned be crammed into a small scale subject. Aircraft or Armor, 1/72 scale is the way to go. There are so many subject matters available and they are a real joy to build!

For planes I build all 1/48 because I like the size and the detail. However, I was able to get the Trumpeter 1/32 TBF-1C Avenger last week from Great Models Webstore during their one day 50% discount sale on selected kits. I can't wait to start it.

I build a little bit of armor too, and in 1/35 scale for the same reason as above.

Hey guys, Here is my two cents; I build in what ever scale I find the subject in that I want . I have on my dresser the Ju - 87R "Desert Viper" in 1/144th and have the kit in the basement for the the Ju - 87B in 1/32nd and 1/24th. I build in 1/72nd as they don't take up much space. If you find something you like whatever the scale build it, or collect it to build later!
Cheers,
Eric

Hi all,

I say build what you like and like what you build. I don't buy the conventional wisdom that 1/72 scale kits have less detail than 1/48 scale kits. I own a couple of 1/72 kits that have fantastic detial and some 1/48 kits that are almost bare of detail. There are great aftermarket sets available for both scales.

When I've made it through my current stash, I'll probably start looking at doing some 1/144 scale airliners. They'll get their own shelf along with my (yet to be built) 1/144 scale B-52G.

Regards,

I have no real preference for either scale. It depends on various factors which kit I buy/build, price being a very important one.
So therefore: my favorite scale is what's on sale!

I prefer working with 1/48 and larger because detailing at 1/72 is way to much work and I'm not any good at it any way. At the galcial pace at which I build, storage space isn't much of a concern.

If I can find a kit in 1:48, that's the way I go. If it's only available in 1:72, I'll do it, grudgingly. My favorite is 1:32, but subjects are limited and usually expensive, so 1:48 gets the nod.

Brian

It's funny to see strings revived after two years....keeps the a/c forum fresh.

Even though I don't build AC that much anymore, I still prefer 1/48 exclusively. I always thought that 1/72 was just too small. The physical size of 1/48 models is perfect, they are the ideal size for me.

As for me... well, I only build in 1/72. I don't have the space to display anything larger than that. The selection in kits at that scale is great and you can find some real gems for under $10/US so for the bargin builder (like me) it's the way to go.


-scott

The bigger the model, the more I like it. I've got a few 1/32 models in stock, and it's tempting to build them. I reckon it will demand better modeling as flaws wil show more easily.
Then again how tempting 1/32 may seem, most are 1/72 (with a few 1/48's); mostly because of price. My budget is scaled 1/72, I guess... perhaps even 1/144.

I have built some 1/144 in my 'ten minutes per model-era', but those models IMO are too simple.
Overall? a 1/72 builder, wanting to have a bigger-scaled wallet!

i personally prefer building in 1/72... i like the challenge of
working in a smaller scale, as well as the lower cost of
kits & the ability 2 store more models in the same space.
& since i also build armor, it's a convenient common scale
4 both subjects. i usually add at least some scratchbuilt details
2 most of the 1/72 kits i work on... i have learned & practiced
many new techniques on these kits w/o fear of mucking up,
since 2, 3 or even 4 1/72 kits can often b had 4 the price of the latest
high-tech 1/48 offering... & i'm learning valuable modeling skills
in the process !
i have built 1/35 armor & 1/48 a/c, but it feels
weird 2 me 4 some reason.... maybe because i started out as
a model railroader in n-scale (1/160), & because i really love
miniatures& dioramas (smaller scale, bigger scene)...
i have a couple of bombers in 1/144
on the stack... yep, some stuff is too big 4 me in 1/72...
i am also extremely nearsighted, so
it's often a toss-up between taking off my glasses & putting on
an optivisor over them, LOL !

in the end, i'll quote another member's sig tag:
"build what u like, like what u build !"

frosty