I am working on a diorama in 1/35th scale, and will be using MOSTLY DML figures, who seem to be in the middle in terms of size. But I need to add a few other figures to liven up the scene, and I don't want a huge mis-match in terms of relative size. My experience has been the various companies break down this way largest to smallest:

TANK
DML
Hornet heads (haven't any of their resin figures)
Stalingrad
Tristar

I don't have any Alpine figures.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi Bill,
The way I look at figures are that people come in all sizes. ( I have never seen a TANK figure so don't know about if they are more 1/32 in size) but if you arm them with all Dragon Gen2 weapons it won't matter, the guns will be all the same size so that's the constant and as in real life the people are the variables.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Tom

Hi Bill

It would be nice if somebody did a comprehensive review of all the manufacturers, both plastic and resin to see how they compare as regards size/scale.

Having said that I can only echo Tom's comment about people coming in all shapes and sizes so the constant must be the equipment, although even that has its variables, the German helmet of WW2 did come in different sizes for example.

I believe your findings are correct in that Tank resin figures are quite large, and on the plastic side Miniart is about the same. Maybe it has something to do with the sculptor being the same for both companies as I've been led to believe.

The DML figures may be a tough one. They do such a range of figures I've found a variation in old to new sets, but the resin heads from Hornet don't look out of place on them so I'd imagine the Hornet/Wolf figures will go with Draon figures okay. Guess I should check further as I have both.

In my experience generally the replacement heads from Hornet look too small on Tank/Miniart figures although I've added a couple and they don't look too out of proportion with the body.




From memory the Masterbox figures are in the same size area as most Dragon figures.

Alpine figures are indeed on the smaller side of the 1/35 scale but that's no criticism or imply they are wrong, but you would certainly see a marked difference against some Tank figures if you put them together.

If your diorama/scene uses mainly Dragon figures I'd use them together with (if you need to) Alpine figures, hornet replacement heads, Hornet figures without worry.

Yes, people do come in all different sizes.
But in 1/35 scale, the difference should be quite
minimal. For instance, 5mm difference in
1/35 scale would translate into almost 7 inches
in 1/1 scale. Too much.

Height is not the biggest problem. The volume
of the figure is important. Usually, taller figures
have larger volume, and this creates uncomfortable
view in 1/35 dio.

All Alpine figures are in true 1/35 scale, standing at
between 49mm - 52mm. They work fine with DML
Gen 2 figures in my opinion.
:)

Taesung, Alan, thanks for the detailed reply. The differences SHOULDN'T be a factor, but strangely they are, so it's important to have figures in the RANGE of the same size. I had forgotten MiniArt, but they are also on the large size.

None of that matters if figures of the same range are put together, as well as heads of the same group. I have had no real problems putting Hornet heads on DML (I have a pantload of those heads in my stash).

No problems Bill, glad to help. As I said and Taesung confirms Dragon plastic figures work with Alpine resin, and by the same token Hornet heads work for both as well.

Now if you were modelling the following scene I suggest a Tank figure for the centre character and two Tamiya figures of 1960's - 70's origin for those left and right.........
.
.
.


Alan