If your looking for figures, until Tamiyas own become widely available, you could check out the range from Northstar figures , in particular the Richard Ansell series. They may be your best bet for British Infantry and paras for some time to come. Their other range is OK but not nearly so well detailed. Best of all, these are 1/48(36mm) rather than the usual 25/28mm which I think look rather deformed (over sized hands & weapons and short legs).

Thanks for the link Geoff, theres some amazing stuff on there

I think 1/48th should be covered even though I have no immediate plans to buy any. Although I do think that the Tamiya kits look good, as others say, my 1/35th bits box is big and I have no plans to start a new one. Perhaps I will have to see one "in the flesh" to make a final decision.

I do have 2 questions though:

1. Are Tamiya going to phase out new 1/35th productions (there hasnt been much recently) in favour of 1/48th.

2. Was the Persian Musician figure on the Northstar site modelled on Freddie Mercury???????? I know this is off subject but take a look, its uncanny!

Cheers all

Sid :-) :-)

We now have the beginnings of a 'Dedicated' News service for 1/48th scale releases. The first four news stories can be seen here:

Tamiya...

SkyBow...

Hauler...

Gaso.Line Conversion Sets...

The answer is simply, no-one knows. Personally i think they will continue 1/35th production, they have announced only one new 1/35th scale kit and are continuing to issue their 'Finished Models' for a very different part of the market..

I understand they have plans to bring out 30+ 1/48th kits in the first year or so. This strikes me as a touch optimistic...

Personally it doesn't interest me whether they produce 1/35th or not, their 1/48th range, on the other hand, is VERY interesting and I may just get tempted....Jim

I can't say I've got any plans to build in 1/48th, but that's just me. I've by default got committed to 1/35th, but that's mainly because when I came back to modelling that was the main Military vehicle scale. The only other option was 1/72, if you were serious about a choice of vehicles to build, but that was really too small for detail & display. Also I'm one of that generation brought up on Airfix, & Tamiya 1/35th was a quantum leap from there! I hung my nose over the old Bandai kits when I was younger, but pre-Internet could never get any! If I was starting/restarting now, I'd probably prefer to get into 1/48th, for space & cost reasons, but for me it's really too late! However I'm sure that the manufacturers aren't going to miss me, so I don't see why 1/48th shouldn't receive the same coverage as other scales, particulary as I can see diorama builders really getting into it, the possibilities are endless with the interconnection with model railways & aircraft. As I've said in other threads, can't understand why the kit makers didn't standardise more in scales, eg 1/35 aircraft, maybe now this is the way they are going, & if so 1/48th would seem the most logical scale.
My only fear is that if more people migrate to 1/48th, 1/35th will stagnate in the same way 1/32nd did.

1/48 hmmm

what really stops me from buying the Tamiya ones is the metal chasis. I'm afraid of working with metals, if something dont fit well, then its a hell lot of work for me!

But if they come up with a nice subject, then maybe i'll consider getting one

Anyway, i think now is still too early to say if 1/48 scale is here to stay? maybe give it a year more. I'm not sure.

It took me a bit of convincing as well. Yes, it's here to stay....Jim

I'm all for carrying news on various model scales. We should remember that at our site the questions will be like, "How does the Tamiya Hetzer fit? Is it a good kit?"

At a dedicated 48 scale site the questions will be like, "Does anyone know if the Vac-U-Cast flammpanzer conversion for the old Bandai Hetzer will work on the Tamiya kit without major modification?"

Most folks here have never seen the Bandai Hetzer or knew one existed let alone knew there was a flammpanzer conversion for it.

I appreciate that 1/35 is the most popular scale on here, but I don't see why the site shouldn't cover all armour modelling developments, whatever the scale.

When I got interested in armour models again, I went straight to 1/35 because they were big and detailed compared to the old Airfix 1/76 I grew up on and there was a huge range of subjects. If I were making my comeback now I would consider 1/48 but I have no interest in switching now. I bet we'll be here in a year's time asking if a particular pic is 48 or 35 and that can only be good if it means more people building what they want to build.

Nor do I worry about any lack of new 1/35 releases - if every manufacturer abandoned 1/35 in the morning, I'd still never have time to build all the existing 1/35 models that interest me!

Now obviously creating more of a 'focus' on 1/48th is going to need some additional work. Therefore, as usual. I am asking for co-operation and help in compiling news stories on this scale....

What this means, if there is a interesting story out there, don't assume that i'll pick up on it - pass it on or even better, submit it through the section of submitting News. If it's repeated, I don't mind.. Better I get the same story 6 times, than not at all.

We are also open to reviews or build features on 1/48th items. This would be a VERY positive step for the site indeed.

To re-iterate what Rob (Sabot) said, we won't become as important a source for 1/48th scale as the 'dedicated' Quarter scale sites, but we can have a lot of fun trying....Jim

of course you need to cover the 1/48 scale.

I am very interested in 1/48 scale becasue for me it seems the ideal scale to combine airplanes (my first interest) with vehicles.

Therefore i am very interested in all kinds of vehicles that could reasonably be expected on or around airplanes or helicopters.

Finally, Its a pity that there seems to be growing a controversy between 1/35 and 1/48. For me the ideal would be an intermediate scale of 1/40. Sufficient detail for AFV and not unreasonably big for planes. But this investment is probably way to big for the manufacturers.

This is just the start, be ready to build 1/48, or scratch build your own. When all the big boys change over, then the little ones follow, it's nature. They made the decision for us, and the after markets will start to set up to make 1/48, cause that will be the majority of the models made, cause they want to eat to.

Then slowly 1/35 starts to disappear, I hope they can hold on as long as possible, but it is in the cards when all the money is spread out for 1/48

I'll bet in the not to far future, it will be hard to find a 1/35 model in the hobby shop, unless you go to the collectors section. This model world changes fast, people forget, I've seen it in other businesses to, where either you change, or have nothing to do.

They are making these 1/48 models with just as much definition as the 1/35's had, and the technology keeps getting better each day, so some can be better.

I've learned to accept things as they go, it's just fact.

Kerry

This will not happen. Tamiya are investing a little in 1/48th scale, DML, Trumpeter etc. are investing huge amounts in 1/35th. So far there are less than 12 1/48th Armor kits on the market (counting softskins).

It is certainly a more logical choice regarding space and certainly there will be extraordinary kits produced in the future. However, you seem to suggest that here is a 'flood' of 1/48th armor kits. A trickle at the most....

The market is in 1/35th. Not even the economic argument hold water. Anyone seen the prices of the Tamiya kits in 1/48th? Skybow promise to be even dearer...Jim

I don't know about anyone else but the older my eyes get the harder it is to even work in 1/35th and I have pretty good vision. I am almost 43 and I know even though the eye doctor says I don't need reading glasses I can't focus on figures like I could 20 years ago. In fact I broke down and bought 2 magnifiers this year trying to improve the situation. First one didn't help much but the second one (an Optivisor) did.

That is one reason 72nd stuff scared me and the 48th stuff is still pretty small. Even if they dropped 35th completely tomorow I doubt I could build all the armor kits I have before I die anyway. Add to that there are a lot of aircraft kits I want to build and haven't even bought and I am not real concerned about the market direction.

Lets wait and see where this 48th stuff in a year or two from now... For me if Dragon keeps building kits like they have been (especially the Initial Tiger, new Sherman and the 251s) I won't miss Tamiya even if they drop out of 35th completely.

As I said earlier in the thread the coverage of all scales is a good thing. Nice to see the site keeping up with what is going on out there.

I doubt it very much that 1/35 is going to be dropped in favor of 1/48. No one raised this stink when Dragon stepped into the 1/72 scale arena with cries of 1/72 is taking over armor modeling.

I fail to understand why 1/35 scale modelers are afraid of 1/48.

As far as the "big boys" turning over, Tamiya has decided to release some kits, Skybow is a far cry from a big boy. They did a great run of 1/35 scale kits before they went under and had to sell off to AFV Club.

Skybow produced just one (1) tank model, one Jeep (two variants, but 99% the same kit) and a string of three related WC Dodge vehicles. Great kits mind you, but not a whole lot of them.

I'm in agreement with most of the posters on this topic.

1) I believe modeling should be about what interests you and affordability. For that reason, the increased popularity of 1/48 scale armor is a good thing, and coverage and discussion of products is a good thing.

2) I am unsure what the increased number of product entrys in this scale means with respect to the ongoing viability of 1/35. While I can understand the concern that the focus on 1/48 may (at least in the short term) appear to be at the "expense" of 1/35, I still believe the two scales are complimentary in the market place, serving two different niches. To me there is still a level of detail which can be done in 1/35 that is very hard to match in 1/48. For that reason alone (not to mention the very extensive "legacy" of the 1/35 scale). I find it hard to believe the introduction of the one will lead to the demise of the other.

3) I'm a long time fan of 1/35, and I have absolutely NO plans to buy anything in 1/48 at this time. Things could change, but given the current size of the stash I already have, I seriously doubt I'll be buying much of anything else, regardless of scale.


But things have been known to change!! :-) :-)

Tom

As this thread stretches out, I can't help but wonder if anyone actually realised that (as per my interpretation) all Jim really wanted to know was whether we, the members, would be interested in 1/48 scale news being posted...

I'm pretty sure his question wasn't will you buy 1/48 or give up 1/35 in favour of 1/48.......

I'm sure if my interpretation was incorrect Jim will correct me on that point...

RR

Yes, I suppose it was, however, it is useful to see the perceptions people have of 1/48th. It dosn't bother me in the slightest - it is quite a useful (if elongated) thread. No, no problems, though thanks for bringing it back on track...Jim

I answered Jim's original question in my first post on this topic (3rd one down). The topic has evolved into a discussion on the "does the appearance of 48 scale herald the downfall of 35th?" message.

News on model kits, regardless of scale, is still a newsworthy item to post.

I guess I misread the post somewhere along the way but I believe that we should include 1/48 news and features. This is a model site and if 1/48 is up and coming then we probably want to be on the cutting edge. Who knows, maybe we can get Tamiya to sponsor a few ads or donate a few prizes to further market 1/48.

Personally for me I don't see myself doing 1/48 armor in the foreseeable future. That being said, if there are enough interesting article and features about upcoming 1/48 armor on Big A it would go long way toward changing my mind.

The one thing I would like to see is the articles clearly marked 1/35, 1/48, 1/76, etc. Sometimes writers just assume we all know the kits/scales and they forget to mention it in the submissions.

I think that 1:48 could be considered an unnecessary half-way point between 1:35 and 1:72. However, it opens up a lot of diorama possibilites involivng aircraft.

Alan, I can asure you that the Editors DO NOT forget to put the scale in Features, Revews or News Stories. If you have an example of this happening, then PM me and i'll rectify it...Jim

Jim: I was just worried that the thread was turning into one of "those tedious Allied vs Axis" debates... glad you took no offense at my comments...

Sabot: don't worry, mate, I did see your very objective post

Alan: gotta agree with Jim on his point. I'm pretty sure the authors normally note the scale.

Dave: that's the beauty of scales like 1/72 and 1/48 - they allow the modeller to mix genre's in a single diorama.



p.s. for the record, I'm not sure if I'll head the 1/48 route - but on the same note... never say never...

Now Rudi, it should have (tm) after debates :-)

Back to the current and future availability subject. The problem is that for me at least, is that the number of models currently available is o.k. for 'one-offs' but as i see this with enormous diorama potential, it's going to take a year or two, to really get the stuff available for doing the kind of things which are possible in 1/35th. Figures will be a problem as well (at least in plastic).

To echo what RobG said, no-one has to decide on what scale to build. I build mainly 1/35th but build a little in 1/72nd. I also do the occasional 'wingy-thing' in 1/48th and am trying to (not) convince myself to do a 1/350th Carrier...
I don't like this 'I only build 1/35th' argument at all. Perhaps something will come along that changes their minds. The fun of modelling is jumping from theme to theme and scale to scale. If I had the space, i'd put in a model railroad...Jim :-)