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Armor/AFV: 48th Scale
1/48 scale discussion group hosted by Rob Gronovius
Hosted by Darren Baker
Where to Now for 1/48th Scale?
generalzod
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Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 05:49 AM UTC
I think it may take a bit longer for it to grow It's only been back a little under two years With any luck some of the other kit makers will get into the act Hopefully they won't make the same kits as the other ones do

For example a KV-1 made both by Hobby Boss and Tamiya

I do like the prices of the Hobby Boss kits I ordered a T34/85 and M4A3(76)W from Wings and Treads for $16 a piece I do wonder why they charge the same The T34's have an interior but the Shermans don't

As far as the spares box goes........That will take time to build up Just like any other scale will

Hopefully there will be modern stuff as well I am glad the scale is back 1/48 fits into the bunk area of my truck easier than 1/35
nikman
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: December 30, 2005
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Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 06:47 AM UTC
Well, I'm very happy for you guys who like 1/48th kits. It seems that you have a lot to gain out of it (shelf space, etc). So i guess it's all good, but...

I still wonder... how much detail can you put on a 1/48th scale model or figure, for that matter... I mean, at 1/35th, you can still read signs and stuff written inside an AFV, or newspaper, magazine cover, etc. But, that's only what I think.

What affect me the most is that for a couple of years now, the sacrosanct Tamiya co. have been reducing the number of new kits offered in 1/35 scale. By new kits, I mean something else than the twenty-seventh version of a Panzer IV or Tiger 1...What about new molds?? What about something different? The 1/32th Zero was seen as a masterpiece, but is still the only WW2 era aircraft in that scale by Tamiya... can't we get some more? A P-51 perhaps? As for armour and AFV, it would be interesting to see a little bit more of softskins, "technical" trucks like the ones from Mig, etc. from plastic companies. These kits would be cheaper and easier to build for beginners or average modelers, and offer at last something new.There are plenty of real-life vehicles to make new model kits from.

But anyway, Tamiya and other companies alike have found the perfect way to recycle their old ideas again and again, without having to create anything new: the 1/48th scale. Watch out for yet another Sherman, Panzer IV and Tiger 1 next year. Great!
BornToDig
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Maryland, United States
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 345 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 09:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Well, I'm very happy for you guys who like 1/48th kits. It seems that you have a lot to gain out of it (shelf space, etc). So i guess it's all good, but...

I still wonder... how much detail can you put on a 1/48th scale model or figure, for that matter... I mean, at 1/35th, you can still read signs and stuff written inside an AFV, or newspaper, magazine cover, etc. But, that's only what I think.

What affect me the most is that for a couple of years now, the sacrosanct Tamiya co. have been reducing the number of new kits offered in 1/35 scale. By new kits, I mean something else than the twenty-seventh version of a Panzer IV or Tiger 1...What about new molds?? What about something different? The 1/32th Zero was seen as a masterpiece, but is still the only WW2 era aircraft in that scale by Tamiya... can't we get some more? A P-51 perhaps? As for armour and AFV, it would be interesting to see a little bit more of softskins, "technical" trucks like the ones from Mig, etc. from plastic companies. These kits would be cheaper and easier to build for beginners or average modelers, and offer at last something new.There are plenty of real-life vehicles to make new model kits from.

But anyway, Tamiya and other companies alike have found the perfect way to recycle their old ideas again and again, without having to create anything new: the 1/48th scale. Watch out for yet another Sherman, Panzer IV and Tiger 1 next year. Great!


oh boo hoo, Tamiya isn't making new molds.... so what?! Tamiya never made all that many "new" kits to begin with. As you said yourself most of their new releases are just new variants of the same type. Seriously, since the mid 90s they've been concentrating on Panthers and Tigers it seems, with a few odd-ball kits like the Marders, thrown out from time to time to keep people happy.

How many new molds do the 1/35 people get each year from Trumpeter,AFV club and the Eastern European firms, and lets not forget the 900 pound gorilla in your corner: DML. They churn out so many kits it isnt even funny. The argument that 1/48th draws too many resources away from 1/35 production has no ground to stand on.


As for detailing a 1/48th kit, I think you can put as much detail as in 1/35th (see Luke Pitt's Sherman over on Missing-Lynx), or leave it much more basic without it looking under-done (see my above post). This is what makes 1/48 so attractive to me.
Hisham
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Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 11:23 AM UTC
Concerning the question of how much detail you can put in a 1/48 vehicle... The best answer is the HobbyBoss T34's with the interior detail. Another suggestion would be to check some of Steve Zaloga's 1/72 vehicles on Missing-Links. If he can do that in 1/72 scale, think of what can be done in 1/48?

As far as the figures go, if they're sculpted well that should be enough. You don't really need to see the whites of their eyes!!

One thing I don't understand is that the same people who criticise 1/48 scale for being small or whatever don't seem to mind 1/72 scale. Or at least they don't say anything about it!!

I don't think anyone is asking 1/35 scale people to quit that scale and work in 1/48. Each scale will have it's people. 1/72 scale (and 1/48 to a certain extent) have been there right along 1/35 all the time and no one ever criticised them. All this criticism about 1/48 scale started when Tamiya decided to get into it!!!
nikman
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: December 30, 2005
KitMaker: 40 posts
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Posted: Friday, September 08, 2006 - 08:44 AM UTC
I wouldn't want you fellow modelers of the 48th dimension to think that I meant disrespect for your scale. Everyone has the obvious right of modeling what he or she likes in whatever scale. As for the detail matter, maybe I should have been more careful in expressing my preference for 1/35, because of my impression of the level of detail you can put on these.

I mostly wanted to express my disappointment with Tamiya, which I always considered one of the best kit producer, for letting down their 1/35 fans. And I'm sure you are not to blame, but it's just frustrating to see that they are now doing more - or so it seems - 1/48 than 1/35...

As for DML creating a lot of new 1/35 material, this is very true, but mostly for WW2 subjects. As I'm more into modern stuff, there isn't a lot new kits in there for me either. I already have a couple of M1A1 Abrams on my shelves... (sigh) As I had to turn to other manufacturers like Academy or - to my dismay - Revell Germany, I was often very dissatisfied with poor molding quality and low level of detail. That's why I would have hoped that Tamiya would stick with 1/35 with a little more enthusiasm as well as churning out 1/48 kits at the same time. I guess you can't have everything...

Happy modeling everyone!
BornToDig
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Maryland, United States
Joined: December 25, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 12:59 AM UTC
Nik, I may have been too jumpy with my response. No offense was meant.
I don't know if Tamiya was ever a powerhouse for modern armor in 1/35. Granted; they had the awsome T-55 and a smattering of a few others, but never too many. As far as modern armor is concerned, I think AFV Club or Academy is going to be your Golden Avatar.

I think Tamiya's move to 1/48 was very beneficial not only for modelers who like smaller scales but also for Tamiya. They were being outcompeted by folks like DML, Academy, AFV club and Trumpeter in output, variety, and recently quality.
By switchin scales, Tamiya created a new market which it will dominate for many years to come. At the same time they can concentrate on releasing one or two very high quality 1/35 kits from time to time, so their old market-base doesn't forget them. Personally I'm much happier seeing Tamiya release something like the Char Bis once a year, rather than repoping an old mold from the 70s with new decals and figures and charging modelers $40(US) for it. I think this makes them a much better company in the eyes of 1/35 AND 1/48 modelers alike
sparten
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 11, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 02:21 AM UTC
I personally build in both 1/72 and 1/35 so would possibly be tempted to build a 1/48 kit if only they would produce some modern armour . I dont like the die cast hulls used by tamiya as this is what put me of dragons 1/72 scale range at first plus once again here in england we seem to pay more than everywhere else.
cheers
Sparten
ShermiesRule
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Michigan, United States
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Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 03:48 AM UTC
I don't know what overall sales are indicating but my LHS has a completely different take on Allied vs Axis when it comes to 1/48.

Since Axis vehicles are rarely together with Allied or Axis aircraft there is little linkage to aircraft. Allied vehicles on the other hand, are often seen with captured Axis aircraft. With the old saying "Axis Sells" there are not enough of Allied kits to compliment Axis aircraft. With the LHS getting only a couple of Allied kits, they are sold out. So sits the Panthers and Tigers (well they did start with 3 times more than the Shermans) because they are not associated as much with aircraft.

So in my area, in this scale it appears Allied sells while Axis smells. Looks like the Allied vs Axis paradigm battle for change will be fought starting in 1/48!!!
mikeli125
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Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 03:07 PM UTC
[quote]different? The 1/32th Zero was seen as a masterpiece, but is still the only WW2 era aircraft in that scale by Tamiya... can't we get some more? A P-51 perhaps?[/quote
I think you find that Trumpeter are supposed to be doing one]

As for the 1/48 it's not something that I really want to get into I prefer the 1/35 scale however having a look at the hobbyboss T-34 I bought it as it was a lot of kit for silly money (£12). I've also looked at the tamiya ones the Hetzer looks like nice kit and built &painted within a weekend OOTB so would make a nice break from aproject etc. They'd also be good starter kits for kids or beginners to modelling but that will all depend on the price
BornToDig
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Maryland, United States
Joined: December 25, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 08:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text



So in my area, in this scale it appears Allied sells while Axis smells. Looks like the Allied vs Axis paradigm battle for change will be fought starting in 1/48!!!



one can only hope. I'll build 25 shermans over 25 tigers any day
wingsntreads
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WINGS 'N TREADS
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: August 09, 2005
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Posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 - 02:34 AM UTC
The Hobby Boss T-34s are superb kits. Imaging a scaled down Trumpeter 1/16 T-34 with the complete interior. Thats what you get in all 4 Hobby Boss T-34 kits. Also with AFV finishing the other Skybow molds they may decide to scale down some of the other kits as well. Hobby Boss is also going to release 7 KV-Is and 2 KV-II in the near future. I think 1/48 scale modelers are in for plenty of neat kits this year. Now if we can just get IPMS to recognize us and allow us to compete in our own category that would be great.
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