In august, on vacation, I visited the two largest Model Shops in Scotland. While I was there I took the chance to do a little bit of (very) unscientific market research. In the first, in Jamieson's Models in Glasgow I was asking the owner (who i've known for 30 years) just what impact 1/48th scale is having. In the second (Wonderland Models) in Edinburgh, - similar questions.

The response was interesting, if a touch negative, for those who are advocates of this scale. It appears, again only on the basis of two stores, that they may be selling by the truck-load in the Far East, but in the U.K. the sales are nothing spectacular with several interestingly concurrent points:

1) Any vehicle which can be used with Aircraft is a seller. On the other hand, Armored Vehicles are not generating much interest at all.

2) The Price. The differential (at least in the U.K.) between 1/48th and 1/35th is minimal. Many modellers are looking at the prices of a 1/48th kit, comparing it to a 1/35th one and, opting for the latter.

3) Spares. As most (long-term) modellers have an extensive spares box, this also seems to work against 1/48th. Many seem reluctant to start on a different scale.

Now, to repeat again, there's nothing concrete about these conclusions, just a 'gut' feeling that perhaps there isn't much solid interest in 1/48th scale. On a personal level, it's a little dissapointing, although, I can see the validity of the arguments of some of the 'nay-sayers'. I would however suggest, that with the HOBBYBOSS range now becoming available, this may provide the boost that this scale needs.

What say you?

Hi Jim,

Here in Southern Ontario, Canada, the stores have their shelves packed with 48th scale offerings. Out of eight local hobby stores within an hours drive, there was only one store that had what I'd call a limited selection. The price difference here is noticeable, about $25 to $30 for most 48th scale kits (in contrast to the $45 to $55 for a new 35th scale Dragon offering) and about $16 for the support vehicles. What seems to support the scale in these parts is the abundance of AM accessories for the 48th scale line. Most of the stores carry the Hauler and Plus Models line of AM resin and PE.

In these parts, the 48th line seems to be holding it's own...

Frank

I don't know how other people in the states feel, but what I have noticed is that for the
Tamiya 48th scale kits they are around $25, whereas you can buy the current 35th scale ranging from the teens to 50, depending on kit, manufacturer and so on.

For me personally this price difference and the fact of the spares issue like Jim mentioned doesn't make me jump up and want to switch. I am interested just from the fact of space savings. For example I am toying with the idea of getting the Cromwell in 48th. It will be interesting to see the prices on the other manufactures kits as they come more on line.

Sean

Jim,

These are some very valid thoughts that you have and looking in my local shop, model Junction where I live, there is no doubt that 1/48th is not selling in similar amounts to 1/35th. Personally I have bought a few of the Tamiya offerings, mainly because they offer a change to my usual diet of models.

Certainly one of the points that has been positive in my eyes is the fact that they do take up much less space in the house, like many I am concerned about the price, believing that if there was a similar scale to that of the new Hobby-Boss models, with the same level of detail as the T34's with their internal fittings, that they might sell more of them.

Whilst I do like the 1/48th I do not see them taking the place of the normal scale that is offered by the majority of manufacturers, I do see a place for them as an alternative that can offer a change and requiring a different approach to the skills that we all strive to achieve in our building.

I celebrate the fact that in these times when it has to be said that modelling is no longer something that many try during their younger years, when PC and Paystations offer instant gratification, without the need to sit and address ones creative intellect, that manufacturers are prepared to offer us a greater choice in kits that are offered.
Certainly it must be an indicator as to future of modelling that a great name like Airfix/Humbrol has been in difficulty for some time, culminating in the news of last week.
I hope that this situation is sorted and that they find somebody to continue such a well known brand. However I do believe that these events show that manufacturers cannot just rest on their laurels and hope to offer the same range, hoping that the name will carry them into the future. How many of us cut our teeth on those little plastic bags, full to the brim with all manner of exciting things.

I hope that choice is something that we all have whatever the scale and that companies continue to support the modeller and that we continue to see new items appearing on the shelves.

John

Hi Jim,

For a few of us here the new 48s have been a godsend as we use em for wargaming. The alternatives until recently have been 1:56 (or thereabouts) resin wargaming models which have traditionally been lacking in detail and accuracy. The releases by Tamiya and others have meant we now no longer have to troll E-Bay and pay exhorbitant prices for old Bandai or Frog/Fuman kits.

As the crew and Infantry sets become more readily available then it may encroach on my traditional modelling but the amount of choice in this area is still poor. As an aside I can see where the storage side may win over newbies also. In one of my display cabinets one shelf has 6x 1:35th vehicles and the shelf below has 16 1:48th .......

Finally the price differential in NZ isnt too bad. Possibly because for us transport n shipping is more of an issue and 35th boxes are big. You can get 2-3 48s in the same box size and so shipping costs may be a smaller part of the overall distribution and hence shop price.

And to show that 48s used for wargaming can look ok I've posted a pic of my T34 killer ......

cheers
Brent

ps I still love my 1:35th stuff !!!!

Jim
I understand the nature of the comments - just two shops, I still like the input.

I have to agree with the points. I can totally understand that things that would go with AC would sell because 1/48 is very popular in the AC world (it's my favorite).

I totally agree with the price point comments. The 1/48 scale is only marginally cheaper than 1/35. Now I understand that they are new and better and more detailed and all of that, but the market is still so new they companies have to charge higher prices until thier imbedded costs go down. It still affects how many and where (ebay) I buy them and which versions, new vs. old Bandi.

The spare box syndrom isnt quite as much a factor for me because I also do 1/48 AC and 1/27 and Everything else under the sun. But I can see where it might be a deterant to some.

I am a fan of the scale and would totally switch if the price point were a bit lower. The techniques and tools are too similar and the detail is there.

I think I might be in the minority but I avoided 1/35 armor for the same reason I avoided 1/32 aircraft,the lack of display space,So when 1/48 armor was introduced I jumped on the new opportunity I have 7-Tamiya kits and plan to continue to buy,and really hope they release modern era in the 1/48 scale.Right now I am a beginner so i am building OOB and not yet into dioramas so the lack of accessories is not a problem yet.

The shop in our area of the US is running out quickly of the 48th scale options. The ones that can be placed in an aircraft diarama are really going. The atraction is the quality of the tamiya kits and it does not take up alot of room on the shelf. As more offerings come out, this line will expand. Best Wishes.

Where I live in NZ the prices for some Tamiya 1:48 scale are heading into Dragon 1:35 scale territory (about $60-70 NZ), and they are way more expensive than many Trumpeter 1:35 scale (the KV-1 series can go for less than $40 NZ!)...so, while I like what they are doing, I'm not buying.

To date the only 1:48 scale Tamiya vehicle I've bought has been the Schwimmwagen, to go with my 1:48 scale aircraft.

Tamiya must be selling these kitsets somewhere, or they wouldn't be producing them.

Jeff W.

I am a big fan of 1/48 scale and have been for over 30 years. I would have to agree with the shops' points. I also see a glut of certain vehicles. For example, we have four slightly different Tiger kits out, a few Shermans, and some decent soft skins that can be used with aircraft. I realize that reissuing the kit in slightly different versions adds to their line without adding additional cost.

Personally, I would have preferred it if the companies focused on modern vehicles. Abrams, Bradleys, HMMWVs and such would have been nice to capitalize on the current war. OIF dioramas would have been a good motivator to get modelers into the "new" scale.

1/35 is too well entrenched to be displaced by 1/48 scale armor. I do think of it as a good crossover scale for airplane builders and those requiring smaller kits to conserve display space.

I'm a fan. I've got the overstuffed shelves of 1/35 kits and accessories too. However, I was sent some 1/48 stuff to review and I really enjoyed them. The limited size of the model bars me from going overboard with the detialing (like the scratchbuilt 1/35 M31B1 TRV I'm mullng over in my head). Just last night, I base coated my Jagdpanzer IV L/70A (Gaso.line conversion with Tamiya Pz IVJ).

Building and finishing in a non-1/35 scale is also good to keep my "modeller's eye" sharp and fresh.

I can't speak for the industry but I hope it catches on more and more.

For me personally its the price that has prevented me from taking the "plunge"
A few of the Tamiya 1/48th kits have started to appear in my LHS but here was my predicament a Tamiya 1/48 Sherman for £19.99 or a DML 1/35th Firefly for £24.99 go figure which I would have purchased :-)

However as you mentioned the Hobbyboss kits seem excellent value for money , I had a peek inside the box of their T34/85 with full interior detail WOW

Now heres another point to ask and sorry if I am hijacking the thread , but is Tamiya allready losing the 1/48th battle to the likes of Hobbyboss ?

Ian

I can imagine that these are succesfull.

When I started modelling again I had already a nice collection of airplanes (my main interest) in 1/48 scale and a few AFV in 1/35.

I felt that I had to make a conscious decision how I would move on.


-> specialise in 1/35 and make dioramas combining airplanes with AFV. This would render my 1/48 airplane collection a bit obsolete
-> continue in 1/48


I finally chose to continue in 1/48. The considerations included price, space and the conclusion that altough the 1/35 AFV range is enormous, there are not so much vehicles availabel that easily combine with an airplane.

Besides, the range of airplanes is relatively limited in 1/35. (why on earth did they ever start with the 1/32 scale for planes and 1/35 for AFV. It looks like manufacturers voluntarily shot in their own foot).

Anyway, I am in the constant search of interesting kits that combine with airplanes ranging from airfield protection systems (e.g. hawk missile installations) to trucks and vehicles. Jeeps, hummers, trucks,... would be very welcome as would all kinds of other accessories like soldiers, marines, anyhting that can be transported by air.

I love 1/48 scale and I buy all my models online from Hong Kong, so price is not a problem because there is a significant difference between 1/48 and 1/35. Tamiya's run for an average of $13 - 16 , HobbyBoss T34's with full interior run for $11.99, and Dragon's 1/35 run for an average of $25 - 35. If you figure in the shipping costs, which I have to pay anyway, I can get more 1/48 scale kits for the same amount of shipping. And they are just the right size for dioramas. Also, I just returned to the hobby about a year ago, so I don't have the problem of a big 1/35 stash and spares box.

The only two problems I have with 1/48 are the limited choice of vehicles(at least so far) and the figures. I have one of Tamiya's German figure sets and they really leave a lot to be desired. Verlinden is coming out with some good ones, but it'll take a while until there's enough of a variety around to chose from.

But basically, I love them. I wish the line grows faster. I hope Tamiya or HobbyBoss come out with a line of modern vehicles (( AND FIGURES)). In this scale you could easily build a diorama with a couple of M1's and a couple of HUMMER's and a bunch of figures, on a reasonably sized base.

I also think they make more economic sense. Kind of like what happened after the Oil crisi in the 70's.. American car companies started designing more compact gas-efficient cars.

Well, just my personal thoughts on the subject.

I'm new to armor modelling (started last december, almost finished my first 1/35 model) so I thought maybe I could give a newbie's insight.

for a "n00b" like me, the price is definitely a factor. As I stated above, after 9 months, I am just finishing my first kit - this is due to college (architecture takes time, what with all the non-armor modelling ), which results in lack of space, lack of time, lack of cash. When I look at stuff to buy, I like to get more bang for my buck, as long as it's not a lot of buck.... the most expensive model I've purchased is the Tamiya OIF Abrams, which was 20% off at my LHS.

I can honestly say when I look at 1/48 and 1/35th kits, I'm not really thinking about space taken up (I think of the floor as an extra shelf), but a vigorous or enjoyable build at a good price. But the main problem I encounter is I can only find Tamiya 1/48 kits, while I can find Tamiya, Dragon, Academy, Revell, and Trumpeter 1/35 kits. I also buy 1/72 scale kits, and I have a pretty good selection of those as well, with Dragon, Trumpeter and Revell.

So, with only one 1/48th company available at my LHS, it puts the entire scale at a disadvantage for me.

I'm also not just interested in WWII - I have a Pzkpfw IV from Tamiya, but I also have the OIF Abrams, and 1/72 scale revell Warrior MCV w/ armor and Trumpeter JGSDF type 90. I'm interested in modern armor. I'd LOVE to see a 1/48th Abrams (maybe an M1A1 and M1A2), Challenger 2, and especially the Merkava Mk. 4.

I'd love to see more 1/48 stuff. But as a beginner, I also want to be introduced to a few challenges - maybe a small fret of photoetch or a bonus aluminum barrel - like the 1/35 Dragon extras, toned down - and especially modern subjects. I'm looking for an interesting build that allows for accuracy and detail, but is still within my limited budget. I think I'd pay the current price for a model that has a small fret of PE, maybe a couple extra bucks (seeing as how 1/35 seems to be getting more expensive). It shouldn't be seen as some "intermediate" step between "easy" and "hard" levels, but as a genuine alternative for those who would like to use it.

As an architecture student, I have to worry about precision and detail and overall design with every model I have to build for class. With model kits, the design portion is already complete. I don't want to worry about the precision and detail as much, which is why I believe the models should come with a few bonus bits to ramp up the visual impact and accuracy of the model.


EDIT: I just had a look at the Hobbyboss 1/48 T-34 with interior at LuckyModel, and while the subject is not one that interests me, I am really considering buying the model for the experience and the (seemingly) very fair price.

1/48th scale certainly takes up less space on the shelves than 1/35th.I have quite a stash of 1/48th Armour and hopefully more kits are issued by the companies. Some Modern Armour would also be nice especially with the detail of the Hobby Boss T-34's.Imagine an M1A1 or an M60 with full interior,I can dream I guess.


Its a nice scale to work in lets hope it sticks around.

Mark

Shite Jeff, you gotta move north. The 48th Tamiyas locally are $35nz and its not the cheapest shop either. Itd be cheaper for me to buy and send them to you .....lol

PS Isn't there a new model shop down there .........?

cheers
Brent

Not where the Shermans are concerned. While the Hobby Boss kits may have the edge in fine detail. there are just too many accuracy problems to be acceptable to me. I have bought two, but I'll buy no more.

Personally, I think its time Dragon entered the 1/48 market. They have a wide range of (usually) excellent kits which could be down-scaled to 1/48. In particular their figure sets. I constantly find Tamiya's figures to be disappointing, and the only alternative is much more expensive resin. Even if Dragon released only their figures (in 1/48), that would be a great advance for this scale.

at my LHS i can get a tamiya 1/48 for roughly 25-30$
a 1/35 scale tank can vary from 25$-$60
i do love big tanks though
1/48is too small for me

that s at th hobby shop

my mom usauly buys me model online at ebay

theres a seller who selles 1/35 sclae abrams chalenger etc tamiya kits at 20-30 USD that a real deal
i can also get extras like weathering sets and more paint becuase of the 30 dollors saving

his user name is must bid

Well as an industry 1/48 scale seems to be on the grow. Tamiya keeps putting out the kits now the Hobby Boss kits have been released 5 Shermans 4 T34s with full interiors and an LCM with 8 - 9 KVs coming in the Future and AFV Club has now released thier first 1/48 scale Tiger, Ammo and tracks. There is alot of hope that AFV club will contuine to release more kits in 1/48 scale (I'm keeping my figers crossed for the 251s). You also have many aftermarket companies producing quality accessories, LionMarc, Voyager, Hauler Squad 48 , Gaso Line , Wespe, WWII Productions so the future looks bright

I personally like doing the 1/48th kits, they are a lot of fun and don't take very long to put together.

In Aus at the three LHS's I frequent, the prices are all around the $AUD40 - 45 mark. This compares with about $AUD85 for the Tamiya Char B1 bis, or $AUD29 for the latest Trumpy KV-1.

I now buy all my 1/48 AFV kits from the nice guys at Hobbyeasy

http://www.hobbyeasy.com

I picked up the Hobbyboss T-34 $AUD26 and the Tamiya Cromwell for $AUD30 (that includes shipping).

Cheers.

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. 1/48th scale is something I've connected with planes and (civil) vehicles. It seems to me, that 1/48th scale is limited to these kits only and the builders have got used to this.




Here in Denmark the price is almost the same wether its 1/35th or 1/48th. Ok, you'll get more figures in one kit than in 1/35. But thats also the case in 1/72th scale. I've seen Tamiya's Sherman (one of their kits) and there was a metalcasted piece along with injected plastic sprues as the most obvious difference from their 1/35th kits.




That is exactly why I don't build in any other scale than 1/35th. I like to have the possibility to make conversions of figures and vehicles, and you'll need an ever growing number of spares for that.

Thats me opinion.
I think its good to see kits in other scales, and I hope that we'll see more of that in the future. I'd like to see Tamiya's German Staff Car in 1/35th for instance... So it might work both ways: What is being made in 1/35th is also being made in 1/48th and the other way round.

Cheers

Simon

1/32 and 1/35 are almost identical.

There seems to be a lot of 1/32 aircraft appearing on the market.

I like 1/35. I don't think I'll change. Been to Jamiesons in Glasgow. It's almost all 1/72 or 1/35. Suits me.

I did a similar unscientific survey of shops in my area (Southeast Wisconsin). I Phoned or visited seven shops, four of which carry 1/48 scale. At one of the smaller mom&pop stores the owner stated that the models don't sell well, but he values his regular customers, and since a few keep buying the kits, he keeps stocking a small selection (about 9 models at a time). Another mom&pop operation also has a limited selection of kits which are continuously purchased by the same few customers. A larger store in town carries a much greater selection and from my own observations the allied armor models sell relatively quickly (the cromwell and firefly models need restocking quite frequently).

It seems to me that there is a small niche market of modeleres who make frequent purchases. This doesn't surprise me since the scale's resurgence is still new. Acording to one shop owner, more younger guys (teens to mid 30s) are buying the 48th kits. This is not surprising, as people in this demographic likely have less time, money and effort invested into a large 1/35 collection.

I am one of these younger modelers (28yo) and am head over heels about 1/48th models. I have a small collection of 35th kits, but find that they take up too much room in my small appartment. I also think they are too expensive. However, most importantly, I find that the level of detail neccessary to make a 1/35th kit up to snuff exceeds my patience and abilities as a modeler. I don't have much time to invest in modeling and so a typical 1/35th kit takes me several months to finish (even out of the box), whereas I can finish a 1/48th model WITH PE and other improvements in under a month.

Another thing with me is that I've always loved miniatures. I'm much more impressed by a well detailed airplane or tank in 1/72 than 1/32 of 1/35. Thats my 0.02