The topic this month for The Sprue Cutters Union is
all about scale. Which scale do you prefer and which do you avoid like the
plague? For me as a mostly armor modeler, it would have to be 1/35th
scale. I know that 1/35th while popular in AFVs and with some lines of
helicopters is an odd scale given that there are other scales out that make
more sense given their railroading origin, like 1/48th and 1/72nd . And I have heard the stories that the scale
was started by Tamiya to fit their motorization parts they used to include in
their kits, and the remnants of this are still found in some of their newer
kits such as the M1A2 Tusk II kit (Really you couldn’t retool this for a $80
kit!). But the more I build, the more I like the 1/35th scale. Most
kits scale out to a nice size that make them manageable to build, detail and
fit in the spray booth without the need to break them into a lot of
subsections. Also, most of the finished kits will fit nicely on the display
table or shelf and for the most part the kits in this scale are reasonably
priced for what you get now from the modern kit makers. Also with the increase
of larger military subjects such as ICBM launchers or Patriot Missile System coming
out to the market place 1/35th scale is really coming into its own
as the scale for AFVs. These larger kits used to be only in 1/72nd
due to price, size or manufacturer ability. Advances in molding and equipment
now make these larger scale kits a reality. A reality with a higher price point
but with the details to match that make them a must buy for me.
Now that doesn’t mean 1/35th is the only
scale I build. I have tried 1/48th armor and I thought it would be
the way to go but the limited modern subjects and the lack of the larger manufacturers
getting on board with this scale has caused me to not like as much as I thought
I would. However, I have a new scale I like for armor, 1/72nd. Yes,
I tried 1/72nd a while back and the kits looked a lot like toys to
me as well; but recent improvements and an increase of subjects lead me to give
it another try. I have not been
disappointed. I am currently building a Model Collect T-90, and while as not as
detailed as the 1/35 from Meng or Trumpeter, it is a really nice kit with an
enough details to make it look like a replica of a military vehicle and not a
toy. The newer kits out are really good. Model Collect has some great kits out
on some crazy subjects that will never be in 1/35th scale or not in
1/35th any time soon. So while 1/48th was a letdown, I
have learned to love 1/72nd. Yes the newer kits are a bit more
expensive than the $10 Revell or Airfix 1/72nd kits but they are
still cheaper than a full 1/35th kit. A lot of the newer 1/72 kits also
include PE or metal parts which you didn’t see in the older kits. While not as
cheap as the older 1/72nd kits, the price is still good for those
that want to try out a new subject or genre. Also, 1/72nd gives
people the right scale to try those larger subjects such as the ICBM launchers
without breaking the bank or the shelves.
There is one area where I don’t care what scale
something comes in as long as it is a standard scale – Sci Fi Kits. Sci Fi has
to be my second favorite to AFV/Military Vehicles (I am a closet Rotor Head,
even though I have yet to finish one). The thing about Sci Fi is that you are
trying to make the kits manageable and affordable. Yes we would all like a 5
foot Star Destroyer but really where would you put it and could you afford
it? So I don’t mind the smaller scale in
Sci Fi like the 1/1200 or 1/500 but what I really dislike are the kits that don’t
give their scale and are so called “Box Scale”. I’m looking at you Revell! I mean is it so hard now a day with computers
and all the technology we have to try to make things standard scale. Box scale
doesn’t make any sense to me. You are developing a product; you should be able
to spec a box out after you decide on the scale not after. Not knowing what
scale a kit is because it is box scale is a huge pain and there is no reason
for it. It detracts from the overall collection of a kit. It would be nice to
keep all the same scale so that you have a sense of scale when looking at the
finished product. I mean you look at a Fine Molds Falcon kit in 1/72 and you
know when you compare it to another 1/72 product that the Falcon is a large
spaceship. Yes in the other kits you know it is big but knowing the scale gives
you a better comparison.
In conclusion, my preferred scale is 1/35 with 1/72
a close second. I also have to “Just Say No to Box Scale”
Model On!
