Is it only me going wierd, or has anyone else out there ever thought why not have 1/48 scale as the main scale for AFV's? I remember Bandai had a whole line of 1/48 scale vehicles With interior detail, and they weren't too bad for those day's standards. Considering how expensive models have become, I think 1/48 scale would be more practical.. and not only price wise, but size wise too. You can build a reasonable size diorama with up to 4 or 5 vehicles and a whole bunch of figures. And the figures aren't too small to show a good amount of detail, as aren't the vehicles. Maybe somebody at Bandai might have the courage to think about reissuing some of those 1/48 vehicles with some retooling and see how modellers would react to them. I've read many articles by modellers who work with 1/72 scale because it's cheaper, smaller, needs less space on the shelves and easier to mix vehicles with planes and stuff in one diorama because of th size. So, with 1/48 scale we would be cutting down in cost ans size, but not going too small for those of us who use thick eye glasses!!
Hope you guys don't think I'm being too crazy for thinking about that!

No, you are not crazy and I liked 1/48 scale armor as well. Here in the States, I grew up building the old Aurora 1/48 scale armor kits like the M4A3E8, M109, and MBT70.

I didn't run across a Bandai 1/48 scale kit until I found the T-34/76 in 1987. I was greatly impressed with the interior and I try to buy reasonably priced Bandai kits whenever I find them.

I've got several of the Bandai kits like the M4A3 76mm, M12 SPG, M30 ammo carrier and Opel Maultier. Frog/Fuman of China reissued some Bandai kits in the mid 1990s. I bought the Hetzer and M4A3 76mm from Fuman. Same kits but you can tell the molds are a little old. Also the decals are stickers that must be cut from a solid colored backing. Basically unusable markings for a quality model kit.

Ciao Hisham,
That's not a weird thought, just a think an idea that will never come to fruition. When I started modelling in the 70's, Tamiya (to me) was the state-of-the-art kit to have. Nothing could touch them. So, I guess 1/35 took off as the scale of choice. I personally like 1/35, but that could also be because I like that size. 1/48 and 1/72 are really impractical for me, because I'm 40 and unfortunately, my eyes are getting better. Working in 1/72 would be almost impossible for me to see and even if I could, my eyes would tire within a hour or two (and I don't even wear glasses.)
Ciao for now
Rob

P.S. Sorry I couldn't help you with the aviation translations from JAG. I know nothing of planes.

I have never built one in 1/48 but wouldn't mind trying one because I have always wanted to do a Hurclues AC-130 with some armour or humvees parked inside or backing out of it.

It's a little small for some one with big fingures to handle that's whay I stuck with 1/35. When I was doing ships I mostly did 1/350 because it was bigger. I did one 1/700 and it was to small. I tryed some of the 1/400 and around there and it was OK.

I want to try a 1/72 scale humvee but I have some other things to do 1st.

So who decided to use 1/72 scale instead of 1/48. There has been alot of build up of 1/72 scale Kits from many manufactors.

I have thought the same thing why so small.

Happy Modeling

I always thought it would be great to be able to display my aircraft and armor in the same scale. I could have done so with 1/72, but this seems too small for me. So I just go with 1/35 armor and 1/48 aircraft. (1/32 aircraft is kind of large to me). If any one came out with some decent 1/48 armor, I might go into that scale. The kits would have to be of decent detail and there would need to be variety of models to choose from. I currently have an old (1980's ?) Academy 1/48 Hunting Tiger... it is pretty bad. The manufacturers would need to do better.

When I first began modeling, my scale of choice was 1:48. It just seemed like the perfect size for AFV's. I was paying quite a bit for the kits, since they were vintage collector's items, and 1:48 tanks are pretty rare also. I was more or less ignorant to what I was buying. I remember my hobby shop guy, mercifully giving me real good discounts. When I bought up the few he had, and realized how difficult 1:48 was to find, I started doing 1:35. I enjoy 1:72 now. I, like you, think 1:48 is perfect for AFV's. The reality is they are quite rare, and probably, I hate to say, better off as collectibles in the box than kits to be built. My last statement is debatable. Interesting thread, Hisham!

I discovered the Bandai kits back in 1974 and built quite a collection of them, i fact I still PROUDLY have them on my display shelves. Everything from a PZKW II to the Hunting Tiger. Built some of the earlly 48th scale Tamiya and ancient Aurora as well. So no my friend you are not weird. I've got 20 built kits in my collection and 8 unbuilt ones in my stash.

well Tamiya have just re-leased a 1/48 kubelwagon and some people think they might be looking to launch a range of 1/48 kits

I'm also a big fan of 1/48 armour and have amassed a sizable collection over recent years. There are still some small companys making kits to 1/48 but apart from some recent Tamiya plastics they are usually in resin or white metal, and therefore expensive!

You can find a like minded bunch of "weirdos" who congregate at the Quarterscale Armor group on Yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quarterscalearmor/

Another site worth checking out.

http://www.track48.com/