SPA Modeler

This topic was brought up on another thread. One which I did not want to get off topic, but the subject definitely sounds great to me, large scale jet aircraft models. Why? Because big model planes are both impressive and cool!

Until recently that was a very limited subject area with their being only two real players in the game, and both with only a handful of subject kits. Revell and Hasegawa. And aftermarket for those few early items, aside from decals by Microscale and certain cockpit detailing items like placards, bezels, and pedals by Waldron Products were pretty limited as well.

Compared to 1/72 or 1/48 the selections were limited in both kits and accessories. Today is better for selection of subjects, and accessories, at least in some areas.

Whats your thoughts?

Sound off!

1/32 is to large for me so I do not have much input on the subject. My large scale stash is limited to two kits, an Allouette II and an F-4F.
I sometimes take a look at that F-4, then shake my head because I d not know where I would put such a large kit and then box it up again.

I have zilch experience with 1/32 jets,

I have a couple of 1/48 kits in the stash, an EE Lightning and an F-106, and they are both plenty big enough for me (I really should build/finish them at some point) – I admit I do love the extra detail you get in 1/48 and I would imagine a 1/32 scale Jet kit would be even better – maybe, one day…

That being said I DO have an Airfix 1/24th scale HS Harrier GR.3/AV-8A kit in the stash and that is a huge kit, and I’m sure it’ll look great on the shelf – sadly however it’s not the world’s best kit and very much of its age with poor detail, crap fit and moving parts!!! There is some good AM for this kit however – a PE set that costs more than the kit and some good Resin. I’ve compromised a bit and gone for a new seat to help improve the pit (along with some SB) and new resin intakes as the ones on the kit don’t feature the aux intakes flaps.

I’ve done a bit of work on it so far, assembled the intakes and the pit, but there’s a lot to do - I find it a bit intimidating to be honest, and more work than enjoyment.

Perhaps if I bought a nice Tamiya 1/32 kit I’d enjoy it a lot more! (but at the moment I'll stick to 1/72)

Cheers!

I've built a few 1/32 jets in my life, and although they can be large, with the popularity of 1/32 WWII bombers lately, I'd say that's not as a big a problem as it once was. On a side note, once my kids moved out, I was able to reclaim my garage, put in some shelves big enough to hold them and design a set of display cases to be built into my model train layout supports to house my B-17 and B-25.

Personally, I prefer WWII aircraft. Always have, just as I do armor. WWII still has that romantic appeal for me that it did as a kid. Plus, the aircraft are advanced enough that you can add some lines, wires and equipment, but not so complicated that they become a plumbing nightmare.

I will most likely build 2 jets, though. My favorite 2 "uglies", the F-4 Phantom II, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

It appears to me, with the number of new releases, that 1/32 seems to be gaining in popularity.

Or could it be that us older farts need bigger models for our failing eyeballs?

I've never done 1/32 kits. Not that I'm against doing one. I'd like to do some (A-10, F-14, F/A-18) at some point. Just gotta figure out where to put them.

Jim, I actually saw a 1/32 F-111 at a show once. Scratchbuilt, (maybe vacuform?), but the wings swung back and everything! Talk about ginormous!

I totally agree with the lack of AM for jets as well. Unless it's a "generic", (A-10, F-4, etc...) you will be hard pressed to find much compared to prop stuff.

Some are creating a niche market, (Zactomodels for one), with resin accessories and arms, but it has been slow.

1/32 Jets are huge. Way to huge to be both practical and popular. Not to mention exspensive. 1/48 Jets are big enough. And here's the deal; whatever you can do to a 1/32 jet you can do to a 1/48. Detail wise, i think its all the same. A manufacturer can put as much detail as they want into either a 1/48 vs. 1/32 jet. Unlike 1/72, where its just not possible for that scale to be as detailed as 1/48. So the way I see it, why bother with 1.32 jets? I can get anything I want in 1/48 and have it be more affordable, take up less space, and not have to buy as much paint.

JimD wrote:Go ahead. Build a 1/32 F-14. I want to see that Were you at Model Mania a few years ago when there were two...one was Iranian. That was dang impressive. Apparently it won. You may remember a 1/32 EE Lighting mounted in flying position? (That's the guy I bought the 1/48 kit from a couple weeks back...and he lost out to the Tomcat).

I remember that EE Lightning! I have a pic of it somewhere.