"What do you have against 1:48?" Topic

I've been working on some plastic 1:48 model figures (by Tamiya – not intended for wargaming but they'll do nicely, thankyou!).

I couldn't help but recall reading about how it is "such a pity" that some manufacturers choose to make 1:48 models as they are "completely incompatible" with 28mm models.

I've got the figures sitting in front of me and can obviously form my own views about that statement.

But curiosity has gotten the better of me, so I really have to ask: what (if anything) is it that YOU see as the problem with 1:48 figures – why do(n't) they match well with 28mm – too big? too small? etc.

Model manufacturers tend to do everything in absolute scale where miniature manufacturers do a more flexible scale. Because of this the two style of miniatures just don't look good together.

I have nothing against one over the other but I'd rather not use the two together.

I use the Tamiya range with my 28mm figs all the time. They look fine together. I mostly use VF figures, which tend to be a little bigger anyhow. No one has complained yet.

1/48th figures are bigger than most 28mm figures (about 36mm or so) I have some VFM figures that are large 28s and measure about 33-34mm to the top of the head. They work well with the Solido and Corgi Tanks(1/50th) that I own.
Fox Miniatures were going to do some 1/48th figures but I've not heard them mentioned for months.

I consider it a pity because they are incompatable with 12mm models.

1/48th scale has been around a lot longer than '28mm' figures have.

I dislike 1/48th for it's snotty attitude. I blame this on an inferiority complex towards 1/35th and 1/32nd. I am vigilant in case I see bullying of little 1/72nd.

1:48 figures – why do(n't) they match well with 28mm – too big? too small? etc.

For the love of heaven, just, LOOK at a Tamiya figure next to the usual garbage 28mm figures; can you not see a difference? Hint – it has to do with quality of representation of human proportions…

I don't hate them, I just can't see them lasting as long as the 28s in terms of play damage. I try to be gentle with my minis but I feel like the 28s will take more abuse and the 1/48 will start having parts snap off. I have some of the HLBS ultramodern range and will be playing with those, using my 28mm terrain; I don't plan on building 1/48 specific items for gaming.

If we could get Tamiya to release plastic 1/48 models packaged in a way that offered:

1. Weapon assortments along the lines of at least squad and platoon level TO&Es. Including plenty of unique rifle poses.

2. Poses geared towards miniature wargaming and not diorama making without having to reuse lots of the same pose.

3. Prepackaged boxes made with wargamers in mind (such as a squad and platoon box).

Tamiya makes models for model builders and model builders alone. They don't care in any way shape or form about catering to the specific needs of wargamers.

And that's fine. It is what it is.

But I'm not buying their "models" until they release enough of the models I want and like to build full platoons without having to reuse lots of the same pose or having to buy a bunch of the same box just to get what I need and ending up with lots of stuff I don't use (which sometimes happens with miniature wargaming models, but not as much).

If they made plastic bodies and metal weapons, that would probably get more wargamers to use their stuff.

As is, I see no need, despite how great and proportioned they look, to dive in.

Between Fox miniatures and Tamiya…simply put, I am not holding my breath.

Besides, I like the STYLE of my lumps of 28mm lead. Realism be damned.

I am a wargamer. Period. Not a modeler who wargames. So for me, Tamiya isn't an option.

I will keep my eye on them though…

Tim makes a good point, albeit somewhat loudly

Tamiya produce scale models, wargames figures manufacturers most decidedly do not. 1/48 is 1" = 4', an average figure is going to be about 36mm tall as Major Disaster said

Many wargamers have a hard time getting their heads around this. As a one-time railway modeller it makes perfect sense to me

Nothing.

I use 1/48 kits with 28mm and it's fine with me.

They match fine. We use them exclusively with our 28mm figs mounted on circular GW washers. The scale is perfect.

Forgot to add: I see no problem with using 28mm wargaming models with 1/48 vehicles. I tend to go with 1/56, but I do own lots of 1/48 stuff. Mostly, I use 1/48 when I can't get a vehicle in 1/56, though that is changing as more 1/56 becomes available.

Between the cheap prepainted die cast stuff such as CAD and the more expensive, but still prepainted Corgi and other die cast, it is easy to get started in 28mm wargaming with 1/48.

Since not all vehicles I need are available in both scales, I tend to use both, but I don't mix them on the table. For example, early war for me is almost all 1/56 as lots of it is available and almost none can be found in 1/48 without spending a lot (such as on Gaso.line kits).

For late war, I used to use almost all 1/48, but as more becomes available in 1/56, I am switching over. The deal was sealed for me when German halftracks (especially the 251 D) were released in 1/56 first.

My previous post was regarding 1/48 figures only.

North Star has a growing range of 1/48 figs, but they need to add more pics! (hint hint Nick!).

Keith

Grr, a scale twice as big as 1/87 ought to be 1/43.5!

I use them all the time together.

I occassionally use the 1:48 vehicles with my 28mm figs.

[TONGUE IN CHEEK – SORT OF] When 1:48 miniatures are available in something other than nazi-era Germans, I'll bite.

Tamiya makes models for model builders and model builders alone. They don't care in any way shape or form about catering to the specific needs of wargamers.

Keith, you should try and find some back issues of Wargames Illustrated in which our local By JOhn 54's work was featured in a two part series on wargaming in 1:35 scale. It'd knock your socks off.

As for not caring about wargamers, wargaming involves modeling and playing with the models and converting figures is all part of the hobby. I've never understood the "specific needs of wargamers" when it comes to the requirement for poorly sculpted figures.

I haven't seen much of Tamiya's 1:48 offerings, but if those figure packs are anything like the 1:35 packs I used to model many years ago, the figure poses are well suited to wargaming. Plus they are multi-part and easy to convert just by switching torso and legs around.

As far as 1:48 scale vehicles with 28mm figures with a purported scale of 1:56, the combination doesn't wwork for me. What I've seen in WI show figures disatrously too small, ie, not much higher than the road wheel of a Tiger I.
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Tim

I'd prefer they made stuff in 1/56 scale – since we are talking scale. As discussed and beaten to death – 28mm is NOT a scale – rather a "size" which is abused frequently by different manufacturers. I really don't care which you prefer – or have any hangups with different size vehicles – until someone gets fiddly with measuring distances – if the game calls for range measurements and there are distinct penalties for being closer or further away – rest assured you will see big arguments over this during games as the model is either too big or "it wouldn't be that close if it were the proper scale" arguments breaking out. Other than that – I've no problem with people using them – so long as they maintain consistency in the models being represented – all the same scale or all the same size. I hate it when you have a 1/48 scale Tiger and the opponent has a 1/35 scale Sherman or mixing scales – as this throws everything off.

Tim,

Please give it a rest. Your opinion is well documented that you think 28mm WWII figures are crap. Your ire seems particularly directed towards Artizan and Crusader as well as BAM and I think you even take the wonderful Black Tree Design figs to task. We get it.

I like 1/56 vehicles which are when one looks at period photos closer to the correct size in relation to the 28mm WW II that most of us are more than happy with, large hands weapons and all. I would agree that the VF figure work better perhaps with 1/48th scale. Game with what makes you happy but don't attempt to imply the rest of us are wrong.

Like Keith, I am gamer first although sometimes I am a painter first and I am looking for a certain drama to my models. If I wanted to do dyoramas then I would collect 1/35th scale and be done with it as that is the way to go. I've even considered doing wargaming in that scale but man you would need a HUGE table for WW II games.

WM, I am sorry if you don't like my posts, but I am simply responding to the question of the poster. Should those who like the styles also shut up as they've made their points too?

Personally, I've seen many people trash my medium of choice, and even to the point where I've been told I'm not a "real wargamer" because of what I wargame with. They've just as much right to state their preferences and dislikes as I do.

And BTW, as a point of practice, I generally don't mention company names, so please don't make stuff up.

Respectfully,
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Tim

Tim: It's not the sculpting style that is specific to the needs of wargamers. It's what is available in boxed sets as far as poses and assortments of weapons.

Wargaming companies usually package their items around unit compositions with weapon assortments centered around a unit, or as part of a building block to a unit (pack of rifles etc.).

Model companies usually package their models around themes, situations (tank crew at rest etc.), or just what is interesting. Tamiya's new 1/48 boxes are indeed nice, it's just that from inspecting them, they don't offer the things I want without having to repeat poses (too much) or they don't have the weapons I need (ex. no German HMG or Panzerschreck in 1/48 yet etc. etc.). I could convert, but I just don't feel like doing the work (I do have some modeling skill).

Yes, we play with models. But there is no denying that there is a spectrum where some of us are almost pure gamers while other near pure modeler. I fall far to the gamer side.

As far as proportions…you and I have beat that horse to death before :-)

And I still like me lumps of lead!

Though, if Tamiya releases the right things, I might someday make the leap…

Keith, you're right from that perspective (what's packaged). I've spent a lifetime making what comes in my plastic packages work by dint of buying lots of boxes or by conversions. It's only this past year I've been filling in the holes with metal and resin figures from AB and Millicast; I must say, it's kind of nice to be able to buy a pack with just four or five figures in it that correspond to a specific theme (like gun or AFV crews).

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Tim

I like the 1/48th scale HLBS ultramodern range and have a ton (probably literally at this point :) lol ) of the stuff for my afghanistan campaign titled: Tumble with the Taliban. I use 1/48 or 1/50 scale helos from Forces of valor and iron Horses. also some 1/43 humveess from miasto and iron horses. I also picked up a bunch of pickup trucks and SUVs from miasto for taliban technicals and CIA and Private Contrater vehicles.

It is difficult to find civilian figs in the scale to indicate afghan villagers without having to convert. Maybe prieser O scale figures might be near enough to convert.

I also picked up the African and French troops along with the Solido VABs for a Sierra Leone campaign.

the only reason I have gone heavily into the HLBS range is because I really love the sculpts. otherwise I like 28mm or 54mm and some 70mm (star wars hasbro unleashed)

Nothing….I think 1/48th scale figs are MILLIONS times better than the vast majority of ghastly 28mm WWII stuff on offer.

Bloody hell, is it *that* time again already?