"What Scale for 28mm ?" Topic

This question has probably beeen asked a million times but what scale diecast vehicles are suitable/useable for 28mm figures ?
I've got Hasslefree Miniatures 'Zombie Hunter Kev' and I want to convert an SUV or similar to provide him with a 'Survivalist' type vehicle. Hasslefree's minis are a 'slight build' 28mm compared to 'heroic' 28mm, so…..what scale diecast can I use that is correct ?

Depends on basing and the vehicles… I use a lot of 1:43 dicast to include these:

1/48 is really as far as one can go. 1/50 to 1/56 is prolly the best.

1:43-1:64 depending on taste. "true 28" is something like 1:55-1:56.

The kick is that 28mm is a measurement NOT a scale, and that diecasts are rarely true to scale, they are often "Box Scaled" to whatever fills the packaging.

You can see this with hotwheels where a minicooper can be the same size as a ford mustang or an impala…

The kick is that 28mm is a measurement NOT a scale, and that diecasts are rarely true to scale, they are often "Box Scaled" to whatever fills the packaging.

The best advice is to carry a figure with you and place it against the model vehicle for a size comparison. Bear in mind that a modern car's roof is somewhat lower than the height of a human.

Ahhhh yes ! I've noticed that discrepancy with Hot Wheels and also with £Land vehicles that advertise the scale on the box but that they produce several different vehicles that fit the same size box and its obvious that they are not all the same scale, youre then left wondering which one (if any) is the scale as advertised !

You'd be surprised at how many die cast cars have the scale written on the bottom. Most hotwheels and matchbixes do. It's .how I found out the Matchbox Honda Element I bought because it's my favorite car is 1/56

But, as I mentioned above – same box size, same advertised scale BUT obviously different sized vehicles – how do we know which one is correct or any of them for that matter ? Confusing and annoying !

Hello

You can have a look at this article although it more concerns it self with Armored vehicles but the points are the same. With that said with cars I have used 1:43 and had no problem with them but I have found that most post apocalypse miniatures are larger than your typical gaming miniature for armies so they were fine for me.

Hope it helps.

Warlord

link

I am confused why this size/scale ever came to be on the scene. After all, what is the attraction ? Nothing seems to go with it scalewise and this question crops up all too regularly. Save yourselves from further anguish and move to 20mm a decent size scale that is exceptionally well supported and realistically priced……now where's my tin hat?????

Lol, I used to collect/paint/game 20mm but I got older and so did the eyes, at this rate it'll not be long before I move up to 1:48th or even 1:35th to be able to enjoy the hobby !

Er yes, I here where you're coming from. I still have a lot in the stash to build into my doteage, which is'nt too far away these days. All I can say is,I'd be lost without my Optivisor, a sound investment if ever there was one !

Thanks for the link Warlord, makes interesting reading, certainly food for thought that miniatures are the scale problem !

Bob:

No problem, once that came clear it just all fell into place – now just get the scale you like best with it. I tend to stay with 1:48 – 1:50 as the smaller scale is just to darn small for me for those "pudgy" miniatures

Warlord

As said, it depends. If you are looking for an oversized post apoc vehicle, going to a larger scale like 1:46 or 1:43 won't be too bad. If you add armour panels and put Kev on a thicker, decorated base and leave the vechile unbased, you should be fine. I concur with the "carry a figure for comparison" recommendation … unless you are going to your FLGS! :)

If you live in the US, you might try stopping by a CVS. The last couple of weeks, I've been in them in various states and they have a selection of die cast vehicles on display for five bucks.

If you want a postapoc motorcycle, try HotWheels from where ever you can get them under a buck locally. Same thing about size to package applies for their two-wheelers. So a Hot Wheels motorcycle (or snowmobile, etc.) is about the same size as their sedans, which turns out to be a decent size for 28mm. Most of the time.

@Jabo 1944:

You not going to get into 'Bolt Action' then Steve?!

No Ralph, definitely not ! Personally I cannot see the appeal, but thats me. 15mm & 20mm are much more practical in my sphere of interest.

1/43-1/48 works great for me, though I even have a few 1/40 for vehicles that are a bit flexible in scale like pickups.

link

Check the rest of the blog for alot more post-apoc vehicles in 1/43 scale.

@Jabo: well there's another point, what is 20mm?

What ever fits!. I have seen so called "1:43" scale vehciles, that are more like 1:72nds, and I have seen so called 1: 50th that are more like 1:32nd. with die casts..

The makers really don't give a monkeys at times, wth the scales often being suited more to the size of packaging they come in, than any attempt to really represent a scale model.

Especially at the cheaper end of the scale. So what ever suits, and what ever you are happy with.

This article on Antenociti's workshop site is very good.

Whatever you think looks right comes in as the answer basically.

link

1st thing is dump the GW Slota bases. It messes up everything! Scale-wise, every one is hovering a foot off the table. …..and get off my lawn!!!

…Nurse!!!!