"1:55 scale Weapon Details" Topic

All, I've started to detail out a number of 1:55 scale vehicles for a post-apocalyptic / Mad Max-style miniatures events at upcoming conventions. The base vehicle I am using are the vehicles from Disney/Pixar's Cars and Cars 2 as well as some pick up trucks from the Fifty-5's series.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on military weapon details that I can use to modify the vehicles and/or added terrain.

Thanks!

Take a look here at sets 18 and 20
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Take a look here at sets 17 and 21
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Some of the weapons and armor from the 20mm road warrior line may also help like the turrets and armor look here.
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I will also make up special orders send me an email of the pieces you can use and I will send you a price.

1:55 scale vehicles

That's a rather odd scale?

Major, 1/55th scale is the closest size to the standard 28mm figs (most are closer to 30mm nowadays)

Major, 1/55th scale is the closest size to the standard 28mm figs (most are closer to 30mm nowadays)

Most people seem to use 1/56 or even 1/48.

1/48th is much to large in my opinion, and although there are many 1/56th military vehicles available, both those and the automobiles are very expensive. I can purchase 1:55th scale vehicles for less than $2.00 USD/each and they are still within a very realistic 'zone' for 28mm miniatures.

1/48th is much to large in my opinion

Personally, I agree with that, but apparently a lot of people do use them!

I can purchase 1:55th scale vehicles for less than $2.00 USD USD/each and they are still within a very realistic 'zone' for 28mm miniatures.

OK, so where do you get the 1/55 scale vehicles?

You can purchase 1/55th scale autos in most toy stores. I picked up about a dozen at K-Mart just yesterday. The variety is decent, but if you are looking for something specific, the company Maisto has a large number that fall in the 1/55th scale range, as well as Siku, Mattel, Matchbox (you have to measure those because some of those vary greatly), and also a number of construction vehicles.

You can purchase 1/55th scale autos in most toy stores.

Hmm … in my experience, most toy vehicles available in toy shops seem to be "box scale" – the models are sized to fit the box rather than to be any constant scale. The most common scale for diecast model vehicles is 1/43.

Sure. I agree with you. But those that carry the Maisto, Siku, or more recently the Disney Pixar are 1:55. The great majority of matchbox are too small, but as you said, they 'fit the box' and many come out to 1:55th scale. But all that said, the vehicles are typically far too large or far too small for 28mm an there are more variety of manufacturers that make 1:55th scale at a reasonable price than there are miniature manufacturers that make the vehicle scales (at least for the ones I am looking for). I can certainly by resin vehicles or 'kits', but then you factor in the high cost and time to put together and they just aren't worth it. (my opinion)

Maisto, Siku,

Never heard of these makes. I Googled Maisto and found this site:
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But they don't seem to do any at 1/55 scale.

I did the same with Siku and found these:
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- but there's only 8 models and I wouldn't call them cheap!

And as for Disneyt Pixar:
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- there is no indication of scale so goodness knows what scale they are.

and there are more variety of manufacturers that make 1:55th scale at a reasonable price

Well, you've mentioned 3 although as you can see none of them seem to met your criteria. Perhaps I'm just confused.

Yes, Maisto has an entire line that is 1/55th scale called "Fifty-5's". Siku also has a much broader line that are typically around $6.00 USD for a truck vehicle sometimes cheaper on Ebay. Disney/Pixar are 1:55 by all measurements. There is also a German company that I get my military vehicles from (typically Chinese or Russian vehicles) that include transport vehicles, tanks, missile launchers scud launchers, etc and all of them are less than $10.00 USD/each.

The only 1:55th that I have not been able to get cheaply is a tanker-truck. There are a number of manufacturers, but all of the tankers are over $30.00 USD Still, far cheaper than resin and much friendlier to work with.

With all of the companies above, if you can't find their catalog, I think all except Disney/Pixar are on Facebook. Their bread and butter have been 1/18th or 1/24th scale, but they sell them even though they aren't listed in the catalog.

I will have to find out the German maker and Chinese company I get the other 1:55 vehicles from.

Weapon details? What do you mean/what are you looking for?

If you get brave, you can find empty or loaded brass cartridge cases (and ammo belts) in many scales from hlj.com . Otherwise, I'm not sure what you're looking for.

Primarily Machine Guns, Rocket launchers, turrets, etc. I think Stan Johansen's stuff above is ideal. I don't think they would be the exact size.

Other things would be like gas cans and any other vehicle 'stuff'

Yes, Maisto has an entire line that is 1/55th scale called "Fifty-5's". Siku also has a much broader line that are typically around $6.00 USD USD for a truck vehicle sometimes cheaper on Ebay. Disney/Pixar are 1:55 by all measurements.

Apparently none of these are available in the UK.

Siku Direct:
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Siku Direct:

Apparently there are no 1/55th scale vehicles available from them.

Likely weapons in the post-apocalypse: Anything Soviet. I'd guarantee that the M2 .50cal will still be in service (a friend of mine had a Korean War veteran .50BMG in one of his training school!), assuming that someone can find ammo.

So, I'd expect to see cloth brass-catchers hanging off the sides of any MGs. There may or may not be a 'scope attached, since having optics can help reduce ammunition expenditures (the US Army rarely uses 3-rd bursts anymore, now that they have optics).

Lots of spare ammo cans and Jerry cans, mostly plastic Jerry cans. If it matters, the pattern on the sides is different between the water containers and the gas cans (in addition to color).

My mental image of Post-Apocalyptic vehicles has a lot of things that look like LRDG trucks or SAS jeeps from WW2. Covered in fuel and water cans, with a few guns. Maybe with the tops cut off to help lighten the load (glass windshields are *heavy*).

I just stopped at a local K-Mart…they are in the US and Canada… to pick up a few more of the Cars and Cars2 Disney vehicles. Lo and behold, they had an entire new batch of Maisto models. Their 'Fresh Metal' line has a large number of 1/55th. Unfortunately they didn't have any of the motorcycles, but they hold promise to be the same scale. Their Hauler-Launchers are perfect.

Now, on with the Jerry can search ^^^ :-)

You will probably need to either accept 1/48 overscale, or make some yourself.

Well, after a few months of sitting on the shelf, the cars and the weaponry from Stan Johansen, are looking great. I just need to detail out the windows a bit more, up-armor the vehicles, and get them painted. Stan, the weapon packs are perfect. I might need a couple of more!