"15mm 18mm Prohibition Gangster Vehicle recommendations?" Topic

I am interested in venturing into 1920s/1930s era gangster & prohibition gaming. I see several manufacturers that make 15mm and 18mm figures, but what about cars and trucks? Any suggestions?

I'd look at model railway specialists, under HO scale (1/87), which is 'about right' for 18mms although big for 'true' 15mms. Some Ford here, although around $10 USD each.

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You could look through Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys for vehicles that might work. The scale is 'fits the box' and anything from the 20s/30s is likely to be in the form of a much modified hot rod, but they are very cheap.

Trucks – not cheap :(

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Cheaper, in plastic:

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I've been looking for the same type of stuff recently. You might also look for Lledo diecast toys. They are a little inconsistent in scale though.

Here's another

Oxford 1:76
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You might also just search for 1920's diecast. I've had good results from that.

These are hard to find.

When I get a 3-D printer, they are on the list of things to make. Right now it is always a compromise on scale.

15mm is something between 1/100 and 1/120 (or maybe we could say 18mm vs true 15mm). See also:
TMP link

HO scale is 1/87
1/8 inch scale (used be architects and such is 1/98)
TT (an odd model train scale) is 1/120

The Jordan Products models are HO,very detailed and rather fiddly to build. The cost is ok and available in most train shops in the US. lots of places to order from.

There are many other HO makers but most will not cover that era, or will be European makes.

1/8 inch scale are hard to find and tend to be generic modern cars

TT is even harder to find. Here are some guides:
3smr.co.uk/vehicles.html
possible Euros:
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Too modern but US
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Soem discussion groups:
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OK, I had to keep looking:

Some scale guides:

and this fun site:
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Useful:
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and at least one passable car:
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Not useful 1/8" stuff:
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howardmodels.com/supplies

Some diecast comparisons:
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My first thought is 1/87 vehicles for railraod displays.

HO is not proper scale! 1:87 versus 1:100. But there is a bigger problem – very few items available in HO are earlier than the 'transition era' which is later thirties into the fifties. The gangster era was long over by then. You need vehicles from the 1910s to the early 1930s. Still awaiting the range from Blue Moon Manufacturing to go along with their gangsters – something along what they did in 28 mm. Until that happens, no gangsters or gangster buildings for me. And, of course, once they do make them – and a couple of suitable airplanes and maybe a boat or two, hello, Pulp Era extraordinaire in 15/18 mm.

Only way these thing become available is to put our money forward – which is a catch 22 in my case, of course – but more requests mean greater likelihood.