"Tamiya 1/48 for Bolt Action?" Topic

For those who went with Tamiya model kits for Bolt Action, in hindsight, was it a good idea, bad idea?

thank you

Still love the models, still disappointed the product line got hung out to dry. Wish I was more active in this scale when Hobby Lobby stocked 1:48. Still think the vehicles are fine on my table, especially if I make an effort to keep them a little bit distant from similar vehicles in 1:56 scale.

But the quick-to-build plastic models coming from Warlord and Rubicon are truly amazing. The detail they offer is everything I need for my purposes, and I prefer the more solid construction. Definitely prefer my tracks to be one piece, instead of individually assembled bogeys wrapped in track.

Rarely have time to toss something and do it over, so in hindsight I enjoyed the trip. But the first Tiger kit I pull off the shelf to assemble will probably be 1:56 scale, not 1:48.

Started with 1/48 since I really enjoy model building. I'm with thosmoss on this.
If Tamiya had continual investment / production in this line I would have stayed with it.

I've now switched over to 1/56.

1/56th just looks way too small. In reality, it IS way too small. I use 1/50 or 1/48. Only, Just my & if you look at actual pictures, or real tanks, opinions…

Well Ceterman this is an old argument and one that has been debunked more than once here on TMP. 1/56 is as close as you are going to get with WW II vehicles that are in scale to most 28 mm WW II figures. I think many feel that tanks should be bigger than they really were. I've been to a number of tank museums and had buddies stand next to the tanks for comparison. Now of course most male Americans today tend to be taller than their WW II contemporaries. Regardless, tanks in WW II with a few exceptions, just are not as huge as our mind thinks they should be. I think this perception is in large part distorted by how large modern AFVs really are and of course the mega sized vehicles of 40K. I go 1/56 all the way and I am glad I have as now we have an embarrassment of riches in terms of selection for 28 mm. We have excellent kits in resin, metal, and now due to Warlord and Rubicon great plastic kits which have brought the cost down. Of course go ahead and use your 1/50 and 1/48 scale models. If that is what works for you then good for you and enjoy your gaming. However, I will state the evidence does not support your opinion.

28mm = 1/58. So, Kallman is correct – 1/56 is as close as you are going to get.

The 1/48 versus 1/56 debate is a subjective one that's been beaten more times than a dead horse. The reason for the disagreement is because 28mm accounts only for height but not girth. There is no universal standard for a miniature's "chunkiness."

So while the slimmer 28mm lines look great with 1/56 vehicles, the beefier offerings from such popular lines as Artizan and Crusader do not, at least to some people. I have to say I am one of those. To compensate for the stunted height and make the minis taller, I simply mount them on plastic GW bases.

If you decide to go the 1/48 (and 1/50) route, you have to accept that the range is more limited because quarterscale is still aimed at the modeler, not the gamer. Still, among all the manufacturers that produced WWII kit in 1/48 I was able to collect most of what I needed. I have no regrets at all sticking with quarterscale because my 28mm armies are comprised of chunky (the so-called "Foundry" style) Artizan, Crusader and Warlord minis mostly.

28mm is often ground to eye rather than total height, added to which figures are usually on bases, thereby making them even taller, often 32 to 35mm. How about what you feel looks right is the correct scale for you.

I started with 1/50th Corgi backed up with 1/48th Tamiya ten years ago, I wish that 1/56th scale had been available then, especially when you look at the range available today.

Let me be clear I am not saying don't collect/play with 1/48 or 1/50 for WW II. Play what you think looks best by all means. I am just wanting to be clear that from strictly speaking 1-56 is the correct scale.

28 mm Fanantik I am not sure that chunkiness means bigger as in 1/48 scale. Also I mount my figures on washers so my minis are closer to the ground than with using slotta bases or anything with a lot of thickness. YMMV

But no I do not want to re-hash the 1/48 vs 1/56 debate.

Well, I've been to many a museum myself & seen folks line up 28mm figs next to 1/56 & 1/48 scale tanks beside REAL photos of real men & real tanks & I still say, 1/56th looks WAY too small. In models & in real life. Just my observation. Therefor, I use 1/50 or 1/48.

strictly speaking 1-56 is the correct scale.

Depends on who you listen to. The chart below shows that it's closer to 1/48:

The problem I have with 1/56 is that I can't imagine fitting X number of figures in a 1/56 vehicle like they're supposed to. It's the same issue people have trying to imagine 10 space marines in full power armor crammed into the original old Rhino transport.

I am not sure that chunkiness means bigger as in 1/48 scale.

Chunkiness does matter to some of us, but ymmv: link

Granted, it's not the scale of the vehicle that's wrong but the disproportionate girth of the Foundry style, but until all 28mm (which is a height but not a scale) figures are made to true 1/56 scale, 1/48 and 1/50 are the best match IMHO.

I'd buy 1/56th scale vehicles if someone produces 1/56th scale figures. I think Battle Honors figures look ok with 1/56th scale vehicles.

I started with 1/50th and 1/48th scale vehicles because they were available in the shops. I am quite happy to continue using them.

I don't think that either are perfect so use what you like.

Unless one consciously thinks about it and discounts it, the extra height given by the basing is sometimes not accounted for visually and can explain why 1/56 looks "smallish" in comparison.

thanks, actually I could get cheap models so I took the plunge.

How can one resists when a sdkfz 251/1 costs GBP 10? Tiger II is GBP 13…

As for scale, it is really a matter of taste. I prefer my figures to look a tad smaller compared to the vehicles so 1/48 is not an issue.

I like the Tamiya and other 1/48 kits (Bandai, etc) since they look quite sharp

I am gradually switching over to the Bolt Action 1/56 scale over the 1/48, 1/43, and 1/50 scales that I own through attrition. If something 1/48 gets broken, it will be replaced with Bolt Action 1/56. The kits they offer are excellent, easy to build, and do look sharp.

Buck215,
"The kits they offer are excellent, easy to build, and do look sharp." I do agree with 100% with that, for sure. IF I liked the of 1/56th with 28mm, that is a GREAT reason to get em. I have mostly Corgi Diecast. Had 'em for about 10 years of hard gaming. Never broken one though…

Ceterman- I do have a bunch of the Corgi Diecast (and Hobby Master) as well, and I would be a fool to give those away, and I don't think I could break those guys if I wanted to, LOL Creme! I treasure them all…

Each to their own ultimately but regardless of whether 1/48 or 1/56 is "correct" according to mathematics the 1/56 vehicles just look too smal next to the figures used. Heresy it may be but this issue was nailed right from the start by Peter Pig and S.D.D. years ago in 15mm where the "look right" approach is 1/100 for vehicles and 1/120 for figures.

Putting the vehicles on a base and choosing as small a human figure as possible to crew them helps a bit.

1/48th has its pros and cons. A lot of gamers when they see my Tamiya, Corgi, Hobby Boss, etc., 1/48th vehicles comment on how much better they look with the 28mm figures than 1/56th. However, I'm doing 1941-42 Russian Front and finding kits in that scale is extremely difficult. Also, building them, especially things like the the Italeri 1/48th 88mm AT gun with its 150+ parts can be a challenge.

As a long-time model builder, going in WWII gaming was a no brainer for me to use 1:48 scale models. As mentioned above for all the right reasons…the aesthetics. I find you can do more into customizing the model as oppose to the popular resin cast vehicles.

Depending on what you're really looking for, I think I've have about everything I want for my gaming needs. I have 100+ models (vehicles) for U.S., Soviet Union and Germany. Plus there are numerous other manufacturers which tailor to 1:48 scale plus the conversion kits and various stowage.

I have notice there a re a few companies now which do the resin thing now offer such vehicles in 1:48 scale. My buddy bought a few and match up nice against my Hobby Boss and Tamiya tanks…so maybe such companies are recognizing the need for more 1:48 scale vehicles.

So to answer the original question posted, no, I do not regret getting into Tamiya for Bolt Action…BTW I don't do BA, but do Chain of Command.

P.

1/48 are models. The 1/56 kits are gaming pieces.

The 1/56 Vehicle scale is a bit wonky as noted above, but fitting units in a gaming space makes the smaller 1/56 vehicles easier to place. Also Tamiya models are detailed but also more fragile. I prefer robustness for handling.

Wargame figures have purposely oversized heads and hands to add character and look bigger than they are when compared to proportioned 1/48. Depends what you prefer. I will stick with 1/56 gaming pieces.

"1/48 are models. The 1/56 kits are gaming pieces." Not necessarily, See the HOBBY NEWS section just today. And there are 4 or 5 other companies that produce 1/50th & 1/48th kits for gaming. Not NEAR as many as 1/56th but, they are out there & they are nice too.
Here are a few, there are more but I'm outta time!
link

link

From my understanding, any thing placed on a gaming table is a gaming piece.

Yes, you are right about "models" being fragile…in certain conditions. As a modeler/gamer that is easily over come by adding a base to the vehicle; help prevent tracks or wheels from breaking off. Replacing the antennas or things alike w/brass wire.

Like I said, I have 100+ gaming pieces and yes there are some minor repairs which need to be done from time to time, but the vehicle I have look awesome on the table. Further, I game with teens and adults who respect each other toys, not sure what you mean about "robustness"; that all depends how you build and handle your toys.

Take care.

P.

I kind of like the slightly smaller footprint of the 1/56 scale vehicles. The 1/48 scale stuff looked good on my friend's big 10' x 6' table, but on the smaller 4x6 Bolt Action tables, they seem to take up a lot of real estate.
I used to game in the 1/72-1/76 scale world, but lack of interesting vehicles ended that phase. Then the 15mm world hit and one could get-everything (or so it seemed). I ventured back the 1/72 world, but discovered the prices had risen dramatically! Over twenty dollars for trucks and tanks. Even mini-tanks shot up from a couple of bucks to 20-30 dollars a pop.
The 15mm world always seems 'abstract' to me: a group of infantry equals a squad or platoon, a tank equaled a platoon. So I ventured into 28s. Fell in love with Perry miniatures. And how can you go wrong with the Western Desert? And the plastics. What joy to sit around kit bashing arms and weapons and helmets. I got a bunch of Tamiya and Hobby Boss vehicles and happily sat around building them. Then it seemed the 1/56 scale vehicle Renaissance hit. I was hooked. My 1/48 scale kits sat on shelves while I triple P'd (purchased, painted, played).
I liked the lower prices, too. At this same time, the 1/48 scale kits jumped up in price from about 20 bucks to well over 30 and some even into the 40 dollar range.
And now the Warlord stuff is creeping up, although when they have a 25% off sale, I try to grab a few or scour the dreaded ebay (I've lost more bids than won).
So, no regrets on the 1/48th scale stuff, just fond memories…