The trend is starting

[Light.Inf.Scout]

The 1/18th stuff is cool. However, due to size - price - variety - and anymore, availability, I believe you're correct.

[Col.Pickle]

Well great news for me, not so great for you XDers. Unless 1/18th starts to release a whole lotta new products and soon, 32x will begin to rule the world *laughs maniacley (spelling?)*

[Coreyeagle48]

Greetings:

I think the size of the 1/18 scale as well as the price are making the scale become slightly outdated in terms of customer demand and want. That and as one of you said, the quality of 1/32 keeps getting better with the price point.

I remember as a kid 1/18 cars were the rage. TRU used to be stacked full of different models by Ertl, Burago and others. I remember my dad taking me every so often to buy a new one. Unfortunately, due to the size of the cars, I ran out of display space for them. The last 1/18 car I bought was a 1966 Nova SS in white and that's because my dad has one just like it. They are impractical in terms of size and the cost has gone up over time. Now these cars retail for $30 and most times they cost $40 with dealer markups. Just a little too much for me to spend. But this brings up the point, if I have trouble displaying 1/18 cars which are small and compact, what about the people with all the airplanes. I think the size and idea behind 1/18 was great, but I think that size could also be the downfall of the scale as well, at least in aircraft.

1/32 right now is the best bang for the buck. The pieces are well detailed and of compact size. Most of all, the price is right and because of the size, retailers want to carry them. I believe they sell very well. The models produced by 21st you couldn't even buy paint for a comparable model kit for the price. I look forward to the continued offerings in 1/32 scale.

Corey

[Wieslaw]

Well, you start to buy the 1/18 scale models and when you realize there is no more place in your house, you have to change the scale first to 1/32, then to 1/48, 1/72, 1/144, 1/350, 1/700 etc.

Of course, you can start from 1/6.

[Rowsdower]

Well I started with XD, ran out of room, sold XD stuff and now I collect 1:32 and 1:72 with a bit of 1:48 here and there.

I love 1:32!

[jrs.]

To tell ya the truth 1/18 is simply too big! IMHO 1/32 is pressing the issue. While its great for a few pieces at a time once you field a good sized unit 1/32 can take a lot of space! I dont know how the 1/18 guys pull it off???

1/72 is too small... Which leads me to think that the perfect scale would be the 1:48. You could use several pieces at a time, the detail is there, large aircraft wouldnt exceed 1/32nd size, bombers etc wouldnt even catch the 1/18 fighters in size. heck in 1/48 you could even do some ships??? Well LCT or PT boat maybe a u boat???? S-boats???


Too bad nobody really pushes the stuff out in 1/48??? Wish AB figures and milicast would venture into a 1:48 effort. Battle ready pieces do their whole range I can dream??? 21st 1:48 aircraft are great and the armor is prtty cool but they only dabble. Tamyia.

[aktiger]

Count me as one of the converts. I really like the scale, price point, variety of schemes and planes, and steady flow of releases. I still like 1/18th and still own a few pieces but my interest is waning with the trickle of new releases.

The most important factor of this scale versus anything smaller is the retractable landing gear. Being able to display with wheels up or down at the flick of a finger is nice.

Icing on the cake would be a bomber in 1/32!

[olifant]

I think this is ironic, because I really love my 1/32 and have two/three hundred pieces but recently I have been drawn to 1/18. In the last few months I have picked up the inexpensive BBI and FOV stuff from Target, some 21C AC at WM on clearance and the Hornet and Falcon from raiderrad6 at a steal price. This stuff really looks great.

I agree with the downside: space. I only have twelve 1/18 AC and I don't know where I will display more. My wife will not go for these things in our living room. When I read how some board memebers have over 100AC I don't know what they can possibly do with them.

All that being said I wish we would see more 1/32 releases. I need my weekly fix and these things really are gorgeous. I can't wait to see more new mold armor releases. If the detail and paint is as good as the recent 21C AC FOV may be out of business.

I agree with the point on 1/48, especially with multi engine planes but just like the guy with thousands of cassette tapes I don't want to see a shift to those new-fangled CDs. I have too much invested in 1/32 to start over!

[Teamski]

I personally won't convert. If 1:18 disappears, then I have completed my collection, hehehehe......

-Ski

[Jagdpanther]

I have a few pieces in 1/18 scale but I agree they take up to much space and there not that much of it out there. My first love is 1/32 and I will be sticking with this scale for good!

[Black Lion VF-213]

I've recently begun collecting 32x now after one year of collecting XD. I really like what I see in 32x. Many here have touched on the benefits: easier to display, cost, bang for the buck, variety is getting so much better, speed of releases, and distribution. I've started to sell off some XD in order to pay for 32x.

The Tomcat is and always will be my dream XD plane, however, it's less likely it will ever be made in XD. I'm certain the BBI 32x F-4 Phantom will be a hit and so the chances for a F-14, F-15, F-105, etc and many other Vietnam era to present (including other countries') jets are good for seing the light of day. I really would like to get all the "teen" series US fighter jets. Hint hint to BBI - re-release the F-16 and F-18 in 32x!! and someone please make the Eagle!!

Since those possibilities are the best, consider me a new and complete convert to 32x!!

I will still retain my favorite XD planes. I'm wanting to complete custom improvements. I've already tackled two Corsairs so that means I have about 6 more planes to work on.

[holensock]

Looking at the B/S/T forum recently and there is a definite uptick in interest in the 1/32 scale. It really seems that due to variety, quality, price and distribution, the 1/32 scale will soon overtake the 1/18 scale as the bread and butter of this forum.

Lately I've picked up a few 1/32 pieces...neat stuff! IF the 1/32 figures just had a bit of articulation-legs that would at least bend at the hip, arms that had articulation at the shoulder)...I'd be ALL OVER 1/32!
OR...if 21C, FOV would put out a set of 'walking' figures, 'sitting' figures, etc, instead of sets of all 'battle' scenes-kneeling and shooting, etc., again, I'd REALLY be into 1/32!!

[STUKA]

I'm not converted by any means - I actually had a good collection of 1:32 vehicles and tanks I found all on clearance but sold them a while back.
Im starting to get some of the german planes in 1:32 just because I can get away with hanging more - still nothing will beat a 1:18 F-4 Phantom II, spitfire, Avenger, & etc. in my book.

But - Just picked up my first 1:32 Plane - the plan is to get all the Me-109s and Bf-109s - the first one is S3 Gabler red 8 - I loved the colors.

also is someone making the decals for the un PC cersions of these planes?

[mikeg]

BCA has a really good deal on a sheet of 1/32nd german decals-enough for many planes- its 5 or six dollars

[mountian-man]

I personally won't convert. If 1:18 disappears, then I have completed my collection, hehehehe......

-Ski

I'm with you buddy! 1/18 is something special...

[Rowsdower]

It would be interesting to see the 1:18 versus 1:32 sales figures from 21st.