Small Scale Military Headquarters

Help,

I have been concentrating on 1/18 scale for almost two years....I have a secret desire to purchase the "dogfight" dual airplane offerings, BUT, need to know if the 1/32 scale airplanes are worth it, so to speak. After the larger scale, will there be buyers remorse IF I jump on any 1/32 types....I'm unsure what to do. Any input from my fellow members singing the praises of 1/32 or any negative input, too, will help me quite a bit.

Thanks for any guidance and insight

dV

PS My wife will be "thrilled" with "another scale" airplane collection in the den

No remorse at all! I actively collect both the 1:18 and 1:32 scales. The newest 21c 1:18 planes are pretty much on par or exceed their 1:18 counterparts. The detail on the new Corsairs and Stukas are better than on the larger. The worst 3 32x planes are the P-51, the ME-109E, and the ME-262 as they are older moulds. The P-40 and P-47 more or less exactly replicate their 1:18 versions, while from the FW-190 on, the detail is greater The 1:32 planes do not have all the moving surfaces, however. The only problem is space. I have a portion of my collection stored and rotate pieces through. Go ahead and jump into the scale!

I'll tell you why..in addition to what Tman said I will say that the future is in 1/32...the detail is getting better, the subjects more diverse and the new AC more frequent. Most importantly, you will see twin engine planes - perhaps even those starting with a "B," in this scale before you will in 1:18..and that is if you ever will in 1:18, and I can think of a few you likely never will. IMHO, based on the 32x explosion that was 2006, I say 2007 is going to be crazy and the 1:18 guys will have a lot more to be jealous about... Go for it

Thanks tmtg and digger, good words and right to the point. I like the twin engine possibilities, ie., a He-111, etc. I appreciate the positive input, VERY much!

dV

Having 40 of them, I agree that the early quality is dubious, but looking at all of 'em- ya just gotta smile. My assortment includes only one of the new desert stukas, need more stukas and any and all corsairs. They'll show up soon.

I've put up plywood over the blocks on a couple of basement walls and have the planes hung by two black screws- alternating between hanging by tail and by wing roots- they all fit together somewhat nicely.

Back to your question- I"m impressesed with the current quality and will continue to buy.

sure, just buy yourself a pair of strong glasses and a magnifying glass and go for it..

No matter how diverse or detailed 1/32 gets it will never, ever, ever have the 'WOW' factor of 1/18. And to me, that's worth everything...

(sorry for being contrary, small scale folk..).

I am primarily a 1:18 collector, although if I see a "must-have" piece in 1:32 or any other scale, for that matter, I will get it. One of my coworkers is a 1:32 collector, and we both display signifcant portions of our collections in our offices at work, and frequently compare notes. Dollar for dollar, I think he is getting the better deal by far, especially lately as detail improves. Factor in that there are a lot more 1:32 subjects, especially in armor, (and it is a lot more space friendly), and there is a decent selection of 1:32 kits out there beyond 21st's offerings (Trumpeter makes 1:32 P-38, A-10, etc.), and how close it is to the very well represented 1:35 scale... Now I am starting to wonder what I was thinking!

On the other hand: there is something to be said about the WOW factor of a 1:18 Avenger, P-38, or F/A-18...

Just my nickel's worth...

The 1:32 has its own version of the "Wow!" factor... It happens when you see a 1:32 piece that is as detailed or, in a few cases, more detailed than its 1:18 counterpart

I prefer the 1/18th scale as well, But I also have a bunch of the 1/32 scale aircraft and vehicles. The only reason I like XD better than 1/32nd scale is that it is possible to customize a greater degree of detail in a larger scale.

Mark

I will say the 32 scale planes are pretty nice. It is difficult for me to refuse them. The trucks that have come out recently are definantly worth the $.
Todd

>>> Just ran accross this ,... and ,.. yes ! ,.. I think they are worth it Jim. ... In fact ,.. they're schemes and variety (without compromising detail ,.. really) in this scale you can't get in 1:18 ,.. and it just keeps growing. + .... If space is an issue ,.. then this is it ,.. and you don't need a "spy-glass" to see it = ,.. either ! .... Anything smaller ,.. above this scale would require you to though. +

>>> Just a side-bottom note too : This is the first scale I started collecting since childhood. Airfix ,.. Marx ,.. etc. Since then ,.. this scale has exploded ! ,.. and deservedly right so too. ... Thank heavens for 21st. and FoV for helping to create this explosion ! ,.. and Yesssss !!! ,.. We will see the (first) B-17 (in this scale) and (twin-engine) fighter-bombers !! ,.. by 21st.Century Toys. ... MARK MY WORDS !!! + =

I collect 1/32 primarily and also have a few 1/18 scale planes/vehicles... If I compare them, I prefer the 1/32 planes, especially the newer issues like the Corsair and Stukas which are FAR better than the 1/18 versions..

I converted from 1/18 to 1/32 over the summer, and it's purely a space issue. I can't keep collecting 1/18 because I simply have nowhere to put all the big planes. At least with 1/32 I not only can put 3 or four planes in the space of a single 1/18, but I can buy multiple paint schemes of the same plane. This looks real nice when they're all lined up.

As for people saying the older molds are no good, I think the ME262 looks pretty nice with the repaints, and I even can handle the 109E, simply because I HAD to get the galland repaint in that scale. I'm still holding out hope for an improved p-51 though, since the landing gear is indeed lousy.

Although I am antsy waiting for news of a 1/32 avenger. Not that I've ever seen a 1/18 version ever in a store. I'm jealous right now...

One thing I never could get is the :32 vs :35..it's not a huge differance, and it would make my Dragon stuff fit better.

I will say 21st's latest 32x the opels come close to FOV/Unimax.

Still the 1/35 Dragon Can.do figures are the best out there, just wish they released more of them...Last ones were the Anzio HG set.

Why not?

I find 1:18 much more interesting, but 1:32 has some great pieces that I just can't pass up on, such as the German Opel Truck. I think a lot harder before I spring for a 1:32 piece, but in selected cases I will go for it.

I can't wait to see what 2007 will bring. I hope FoV makes some more interesting items like a Duck or an Armored car. I like Panzers, Shermans, and all....but you ojly need so many.

-H

Go for it! I keep all my 1/18 hanging from the ceiling (12 and counting) and all my 1/32 armor on the shelfs. Theres nothing like recreating a urban ambush or winter woods assult on your desk with all the cool dio stuff out there for 1/32.

aferguson wrote:No matter how diverse or detailed 1/32 gets it will never, ever, ever have the 'WOW' factor of 1/18....

I understand, but if something were to come along with oh, let's say a wingspan of over 3 feet, I think it would have some "Wow" to it.

Or as I discovered after smacking my head into a low-hanging F-16: the OW!! factor

digger wrote:

aferguson wrote:No matter how diverse or detailed 1/32 gets it will never, ever, ever have the 'WOW' factor of 1/18....

I understand, but if something were to come along with oh, let's say a wingspan of over 3 feet, I think it would have some "Wow" to it.

I think Digger and I have the same thing in mind.. And it definitly has the "WOW" factor......

Comparing the 1/32nd Thunderbolt (56 FG Version) to my 1/18th version I see alot of differences like detail. The 1/32nd Thunderbolt has more detail in the cockpit then its 1/18th brother. It also has other details here and there that the 1/18th Thunderbolt dont have. I'm very impressed with 21st's 1/32nd Thunderbolt and will be collecting more planes in this scale.

MightyMustang wrote:Comparing the 1/32nd Thunderbolt (56 FG Version) to my 1/18th version I see alot of differences like detail. The 1/32nd Thunderbolt has more detail in the cockpit then its 1/18th brother. It also has other details here and there that the 1/18th Thunderbolt dont have. I'm very impressed with 21st's 1/32nd Thunderbolt and will be collecting more planes in this scale.

That is good to hear because the only 1/18 P-47D that I purchased, the Snortin'Bull, was very disappointing, cockpit-wise. The lack of "dashboard" and gunsight really miffed me. Thanks for this report on the 1/32nd P-47.

dV