O-1/48 Scale Figures: Reviews of the Lines
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:26 pm
Hi Everyone,
As some of you noticed on the board recently, I was inquiring about the use of O scale figures in model dioramas. I recently went the hobby store and looked at several brand lines and eventually picked some up. I figured I would help fellows interested by reviewing the lines I saw in the store. This store carried tons of figures and it was neat to see the lines together and compare them.
K-Line- I was very unimpressed with the K-Line figure packs that I saw, as well as the accessories. The figures lack the detail of some of the competition and the accessories are just the same. The price of these packs varied from 9.99 to about 11.99 and honestly there was better stuff in other lines. I personally wasn't impressed with K-line and passed on them. They are also marketing New Ray 1/48 airplanes and 1/43 cars under their brand line. They looked better than their own figures.
Lionel- I was unimpressed with Lionel figures in the O scale but was impressed with some of the detail they encompass with their buildings. Their buildings are very detailed and very nicely painted. I particularly a movie theater they have right now. The figures though are very surprising, they lack detail, especially in the face. I also thought they were generally poorly painted. The bad thing about Lionel is the price, over $15 for a pack of five to seven figures and the buildings were up above $40. The buildings are beautiful, but I will make my own for a fraction of the price. Dissappointing that Lionel, despite the recent money problems, is still overpricing its line compared to many competitors. Which is driving the average folk away.
Model Power-These O scale figures are very decent. There were several things I liked about these figures. First of all, they have the most variety of all the lines, many different figure packs and accessories. Examples include a set of fat people, a church group, people sitting, benches and even animals and farmers. The figures were also better painted than the previous two lines mentioned, although quality control is lacking. Some packs weren't as nice! Another complaint I had is that these figures looked small compared to the Life Like Trains line and the Woodland Scenics line. They are well priced too, $10 to $13 per pack and most of the expensive packs are the large figure groups (10 or more) or the accessories (benches, animals). Good value at a good price.
Woodland Scenics-This company had nice figures, but the selection is limited in the O scale. They have far more available in the HO and N lines. However the O scale figures looked to be good quality and came free standing, no clear base. They are about $12 a pack for six figures. Not bad. The hobby store I was at had limited selection of this line, but far more in the HO line from them.
Life Like Trains-These figures are in my mind, the best O scale figures on the market today. And I bought several of these sets. They are very well painted to the point of having facial details, and they looked so dressed from their paint schemes. The accessories are also top notch and the figure selection is variety, (city, farmers, workers). They also carry animals in their line too. For the quality, the figure packs are well priced ($13.50 for about 7 figures), but the quality is worth the price. My only complaint is that these figures are glued to clear plastic so they don't move. You have to cut the peopleout with the plastic attached. But it is a minor complaint. These are excellent figures! They are slightly larger than the other figure lines, but it does bring out nice details on the figures. I'll be using these in my dioramas.
Overall, I have to say in the terms of O scale figures, Life Like Trains is the nicest in terms of detail and quality though Woodland Scenics and Model Power are a good value for decent detail and poses. I'll be using the three of these lines when they fit in my 1/48 scale environments. Hope this helps everyone in their future building and buying!
Corey
As some of you noticed on the board recently, I was inquiring about the use of O scale figures in model dioramas. I recently went the hobby store and looked at several brand lines and eventually picked some up. I figured I would help fellows interested by reviewing the lines I saw in the store. This store carried tons of figures and it was neat to see the lines together and compare them.
K-Line- I was very unimpressed with the K-Line figure packs that I saw, as well as the accessories. The figures lack the detail of some of the competition and the accessories are just the same. The price of these packs varied from 9.99 to about 11.99 and honestly there was better stuff in other lines. I personally wasn't impressed with K-line and passed on them. They are also marketing New Ray 1/48 airplanes and 1/43 cars under their brand line. They looked better than their own figures.
Lionel- I was unimpressed with Lionel figures in the O scale but was impressed with some of the detail they encompass with their buildings. Their buildings are very detailed and very nicely painted. I particularly a movie theater they have right now. The figures though are very surprising, they lack detail, especially in the face. I also thought they were generally poorly painted. The bad thing about Lionel is the price, over $15 for a pack of five to seven figures and the buildings were up above $40. The buildings are beautiful, but I will make my own for a fraction of the price. Dissappointing that Lionel, despite the recent money problems, is still overpricing its line compared to many competitors. Which is driving the average folk away.
Model Power-These O scale figures are very decent. There were several things I liked about these figures. First of all, they have the most variety of all the lines, many different figure packs and accessories. Examples include a set of fat people, a church group, people sitting, benches and even animals and farmers. The figures were also better painted than the previous two lines mentioned, although quality control is lacking. Some packs weren't as nice! Another complaint I had is that these figures looked small compared to the Life Like Trains line and the Woodland Scenics line. They are well priced too, $10 to $13 per pack and most of the expensive packs are the large figure groups (10 or more) or the accessories (benches, animals). Good value at a good price.
Woodland Scenics-This company had nice figures, but the selection is limited in the O scale. They have far more available in the HO and N lines. However the O scale figures looked to be good quality and came free standing, no clear base. They are about $12 a pack for six figures. Not bad. The hobby store I was at had limited selection of this line, but far more in the HO line from them.
Life Like Trains-These figures are in my mind, the best O scale figures on the market today. And I bought several of these sets. They are very well painted to the point of having facial details, and they looked so dressed from their paint schemes. The accessories are also top notch and the figure selection is variety, (city, farmers, workers). They also carry animals in their line too. For the quality, the figure packs are well priced ($13.50 for about 7 figures), but the quality is worth the price. My only complaint is that these figures are glued to clear plastic so they don't move. You have to cut the peopleout with the plastic attached. But it is a minor complaint. These are excellent figures! They are slightly larger than the other figure lines, but it does bring out nice details on the figures. I'll be using these in my dioramas.
Overall, I have to say in the terms of O scale figures, Life Like Trains is the nicest in terms of detail and quality though Woodland Scenics and Model Power are a good value for decent detail and poses. I'll be using the three of these lines when they fit in my 1/48 scale environments. Hope this helps everyone in their future building and buying!
Corey