Post by docmartin on Oct 1, 2012 12:29:12 GMT 1
This a subject that arouses much debate, some of it a bit heated! I have been a plastic modeller since the early 60's, mostly military-orientated, and within that discipline accuracy has been 'worshipped' to an astonishing degree!
Now... it seems to be accepted that 28mm equates to 1/56 scale. Some variation creeps in with some manufacturers measuring from ground to eye-level while others use head height! The situation is further compounded by some companies selling 'older' 25mm figs as 28mm.... and the emergence of 'heroic' 28mm (30-32mm) doesn't help! Proportions can vary as well.... as can depth and quality of surface detail! A degree of artistic licence is essential to enable detail to be seen at all, let alone painted!
My current dilemma involves using 1/48 scale vehicles in a 1/56 scale environment......
Now... Warlord are marketing the 1/48 landing craft by Hobby Boss as being suitable for Bolt Action. That sounds fine, landing craft are a bit nebulous in most peoples perception.... but we ALL know what a Sherman or Tiger tank is and how it's supposed to 'look'! From personal experience I can say that a real Sherman is bigger than you think.... while the Tiger is smaller than it's fearsome reputation! My U.S. army uses a 1/48 Sherman.... despite being about 5mm too long for 1/56 scale it has aroused NO questions about it's suitability for Bolt Action! I am also building a Tiger I in 1/48 from AFV Club... a beautifully detailed model that I am certain will not attract any negative comments regarding it's scale!! Why? Because, imho, where wargaming is concerned, it's all about the magic of 'Presence'! You expect it to look as it does...... so it 'works'! ;D
So... if in doubt about a scale issue... step back, take a look, if it appears 'right', then it IS right! Consider yourselves lucky that you are not plagued by Judges with micrometers and rulers like 'pure' modellers are!!
Now... it seems to be accepted that 28mm equates to 1/56 scale. Some variation creeps in with some manufacturers measuring from ground to eye-level while others use head height! The situation is further compounded by some companies selling 'older' 25mm figs as 28mm.... and the emergence of 'heroic' 28mm (30-32mm) doesn't help! Proportions can vary as well.... as can depth and quality of surface detail! A degree of artistic licence is essential to enable detail to be seen at all, let alone painted!
My current dilemma involves using 1/48 scale vehicles in a 1/56 scale environment......
Now... Warlord are marketing the 1/48 landing craft by Hobby Boss as being suitable for Bolt Action. That sounds fine, landing craft are a bit nebulous in most peoples perception.... but we ALL know what a Sherman or Tiger tank is and how it's supposed to 'look'! From personal experience I can say that a real Sherman is bigger than you think.... while the Tiger is smaller than it's fearsome reputation! My U.S. army uses a 1/48 Sherman.... despite being about 5mm too long for 1/56 scale it has aroused NO questions about it's suitability for Bolt Action! I am also building a Tiger I in 1/48 from AFV Club... a beautifully detailed model that I am certain will not attract any negative comments regarding it's scale!! Why? Because, imho, where wargaming is concerned, it's all about the magic of 'Presence'! You expect it to look as it does...... so it 'works'! ;DSo... if in doubt about a scale issue... step back, take a look, if it appears 'right', then it IS right! Consider yourselves lucky that you are not plagued by Judges with micrometers and rulers like 'pure' modellers are!!
