The best size scale model?

[Guest]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to this forum as you can see, just a quick question to start with - I'm looking into buying a scale model of a Spitfire, and wanting to build it as authentic and realistic as possible. Now, i have found an Airfix kit which seems to look alright, but some things i have noticed is that people suggest upgrading certain items to make them look more realistic, such as seats, exhausts and wheels etc...

Now, my question is, that the model i have found is 1/24 scale, however i cannot seem to find many upgrade parts for that particular size; none in fact! Only can i find them in 1/48 & 1/72 scale. Based on this would it be best using the latter two mentioned scales, as more parts are available, or does anybody know of upgrades that can be used with the larger 1/24 scale models?

Thanks

Sam

[Guest]

Firstly hello and welcome to the forum!

My thoughts are to go with 1:48 scale as you get a model of a good size with a lot of detail plus lots and lots of after market add ons to choose from. Also when you've finished the model it's doesn't take up to much display space. Don't get me wrong 1:32 and 1:24 have that large scale wow factor but they do have their draw backs.

[Guest]

Firstly hello and welcome to the forum!

My thoughts are to go with 1:48 scale as you get a model of a good size with a lot of detail plus lots and lots of after market add ons to choose from. Also when you've finished the model it's doesn't take up to much display space. Don't get me wrong 1:32 and 1:24 have that large scale wow factor but they do have their draw backs.

[Guest]

Thanks for that, i was thinking that the smaller ones may have more detail, and as you mention there seem to be more upgrades for the smaller ones, so i think i may go with a 1/48 as you recommended.

Any tips as to who makes on of the better quality kits? Are the Airfix ones pretty good, or am i best looking for the Hasegawa (Spelling?) version, which seem to have good ratings?

Cheers

Sam

[stona]

I'd agree. I actually do mostly 1/32 but there are more detail sets, decals etc available at 1/48.

At 1/32 and certainly 1/24 you'd be looking to scratch build a lot of stuff unless you were happy to do "out of the box".

It's each to their own really, I don't go mad on the after market stuff as I'm only really building for me (I'd never enter a competition!). I restarted the hobby for fun and relaxation, plenty of sress elsewhere! It can also be quite expensive.

Another consideration ( as Plasticbasher says) is what you will do with your completed masterpieces. It won't take many 1/24 fighters to fill your shelves/cabinet.

Also you don't have to model exclusively in one scale, if you decided to go with 1/48 but saw something you fancied in a larger scale you can still do it.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

As for which kit to buy there are many out there. I'd try to find a review on a modelling site of the one you are interested in. You could do worse than asking here, one of us may have built it. Many manufacturers are good and bad. I'd put Airfix and Revell in this category. It often depends on the age of the kit - but don't forget kits from the '60s get reissued.

I find Hasegawa and Trumpeter generally go together well. Tamiya are very good but pricey. I'm only referring to the construction of the kits not the accuracy. That's a whole other question!

There are also specialist and limited run kits. These can be tricky, not for the faint hearted.

I'm not even going to mention the vac form kits - never been there.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Thanks for your input guys; really helpful. I'm not going to be making it my life to build them, just something of an extended hobby with a little upgrading here and there. I have been on the hunt for a Hasegawa kit, as these seem to be quite highly rated, and alot of the upgrades available seem to be compatible with them.

All the best

Sam

[yak face]

hi sam, welcome. I agree totally with steve and kit basher,1/48 is a good scale, not too big but big enough to see added detail and easy to get hold of.One thing i would add is dont forget the eduard kits,if you get the profipack ones they have a lot of the extras already in them.They seem a bit pricey but when you add up the cost of buying everything seperate they make sense,and if its a spitfire youre wanting to do ,they do several. If theres anything at all youre not sure about just ask,as steve says ,theres always plenty of people willing to help.good luck tony lane: