Nice run-down on the various issues with trying to find 'right-sized' vehicles for miniature gaming. I've been quite successful with finding some at various dollar stores & budget stores. As well Walmart often gets a small selection of 1/43 modern era vehicles in to. The biggest challenge is of course finding the 'normal' non-sport cars. I just did a post of what I got this past weekend & it can be seen here http://miniature-mayhem.blogspot.com/2021/03/construction-zone-some-more-scatter.html#comment-form
https://www.flickr.com/photos/69768863@N00/sets/72157604253869731/ The models in this collection are 1/43 soft skins (mostly - a few 1/48) and 1/48-50 AFV (mostly - a few modern 1/56) plus a variety of 25-28mm and 1/48 (36mm) figures. I found that WESTWIND (an older company) figures use 1/64 scale vehicles and some heavy weapons (M2A1 105mm US Field Howitzer) which are under scale for 28mm figures. Their own figures won't fit EXCEPT all of their vehicle crew figures are under sized (1/64) as well. Please note the jeeps with mounted and dismounted crews. Mounted are 1/64, dismounted 28mm. Figures are on 1" plastic "GW" bases unless they are 1/48 in which case they are mounted on steel slugs. So if a figure looks proportioned correctly and it is on a flat base it is 1/48. I was gaming when the 1/56 models first came out. 1/56 is 28mm I was told. I also though a 251/1 model shown me looked like a 250/1. BANDAI, TAMIYA, older MONOGRAM (Panther, Tiger II, IS-3, M-26, Centurion), HOBBY BOSS, Quarter-kit.com (in Paris) all have 1/48 model kits. Quarter-kit also has conversion kits. I have 5 M4 (76mm) Sherman tanks I converted from M4 (75mm) Shermans (with M4A3 marked on the bottom as the tank type). None made of course but nobody notices.
TRACTICS is available again. Check out AMAZON BOOKS and Lulu and Amazon, and plus a pdf via Wargame Vault. The PDF is low resolution but a nice reference hundred of hyperlinks. I lean towards the coil-bound Lulu version, lays flat. Amazon is fine, soft or hard cover. https://www.combatrules.com/tracticsrules
Good article. I did several on the old 28mm web site (closed now) and THE COURIER magazine (also closed).
Great article! I've found that as long as you keep "like with like," it looks good. For example, all of my Medium-sized tanks are 1/50 scale Solido and Corgi, and a few from the OOP "Classic Armor Depot" - but if I add a 1/56 Warlord or other source Sherman to my current 1/50 Shermans, it's noticeable and looks bad. *My light tanks are mostly 1/56 resin *Medium tanks mostly 1/50 die cast *Heavy tanks mostly 1/48 model kits *Civilian vehicles are mostly 1/50-ish scale Matchbox "yesteryear"
Here's a picture of 28mm Blue Moon Cops and Robbers (and some 28mm Toy Soldier cultists) with Matchbox vehicles:
I agree with you, once you stick to a scale your motor pool has to be quite the same scale, and never mix the same kind of vehicles with different scales (imagine two sdkfz 222 with different scales, 1/56 and 1/43 side by side...)
I've got a couple sólido vehicles and the scale seems right in small vehicles, but bigger vehicles seem a bit small for me (I've got a US truck)
This was an insightful take on car scales in wargaming! The level of detail and realism in terrain makes a huge difference in immersion. As someone in the cash for cars business, I find it fascinating how old model cars can be repurposed creatively in gaming setups. https://www.cashforcarssydney.com.au/
"G’day! What a ripper of a post—combining cars, scales, and wargames terrain is such a creative twist! I love how you’ve explored the connection between model cars and building immersive battle scenes; it’s got me thinking about all the old models and bits of terrain lying around that could be brought back to life. It’s funny how some things, like old cars or forgotten projects, can feel like they’ve run their course but still hold so much potential. If you ever need to clear out space by getting rid of an old car, there are services for unwanted car removal that make it a breeze. Cheers for sharing such an inspiring and unique idea!" visit our website: https://www.localcashforcar.com.au/unwanted-car-removal/
This blog is a fantastic resource for understanding physical model design and its significance in architectural visualization. The author’s deep knowledge and thorough explanations make complex concepts accessible to both professionals and enthusiasts. The effort put into detailing various techniques and applications is truly commendable. It’s inspiring to see such well-researched content that enhances industry insights. Looking forward to more valuable discussions from this blog. Keep up the excellent work!
Nice run-down on the various issues with trying to find 'right-sized' vehicles for miniature gaming. I've been quite successful with finding some at various dollar stores & budget stores. As well Walmart often gets a small selection of 1/43 modern era vehicles in to. The biggest challenge is of course finding the 'normal' non-sport cars. I just did a post of what I got this past weekend & it can be seen here http://miniature-mayhem.blogspot.com/2021/03/construction-zone-some-more-scatter.html#comment-form
ReplyDeleteFinding common cars is a challenge, and let me tell you that you got a great find with those construction vehicles!!!
DeleteAs a model car collector and a gamer, I found this to be a very interesting read. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
DeleteI hope it is useful, as along all the time I have been wargaming and collecting vehicles it has been a problem to me.
And I see that when I post an AAR or pictures of miniatures, many times I'm asked about the manufacturer of the cars or the scale...
I'm always willing to help, and I hope this post helps with this problem
https://www.flickr.com/photos/69768863@N00/sets/72157604253869731/
ReplyDeleteThe models in this collection are 1/43 soft skins (mostly - a few 1/48) and 1/48-50 AFV (mostly - a few modern 1/56) plus a variety of 25-28mm and 1/48 (36mm) figures. I found that WESTWIND (an older company) figures use 1/64 scale vehicles and some heavy weapons (M2A1 105mm US Field Howitzer) which are under scale for 28mm figures. Their own figures won't fit EXCEPT all of their vehicle crew figures are under sized (1/64) as well. Please note the jeeps with mounted and dismounted crews. Mounted are 1/64, dismounted 28mm. Figures are on 1" plastic "GW" bases unless they are 1/48 in which case they are mounted on steel slugs. So if a figure looks proportioned correctly and it is on a flat base it is 1/48.
I was gaming when the 1/56 models first came out. 1/56 is 28mm I was told. I also though a 251/1 model shown me looked like a 250/1. BANDAI, TAMIYA, older MONOGRAM (Panther, Tiger II, IS-3, M-26, Centurion), HOBBY BOSS, Quarter-kit.com (in Paris) all have 1/48 model kits. Quarter-kit also has conversion kits. I have 5 M4 (76mm) Sherman tanks I converted from M4 (75mm) Shermans (with M4A3 marked on the bottom as the tank type). None made of course but nobody notices.
TRACTICS is available again. Check out AMAZON BOOKS and Lulu and Amazon, and plus a pdf via Wargame Vault. The PDF is low resolution but a nice reference hundred of hyperlinks. I lean towards the coil-bound Lulu version, lays flat. Amazon is fine, soft or hard cover.
https://www.combatrules.com/tracticsrules
Good article. I did several on the old 28mm web site (closed now) and THE COURIER magazine (also closed).
Mike Reese
Great article! I've found that as long as you keep "like with like," it looks good. For example, all of my Medium-sized tanks are 1/50 scale Solido and Corgi, and a few from the OOP "Classic Armor Depot" - but if I add a 1/56 Warlord or other source Sherman to my current 1/50 Shermans, it's noticeable and looks bad.
ReplyDelete*My light tanks are mostly 1/56 resin
*Medium tanks mostly 1/50 die cast
*Heavy tanks mostly 1/48 model kits
*Civilian vehicles are mostly 1/50-ish scale Matchbox "yesteryear"
Here's a picture of 28mm Blue Moon Cops and Robbers (and some 28mm Toy Soldier cultists) with Matchbox vehicles:
https://sbminisguy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/gmen-and-mobsters-shoot-out.jpg
I agree with you, once you stick to a scale your motor pool has to be quite the same scale, and never mix the same kind of vehicles with different scales (imagine two sdkfz 222 with different scales, 1/56 and 1/43 side by side...)
DeleteI've got a couple sólido vehicles and the scale seems right in small vehicles, but bigger vehicles seem a bit small for me (I've got a US truck)
This was an insightful take on car scales in wargaming! The level of detail and realism in terrain makes a huge difference in immersion. As someone in the cash for cars business, I find it fascinating how old model cars can be repurposed creatively in gaming setups.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cashforcarssydney.com.au/
"G’day! What a ripper of a post—combining cars, scales, and wargames terrain is such a creative twist! I love how you’ve explored the connection between model cars and building immersive battle scenes; it’s got me thinking about all the old models and bits of terrain lying around that could be brought back to life. It’s funny how some things, like old cars or forgotten projects, can feel like they’ve run their course but still hold so much potential. If you ever need to clear out space by getting rid of an old car, there are services for unwanted car removal that make it a breeze. Cheers for sharing such an inspiring and unique idea!"
ReplyDeletevisit our website: https://www.localcashforcar.com.au/unwanted-car-removal/
This blog is a fantastic resource for understanding physical model design and its significance in architectural visualization. The author’s deep knowledge and thorough explanations make complex concepts accessible to both professionals and enthusiasts. The effort put into detailing various techniques and applications is truly commendable. It’s inspiring to see such well-researched content that enhances industry insights. Looking forward to more valuable discussions from this blog. Keep up the excellent work!
ReplyDelete