Planes and scale

[Gonvalon]

Hello, all together.

I think about using some planes on my boards for Bolt Action games.
My collection is mostly built arround Perry Miniatures.

So the question is: What would fit better with them? Corgi 1:72 models or Franklin Mint 1:48 models

[Truscott Trotter]

I would go with 1/72 unless you want them as terrain.

[Rich H]

I'd go 1/72 even as terrian!  Don't underestimate the size of planes, plus there are none at 1/56 so you haev to go to 1/48 which most definately are huge.  Even a figher will dwarf most tanks.

[Gonvalon]

The idea is that the planes should not represent markers for air combat.
They should indeed represent "terrain" on airfields.
But I am afraid a Perry SAS jeep might look totally outscaled next to a 1/48 Ju 52.

[carlos marighela]

And of course most fighters should dwarf a tank. 1/48 is big but then the average figure mounted on a base, even a washer is closer to 1/48 than a nominal 20 or 25mm (1/72). Perry WW2 are titchy but even so the average 1/72 scale fighter is going to look a bit bloody silly next to one.

I made up some 1/48 kits as terrain features/targets with my 28mm figures. The thing that makes them look bigger is usually the height of the undercarriage. I sidestepped the issue with my Japanese aircaft as they are wrecks and I modelled them with collapsed undercarriage. If you are using them on table, it doesn’t hurt to shave a few mm from the undercart. Everything is a compromise.

For affordable and easy to build, look at the Pegasus snap together kits. They are actually rather nice models but are child’s play to construct and have the added bonus of two sets of gear, for flying and landed versions. Being snap-tite, you can swap them over at will. I would recommend gluing the rest of the kit though.

Another great option are the Hobby Boss Easy Build kits, almost as simple as the Pegasus ones but not snap together. Alas it’s a limited range. A couple of mid/late war Bf-109s,  a Focke-Wulf, a P-38, a P-47 and a couple of boxings of the same P-51 Mustang. Not much of use for the desert, save maybe the Bf-109 G-2. IIRC they do an F model 109 as well.

Some of the older Tamiya kits are as cheap as their 1/72 equivalents and worth looking out for.

[Rich H]

My post was nto a 'scale' post, it's perception. People always underestimate the size of aircraft and they take up a lot of table space.  That space is pretty useless and they are pretty fragile models. 

You can use 1/72 as scenery without anyone really noticing the scale problem and they are cheaper!

My favourite source for kits (of any scale) is kingkits they have a lot of second hand stuff on their webstore and they deliver quickly!

[Johnnytodd]

Don't underestimate the size of planes, plus there are none at 1/56 so you haev to go to 1/48 which most definately are huge.  Even a figher will dwarf most tanks.

I solved this dilemma by building my own in 1/56.  Not sure how much you are willing to spend but these models on ebay are quite robust and this one is 1/52 scale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Airplane-WWII-German-Luftwaffe-Junkers-Ju-52-Auntie-Ju-20-Wood-Model-Aircraft/252521667067?hash=item3acb76d9fb:g:Q8sAAOSwRjtZuqIl

[cromojaro]

Hello, all together.

I think about using some planes on my boards for Bolt Action games.
My collection is mostly built arround Perry Miniatures.

So the question is: What would fit better with them? Corgi 1:72 models or Franklin Mint 1:48 models

Blitzkrieg Minaitures has a Stuka at 1/56.

[Rich H]

I solved this dilemma by building my own in 1/56. 

We aren't all as talented at whittling wood as you! 

[Gonvalon]

I solved this dilemma by building my own in 1/56. 

   I am afraid my skills in modelling are very limited.
The more I am teased by the skills I see here like in the Reichstag project.

I am looking for more robust models, what might make Corgi or Franklin Mint a good choice, except for the money to leave 
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Franklin-Mint-1-48-Heinkel-111-Libya-Desert-ungeoffnet-orginalverpackt/132589860084?epid=1423526704&hash=item1edef8b4f4:g:AkAAAOSwA3dYcsah

https://www.ebay.de/itm/1-72-CORGI-AA33708-Heinkel-He-111H-6-S7-HA-Stg-3-Derna-Libya-1941-Selten-Rar/253542565275?hash=item3b0850859b:g:MK4AAOSww1haxkMN

I'd go 1/72 even as terrian!  Don't underestimate the size of planes, plus there are none at 1/56 so you haev to go to 1/48 which most definately are huge.  Even a figher will dwarf most tanks.

Yes size is a problem. A friend reminded me that bringing some big planes on the edge of a lybian desert strip, might work well, but if I should play Malemes (Crete 1941) a landing strip with interesting near by terrain like hill 107, would fill a medium size tow hall. And a two meters landing strip (what is not smal in a table top view) would look silly with two Heinkels on it with a wing span of 0,48 meters each

[Johnnytodd]

Gonvalon,  Not sure if you have seen this thread over on the Pulp chat forum but they discuss this very topic :

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=58045.0

[Gonvalon]

A first test with 1/72 Corgi models.
When miniatures stay close to them they look much to smal.
Look on the manned MG on top of the Tante Ju 

[Rich H]

Pop the gunner out and ignore

[TWD]

For the Crete games James Morris is staging at the moment he's used 1/48 for the planes on the ground:



And 1/72 for planes in the air:



But yes, it did need a pretty big table...



More pics (not all of them of planes) here:
http://tomstoysoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Crete

[Gonvalon]

Hello, TWD. What a great looking game! I hope to do something like that next year. But I see it is a long way to go, to achieve this level    Here are some pics of the very first steps in a smal test game