15mm = 1:100 or 1:144

[maroonldr]

Hello all.  I was going to make my "don't boot me from the forum" post an intro but I figure no one ever reads those anyway and I have a question.

I just started playing Flames of War.  Actually I have played in two games and just started buying 15mm WWII minis.  I noticed that Battlefronts planes are 1:144 scale and some one on the forum posted a blog saying they were using 1:144 scale planes as well.  I was on TMP and saw a thread saying 15mm is equivalent to 1:107 so I was wondering why if this was true Battlefront makes 1:144.  Can anyone enlighten me one way or the other?  Thanks!

[Arlequín]

Welcome aboard!

Flames of War 'official' aircraft are 1:144 scale. The nearest match for 15mm would be 1:100th scale (close enough). Arguments for and against vary, but some folk think 1:100 are too overpowering size-wise, or that 1:144 'look right' as they are high above the battlefield (can't work that one out myself, you'd have to play lying on your back for that to work ). Battlefront did make their Helicopters to 1:100 for their Ia Drang figures though. 

There are a lot more aircraft available in 1:144 and they're relatively cheap. You can use them for air combat games like 'Check your six' and 'Bag the Hun' too. There are a few 1:100 aircraft about, especially for the type of aircraft you're likely to field for FoW.

The model itself is just a token, so I wouldn't think it matters what size you use. If you are going into tournament play though, I'd imagine that they might insist on 1:144 models, purely on the grounds of uniformity.

Personally I'd either please myself, or see what the other guys I play with are using. 

[Aaron]

I'll just say that if you want to use 1:100 aircraft you can't go wrong using the gear from Armaments in Miniature. His stuff is really top notch!

[Danrit]

Or Old Glory UKs 'Lil Flyin' Fokkers' Range. 1:100 is the true scale for 15mm but for bombers and such they can fill the table. That said I have three 15mm JU52s for my Fallschirmjager to jump from and they look brilliant. It's all about preference really.

[Cory]

Mmaroonldr, a bit of caution, only Battlefront's planes are 1:44. Their infantry and vehicles are intended to be 1:00 scale.

[maroonldr]

Cool, that's what I thought.  I was in a train shop a few weeks ago and it had kits that were 1:100 scale that just needed to be snapped together and then it was fully painted and looked pretty good.  I would have picked them up then but I didn't realize that 15 should be 1:100 not 1:144.  They looked the right scale to me but I wanted to be sure.  Thanks for the info!

In the same vein if they don't make the planes I need do you guys have any other recommendations?  I was told that 1:144 is too small for models (ie kits) but it sounds like there are a lot of choices out there for miniatures.

Thanks again!

[Arlequín]

Whoever told you that 1/144 is too small for models is talking through his a***. There's loads of them.

For example there's 34 pages of them on Hannants' catalogue alone.

1/100 can be harder to source, but there's also the die-cast ranges by Model Power (which vary in scale a little) and the Fabbri/Italeri range which can often be found on sale at e-bay. The CDC range was brought by Franklin Mint but there's still a few about, again e-bay is best, as they can be pricey new.

Some 15mm manufacturers make their own ranges of aircraft too. Armaments in Miniature, and Old Glory's Little Flying Fokkers have already been mentioned, but QRF do some too. Unless you are looking for really obscure types, you should be able to get hold of the main fighter and ground attack types of WW2.

[BigLee]

I keep a crerdit card sized scale guide in my wallet for when I'm out shopping. I know it sounds silly but I used to get in model shops and start to doubt my own memory, then leave empty handed when I could have picked up a bargain.

“Scale”   Where Used       Size
1/144   FOW Aircraft scale       11.2mm
1/107   FOW Figures scale       15mm
1/100   Alternative for 15mm  16.1mm
1/87   HO scale buildings       18.5mm

BTW several people recommended that I buy HO scale buildings for FOW scenery. Some models can look a little large but on the whole this size works fine for most games.

[McYellowbelly]

There are also LOADS of pre-built pre-painted 1/144 planes available.
Mainly from Japan, but can be found on ebay.
Have a look here, ver good guy in Japan

http://radjapan.ocnk.net/

Got 100s, they are very addictive!
They also can be stripped and repainted easily.
Kitwise look for models by Sweet and Platz, they are fantastic( thats why i've got about 20 Mustangs to build!)

[MrHarold]

I know we're not talking about cars and such (first I'll agree that 1/100 planes look good with FOW, I have some pre-painted snap together 1/100 planes that go great with my US Army...) but HO scale cars generally work just fine at 15mm, especially since features are usually exaggerated...

[Arlequín]

Which is a bit odd as HO scale stuff doesn't look too good with some 20mm stuff and they're theoretically the same scale... but that's wargame scale creep for you. I've even thought about using 1/72 for aircraft (not helicopters), which might give the impression of greater height when viewed from wargamer level (the opposite of FoW theory on the matter).

[answer_is_42]

I'd just use a shadow marker or something for aircraft in FoW - after all, do you really want to spend £30 on three planes that are only going to be on the table for a minute or so?

[maroonldr]

I'd say no, but $30 US for 3 painted models sounds good to me.  Thanks for all the info guys.  The HO scale thing will help me save some money.  Train models are a lot cheaper than miniature models for some reason!