Can these diecast toys be used with 15mm minis?

[Predatorpt]

My resolution for the New Year was to take back my word and drop my 1:35 "Weird War 2" collection (I'll convert them in a later date) for a 28mm and 15mm sci-fi collection. But I don't want to spend a lot of money doing that, specially with the 15mm. So..after some digging around in my stash, I've came across some old diecast toys that should fit the bill...or not. Here are some pics:

First - a truck, a Hummvee and some sort of VAB with a turret:



Another shot of the VAB and a M-1 Abrams:



All the figures are ARC Recon Troops

I think that they'll work ok, except for the Hummvee. It's too big - the tires are the same size as the VAB ones. What do you guys think?

And has anyone converted diecasts like these into sci-fi vehicles? I see a lot of matchbox cars who just need a new coat of paint to look properly "sci-fi" but what about converting tanks like the M1 to a hover-tank, anti-grav, that sort of thing?

[Arlequín]

I generally search for pictures of the real vehicle with people and then compare with what I have. Bear in mind that sometimes the figure's base depth can make all the difference.

[Predatorpt]

Yes, I'm going to base my minis in metal washers and that will give them some more height. I was impressed to see that the M1 isn't that big. But the Humvee it's just too big 

[Daeothar]

The AFV and Truck are just about right, but the Hummer's too big and the M1's way too small IMHO...

[Predatorpt]

The AFV and Truck are just about right, but the Hummer's too big and the M1's way too small IMHO...

Yep, now that you mention it... It could be a recon vehicle if it had a smaller turret. This turret gives it away. Maybe I'll just cut it out

[georgec]

VAB and truck look exactly right.  The Hummer could be used as a basis for a much larger, mine-protected vehicle like the 'Warthog'.  The M1 looks a bit like the XM8 (?) or a suitable product for the Advanced Gun System competition, abandoned by the US Army in the 90s, for a lighter weight 'mobile protected gun system' (or light tank!)

[Rob_bresnen]

I love to use die-cast for my wargaming, as they are cheap. I always repaint mine, just so they blend in with my other figures and scenery. I think you are right about the humvee, but the rest look great, especially when you add some hight with a base.
what make are the vehicals?

[Predatorpt]

@georgec - now that you mention it, I think I can take the weapons from one of the Hummvees (it's some sort of triple-barreled missile launcher) and adapt it to the M1.

@Rob_bresnen - they are Fastlane Toys, a Toys R'Us brand. But they are old, I don't usually see them anymore (at least here in Portugal).

 

[Pil]

Well, I agree with most of the comments here. The truck and the APC look good enough and the hummer is too large. The tank looked fine to me too, but other people are probably right and it's too small.

[6milPhil]

I think the hummer is far too big, but you could get away with the rest although the tank does look on the small side.

[Predatorpt]

@Pi - @6milPhil  - I've checked the dimensions of the M1 vs the VAB in real life:

M1

Length   Gun forward: 32.04 ft (9.77 m)
Hull length: 26.02 ft (7.93 m)
Width           12 ft (3.66 m)
Height   8 ft (2.44 m)

VAB (the 4 wheeled version)

Length   5.98 m
Width           2.49 m
Height   2.06 m

The diecast M1 is just too small in lenght. Back to the drawing board with that one

[Thornhammer]

For some reason, diecast VABs are hard to find.  Anyway, for my fellow USA residents, this set is still available.  Produced by Realtoy (who also do Fastlane).  However it is not an economical purchase for this purpose - six diecast vehicles and a few miscellaneous toys for about twenty bucks.

Cracker Barrel restaurants have some VABs included with bubble gum balls for two or three bucks each.  That is the only reasonable one I can find.

If anyone sees the Fastlane 4 pack at a Toys R Us, report in!

[Predatorpt]

Here are some more pics of the my VAB: