Mixing modeling scales?

seadude · November 19, 2015, 07:48:17 PM

Has anybody here built anything where you mixed different modeling scales together? Such as 1/76 with 1/72, or 1/24 (or 1/25) with 1/35, or something else? After you finished your project, did it look ok to you, or did the mismatched scales seem out of place? What did others (Friends, Contest judges, etc.) say about different scales on the same project?

Reason I ask all this is because I want to create an RV camper in 1/35 scale (Since no 1/24 or 1/25 ones exist) and accessorise it. But the only accessories I can find are 1/25 scale or 1/24 scale to put inside (or alongside) a 1/35 scale camper. I'm just wondering if the scale difference between 1/25 and 1/35 will be too obvious, especially to contest judges.

dogsbody · November 19, 2015, 08:03:16 PM

Check out the postings of member matrixone. I don't know what's more impressive. His modeling skills or his photography.

Chris

Hobbes · November 19, 2015, 11:56:10 PM

The difference between 1:24 and 1:35 is too obvious for a mix to work (that's almost a 30% difference). 1:72 vs 1:76 I haven't seen, but that might work.

Matrixone has done some clever stuff, using models of different scales in a diorama, placing the models just right for the perspective to work. But that wouldn't apply here.

If you don't mind a really big RV, you could use the Revell Neoplan coach as the basis:

Dizzyfugu · November 20, 2015, 12:14:14 AM

I have mixed 1:76 and 1:72 kits/bits in tank diorama scenes, and when you put them directly next to each other, you see IMHO the difference. The same goes for 1:72 vs. HO scale (1:87) items. It's a small difference, but it can be irritating. Anyway, I used some 1:35 stuff (tools and workshop equipment) in a 1:20 SF diorama, and this worked well.

For photography, scale mixed will certainly work, even larger scale differences - you just have to get the perspective and the depth impression right.

PR19_Kit · November 20, 2015, 01:48:04 AM

I model American N gauge model railroads (as well as almost everything else....) and that's scaled at 1/160th. In the UK N Gauge model railways are 1/148th, don't ask why, I could tell you but it would take half a page.

While refurbishing my layout recently I found I'd lost almost all of the road vehicles on it and set out to replace them. Amongst the large number of 1/160 trucks and cars I got a couple of 1/148 VWs, a Beetle and a Camper.

They stick out like sore thumbs!

So they're now parked in a part of the layout where their scale is not obvious.

Where differing scale does work is when using forced perspective in a diorama, where can use smaller scale stuff placed in the background and the larger scale stuff is in the foreground. That means you can produce a feeling of greater depth to the viewer than actually exists

kerick · November 20, 2015, 04:36:14 AM

You can get away with 1/24 and 1/25 mixed together and 1/35 and 1/32 but not much else. You might get away with 1/35 or 1/32 wheels from a large truck on a smaller 1/24 vehicle for example.

Librarian · November 20, 2015, 05:08:43 AM

I've done this regularly, especially with munitions. Usually its 1/72 scaled up to 1/48. Somewhere on this site is a 1/72 A-10 converted to 1/48 pushprop trainer. Also, somewhere, is a 1/72 TU-22 that become a long range 1/48 fighter. It all depends on the quality of the panel lines if recessed. It's good fun and allows for a broader canvas

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Hobbes · November 20, 2015, 05:16:19 AM

There is one option in 1:24. AMT made several vans, including the one from the A-team

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/van-model-kit

It'd mean a fair bit of scratchbuilding, but something like this looks doable:

Hobbes · November 20, 2015, 05:25:44 AM

one more option, use the Revell double decker bus kit:

NARSES2 · November 20, 2015, 05:59:12 AM

In my wargamming days I tried to mix 1/72 and 1/76 scale armour and it was way to noticeable especially when mixing Airfix with Hasegawa for some reason. It's well know that as far as figures are concerned then most wargamming manufacturers have their own take on what a scale means

Not tried it since although I have a couple of late 60's/early 70's Japanese aircraft kits which say 1/72 on the box but are no where near it. Some I know were/are 1/75 but others look nearer 1/90 ? Put them next to a 1/72 scale kit and even the 1/75 looks a bit daft.

As said above it can work in dioramas and indeed works very well.

Mossie · November 20, 2015, 07:34:28 AM

What kind of accessories are you looking for? Although aimed at military, there's quite a lot of stuff that may be adapted for camping use, beer and water bottles, food etc. There are a few sets with field kitchen utensils, backpacks, rolled tents etc. Here's a selection I spotted at Hannants, most are probably available in the US.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/CMK3034
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/DIO35005
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-011
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-010
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-018
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-002
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/TA35074
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/VL0013

sandiego89 · November 20, 2015, 08:09:30 AM

I concur that different scales rarely work side by side, and are quite noticable. I tried a 1/72 helo on a US HO scale (1/87) train, and the helo looked huge and had to be cut down. Heck even 1/720 aircraft look off when next to 1/700 aircraft on my flight decks.

Scaleorama can work with some bombs, fuel tanks etc mounted on aircraft, but not so much with accesories that we all recognize as a certain known size (jerrycan, backpack, motorbike, rifles, etc). 1/25 to 1/35 is a big jump.

seadude · November 20, 2015, 09:48:01 AM

Quote from: Mossie on November 20, 2015, 07:34:28 AM
What kind of accessories are you looking for? Although aimed at military, there's quite a lot of stuff that may be adapted for camping use, beer and water bottles, food etc. There are a few sets with field kitchen utensils, backpacks, rolled tents etc. Here's a selection I spotted at Hannants, most are probably available in the US.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/CMK3034
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/DIO35005
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-011
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-010
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-018
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMSPS-002
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/TA35074
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/VL0013

What am I looking for? Well, pretty much what you listed. Just the usual stuff people would have when RV camping: Tent, Coolers, Backpacks, Chairs, etc. But the thing is, if I bought a regular van or other large truck and scratchbuilt a habitable RV cab for it on the back, then I need accessories or may have to scratchbuild the interior with cupboards, bed, sink, stove, etc. I found these accessories here, but as others said, the scale are too different.

And I'm not planning to create a diorama either.
http://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Gear-18430-Happy-Camper/dp/B001V60LWO/ref=lp_8152907011_1_13?srs=8152907011&ie=UTF8&qid=1448041582&sr=8-13

What I wish is for a 1/35 model kit similar to this:

........with an interior similar to this:

Mossie · November 20, 2015, 02:24:05 PM

Furniture sets might help for the cabinets etc:
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MT35548

Meng have done the Hi-Lux in a couple of boxings, this one even comes with a few accessories that might be useful:
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MMVS-002

An ambulance body might work as a basis for the cab, such as the Tamiya Land Rover Ambulance or Academy M997.

Weaver · November 20, 2015, 02:34:40 PM

1/24th and 1/35th won't work together. 1/72nd and 1/76th can work as long as the two vehicles arn't similar, for instance a 1/76th can and a 1/72nd tank or plane. Likewise, figures can mix because humans are non-standard anyway. Put a 1/76th Sherman next to a 1/72nd Sherman though, and the difference will leap out a mile.