Why 1/72?

This is a question I’m sometimes asked. First, let me emphasize that I find all model scales appealing and have previously collected other scales. However, no other scale suits my needs like 1/72. Truly, I’m not trying to persuade anyone that 1/72 is better than other scales; 1/72 is what works for me.

  • Selection:  I believe 1/72 has far more selection in terms of AFVs and softskins than any other scale. Even the most obscure subjects can be found in 1/72. Whether it’s diecast, plastic, resin, or white metal, there’s an excellent chance someone has produced it.
  • Compatibility with Aircraft:  1/72 vehicles look awesome next to their 1/72 aircraft cousins. Although 1/48 is also widely used for aircraft, 1/72 is the king of scales for diecast military aircraft, with virtually more than 1,000 WWII pieces. I’m spitballing here but I have over 400 different aircraft pieces and I know of twice that many that I don’t have.
  • Compatibility with Soldiers:  Finding 1/72 scale soldiers to complement specific pieces is a breeze. Again, no other scale has the selection of soldiers available in 1/72. So you want to display your Hobby Master Opel Blitz Gebirgsjager Division (HG3912) with soldiers? No problem, Airfix and Caesar produce 1/72 German mountain troops. There are at least 300 WWII soldier subjects available.
  • Space:  Because of their size, five 1/32 tanks can fill an entire shelf on a bookcase. Not so with 1/72. One can display at least 20 on a shelf. I have only one small room for my hobby so 1/72 was the only option if I wanted significant numbers of AFVs, aircraft, and figures.
  • Portability:  I move every two or three years. Imagine moving several hundred 1/32 scale tanks. Lord knows I appreciate the amount of detail that a 1/32 tank allows but it’s just not practical for me.
  • Cost:  In general, 1/72 costs less than the bigger scales. Witness the Hobby Master models. While their 1/72 line is expensive, their 1/48 line is substantially more expensive.
  • 1/72 versus 1/76:  Generally speaking, I’m not averse to 1/76 scale when an item doesn’t already exist in 1/72. Depending on the item, the difference between the two scales can be negligible. The bigger the subject, the bigger the difference. But on a tiny Oxford Diecast 1/76 Austin Tilly, for example, the difference is less than 3 mm. I can live with that until a 1/72 Austin Tilly is available.
  1. ACE makes an Austin tilly in 1/72. I just saw one a few hours ago researching ideas for new project — ACE 72-500. I hope this is helpful.

  2. chules, I have to agree with you on every count. To me 1/72 offers availability, low cost (you can add detail but not to excess), and minimal storage space.

    One challenge I’ve faced is finding WWII American troops and officers in non-combat poses. Standing, walking, sitting, eating, cleaning weapons, sleeping, etc. any ideas?

  3. Couldn’t agree more. I have been sticking to 1/72nd since day one, which was about 35 years ago. I build aircraft, armor, and ships (PT Boat & midget subs) and when they’re all displayed together it is quite impressive, especially when you see a 1/72 WW1 biplane next to the same scale F-14. Appreciate your helping keep the “Gentleman’s” scale alive in the days of 1/32 and 1/24.

    • Hello Mike,

      Thank you for your comment and for visiting the website. I just visited your Facebook site and was quite impressed with your work. Your Seehund diorama made me lick my chops. I wish I could model like that. I’ve been compiling pieces for a Type VII U-boat diorama for several years — literally. I just can’t seem to find the time to get it done.

      Keep up the great work. For anyone interested in Mike’s site, here’s the link:

      https://www.facebook.com/MikeFleckensteinModels

      Best regards,

      chules

  4. Great job is your site. I really liked her. Due to their interests, they are mainly armored vehicles. I plan to make several Shermans from the II Corps of the Polish Armed Forces in the West as well as from the First Panzer Division of general Maczek. These are very interesting vehicles and a big challenge for the modeller due to their atypicality. Almost every vehicle was different. Different tool boxes on the turret, different types of hulls as well as different wheels often in one vehicle. And finally, proper names: “ZEMSTA II”, “KNIGHT” “ACROMA” etc.

    Świetna robota ta Twoja strona. Bardzo mi się podobała. Z racji swoich zainteresowań to głównie pojazdy pancerne. Mam w planach zrobienie kilku Shermanów z II Korpusu Polskich Sił Zbrojnych na Zachodzie a także z I Dywizji Pancernej gen. Maczka. Są to bardzo ciekawe pojazdy i duże wyzwanie dla modelarza ze względu na ich nietypowość. Prawie każdy pojazd był inny. Różne skrzynki narzędziowe na wieży, różne rodzaje kadłubów a także różne koła często w jednym pojeździe. No i wreszcie nazwy własne: “ZEMSTA II”, “RYCERZ” “ACROMA” itp.

    Best

    Przemek

    • Hello Przemek,

      Thank you so much for visiting the website. It’s great to connect with another obsessive fellow model builder from Poland. I’m looking forward to seeing your Shermans and would love to feature them on this website. I’ve seen quite a bit of weathering on 1/72 models but your technique for creating the appearance of peeling paint in this scale is fabulous.

      Best,

      chules

  5. All good arguments in favour of 1/72, but then again I’m biased towards them too. They’ve been a favourite of mine and I’ve been playing with them and painting them ever since I was a kid.

    You have some nicely painted minis on the site.

    Congratulations,

    John

    • John,

      Thanks for visiting the site and for the kind words. It’s truly flattering from a heavyweight like you, who has been doing this for a while. I spent several hours on your site last night and was impressed by the organization, particularly the inclusion of a guest gallery. I may try something similar in the future. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I love conversions and went through all your figure conversions as well. Very nice indeed. In fact, this month I hope to do an article about one of my favorite conversions — it’s a head swap project, of course. At any rate, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve added your superb site to my favorite website list.

      Regards,

      chules

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