I live in the UK and having not built a model for many years built a Mk1 Spitfire from Revell in 1/32 scale. I really enjoyed it and I learnt a lot and am now building a Corsair from the same series.
Trouble is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of support for 1/32 scale about. 1/48 and 1/72 seem well catered for but that's about it.
I'd like to build a P51D mustang and a lancaster bomber but haven't been able to find either of these in this scale (admittedly the lanc would probably be a pretty large model in this scale but that's not a problem for me).
Can anyone help further please? I don't mind ordering from the US if I need to :-)
He're a 1/32 and 1/72 exclusive site with lots of stuff:
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Used to be another large scale site but its dissapeared. 1/32 is getting more coverage of late due to the new 109s, F18s, and a couple other recent releases.
This Spit has been built/covered in a couple of other sites- Hyperscale, Modeling Madness and/or Aircraft Resource Center. Probably the Corsair and others too.
There are tons of 1/33rd cardstock models that build into nice replicas that rival and perhaps exceed plastic, Including Lancasters, B-29s, B-24, Gigants, Sunderlands, B-52, etc., if you want really big models. Publishers include GPM, Halinski, Fly Models, JSC, ModelArt, DigitalNavy (do web search). Here is an example of a built up Halinski P-51 in 1/33rd.
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Lots less expense too. $10 about for JSC 1/24th P-51. $100 or thereabouts for 1/24th Trumpeter in plastcic.
Skills are different then plastic. Build times can be comparable to do a first rate job ot it. One advantage, since these models are pre-printed in final paint schemes, the model "looks" like a P-51 a lot sooner in the build process. Finish the fuselage assembly and it is finished. You can start "flying" the model around your room much sooner.
Also cardstock models are "bio-degradable."
Computer technology has really got it's hooks into the paper model designers and publishers, and completely off our radar screen, the quality of these models have improved enormously, in fit of parts and color renderings, as well as in distribution economics (downloading complete models over the Internet; saves a lot in middleman and marketing expenses). No waiting for a container shipload of plastic to unload in San Francisco harbor.
Since you are in the UK and probably a loyal RAF, RN fan, may I suggest you tackle the 1/33rd Sunderland flying boat from Fly Models? Love to see your result.
I have a few of the cast metal 1/32 scale USN Seated Pilot figures on hand at $5 each plus postage.
These are beautiful figures done by Worster Miniatures as a fund raiser for the IPMS Golden Gate Chapter. The chapter is currently hibernating, but shall return soon.
If you are interested in one or more please let me know.
We have a lot of WWII 1/24, 1/32 planes from Trumpter, Hasagewa, Tamyia. Price better than US webstore. When adding shipping charges, we have proof to have better price.
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