Scale Creep Submission

So I finally went to the scale-creep dark side and got 1:43 scale vehicles for my minis. It began when I actually measured my resin 28mm vehicles from Atenociti's Workshop and found most of them to be 1:43 instead of 1:50. Shortly thereafter I discovered that Greenlight makes a line of TV and movie cars featuring a lot of 70s and 80s models that I particularly dig.

Here we have a 1987 Dodge Van in NYPD livery from Greenlight. I've oscilated back and forth on how to paint up my resin police cars, the 70s/80s white-over-blue scheme being my favorite but also the most difficult to do... the option to get prepainted cars that just need to be weathered greatly simplifies the equation. Shown with one of the Foundry Street Violence cops.

The A-TEAM is one of my primary influences in wargaming and roleplaying, so having the full array of cars from the show is a goal. Of course I have the GMC Van on order, but Face's Corvette has already arrived, shown here with the Hannibal and Face minis from Foundry's Street violence 'B-Team' pack. Greenlights Hollywood A-TEAM offerings include this, the van, and a Dodge Monaco in military police livery.

I never really watched any of CHARLIE'S ANGELS, in fact I'm fairly certain I've never actually seen an entire episode, but I really like the Jeep CJ5, and this one is plain enough to be a generic car... the California plates will mix well with the A-TEAM, TERMINATOR and KNIGHT RIDER stuff I have planned. If I can find Mindy's blue CJ5 from MORK & MINDY, I will absolutely grab that one too.

KITT in 1:43 is an expensive car to pick up currently... EBay prices run near or in the triple digits. Instead I picked up this '83 Firebird Trans Am from DeAgostini, which was last months offering in the monthly American Car Collection at the book stores here. They are a little pricey, but far cheaper than the alternatives. I will keep an eye out for an actual KITT and KARR in the future.

So I'm now one of those oversized cars guys. Quite the change from ten years ago when I was still using 1:55.

Patrol Boat, River and two Fiats

Built and painted a PBR from Sarissa Precision today. Modified the roof with some hemp twine covered with crumpled paper sealed with ModPodge. Created a better feeling of canvas over metal supports.

It has some interesting proportions, probably not quite to scale but allowing minis to be placed on the deck. It is missing a forward dual-fifty turret, so I'll have to figure that out. I also changed the order of the rounds for the radar, and sanded the top-edge to make it look more accurate.

While I had the paints out I finished up the windows on two Fiat 500Fs I bought at the car museum years ago.

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part VI: Mega Bloks

Part six of a continuing effort to document scale-appropriate toy cars for 28mm gaming. In this post we take a look at Lego-type building kits from Mega Bloks, part of their Need For Speed license. The smaller kits, featuring a key-launcher and ~1/55 scale car consisting of a chassis, two 90 degree bend pieces, two doors, a front end, a back end, a roof/pillars/glass piece, and a sun roof or 3-piece police lightbar. The chassis was a standard piece to all, and as such wheelbase is identical (although tread is not due to various sizes spacers on the hubs), as such I've included length as a dimension in determining scale.

Somewhere I have the '11 McLaren MP4-12C kit as well, but I haven't determined which box it's in to measure and photograph - I will include it in a later revision to this post.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2009 Audi R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro
Scale: 1/52 (L: 4435/99.8; WB: 2650/48.0; W: 1904/34.4)
Line: Mega Bloks Need For Speed
Imprint: "Need For Speed / Mega Bloks"

2008 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6)
Scale: 1/55 (L: 4460/81.8; WB: 2685/48.0; W: 1928/36.1)
Line: Mega Bloks Need For Speed
Imprint: "Need For Speed / Mega Bloks"

2010 Chevrolet Camaro (5th generation)
Scale: 1/58 (L: 4840/80.1; WB: 2852/48.0; W: 1920/33.7)
Line: Mega Bloks Need For Speed
Imprint: "Need For Speed / Mega Bloks"

2007 Porsche 911 GT3 (997)
Scale: 1/51 (L: 4427/83.5; WB: 2355/48.0; W: 1808/34.8)
Line: Mega Bloks Need For Speed
Imprint: "Need For Speed / Mega Bloks"

1969 Ford Mustang (custom)
Scale: 1/55 (L: 4762/83.6; WB: 2743/48.0; W: 1821/36.1)
Line: Mega Bloks Need For Speed
Imprint: "Need For Speed / Mega Bloks"

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part V: more Siku

Part five of a continuing effort to document scale-appropriate toy cars for 28mm gaming. In this post we return to German manufacturer, Siku. Siku cars are usually imprinted with engine and performance statistics; these have been omitted from the profiles in the interest of brevity.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2010 Volkswagen T5 Transporter
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 3000/50.6; W: 1904/33.2)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "1070 / 1338"
Note: while the van pictured is a kombi, a panel van version is also available.

2006 Dodge Charger
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 3048/52.7; W: 1890/32.6)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Dodge Charger / 1435"

2003 Porsche Cayenne (9PA)
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 2855/48.4; W: 1928/33.3)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Porsche Cayenne Turbo / 1062"

1980 Mercedes-Benz SEC (C126)
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 2850/47.2; W: 1828/32.4)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Mercedes Benz 500SEC / 1052"

2008 Toyota Land Cruiser (J200)
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 2850/51.1; W: 1970/36.0)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Toyota Land Cruiser V8 / 1440"

Siku Hurricane
Scale: N/A (WB: 51.4; W: 37.8)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Siku Hurricane / 0878"
Note: an original model by Siku, boasting a 7320cc 10 cylinder engine producing 760PS, 559pkW, and 8970U/min - top speed is 321km/h.

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part IV: Majorette

Part four of a continuing effort to document scale-appropriate toy cars for 28mm gaming. In this post we take a look at models from Majorette, another European manufacturer making many cars with a nominal scale of ~1/55. Newer offerings tend to run closer to 1/64 except for compact and subcompact cars, however older Majorettes tended to be larger and many mid-size cars can be had as well.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2007 Renault Twingo II
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 2365/42.5; W: 1655/30.1)
Line: Majorette
Imprint: "Twingo / Ech: 1/64 / Ref: 206B"

2010 Honda CR-Z (ZF1)
Scale: 1/54 (WB: 2435/44.6; W: 1740/32.7)
Line: Majorette
Imprint: "Honda CRZ / Ech: 1/55 / Ref: 220B"

2008 Renault Scénic III
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 2700/46.5; W: 1844/32.1)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Renault Scenic / Ech: 1/64 / Ref: 221F"

2009 BMW Z4 (E89)
Scale: 1/56 (WB: 2496/44.4; W: 1790/32.3)
Line: Majorette
Imprint: "BMW X4 Roadster / Ech: 1/56 / Ref: 244F"

2007 Fiat 500
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 2300/41.8; W: 1627/29.5)
Line: Majorette
Imprint: "Fiat 500 / Ech: 1/55 / Ref: 286C"

1979 Toyota HiLux Third Generation (N30)
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 2585/45.1; W: 1610/30.9)
Line: Majorette
Imprint: "Toyota Pick-up / Ech. 1/56 / No 292"

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part III: Jada

Part three of an ongoing attempt to catalogue scale-appropriate toy cars for 28mm gaming. Today's selection is from Jada, who make many ~1/55 scale vehicles, mostly sold as 1/64 scale vehicles.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2011 Nissan GT-R (R35)
Scale: 1/54 (WB: 2780/49.4; W: 1902/51.5)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint: "2009 Nissan GTR / Scale 1/55"

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (off-road)
Scale: 1/57 (WB: 2950/50.9; W: 1920/34.4)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint:"Dodge Challenger SRT8 / Scale 1/55)

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (off-road)
Scale: 1/54 (WB: 2743/51.6; W: 1842/33.9)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint: "1967 Chevy Camaro / Scale 1/55"

1970 Dodge Charger (off-road)
Scale: 1/58 (WB: 3000/49.0; W: 1950/36.2)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint: "1970 Dodge Charger / Scale 1/55"

1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 6-Barrel
Scale: 1/57 (WB: 2946/50.3; W: 1941/34.8)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint: "1970 Plymouth Road Runner / Scale 1/55"

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Hardtop Coupe
Scale: 1/57 (WB: 2845/49.8; W: 1915/34.3)
Line: Jada Fast & Furious 1/55
Imprint: "1970 Chevy Chevelle SS / Scale 1/55"

28mm Modern Military Vehicles, Part I

A selection of the 28mm modern military vehicles that I've collected (with Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" miniature for scale):

Mitsubishi Type 73 1/2t truck (Kyosho - 1/57)
Revised 1996 "Pajero" model.

Ford M151A2 MUTT (Kyosho - 1/57)
A later model than the version used during the Vietnam War, but the closest in this scale I'm likely to find. The camouflage version is hideous and will need repainted in NATO 3-color camouflage.

General Dynamics M1A1 Abrams tank (Kyosho - 1/60)
Part of the iDriver Pocket Armour series... it can be driven remotely using the bluetooth function of your phone.

Norinco Type 59 (No brand - 1/50)
Larger than most vehicles I use, but because the T-54/55 family of tanks are so small (there was a height maximum for crews) I think it mixes well enough... the length, hull deck height and turret hatches are similar in size to the 1/60 M1A1; the tracks are actually the spares from that model.

Amaraz BTR-80 (No brand - 1/55)
Great size and very cheap.

From L-R: Mitsubishi Type 73 (Kyosho - 1/57), Volkswagen Type 181 (Matchbox - 1/58), Ford M151A1 (Kyosho - 1/57), and Willy's MB (Matchbos - 1/55)

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part II: Siku

Part two of a continuing effort to document scale-appropriate toy cars for 28mm gaming. In this post we take a look at a few models from Siku, probably the manufacturer with the largest collection of ~1/56 scale diecast cars. Siku cars are usually imprinted with engine and performance statistics; these have been omitted from the profiles in the interest of brevity.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203)
Scale: 1/54 (WB: 2715/48.6; W: 1728/33.1)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Mercedes Benz C320 / 1375"

2005 Audi Q7 (Type 4L)
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 3002/51.7; W: 1984/37.8)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Audi Q7 4.2 FSI Quattro / 1429"

2008 M3 Coupe (E92)
Scale: 1/56 (WB: 2761/47.5; W: 1821/33.7)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "BMW M3 Coupe / 1450"

2007 BMW X5 (E70)
Scale: 1/56 (WB: 2933/49.6; W: 1933/36.9)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "BMW X5 4.8i / 1432"

2011 Volkswagen Amarok
Scale: 1/59 (WB: 3095/50.2; W: 1944/35.1)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "VW Amarok TDi / No.1443"
Note: Normally I would consider 1/59 too small for 28mm passenger cars; however, because the actual truck is so large. I think it mixes believably as a mid-size pickup.

1972 Jeep CJ-5
Scale: 1/51 (WB: 2121/42.1; W: 1740/33.9)
Line: Siku Super Series
Imprint: "Jeep CJ-5 / 1053"
Note: Normally I consider 1/51 too large for 28mm passenger cars; however, given the relative smallness of the CJ, and the lack of a truer scaled version, I have decided to include it.

28mm Civilian Vehicles, Part I: Welly

A selection of Welly brand diecast cars, suitable in scale for 28mm gaming. This is the first in an ongoing project to document toys suitable for gaming.

(28mm figures from the Northstar "Fistful of Kung-fu" and Copplestone Castings "Future Wars" ranges provided for scale)

2003 Peugeot 206 (5dr)
Scale: 1/53 (WB: 2442/46.5; W: 1655/53.0)
Line: Welly NEX 1:60
Imprint: "Peugeot 206 / No.2231"

1970 Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle"
Scale: 1/52 (WB: 2400/46.5; W: 1539/29.5)
Line: Welly NEX 1:60
Imprint: "Volkswagen Beetle / No.52222"

1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
Scale: 1/55 (WB: 2515/45.2; W: 1721/31.8)
Line: Welly NEX 1:60
Imprint: "Volkswagen New Beetle / No.2061"

1979 Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen SWB (W460)
Scale: 1/56 (WB: 2400/41.4; W: 1700/31.8)
Line: Welly
Imprint: "MB 300 GE / No.9593"

1998 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1J)
Scale: 1/56 (WB: 2512/44.4; W: 1735/31.3)
Line: Welly
Imprint: "VW Golf IV / No.8140"

1974 Trabant 601 Deluxe Limousine
Scale: 1/48 (WB: 2020/41.5; W: 1505/31.6)
Line: Welly NEX 1:60
Imprint: "Trabant 601 / No.52325"
Note: I consider 1/48 scale far too large for 28mm miniatures, even for cars as small as the Trabant. I personally prefer the slightly leaner Maisto Trabant 601 (1/51 scale) for 28mm miniatures, but I've included this listing for those who prefer larger vehicles.

Eleven Minis Painted and Counting...

I've actually gotten some painting done. Six old west minis (mostly Foundry and an Artizan) that were actually started back in Pittsburgh at one of our paint nights... what... three years ago? Four? Well they are finished.

I also finished five Copplestones (I think the biker is one of his Grenadier sculpts from EM-4/SG mirlington) from scratch. In the background are two 1/55th scale cars... the Unimog 1500 is from Siku and was picked up on Ebay last fall... the Honda CRZ is from Majorette and was one of two I picked up at the supermarket two weeks or so ago.

I've got about a squad's worth of WW2 US Infantry from Artizan cleaned and mounted, and a platoon's worth of Copplestone Casting's Chinese troops that will be painted as WW2 Royal Thai Army, all waiting for dry weather to be primed.