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.

Hobby Off Run...

After work today I swung by Hobby Off. Basically it's a big second hand shop for all kinds of hobby stuff... games, musical instruments, stereo and computer components, cards, figures, models, trains, toys everything.

I hit the 1/72 scale WW2 aircraft models, and came away with these for ¥630 each. the Thunderbolt will be painted up as an RAF Thunderbolt Mk II to support a future Chindit force in Bolt Action. The P39 and P40 will be painted up as early war USAAF support for my US Platoon in North Africa and the Pacific.

I also picked up another Kotobukiya MSG attack helicopter drone (not pictured) and this gigantic MS Gundam MSN-04 Sazabi in approximately 1/60 scale I believe. You can see it dwarfing those TAG Marines on the 80mm round. Not sure when or where I will be using it... but I have a 28mm scale giant robot now....

I do have a couple 1/48 scale mecha models that remain unbuilt, and a number of LBX kits that stand about 1/3rd as high. The LBXs are a bit too small to make believable cockpits spaces in the torsos... i will probably use them as Sentinel-like robots instead.

Happy New Year 2K16!

My New Year's resolution is to post more often... twice a month is my minimum goal.

So to start off 2K16 here is what I've been putzing with:

base: Hot Wheels Mid-Scale (1/50) 1959 Chevrolet Impala.

rear wheels: the front axle from a Fastlane haul truck (those giant mining dump trucks).
front wheels: axel from a "Mars Attacks" truck from Mantic.

scale mini: Wargames Foundry

The haul truck wheels are hollow, so there will be some filling or plating with plasticard. I'd like to do a bladed front bumper, and a pintle mount or turret. Windows will be armored over, and I'm leaning toward a rusty rat-rod type paint scheme. The back bumper is also pretty high, so I might sling two oil drums under the boot.

Modern Armor for "Tanks!" by Armourfast

Playing "Tanks!" by Armourfast with my daughter, the only problem is Armourfast kits are rare, and thus expensive in Japan, so we are using Arii, Tamiya, and Academy motorized 1/48 scale tanks.

I think that's cool, but they are all post-WW2 designs; so here we have some modern tank stats for "Tanks!" that I whipped up.

M48A2 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 3 - Range 4/6
M48A3 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 4 - Range 4/6

T55 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 4 - Range 4/6

M60A1 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 3 - Range 4/6

M60A2 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 3 - Range 3/4 (cannon; missile range 4/6)

T72 - Armour 5 - Gun 5 - Speed 4 - Range 4 - Range 4/6

Type 74 - Armour 4 - Gun 5 - Speed 4 - Range 4/6

M1 - Armour 5 - Gun 5 - Speed 5 - Range 4/6

M1A1 - Armour 5 - Gun 6 - Speed 5 - Range 4/6

Type 90 - Armour 5 - Gun 6 - Speed 5 - Range 4/6

Type 10 - Armour 5 - Gun 6 - Speed 5 - Range 4/6