AN INFORMATIONAL SITE SPECIALIZING IN 1/48 SCALE VEHICLES, FIGURES AND ACCESSORIES for DIORAMAS AND DISPLAYSWELCOME TO QUARTERSCALE
MODELER
By Steve
Brauning updated December 29, 2005
LINKS:
Steve's Scale model page
1/48 scale armor models
.
REVIEWS:(click on the thumbnail and/or link) . Steve Faxon resin conversion kits for 1/48 scale armor
Finally, the scale modeling world is
discovering 1/48 scale for vehicles, figures and accessories. It was bound to happen: it’s such a natural
for model makers! This scale is ideal
for all kinds of reasons: besides the obvious advantage in size(not too big,
not too small), the biggest reason for me is the possibility of combining
aircraft and vehicles on dioramas and displays.
For the airplane modeler, having1/48 scale
vehicles, figures and accessories permits displaying 1/48 scale model aircraft
in their "natural habitat", either on a display base or on a
diorama. What could better way to show
off one's prize 1/48 scale Sopwith Camel or B2 Stealth Bomber, than on a
airfield with few figures and/or vehicles around?
For the pure armor builder, you have the
size advantage, and if you ever want, you can branch out and build a plane to
accompany your vehicles.
This sector of the industry has been very
spotty in selection, availability and, apparently, in popularity, until
recently when scale-modeling giant Tamiya really kicked in with the production
of a line of 1/48 scale vehicles, especially tanks, as well as figures and
accessories. Other small and mid-sized
manufacturers, such as Skybow and Eduards, have gotten into the act, including
a wave of aftermarket sets. It looks
like prospects are picking up for “the perfect scale”!
I have been interested in this topic for
over ten years, and have collected information to help the like-minded modeler
find the hidden 1/48 scale treasures, and perhaps to raise the interest among
1/48 scale modelers in general.
DISPLAY BASES AND DIORAMAS – WHY?
Although a stand-alone model may be very
attractive and impressive, it lacks historical context and even recognition,
unless set on an appropriate display base or diorama. It is like a portrait of somebody you don't know. Maybe it is of an attractive or
interesting-looking person, but without knowing the person, the picture has
little meaning. The same thing is true
with scale models.
The additional elements of an appropriate
display base or diorama provide context.
History comes alive. The models
come alive! Combining aircraft,
equipment and vehicles shows the relations and complexity of the situations in
which they operated. Human figures add
the “human” element, showing how people interacted with the equipment. They also provide scale reference to
indicate the real size of the airplane or vehicle, especially to the
un-informed observer, such as a first-time visitor to a hobby show or a child
at a museum display.
Some may argue that, on the contrary, a
display base or diorama just detracts from the model, as it takes attention
away from it. That depends on what is
being presented. If it is simply a
piece of equipment, be it an airplane, a boat, a tank, a car, or whatever, that
is fine. There are many such machines
that have a great deal of stand-alone value, due to their impressive design,
color, form, or size. But by displaying
the historical significance, background and setting of any piece of equipment
represented by a scale model will bring it to life.
For example, take a look at the dioramas on my main modeling page 
What's
the difference between display bases and dioramas? A diorama tells a story,
while a display base is simply the frame for the model, or models on it. What makes a diorama is that the elements
displayed on it "interact" to tell some kind of tale. It could depict a particular historical
event, such as the first flight of the Wright Flier ‑ complete with
Orville at the controls and Wilbur running along side. Or it could show a
particular situation or reality that existed, such as a grouping of figures,
vehicles, and aircraft that demonstrate the lack of fuel hampering the German
forces towards the end of World War II.
Or it could be a fictional theme designed to highlight a certain
interest, like the battle at the rebel base on Hoth, a la Star Wars, for
example. Whatever the theme, it should
have some story to tell to be a diorama.
There could be action, drama, or humor depicted.
A display base, on the other hand, is a fine
way to show off a particularly nice model without all the added clutter of a
diorama. But when a few figures or a
secondary model is added, the context and history is augmented.
WHY 1/48 SCALE?
What is the advantage of 1/48 scale, as
opposed to 1/72 or 1/35? Each scale has
its own advantages, but 1/48 is nice for various reasons. One advantage is size. It’s big enough to allow for significant
details. For example, it is virtually
impossible to do anything with the eyes of a 1/72 scale human figure, but in
1/48, the eyes can be detailed.
Besides, my eyes can’t handle 1/72 scale anymore! Yet, 1/48 scale is small enough to get a couple
of airplanes, vehicles, and buildings into desk-top sized display. 1/35 scale takes a lot more space. Also, the industry has differentiated
between aircraft, making them in 1/32 scale, and military vehicles and figures
in 1/35 scale. That creates a
difference of almost 10% is size, which distorts the scale reference.
Another advantage of 1/48 scale is that
there are so many aircraft kits available, as well as accessories, such as
photo-etch and decals. Once one decides
on this scale for aircraft models, then why not go on to display these models?
AVAILABILITY
However, the availability of figures and
vehicles in this scale has always been a limiting factor. Sure, scratch‑building is an option,
but it is an arduous task that not everyone is up to.
This sector of the hobby industry has been
spotty. Stuff comes out in spurts. Aurora had some kits in the ‘60s. In the ‘70s, there was Bandai’s fairly
extensive line of World War II tanks, trucks, figure and accessories. Then for a long time, there wasn’t much
worth noting except a few resin cottage-industry producers and some motorized
kits of questionable value. Then in the
mid-to-late ‘90's, it picked up again, with Frog/Fuman re-issuing many of the
Bandai kits, and a surge in the cottage industry, including some very
impressive resin lines. By cottage
industry, I refer to small producers like Jaguar, Elan, and Knight’s Cross, but
also companies like Verlinden, Tarmac, Hart, Gaso.Line, and Scale Model Accessories. The common element is that they make
short-run resin kits.
Most of the cottage industry’s and small
companies’ items are produced in small quantities, a.k.a. short-run kits. Then they go out of production(OOP). You have to hit upon them when they are
available, or search for them at hobby shows, from private venders, from shops
that specialize in out-of production kits, or on internet auction sites, such
as Yahoo or e-Bay.
The Internet definitely fed this surge. With world-wide connectability, even the
smallest producers can market their products anywhere.
Since about 2000, a steady stream of
products have come out from faithful producers, mainly in England and France.
Now in 2005, a new surge has begun!
Tamiya has gotten into the game big time, and along with them, at every turn
there is another company making either injection molded kits, new resin lines,
or new aftermarket products!
I decided back in the mid 90's back that I wanted to display as many of my airplane models as possible on display bases and dioramas, and began to make it “my quest” to search out vehicles, figures and accessories in 1/48 scale. I began to build fairly large and complex dioramas, although at first I was limited because I couldn't get many vehicles. So it has been exciting to watch the growth of this sector of the scale modeling industry.
One weak area has always been trucks. It would be nice to see at least some of the
standard types of trucks ‑ Opel Blitz, British lorries, etc., in injected
plastic, instead of expensive resin. I
hope some manufacturer picks up on this.
The internet provides many resources for investigating the availability of kits and supplies, as well as providing reviews of them. Here is a list of web sites on the topic:
My scale model page has sections on the
subject: www.oocities.org/stevescalemodels
I have my 1/48 scale dioramas on this site, as well as other resources.
Yahoo Quarter-Scale Group
is a forum for 1/48 scale military models, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quarterscalearmor
Heavy Steel
is another one: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/heavy-steel/ Sign up and get into the conversation, and
make sure that you check out the photos, files, and especially the links.
www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/48reviews.htm
has good reviews and comparisons, and links to other sites.
http://tanxheaven.com/reviews/skybowtiger/skybowtiger.htm
compares the two Skybow Tigers to each other.
There are numerous other internet pages that
specialize in armor, vehicles, uniforms, and other historical information in
general. Just run your search engine.
If you can’t get the kits and supplies, you can’t build. The rest of this article is a resource list
of manufacturers and sources of 1/48 vehicles, figures and accessories that I
have discovered. Many of the items here
pertain to World War II, which is my personal area of interest, and by far the
largest period represented, but many also have pre‑war, post‑war,
or modern items as well.
First, the Manufacturers:
ABER (www.aber.net.pl/english_ver/index.htm),
from Poland, sells photo-etched and resin parts: 48A01 TIGER I
Grills (fit to TAMIYA model ),#48A02 German
clamps and clasps ,;48003 - M4 Sherman early production(for 'Tamiya' www.aber.net.pl/store/cataloque_parts/3_grudzien_2005/48003p.htm), D-04 Small Leaves(see right) . New products are coming out on a regular
basis.
Academy (www.modelrectifier.com/products/plasticModels/academyArmor.asp)
has a line of armor kits in 1/48
scale, some motorized, mostly modern subjects.
Acu-Stion www.acustion.com/index.html2e.html from
Japan, makes photo-etched sets mostly for Tamiya armor kits.
Andrea
Miniatures from Spain (www.andrea-miniatures.com/eng/Index.htm
) - makes very high quality pilots and ground crew, as
well as diorama accessories and paints.
Available at Great Models, VLS, and Squadron Mail Order.
Aires, from Czech Republic,
has aircraft detail sets and resin engines for German and RAF, mostly. They are available from Roll Models and
Squadron Mail Order.
Airfield Accessories
from England has a good variety of British and German WWII vehicles for
airfields, including tractors and fuel trucks. They are in the $25 to $55
range. All have resin and molded metal
parts, with fairly good detail and accuracy.
They also have a 1/35 and a 1/72 scale line. Available from Stormbird Hobbies and Matador Models. Here is a sample of their offerings:
#4801 Opel Blitz Fuel Truck; #4803
Austin K2 Ambulance; #4822 Hanomag R40 Luftwaffe Tractor;
Aiwa, from Japan, has a line of motorized tanks, mostly modern, but a few
W.W.II vintage. HobbyLink Japan sells them.
Aoshima has vehicles
and tanks in 1/48. See Rainbow 10 /
Archer Fine Transfers Dry transfer decal sheets:
very complete. See the Archers web site for full details.
Arii
(Japan) has
plastic kits at HobbyLink
Japan.
Armorscale has metal barrels coming out: 2 for Tigers so far. Include a turned barrel, plus machined and
photo-etched parts for the muzzle break.
Atelier infinite Update/Detail Sets www.jttk.zaq.ne.jp/a-if/48itiran.htm
- 48001 80 ton freight car; 48002 Tiger1 early model resin track: (review-Tiger I Early Workable Track Links )
48003 Tiger 1 Track for railway transportation 
Available at Rainbow 10 /
French "AZIMUT"
conversion sets for the 1/48 "TAMIYA Sherman M4 (kit No.32505): Sherman
Firefly IC Conversion, Sherman M4A1 76 (W) Conversion, Sherman M4 w/mine roller T1 E3, and a
Pacific based Sherman with deep wading trunk (based on theM4 Hybrid hull).
B3 Collector Edition Models: sells completed die-cast models for wargaming, like Solido and other brands, plus kits from Gaso.Line and decals. See http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/tanks.htm , especially the area called “Custom decals”- many very interesting and varied sets.
Bandai, one of giants of the
scale model industry, is mostly in the “old and odd out‑of‑production
stuff” category, with a major line produced in the ‘70’s. The kits are fair in detail and accuracy. Many of the old Bandai kits were reissued by
Frog/Fuman in the 1990’s(see below), and in 2005, Bandai is jumping on the
“Band(ai) wagon” by reissuing some kits(sorry I couldn’t resist the pun!). Some very useful vehicles for dioramas
include: M3A1 Half Track; M30 Cargo Carrier; Panzer IV Flak Mobelwagen; Opel
Blitz cargo truck; Opel Maultier Sd.Kfz. 4, Willy’s Jeep, and so on. Figure sets include German Infantry(I, II, &
III), German Sappers (I & II), German Artillery men; American infantry;
U.S. Artillery crew. There are 12
different Fieldworks sets, including weapons, bricks, sandbags, and trees.
Battalion
Bits 1/48 Scale Conversion Sets & Kits include:resin conversion kit with a late production 'Henschel' turret for the
Bandai PzKfw VI King Tiger; a BT-3 50 tonne Flat Wagon type SSys and other kits. Available at Track48.
Berkshire
Valley “O”
gauge Model railroad accessories – hundreds or items! www.berkshirevalleyinc.com/bvinc1.html
Bison decals include a set for the Tiger and one
for the Pz. IV, each with more than a dozen options.
BlueJacket, on line has ¼” scale ships and fittings.
Bunka Calibre
48 www.calibre35.cz/CAL35index.htm offers figures,
conversion and full resin kits: 48 001 US Tank Crew (WWII) ,48 002 Kubelwagen Holzgas(Conversion
set for TAMIYA kit w/ resin & photoetched; 48003 Early war
Opel Blitz & 48004 Bergetiger (Future Releases). Canyon Creek Scenics – trees and other scenery. http://canyoncreekscenics.com/ Ciro Models, on line at www.ciromodels.com , has several trucks and vehicles useful for airfield dioramas.
Copper
State
makes completed diecast vehicles, finished dioramas, and
figures, available at the “ Corgi, maker of die-cast models and full dioramas, available at "The Motor
Pool”. Custom Dioramics makes mostly 1/35
but some 1/48 scale accessories for dioramas.
Building kits available include: 8017
European Farmhouse Ruin, 8018
MidEast Market Ruin, 8019
MidEast Ruin w/ Balcony, 8022
European Cornerstone 2 Story Building.
Available at major retailers on line. CMK Czech Masters
from the Czech Republic make resin conversion kits and figures. Examples: CMK 8001 Sturmtiger Conversion resin conversion; CMK8002 Tiger I zimmerit version:
turret, panels resin Figures: CMKF4824 RAF Fighter Pilots x 2 From: Great Models, Roll Models and Squadron, as well as other
sources. Dartmoor is a French company with
a good variety of white metal figures, both for aircraft and vehicles. They are sold on the Quarter
Kit)page. Des Kits - vehicles and figures - DioArt: dioramas accessories –
printed signage. (Available at Quarter Kit) Dioramas – misc. from Quarter Kit :Atlantic wall: concrete gun emplacement 50
mm kwk l 60 kit; concrete gun
emplacement 50 mm kwk l 60 atlantic wall;
Ramp for V1 DIO48003M v1 rocket launching ramp Diverse Image makes
quite a few figures in 1/48 scale.
Available at Great Models. D.M.L./Dragon has a Luftwaffe
figures set with several pilots, ground crew members and accessories. It is
especially good for dioramas since there are various poses, chairs, and even
playing cards in the kits. It can be
had for about $15 from Squadron, Roll Models, or anywhere D.M.L. is sold. Eduard
-Figures, photo-etch, masks, and metal gun barrels. Example: WWII Luftwaffe Personnel(#8501)
& USAAF WW2 Personnel (8502) injection molded figures kit. Available at major web stores. Elan Miniatures was a line of
very fine detail resin figures, and at reasonable prices, too! The line was discontinued, and is no longer
available. FineMolds, has replacement tank
gun barrels for Tamiya’s tanks. Look at
Update Sets Fingerprint Designs - decals
Fliegerhorst , from Germany has
products for Luftwaffe dioramas: notable is the barracks. See www.fliegerhorst.com/Diorama____1_48/diorama____1_48.html FlightPath Models have excellent
quality photo‑etch and molded metal airfield sets, with huts, planking,
bomb trolleys, vehicles, and equipment.
Most are for RAF WWII settings, with some modern, and are priced in the
$15 to $25 range. fp48016
Beaverette MK.III Airfield Defence Vehicle F.M. Models from Hungary have very
fine quality resin vehicles available, although the prices are fairly
high. They are available from Squadron
Mail Order and Great Models. Example: 480001 Kubelwagon; 480002 Bedford
QL Fuel Truck (British WWII); 489703‑5: Daimler‑Benz Engines. They also have Opel Blitz fuel and cargo
trucks. Frog/Fuman, from China, has two
separate lines of vehicles, tanks and accessories, including re-issues of part
of the old Bandai line. Examples: the
Sd. Kfz. 7 11 ton Half Track (with 5 seated figures) is very useful for
dioramas, airfield or otherwise, since it was the common prime mover, often
used for towing the 88mm gun with crew(which Frog also has) and for carrying
troops. Plus it can be modified to
carry a quad 20mm or a 37mm flak gun.
The Fuman Willy’s Jeep is perfect for any Allied
airfield diorama. Also, accessories and figures: a Luftwaffe officer, pilot,
and driver for the Kubelwagon; S.A.S. Desert Willy’s Jeep conversion - weapons,
jerry cans, etc.; German, British, & Russian decals for tanks; Photo-etched
sets for tanks and vehicles(Valentine, Sherman, & Willy’s). They are
available from Squadron, Great Models, etc.
Gaso.Line, from France, is one of
the most prolific producers in 1/48 scale vehicles, and one with the most
variety and many unusual subjects. They
have resin armor conversions for Bandai/ Fuman kits, and several complete
kits. They also have 1/48 scale armor
decals, accessories, and figure sets, covering German, British, Russian, French
and U.S. themes. This is a good source
to watch as they promise many interesting future releases. Look mainly at Quarter
Kit), but they are also available at Great Models, The
Right Stuff, and several others. Grandt Line has railroad and architectural accessories: specialty is scale bolt and nut heads.
Griffon www.griffon.cz has resin and Photo-etched parts, mostly for aircraft but also for the Kubelwagon and some useful for airfield dioramas.
Hart, from England, offers
exquisitely detailed resin kits with molded metal, photo‑etched brass,
and black vinyl tires. They are pricey(from $40 up to $115 each item), but are
about the best quality anywhere. They
have way too many to list(about 70), mostly of W.W.II (and a few modern)
topics. Most are British and American
trucks, plus a few guns and tanks.
German WWII items include 3 trucks and 4 tanks. They are available from Great Models. Hasegawa has made various sets or
ground equipment and figures, which are available in the hobby mainstream. Hauler has come out with 19
photo-etched sets to go with the new Tamiya 1/48 scale vehicle line (and no
doubt that more sets will be forthcoming): they are excellent in scope and quality,
and quite cheap. Order from the Czech
Republic at http://www.hauler.cz/ . Hecker and Goros is a line sold by
Quarter Kit on line, with a quite ample line of white metal figures for
aircraft and for vehicles. Highly
recommended. See www.hecker-goros.de/index.html
Heki, from Finland, has good
quality and value trees of different sizes and variety, as well as embossed
wall/street material. Also, they have
one item in particular that is very useful: large grass mats that really look
like grass! Available from Portman
Hobby Distributors, 851 Washington
St., Peekskill NY 10566 FAX: 914‑737‑6984 and from www.sceneryexpress.com – this web
company is also worth noting for a wide array of scenery and other accessories.
Heller – a big model company with
one kit in our area of interest: he81138
'Patriot Missile' Launch Vehicle H‑R Products Inc., P.O. BOX 67, McHenry, IL
60051, sell cast white metal ship fittings, weapons, figures and other
equipment in various scales, including 1/48. Hobby 37, from Spain, makes diorama
accessories. See www.hobbymaquetas.com/ Hobby Linc has many accessories,
including “0” & 27 gauge figures and buildings. www.hobbylinc.com/ The
Honourable
Lead Boiler Suit Company – an amazing array of figures and
vehicles, seemly designed for wargaming. Hunter Scenery Home Page www.huntersceneryco.com/ - scenery
and diorama materials. Hussar Productions offers decal sheets: 48001 Tiger
I Early Production Decal Sheet, & 48002
Tiger
I Mid & Late Production Decal Sheet ICM 1/48th German Luftwaffe
Pilots and Ground Personnel (1939-1945) #48082- good quality and nicely
designed set of 7, including some pilots and ground personnel in various
poses. Injection molded styrene. They
promise USAAF and RAF sets as well. Available at major web stores.
Italeri, another big model company, also makes one item to list
here: IT6444 Crusader
Anti-Aircraft Vehicle Jager Industries of Scotland makes
nice resin stuff, mostly for WWI. www.jager.co.uk/ Jaguar makes excellent quality
resin sets, mostly figures so far. They
have: German Tiger Crew, reloading; Japanese Pilots; Berlin Sewer diorama
kit. Available from Great Models and
Roll Models, VLS, as well as other sources. Just Plane Stuff makes very finely
cast resin flight decks for displaying aircraft, available from Great Models,
and others. They run in the $20 to $25 range. 001 U.S. Navy Flight Deck (14"x13"); 003 Japanese Flight Deck(also has the same items
in 1/72 scale). Kancali
Latex Street Sections (Cobblestone
Patterns) for dioramas. Kendall, (KMC) from USA,
is another discontinued line of detail sets for aircraft, including accessories
like bombs and barrel weapons; a German Kettenkrad. Knight's Cross is yet another
discontinued line of multi-media kits: They had a #4801 Kettenkrad w/ Me262 tow
bar and a #4803 20mm Flak 38 A‑A Gun with trailer. Legend Productions , from Korea, accessories and figures(fuel drums, pilots, etc). LionMarc Model Designs Detail
& Update Sets, including AW-48000 Tiger I Early Workable Track Links
; AW-48003 M4 Sherman Replacement Barrel ;
AW-48004 Hetzer Barrel and Mantlet ; Tiger engine fan set http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989774/Fanset-1.jpg Lion Roar Photo Etched Detail Sets: LA48001
Tiger I Early , LA48002 StuG III Ausf.B , LA48003 M4 Sherman Early Loyal Hanna Dockyard has ships and fittings for many scales, including 1/48.
Modelkasten has SP-04 1/48
Tiger I Metal Track & SP-031/48 Wittman & Crew figures. Model Train Stuff, on
line at http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
has a good selection of landscaping and scenery materials, including Heki
products, plus building and structural parts. Mitsuwa Models once had a line
of motorized tanks in 1/48. I found
several in a closeout sale. They are
not all that good for detail or accuracy. MR Models Update/Detail
sets www.mrmodellbau.de/
- newest releases for Tamiya's 1/48 scale KKübelwagen (Set MR-4801) and
Schwimmwagen (Set MR-4802). Both sets include tarps and small detail parts. The
Kübelwagen set also includes a set of balloon tyres. They are from MR Modelblau, although their website does not list
these items for some reason. www.mrmodellbau.de/mr/e/index.html
Nimix from
Spain, has a line of German tank crew drivers and commanders, resin and nicely
detailed. Check out “new releases” at www.nimix.net/
and available at Track48. North Star, England: figures for
War gaming plus Gaso.Line and other company kits. www.northstarfigures.com/catalogue/index.html The Oakridge Corporation, P.O. BOX 247, Lemont, IL 60439 FAX: 708‑257‑0198, has “O” gauge
everything: besides rail stuff, there’s landscaping and terrain accessories,
house and street accessories galore, figures, vehicles, animals, structural
components, and buildings. They also
have paints and tools. On-line at www.oakridgehobbies.com/ P & D Hobby Shop, 31902 Groesbeck, Fraiser, MI 48026 FAX: 810‑296‑5642, also
specializes in “O” Guage railroad stuff, plus have several good lines of cast
metal accessories: Berkshire Valley and
Keil Line are highly recommended. They
also have a nice set of building components: the DPM modular system, which can
be made to represent early 20th century European buildings. Panzer Works, has accessories like
1/48 Tiger 1 88mm Cover, and photo-etched sets. Available at Rainbow 10 /. PART (www.part.pl/) from Poland makes photo-etched and resin parts. Pend
Oreille has various figures, accessories and vehicles in 1/48
scale, including resin diorama parts. Plus Models from the Czech republic have just started producing 1/48 scale
accessories: WWII German crates & boxes; building and architectural
supplies, and a complete M 998 Cargo
kit. See
their website: http://www.plusmodel.cz/ Preiser,(Preiser) from Germany, have
figure sets in different scales for both World War II and for modern Luftwaffe
settings, including ground crew and pilots; available from Squadron and other
sources. Profikit PROF4801 3,7cm PaK 37(t) Pro‑Modeler (part of
Monogram/Revell) issued a nice set called, “Airfield Accessories”, including a
German fuel trailer and bomb trailer, a British fuel trailer, and a US
tractor. It is discontinued but shows
up in hobby shops regularly. It has
been offered by Great Models, Roll Models and Squadron Mail Order. ReHeat Models makes detailed
resin figures, with many different W.W.II British, US, German, Japanese and
Italian sets. They have some modern
topics, and are priced around $10 for sets of 3. Hard to find. Resination has 1/48 scale figures.
Rest Models Scale Model Accessories from England has a variety
of figures and accessories: example: SMAAR039 - 20mm Flak Ammo boxes: a must to
go along with any 20mm flak gun listed elsewhere; SMAAR041- 20mm Flak crew: 3
figures made for Verlinden’s Flak 38.
Most are no longer available. Schatton has tons of turned brass
gun barrels, munitions, rockets, and so on that are reasonably priced and VERY
high quality. Their web page is http://modellbau-schatton.privat.t-online.de/
(also see WSW, below). Schomberg Scale Models,
in Canada, supply railroad accessories www.schombergscalemodels.com/ Signifer has some airfield accessories on line.
Silflor Sirmar Model Ships - look at the fittings, lots of 1/48 scale!
Skybow is a new-comer to 1/48th,
having recently released German Tiger I early and late versions, and track
links for them. They have announced
other kits. See http://www.skybow.com.tw/ For review, see:
Tiger I Late
Production Download the correct instruction for
TP-4801 Available at most sources. SOL, from Korea, has a
number of vehicles and accessories listed in Squadron Mail Order flyers and on
the Great Models web store. They have
an Opel Blitz fuel truck and a cargo truck, several BMW motorcycles, an RAF
dispersal tractor, and other items.
Price is normal for resin, and is good quality. Solido makes die-cast tanks,
trucks and other vehicles. They can be
found at on Quarter Kit, or at http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/tanks.htm Again, you can’t build if you can’t get the stuff. Here is a list of sources and venders: Bandai Gallery: A web page
dedicated to the old 1/48 scale Bandai line, including auctions and sales,
photos of dioramas, kits and other information: www.kbleitch.com/bandai Great Models Web store,
www.greatmodels.com
, has a large selection with many of the lines list above. HobbyLink Japan sells all the
Japanese-made brands at a good price(depending on the exchange rate). www.hlj.com/ HobbySearch www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/ is
another Japanese internet vender with Tamiya and other brands. Jager Industries: figures and
accessories, mostly WW1: www.jager.co.uk/ Matador Models in England sells
Airfield Accessories 1/48 scale range www.matadormodels.co.uk/ Meteor Productions at
www.meteorprod.com/ is a major
internet vender, worth a good search. The Motor Pool sells lots of
die-cast and some resin tanks and even some c0mplete, finished dioramas by
Corgi. Check out: www.themotorpool.bigstep.com/ MR Modelblau, http://www.mrmodellbau.de/mr/e/index.html
Parabellum in England has many good
lines and unique items. www.parabellum.co.uk/ Quarter Kit, in France, on the web
at www.quarter-kit.com . Perhaps the world’s biggest and best source
for 1/48 scale vehicles, figures and accessories. It is located in France with several nice lines I have not found
elsewhere. Notably, they seem to be the
main distributors for Gaso.Line and Tarmac. Rainbow 10 sells Japanese-made items www.rainbowten.co.jp/english/ and even has a section to order Tamiya and
Bandai parts! Replica, from Hungary, with FM
and other kits, on line at: www.replica.hu/fm/ “The Right Stuff” sells Tarmac and
GasoLine (see FineScale Modeler ad) www.rightstuffdist.com/catalog.htm Roll Models has Verlinden, Jaguar,
Czech Master, Reheat, etc., at low prices and large selection. See FineScale
Modeler ads. www.rollmodels.com/ Scale Link, in England, has
Airfield Accessories kits and Preisner figure sets. www.scalelink.co.uk/ Squadron Mail Order:
check them out on the Internet at www.Squadron.com , or in ads in FineScale Modeler. Being larger than most others, has a wide
selection of all the big companies and the following lines: Kendall, Knight’s Cross,
Scale Model Accessories, True Details, Verlinden. Track 48, in Canada, has its own
line of accessories and parts for Bandai and other kits, and sells other brands
like Hauler, Gaso.Line, etc. www.track48.com/
VLS (a.k.a. Model Mecca)
sells numerous lines, including some unusual ones. On-line at www.modelmecca.com/ Wings-n-Treads specializes in
Skybow, Hauler, www.wingsntreads.com/
An industry sector perhaps untapped by 1/48 scale modelers, is the “O”
gauge model railroad industry, which supplies a bewildering array of
accessories that can be used to fit dioramas.
Even though they are not normally associated with scale aircraft or
armor modeling, they are an excellent source of appropriate scaled items that
no one else has. One can find all kinds
of terrain, trees, figures, equipment, and even buildings that compliment
airbase or other scenes. Finally, craft shops are a good source of
natural foliage materials, in the form of dried flowers and plants. Certain ones resemble scale trees, and can
be painted, cut, bunched and in general used to create entire forests at a
reasonable price. Of course, the
resourceful person can be on the lookout for natural plants, such as grasses
and bushes that can be dried and used for dioramas. So now the 1/48 scale
modeler can really get into it big time!
Just use your imagination and do some research. A lot of nice dioramas will be on the way!
Faxon
Conversions: about
35 good quality resin conversion and upgrade sets made for Bandai kits; mostly
tanks, including StuG III and IV and Sherman Firefly. Address: STEVE FAXON 1517 SE GODSEY,
DALLAS OR 97338 USA; E-mail: Noxaf@aol.com - and available at Track48.
Fonderie Miniatures -makes a rare item: an armored train car. fon6502
Draisine Kommando S.SP
MINImali productions www.modelimex.cz/inshop/scripts/shop_NF.asp
(SEARCH for the company name "MINImali productions"). 1/48 diorama
accessories include MIN48010 – Staff Maps; MIN48011 - Camouflage Net
(150x400mm); MIN48013 – Barrels ( 8pcs. ); etc; MIN48020 – Wooden Latrine
Pegasus Hobbies has some figures: PGS7005
California Mission Indians #2 & PGS7006
Farm Animals
And of course, the on-line
auction sites like E-bay and others, can be mined for gold like old
Bandai kits. Search the plastic model
categories.
