Given the way my eyesight and dexterity are going, I’m waiting for the growth of 2/1 scale…
I KNOW! SO cool. Easy on the eyes and great for either super detailing or just go crazy with oils! Having told Andy from Andys HdHq a couple of years ago, 1/16 figures are the the next new world, and low a behold they are coming out like cockroaches from the outlets! Lets go 1/16 figures!
I’m still geeking out over 1/35 helicopters. 1/16 Armor…? I’m with the others who wrote, “too big for me”. As to why 1/16 is a thing? I got nothin’.
You know I said earlier that I had just picked up the Andy’s 1/16 Tiger and that it was probably just going to be a one off,but I enjoyed it so much that I think I’m going to have to make room for a 1/16 Easy 8 to put opposite the Tiger.
That looks really nice!
I imagine if you were to take time to actually build a representation of a vehicle in 1/16 scale(perhaps a smaller sized vehicle - not a King Tiger etc) irrespective of your shelf space, you’d understand. Just so much easer in most if not all aspects. Easier to put together, to weather, paint, observe, see mistakes and a host of other things… All in all a much nicer, albeit a bit pricier and CERTAINLY a whole lot more fun. Try one, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Understood. Some do have limited shelf space. Luckily i do not. However, you could build, enjoy the build and then donate to a local museum or perhaps a local VA.
Danny, I hear you. And I can not argue with any of your points. I can understand that my brief comments could be read as bashing 1/16th scale kits. It was not intended that way. I get that working in a scale that large has a certain attraction: easier on the eyes, deeper dive into super deatiling, etc. But, for myself, I have so many other kits that I want to build (in 1/35), and limited space, and funds, and time, that a 1/16ther is not an option I have any interest in. The scale also no longer feels “minature” to me. If that statement makes any sense. So ya, I get, but I don’t.
To all those excited by the recent wave of 1/16s, I say, quite sincerely, happy modeling, and I look forward, as always, to seeing the results of your skills and talents. Cheers.
Surely you mean at least three Easy Eights? Wasn’t that the accepted ratio needed…
Evan,
My man…absolutely NO argument here. Just would like you to know the real fun they are, as per the ideas mentioned! Regardless, just totally enjoy our hobbie, regardless of scale! Good Hunting!
So all of this really backs up my original comments that this is good for the hobby more broadly as it broadens the market and appeal with a wider range of options at a wider range of scales and subjects. This is also regardless of whether individual modellers like myself can really get into this scale given my constrained modelling circumstances. I’ll also point out some of the ships in the smaller scales (like an 1/350 of the USS Missouri) are pretty bloody big even though at a smaller scale than say 1/35 or 1/76.
Separate but related question; how much can the bigger hobby companies (tamiya, italeri, dragon and the like) spread their product lines to adequately cover a wide number of scales with a suitably large range without adversely impacting their bottom line? I know there are hobby companies that focus more on particular subjects such as ships, aircraft or land weaponry whilst maintaining sidelines of other subjects. But is it possible to have a one stop hobby provider with enough product lines and breadth of scales to meet all needs?
My view is I feel we’re headed towards more smaller companies supplying very good but niche products through resin or 3d printed products, rather than big companies meeting all our needs. The big companies will still keep a big share of the market but with increased competition from ‘minnows’. This then brings in the question of whether smaller companies have longevity in a market where changes in consumer demand, such as the increase in 1/16 products or 3d printing, can heavily impact a business model.
I suspect we’ll have more of the same that we’ve had for decades - smaller companies will fill gaps (including different scales) with some speed, while the big companies like Tamiya will take more cautious long-term business approaches, but have the capacity to invest big when they do jump in. There’s no reason why Tamiya couldn’t scale up the CAD for existing kits to 1:16, maybe adding some detail to take advantage of size, but mostly capitalising on the investment they already have. But big business is always cautious, so they might wait to see if 1:16 catches on or is just a passing fad…