Figure scales

[Jim Rogers]

I am having a issue with figure scales. I had purchased some 1/48 scale figures ( gun crew, cook) from Vanguard and loved them, so I bought another set to use on another 1/48 scale model. I was getting tired of the same figures on different model so I started searching around and found some on Shapeways. Ordered a couple 1/48 scale to see the detail and such. So why aren’t ALL 1/48 scale the same size. I contacted Shapeways and the say all their figures ate based on a 5’6” to 5’8” human and 1/48 should be 1 3/8 inch to 1 1/5 inch (I have never seen a measurement displayed as 1 1/5 but maybe that is just me) see photos for issue. What the heck.

[Old Collingwood]

Those  are  quite a  striking difference  I have only  used a  few of the  1/48  scale  figures  before  - I thnk  by the  ICM  range  but they where  WW2  aircrew.

 

I  tend  to  work  with  28mm   figures   from the   Victrix  and   Perry  ranges   and  a  few  resin   types  that  can  be  a  bit  over scale  compared  to  the  plastic  ones,     not much  help  I an affraid  -  but hopefully   there will  be more  replies.

 

OC.

[Roger Pellett]

The metric “equivalent” to 1:48 is 1:50.  I wonder if Shapeway’s figures sold as 1:48 are actually 1:50?

 

BTW, that guy emerging from the hatch carrying the cartridge is about to get decapitated by the guy firing the mortar!😆

 

Roger

 

 

[OllieS]

They seem very much a different scale probably 1:64

[Keith Black]

1 hour ago, Roger Pellett said:

BTW, that guy emerging from the hatch carrying the cartridge is about to get decapitated by the guy firing the mortar!😆

 If not decapitated he'll be spared hearing his wife's nagging. 

[Dr PR]

I recently bought a cast metal figure to be the "Captain" of my build. With hat the figure is 35 mm high. Without the hat the fellow would be about 32mm (with boots on). That is an odd size:

 

1:48    32 mm  =  1.536 meters  =  4.94 feet

1:50    32 mm  =  1.600 meters  =  5.14 feet

1:64    32 mm  =  2.048 meters  =  6.59 feet

1:72    32 mm  =  2.304 meters  =  7.41 feet

 

So at common modeling scales either the guy is very short or very tall.

 

If we assume and average fellow was 5.67 feet (5 foot 8 inches) = 1.762 meters then the figure would be 1:55 scale!

 

?WTF Who models at 1:55??

 

Maybe sailors were just a lot shorter 200 years ago? Midshipman maybe?

Edited September 24, 2023 by Dr PR

[Canute]

Powder monkey maybe?