News of the 1:16 scale Hasegawa Sopwith Camel makes us wonder if ultra-large scales are on the growth list for future scale models.
We'd like to see the Camel's 1:16 scale matched by a reduced-size version of Hasegawa excellent old-timers, the 1:8 scale Fokker Triplane. Together with the 1:16 scale Wright Flyer, they'd make a fine trio, and (here's a wish list) could perhaps be matched by versions with non-see-through construction. There are 1:8 scale engine kits that could also be reduced in parallel, as part of an expanding range.
Figures have long been a Hasegawa strength in smaller scales, so now's the time to see a bunch of 1:16 pilots and personnel.
Hasegawa is not the only player in the 1:16 game. World War II fans could spend a lot more money and have a go at the
Mitsubishi Zero partwork project from the publisher DeAgostini.
There are some period cars available to 1:16 scale too, very useful if you like dioramas. The 'Tin Lizzie'
Model T Ford is a universal choice for historical settings, as its manufacture ran from 1908-1927, which means that it can be relevant for more or less any period setting right up to the late 1930s. There's a neat 1912 Model T kit from Academy (see eBay link above) that could fit the bill nicely.
As for customising options, the Model T can be presented in a near-infinite number of suitable guises, from civilian car to military pickup or fuel truck. Just decide what you want to do and get out the tools!
The only real drawback to 1:16 scale is the sheer size of the assembled models, and thus the space needed to display them well. But if that means concentrating on fewer subjects, while putting in more time into each one, maybe that's no bad thing.
Model T pic courtesy 'Writegeist'.
