Advice on Glencoe Models (1 Viewer)

[jomartvr]

Hello,
I would like some advice from the treefrog treasure community concerning Glencoe models. In particular, I would like to purchase and build a 1/32 scale PT-76. Glencoe is one of the few companies that sell in "1/32 scale" models, however, are their kits really 1/32, or are they actually 1/35 in scale. Aside from that are these kits relatively easy to build? I have know built models since I was a teenager, a long time ago.
Thanks
Benjamin

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Benjamin!

Generally, in the world of scale model aircraft, you won't find too many 1/35 scale models, if there any at all. As plastic was replacing wood as the material of choice for model kits, makers of aircraft models settled on 1/32 as a standard, for models of that size. Similarly, 1/72 became a standard, spearheaded by Airfix and the other early British model companies. Same goes for 1/48 scale. Makers of armor kits, such as Tamiya, settled on 1/35. That made Monogram's choice of 1/32 for their armor kits a pain in the butt for us builders, because you couldn't mix their kits with Tamiya's.

Having said that, we must also mention that in from the late 40's into the 60's, some manufacturers produced kits in what we call "box scale". That is, they used a standard size for their boxes, and engineered the kits to fit in the box. Aurora is a good example, with their fighter plane kits; Revell's ships come to mind as well.

Having said all that, Glencoe's kits labeled 1/32 do scale true, as far as I know. Some of their kits in other scales might not. For example, their Grumman Duck scales out to 1/50, if I am not mistaken (so does Tamiya's old Pete floatplane, for that matter). And Glencoe has kits in a range of unusual scales. I recommend checking some of the scale modeling sites, such as Aircraft Resource Center (www.aircraftresourcecenter.com) and Modeling Madness (www.modelingmadness.com), both of which have areas for kit reviews.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Brad,
Thanks for the explanation.
Best wishes,
Benjamin

 

[gus macrae]

Hi Brad,
Thanks for the explanation.
Best wishes,
Benjamin

I had one of these kits years ago, they are true 1/32 scale. The kits themselves are very basic, but do resemble a PT76 when built. It would depend how detailed you wanted it. I think Glencoe had a series of 3 Soviet era Vehicles the PT76 an APC (MBLT ?) and A ballistic missile carrier. I believe the other two vehicle had the same chassis as the PT76 tank.

Cheers

Gus

 

[theBaron]

Ha, Gus, I have to laugh at my mistake, I thought we were talking about an aircraft model! I still stand by what I said, but knowing that the kit scales out at 1/32, then I'll say that it would fit with the classic Monogram armor kits (now reissued by Revell-Monogram).

Prost!
Brad

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Brad and Gus,
Thanks for the comments. I wanted to use the PT76 as a backdrop for Del Prado's Israeli machine gunner.
I wish FOV would make a BMP or T55.
Thanks
Benjamin

 

[papovka]

I built their BTR 50 a while ago, and the kit is very simple and easy to build. However, be prepared for quite a bit of modification and scratchbuilding if you want accuracy.