Car scale for miniatures

[Baphomet69]

So 28mm scale is 1/56...

The closest die-cast car scales are, I believe, 1/48 & 1/64.

 

Given that 'modern 28mm' miniatures are closer to 30mm, which of the above car scales would look closer to 'right', a little smaller, or a little larger?

[buglips*the*goblin]

A little larger, since the figures are trending closer to 30mm. 

 

ETA:  as a rule, if you can only get close like this and must choose larger or smaller, larger is usually the better choice.  The eye won't notice an object being bigger than usual when scaled to a human figure as easily as it will notice when it's smaller.  So, say, a 1/48 scale airplane might look about right - the figure can get inside of it.  But if it's smallish, it might look like it's going to be a clown car trick to squeeze into it.  This will immediately register as weird because of this. 

Edited February 4, 2016 by buglips*the*goblin

[djizomdjinn]

I'd say 1/48. Dust Tactics minis are 1/48 heroic, and they look pretty close to Reaper figs.

[ub3r_n3rd]

There's a thread about this with a LOT of great information. I'm linking it below so you can go look through it and hopefully find all the answers you want and more.  

 

Which scale for cars?

[dsmiles]

My go-to for scales.

[Bruunwald]

I have a collection of 1/55 - 1/50 scale cars that look perfect next to my Chronoscope minis.

 

Unfortunately, the scale is not too common, so you either find yourself rummaging for days through toy car bins just to find a single viable candidate; or you end up chasing down those Hot Wheels G-Machines, which are all so flashy and custom; or you find some hobby distributor online who knows only collectors and gamers want that scale, and bleed us dry to get it.

 

1/48 still looks too big, and please, please, please do not let this degenerate into another of those threads where somebody comes along and insists that 1/64 is not only somehow the "correct" scale, but also "looks the best."

 

I just can't go through that again.

[buglips*the*goblin]

I put my Bones chrono Rex figure next to my ERTL 1/64 General Lee.  He ain't squeezing into that window. 

[dsmiles]

I have a collection of 1/55 - 1/50 scale cars that look perfect next to my Chronoscope minis.

 

Unfortunately, the scale is not too common, so you either find yourself rummaging for days through toy car bins just to find a single viable candidate; or you end up chasing down those Hot Wheels G-Machines, which are all so flashy and custom; or you find some hobby distributor online who knows only collectors and gamers want that scale, and bleed us dry to get it.

 

1/48 still looks too big, and please, please, please do not let this degenerate into another of those threads where somebody comes along and insists that 1/64 is not only somehow the "correct" scale, but also "looks the best."

 

I just can't go through that again.

When it comes to trains, I use whichever one lets the 30mm bases fit down the aisles. (I think it's G scale.) The trains are way out of proportion, but if you want to use the insides...you know?

[BLZeebub]

I'd tend to agree with the goblin--go for a larger vehicle.  With bases and poses, the car being extra large won't register with the eye in most dioramas.  On the other hand, if the car is somewhat separated from the mini or is significantly more elevated, or, say, half-submerged in a mire then smaller could work too.  A lot of buildings aren't quite large enough for their respective minis, scale-wise, and they work just fine.

[Heisler]

When you are looking at diecast cars scale is more of suggestion than a rule. Basically there is a standard box size and the vehicle has to fit in the box. So scale is more suggestive than actual on those.

[Heisler]

 

I have a collection of 1/55 - 1/50 scale cars that look perfect next to my Chronoscope minis.

 

Unfortunately, the scale is not too common, so you either find yourself rummaging for days through toy car bins just to find a single viable candidate; or you end up chasing down those Hot Wheels G-Machines, which are all so flashy and custom; or you find some hobby distributor online who knows only collectors and gamers want that scale, and bleed us dry to get it.

 

1/48 still looks too big, and please, please, please do not let this degenerate into another of those threads where somebody comes along and insists that 1/64 is not only somehow the "correct" scale, but also "looks the best."

 

I just can't go through that again.

When it comes to trains, I use whichever one lets the 30mm bases fit down the aisles. (I think it's G scale.) The trains are way out of proportion, but if you want to use the insides...you know?

 

 

I guess that would be okay if all you are doing is some kind of action on the train, but that's all it would be good for. I prefer my On30 trains and just use templates for the interiors if action is taking place. Its amazing how little research it would take a game company to get that right, the Aces and Eights cars are just way off.

[djizomdjinn]

Obviously the solution to all of this is to petition Reaper for some Chronoscope Bones cars.

[Arc 724]

My go-to for scales.

I was looking for that link the other day. thanks

Edited February 4, 2016 by Arc 724

[Willen]

Going through this for terrain, I think there also something about the perception, like the Goblin said. We all think that cars are "big", but actually they are pretty low (only reaching up to your shoulder, for example). But if you put a car that size next to a mini it looks way too small, at least for me. So I err on the big side; the best thing I've found locally are some larger cars for little kids, which look big but good for "heroic" scale. 

 

They also have the bonus they are not too detailed or fragile, so for scenery, that is a plus!

[Curse These Metal Hands]

Obviously the solution to all of this is to petition Reaper for some Chronoscope Bones cars.

 

I'd back that Kickstarter.