1/24th-1/25th scale, why is it a big deal

[Joe Handley]

Monogram "Great White 'Cuda" Funny Car, same as the Snake & McEwen cars.

One needs to look at the last 50 years of model kits produced by the "Big Five" to see why 1/25 scale is the preferred automotive scale for American builders in general. Jo-Han, AMT, MPC, and Revell produced the vast majority of their automotive kits in 1/25 scale, with Monogram being the 1/24 scale rebel. Once Monogram was acquired and merged with Revell, they changed to 1/25 scale, and 1/24 scale is all but dead for new American kits.

I grew up building Monogram kits, and still like, build and enjoy them, but there's just something to be said about a standardized 1/25 scale which appeals to me.

I must be slow at this, are those different scales ? Shouldn't a funny car measure out different from a production body ?

I've honestly never gave much thought to the 24/25 interchange. Maybe I should pay more attention to stuff.... Do you guys work in well ventilated areas like the tube says too ???

That's what I had been thinking too, funny cars had always been deformed in one way or another, so it's not as good of a basis of measurements as say; the Monogram 1/24 Tri-5's vs the 1/25's, Tamiya's Supra vs AMT's F&F Supra, Monogram's Challenger T/A vs AMT's Challenger R/T coupe/convertible, Monogram's1/24 '32 For Roadster vs the Revellogram 1/25 Deuces, ect.

Speaking of different scale cars looking off next to each other, remember this pic I took a couple years back at I-Hobby

[martinfan5]

I guess I am not a true modeler then , for the most part, I dont care if its 24/25th scale, if its something I like, I will build it , I do agree it does make kit bashing a lot more easier.

[Danno]

[SSNJim]

The scale printed on the box is for entertainment value only. Many kits are over- or under-sized, or both. The Arii 72 Thunderbird and AMT 69 Mustang are two that pop immediately to mind. I also remember the Revell/Monogram 78ish El Camino kits being issued in both scales over the years. The only way to know for certain that you are building in any particular scale is to properly measure each part and correct it as you go. Otherwise, you don't know what scale your building.

Also, many diorama builders mix scales. Foreground objects are larger scales, background objects are smaller scales. This helps in increasing the sense of distance, and is very common in model railroading and other scenic dioramas.

[gtx6970]

You cant compare a funny car kit to a stock kit.

Not sure that I agree , but i'll give it to you.

I will say both scales have there place. I choose 1/25th scale simply because most of what I build are older kits,, which in most cases is all there was back then. Case in point, set a MPC/AMT Daytona kit along side a Monogram Superbird and the differences are huge

Here's a scenario most builders face. Your trying to put a replica stock shelf of Mopar kits together of each model - each year. You buy the Monogram 1969 Superbee and a 1970 GTX kit to fill some holes , You already have the AMT 1968 Roadrunner , AMT 1969 GTX and an AMT 1970 Superbee done. Once you put the builds all on one shelf and the different scales stick out like a sore thumb. This exact scenario has me looking for a Johan 1970 GTX and MPC 1969 Coronet builders

Here is a solid comparison of 2 kits.

1/24th scale Monogram 1970 GTX (lime light car) versus 1/25th scale Johan 1970 Roadrunner( same as a gtx btw)

There is easily a 7/16" to 1/2" difference in overal length and I would say 3/16" difference in width of the body measured at the widest point on each

Edited August 30, 2012 by gtx6970

[niteowl7710]

Gosh I hate to say this is a generational thing, it does seem to lean that way.

The first glue kit I molested (I can't say built,as that's not what that gluebomb turned out to be) was a Monogram kit. So to me the entire scale debate is ridiculous as it radically defines what kits you can build.

But as I think we saw in the current thread on the '70 Cuda a, lot of people demanding it be in 1:25 in the next breath said they wouldn't buy one anyways because it's not the niche they build within.

That got me wondering as I was driving along last night if the so called scale bigotry isn't so much bigotry as it were, but rather a complete and total apathetic outlook on the subject matter if most 1:24 kits. I'd be rather depressed if by scale fanaticism I could never build any generation GT-R, any modern Ferrari, Porsche, Benz, Evo, BMW, Toyota/Lexus or Nissan. But then a significant portion of the "sufferers" of the so called bigotry would probably be rather depressed with the idea of building any of those cars because their automotive tastes end at the Beatles "White" album.

So there-in lies the generational rub. Guys who build hot rods (nothing wrong with building what you want and like to build by the way) don't like 1:24 because it would look out if "scale" in their collection, and can be militantly hardline about it because they have 0 interest in the kits that most Asian & European companies are issuing. Whereas if I said I wasn't building a GT-R until someone made it in 1:25 I'd die a disappointed modeler cause that ain't ever gonna happen.

Maybe I'm over-thinking it and you guys need to get outside if you're staring at your shelves so much that 3/8ths of an inch us starting to cause such problems in your eyes

Edited August 30, 2012 by niteowl7710

[John Goschke]

The large majority of kits of American cars are to 1/25th scale and has been since the early 1950s (with Monogram being the exception in the U.S.) That's the reason that 1/24th is often a deal-breaker.

As an example, Revell is due to release their new kit of the '57 Ford Custom Tudor sedan in 1/25th, which is great, not only because that car's never been kitted before, but because it will theoretically be compatible with AMT's 1962-vintage Trophy Series 1/25th scale kit of the '57 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria, which, in turn was compatible with their even earlier kit of the 1958 Fairlane 500, and all the other myriad kits and models released by AMT, SMP, MPC, Revell and Johan going back to the early '50s.

While each model I build is an individual work on its own, it's important to me that it fit in with my collection of other 1/25th scale models.

I do have a small group of 1/24th scale models based on old Monogram kits. Because of the noticeable difference in proportion, they are not displayed with the stuff in 1/25th, anymore than I would display a 1/48th Spitfire next to a 1/72nd Hurricane.

[Junkman]

1:25 scale is as typically American, as Hamburgers, Coca Cola, Harley Davidson and Rock'n'Roll. It is part of the American culture and heritage. Don't mess with it.

[Harry P.]

I do have a small group of 1/24th scale models based on old Monogram kits. Because of the noticeable difference in proportion, they are not displayed with the stuff in 1/25th, anymore than I would display a 1/48th Spitfire next to a 1/72nd Hurricane.

Man, you sure are fussy!

On my shelves I have 1/8 scale cars next to 1/24 cars next to 1/9 bikes next to 1/32 WWI fighter planes next to 1/6 and 1/4 scale engines, etc., etc. Mix and match! No scale bigotry on my shelves... all models and all scales welcome.

[slusher]

Guys l never thought anything about 1/24 and 1/25 scales until l started seeing it on the forums. l really don't give it much thought now. lf something works great. l see the differance sometimes but l must have just never really thought it mattered since l mainly build box stock...

[moparmagiclives]

1:25 scale is as typically American, as Hamburgers, Coca Cola, Harley Davidson and Rock'n'Roll. It is part of the American culture and heritage. Don't mess with it.

....Do I dare bring diecast into the conversation ?

[moparmagiclives]

Is it just me, or does it look like the hoods would interchange ???

[Junkman]

....Do I dare bring diecast into the conversation ?

No you don't.

[ZTony8]

Regarding the picture of the two "Cuda bodies-the white one looks to be the old Prudhomme funny car body(notice the two spoiler tabs on the deck lid) which would be very different from a street version kit body-the wheelbase is longer hence a longer body and that body has way too tall of a side profile.

If you want an example of a very out of scale kit look at a Fujimi Honda Civic(1995 version).That thing is listed as a 1/24th scale model but if it's not AT LEAST 1/22nd scale I'm blind.

Edited August 30, 2012 by ZTony8

[gtx6970]

Regarding the picture of the two "Cuda bodies-the white one looks to be the old Prudhomme funny car body(notice the two spoiler tabs on the deck lid) which would be very different from a street version kit body-the wheelbase is longer hence a longer body and that body has way too tall of a side profile.

Although there were exceptions,, most funnycar bodies back then used an overall stock length body ( measured bumper to bumper ) with just the ft wheelwells moved forward to accomodate the longer wheelbase.

[gtx6970]

Is it just me, or does it look like the hoods would interchange ???

Nope,

Monogram hood is wider and longer.,,,, maybe 1/8" each way.

It can be narrowed a bit to solve the width part. But I think then the width of the scoop becomes a factor for scale .Then the raised center section of the hood is to long to shorten the hood to make it work

[martinfan5]

Gosh I hate to say this is a generational thing, it does seem to lean that way.

The first glue kit I molested (I can't say built,as that's not what that gluebomb turned out to be) was a Monogram kit. So to me the entire scale debate is ridiculous as it radically defines what kits you can build.

But as I think we saw in the current thread on the '70 Cuda a, lot of people demanding it be in 1:25 in the next breath said they wouldn't buy one anyways because it's not the niche they build within.

That got me wondering as I was driving along last night if the so called scale bigotry isn't so much bigotry as it were, but rather a complete and total apathetic outlook on the subject matter if most 1:24 kits. I'd be rather depressed if by scale fanaticism I could never build any generation GT-R, any modern Ferrari, Porsche, Benz, Evo, BMW, Toyota/Lexus or Nissan. But then a significant portion of the "sufferers" of the so called bigotry would probably be rather depressed with the idea of building any of those cars because their automotive tastes end at the Beatles "White" album.

So there-in lies the generational rub. Guys who build hot rods (nothing wrong with building what you want and like to build by the way) don't like 1:24 because it would look out if "scale" in their collection, and can be militantly hardline about it because they have 0 interest in the kits that most Asian & European companies are issuing. Whereas if I said I wasn't building a GT-R until someone made it in 1:25 I'd die a disappointed modeler cause that ain't ever gonna happen.

Maybe I'm over-thinking it and you guys need to get outside if you're staring at your shelves so much that 3/8ths of an inch us starting to cause such problems in your eyes

What James said, and I think he hit the nail on the head with that

[tabsscale1]

To me I don't care what scale it is if I like the Subject I buy the kit. If I do kit bash though I try to keep the same scales together.

[sjordan2]

So, it seems that hardcore American builders are pretty unanimous about kits being issued in 1:25. But even if 1:24 is the standard for the rest of the world, are those builders as demanding as we are about the scale? Something for the model company to ponder.

[John Goschke]

I guess it comes down to whether they think they're going to sell more kits of American cars; in the U.S. or the rest of the world.

Edited August 30, 2012 by John Goschke

[stevepye]

Engines, wheels and tires do not interchange well between 1/24 and 1/25. In fact, some items do not interchange within a scale. Try an AMT engine with Revell parts, as an example. And, I have seen examples of items not interghanging within a manfacturer!

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't know.....I build primarily 1/25 because that's what most hot-rod kits are. i also like historic race cars, and there are quite a few in 1/24 and 1/25, so I buy whatever strikes my fancy at the time. I like traditional customs too, and again the basic material seems to be primarily 1/25, but one of my best models to date is a radical custom 1/24 muscle car. I never thought in a million years I'd build a 1/24 muscle car. I also like European exotics and vintage sports cars, and buy whatever scale offers the car of interest. And like I said above, I'll swap stuff between 1/25 and 1/24 IF there is a valid reason, if it LOOKS right, etc.

I've got some 1/8 kits started, some 1/8 and 1/10 scratchbuilt projects going, and several 1/12 and 1/16, and even an oddball 1/20 McLaren in the stash, just because I like the subject of all of them.

I'd never display 1/25 models on the same shelf as the large scales, but definitely on the same wall.

Of course I like MOST types of cars too....hot-rods, really well-done tuners and lowriders, old sports cars and vintage anything...drag and road racers....Fords, Chevys and Mopars....Porsches and Jags and Alfa Romeos. What's not to like?

The only thing that REALLY bothers me about the concept of "scale" is when the kit manufacturers don't seem to understand it, like the joke of a motor in the newer-release Ala Kart, or the fact that NO TWO of the available '34 Fords in the same scale have the same length hood, whereas ALL the real '34 Fords had the same length hood. I guess measuring accurately and dividing correctly is just too tough.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Engines, wheels and tires do not interchange well between 1/24 and 1/25. In fact, some items do not interchange within a scale. Try an AMT engine with Revell parts, as an example. And, I have seen examples of items not interghanging within a manfacturer!

Sorry, but I really don't get this. I've got Revell engines in AMT chassis and bodies and vice-versa. I mean, a Chevy engine doesn't bolt into a Ford, but if you know what you're doing, anything fits ANYTHING.

[niteowl7710]

I guess it comes down to whether they think they're going to sell more kits of American cars; in the U.S. or the rest of the world.

The inverse of that question is how many Ferrari kits does Revell sell here, compared with the rest of the world? It has to be relatively significant to demand re-boxing the majority of Revell AG kits into our North American boxes and casting them in white plastic rather than whatever color they were molded in, in Germany (errr Poland).

Those kits are all 1:24 and I don't believe I've ever heard complaint one about that fact from anyone. I've seen a fair share of Audi R8s built here and not a single person lamented the fact it isn't just a wee bit smaller. But mold a '70 Plymouth in 1:24 and the world is going to cease it's rotational axis.

Think large scale (no pun intended), does the average person who might but a dozen kits a year actually care about the scale difference? Do the people who threaten to but a case of something ever really do it anyway? I can only think of a handfull of members here I've ever seen post in the "What did I get today" thread more than 2 of any kit.

[LoneWolf15]

Think of the hobby first ! How can we help a new release succeed ? The question was asked and answered as to what scale was preferred .

The standard in the US is 1/25th , has been since the start . If the 'Cuda is researched and done up correctly , released in 1/25th scale , and marketed properly , it will sell in far more appreciable numbers than it's counterpart scale .

Generational thing ? Nope ! Reality ! Either that or I've been staring at the shelves or sitting too close to the orange and white tube for the last 55 years of my life . Not a chance !