The middle way between size and detail is what 1:48 military model kits offer. A tank here is a third smaller than in 1:35 yet still holds fine detail, and the airfield tractors, bomb trolleys and carrier deck equipment made in this size sit perfectly beside quarter-scale aeroplanes. Subjects run from light tanks of the 1940s to Leopards and Challengers in current service. Below: who quarter scale suits best, and which upgrades we keep for it in the same size.
Quarter scale is the home size of aircraft modellers, which is exactly why so much ground equipment appears in it: airfield tractors, starting trolleys, bomb carts, carrier deck tugs and heavy howitzers. Beside them stand full tanks and armoured vehicles that take less shelf than their 1:35 equivalents while giving a comparable build experience.
If you build aircraft, start with service vehicles: a tractor and a row of bomb trolleys turn a lone aeroplane into a working flight line. They pair with 1:48 aircraft model kits from the neighbouring branch.
A medium tank measures about 14 cm, so it fits a modest cabinet. Parts breakdown is often carried straight over from larger kits, with only the suspension simplified, which pleasantly shortens the build.
Some boxings come with metal weights or one-piece tracks. Anything fine that is missing you add with photo-etch and a turned barrel made specifically for 1:48.
The complete list of armour scales sits under military model kits.
