Looking Right

[Dave Cooper]

You could well be right Brian.

I'll have to get my measuring stick out...
Dave

[Phil Court]

The bus looks way too small to me.
I think the London buses are 14 foot high and 8 foot wide so in 4mm scale that should be 56mm tall and 32mm wide.

Maybe its a minibus😎

[Dave Cooper]

I'll see if I can organise a shot with the Landrover, Bus and Pick-up truck together as a size comparison.

It may be possible (using distance perspective), to make them 'look right' by placing the larger vehicles further away - we'll see...

[Hobby]

It's not too difficult to get true scale road vehicle models these days, one of the basics when hunting is to avoid the really cheap stuff unless you know what scale it is, especially those at toyfairs/swapmeets, especially eBay, and exhibitions. Cararama are well known for being overscale for 4mm, though nice models, they are actually 1:72 and WILL look wrong alongside 1:76 models, a classic Mini being the same size as a Land Rover, for instance! Stick to the well known manufacturers if you are not sure, Oxford Diecast being the best known. Getting an underscale one isn't too much of an issue as you can use it as "background" but an overscale one is impossible to hide and looks wrong against true scale models.

One of those things that is easy enough to get right with some care, but can ruin a good model if done wrong.

Here's a classic example, someone on eBay saying theyare 1:76 despite one photo showing the 1:72 on the packaging!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/264767045244?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=264767045244&targetid=909953938039&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006838&poi=&campaignid=10204071303&mkgroupid=104953043274&rlsatarget=aud-629407026665:pla-909953938039&abcId=1145987&merchantid=6995734&gclid=CjwKCAjwydP5BRBREiwA-qrCGq9Fq91cNfl2b0i6xpYWUpys9VQZkKP7bHIeFyV9eROQh960-DtpNxoCRcgQAvD_BwE

[Dave Cooper]

Thanks for the tip Blair.

The REME Landrover is Oxford Diecast and is 1/76, so I'll use that as the main reference. As you say, at around £5 each they're not going to break the bank...

The bus does look undersize and the pick-up oversize (unless it's a USA model and they are somewhat larger than they're UK equivalents when full-size). I think I may swap these two out if I can't get a suitable placement for them on the diorama - 2 for 1 anyone ?
Regards,
Dave

[Dave Cooper]

Size comparison of the 3 main vehicles:

Bus - Corgi Juniors, Daimler Fleetline - 70mm long x 20mm wide x 35mm high.
Pick-up - Matchbox, Holden - 70mm long x 28mm wide x 20mm high.
Landrover is Oxford Diecast 1/76.

I would be happy to swap the bus and pick-up for one 1/76 vehicle (not fussy what it is)...

[Graeme Dunbar]

If you are looking towards replacing the bus, perhaps a single decker might suit the location? Even a "Mountain Goat" type bus? It depends on the layout's backstory. On the other hand perhaps the location does represent somewhere wild and rocky close to a more urban setting and a double decker fits the bill. It need not be a like for like swap unless that is the effect you are going for.

[Graeme Dunbar]

.. and the pick-up oversize (unless it's a USA model and they are somewhat larger than they're UK equivalents when full-size).

You mentioned Holden, in which case it's a long way from home. Perhaps owned by an ex-pat Ozzie called Bruce?  ;D The size could be about right.


"This here's the wattle, the symbol of our Land.
  You can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand."    ;)

[Hobby]

According to a search the Holden Ute (to give it it's true name) is 1899mm wide so that would make it 1:68 scale (roughly!).

[Dave Cooper]

I think I can live with the Holden in the goods yard and the 'Landie' on the hill-side (see page 3 photos)....at least, for the time being. But the bus ?!

Maybe an open top or, a single decker (as suggested). Will have to think on it a bit more.

[MickT]

Dave,

Forget about swapmeets and exhibitions etc as they don't exist at present, but you can still find things if you have access to charity shops and there are still some possible finds at market stalls.

Get yourself a pre-loved playworn EFE/Corgi/Oxford 1:76 bus from a rummage box for a couple of pounds maximum and repaint it. Probably sensible to donate your bus to the same charity shop as I don't think anyone here will be interested in it due to it being possibly only relevant to 3mm scale and it isn't really a scale model of anything anyway. This will save yourself a lot of trouble trying to figure out what to do with 3 toy vehicles that are not compatible with each other!

Mick

[Dave Cooper]

Not a bad idea at all Mick.

We're about to make several donations to local charity shops anyway - I'll have a rummage while I'm there and see what's about...
Dave