1/9 Scale, 1/6 Scale, 1/18 Scale

[WheresRICHARD]

Most of the Megos we know and love are in 1/9 scale (that is, hey're 1/9 the size of an average human being). Most GI Joes, Captain Actions, Marx figures, etc., are in 1/6 scale. Other figures such as Micronauts, Star Wars and GI JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO are in 1/18 scale.

Question: Objectively speaking, which is the best format for an action figure? What do you think are the relative merits and disadvantages of each?

[drmego]

1/6 or 12 inch is the best for detailing - like military uniforms.

1/9 or 8 inch is best for superheroes with simple costumes and bright colors.

1/18 or 3 3/4 inch are best for vehicles and playsets. The larger size figures
need bigger playsets and that makes them more expensive to produce.
Unfortunately vehicles and playsets sell less than the figures themselves.

Adults like 1/6 the best because they can appreciate the detailing but
this size is hard to display in quantity. Kids like the 1/18 because they
can carry them in their pockets or hide them in a backpack.

Adults that never grew up like 1/9 because you can display them, and play
with them, and store extras in plastic tubs, and take over your wife's china
cabinet and get strange looks from her family at holidays! Win Win.

[AJ Collector]

Not to mention there is an insanely available amount of accessories to accompany 1/6 scale figures.
But I believe your analysis was dead on, especially when it comes to the strange looks and little subliminal comments from the family.....

[WheresRICHARD]

Back when 3 3/4 GI Joes still rules the Joe aisle, I had an idea for a new GI Joe line....an 8 inch 1/9 scale size Joe. I felt like that was a good compromise that coulld make the realistic war-based Joes successful again....and I still feel like it was a good concept. Hasbro did eventually do some 8 inch Joes, but they were not the realistic style, but rather cartoony, and with some molded-on clothing. My concept was to stick with the realistic figures as they did with the old 12 inch Joes, but just in a smaller scale for those who in the 21st century think that action figures should be somewhat smaller.

[HardyGirl]

Well, I like 8", 10" and 12" pretty much all the same, though I admit I have more 12" GIJoe stuff than Big Jim or Mego.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

ANother point; the 3.5" figures are easier to make vehicles for. As I recall, that's why Kenner went that route with Star Wars. Not that you COULDN'T make vehicles for the bigger figures; it's been done, but they're more expensive. (Imagine a 12" scale Millenium Falcon?)

Looking back, I'm surprised at how many vehicles were done for the original 12" GI Joe. Makes me wonder how they did it and kept the price dwn. Was it just cheaper materials and production methods? (You'd think shipping would have done them in....)

Don C.

[WheresRICHARD]

Hmmmm....

Looking back, I'm surprised at how many vehicles were done for the original 12" GI Joe.
Don C.

True, although to be honest, most were not REALLY in scale. The Jeep I think was pretty close, and the Mercury Space Capsule was probably closer to scale than you at first think (Mercury capsule was tiny compared to Apollo). But when you start getting into the Adventure Team Trouble Shooter and similar vehicles....well consider that they're shorter than Joe would be if he was lying on the ground....and think how many cars you've driven, other than compact cars, that are shorter than you. Same thing with the rafts. Would you trust your life to a life raft that is about half your length and roughtly the same width as you? I love the stuff....big time vintage GI Joe fan....I'm just sayin'.

[WheresRICHARD]

....in fact the more I think about it, the more I think some of the GI joe stuff might be better sized for 8 inch Action Jackson....again, the Jeep being a notable exception.

[david_b]

True, although to be honest, most were not REALLY in scale. The Jeep I think was pretty close, and the Mercury Space Capsule was probably closer to scale than you at first think (Mercury capsule was tiny compared to Apollo). But when you start getting into the Adventure Team Trouble Shooter and similar vehicles....well consider that they're shorter than Joe would be if he was lying on the ground....and think how many cars you've driven, other than compact cars, that are shorter than you. Same thing with the rafts. Would you trust your life to a life raft that is about half your length and roughtly the same width as you? I love the stuff....big time vintage GI Joe fan....I'm just sayin'.

The only Joe vehicle I could say was noticeably 'underscale' was the AT Helicopter and the Panther Jet.

Although I'll be most likely buying the Panther Jet again for the FF figures I want to pick up.., I was thinking of customizing some small chairs for them, but I'd probably only be able to put two of 'em in anyways.

I always thought the Joe Panther Jet made a nice makeshift BatPlane with the right decals..

david_b

[AAAAA]

for 11.5/12 inch 0r 30.5cm vehicles are under scale
for cars Tammy's sport car comes the closest to 1/6 scale than barbies its pretty big.
Most vehicles are made in the 1/10-1/8 scale most falling in the 1/9 part
the panther jet is closer to 1/12 scale.
Renzi made a jet more in proportion with 1/9 scale
I have a girl fashion doll plane that i payed 10 for is is great scale for a WWII fighter.

[Dave Mc]

Ahh... this is a no brainer. 8" Mego scale.