Model Kit
Model Kit
The History of Scales in Plastic Kits
A Scale Model is a replica or copy of an object that is either larger or smaller than the original. Commonly the scale model is a smaller version of the original and is produced to provide a guide for making a full size version or as a hobby or toy.
Model makers often make models for the following professions;
For architects who require a smaller version to build from.
For engineers to evaluate design performance at an early stage
For salesman to provide scaled down versions of an item for demonstration
Film makers to recreate elaborate sets
Toy makers and hobbyists make a wide variety of models including die-cast models, injection moulded, model railroads, fantasy creatures and Remote Control vehicles etc for their own enjoyment.
Scales and Size
Hobbyists' Scale Models are from those created by the companies which made the full-sized products. Originally, a "scale" was a physical measuring instrument. First among scales are the rulers that are triangular in cross-section and called architect's scales or engineer's scales. The terminology used was of this manner: "scale size to full size", or the reverse. An architect's scale was used to make the first affordable models: doll houses and their furniture. Its popular scales for these miniatures were "one inch to the foot" and "one-half inch to the foot"; there is also "three-quarters inch to the foot".
The proportion of the model to the prototype was originally called "size", as in "full-sized" or "half-sized", as used on a blueprint for making something that would fit on a workbench.
Phrases used are those of "larger" and "smaller" scales. The scale of 1/8"-to-the-foot is a larger scale than 1/16"-to-the-foot, even though the denominator is smaller. So a larger model is made to a larger scale. You Can remember this in that a full-size, or full-scale, model is larger than a half-size model.
The History of Plastic Model kits
For aircraft recognition in the Second World War, the RAF selected models to the scale of "one-sixth inch to the foot" (which was two British lines, a legal division of length which didn't make it to America, besides being a standard shipyard scale). Although some consumer models were sold pre-war in Britain to this scale, the airmens' models were pressed out of ground-up old rubber tires. This is of course the still-popular 1:72 scale. It wasn't predestined to succeed; there were competitors.
The US Navy, in contrast, had metal models made to the proportion 1:432, which is "nine-feet-to-the-quarter-inch". At this scale, a model six feet is about half a statute mile; and seven feet about half a nautical mile.
About the Author
Chris Tyrrell writes for ABC Modelsport who stock a wide variety of plastic kits and radio controlled toys. Visit the website for more details.
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HO Scale Sawmill Building Kit by E Suydam Co |  |
6 Bids | US $13.34 | 54m |
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Walthers Coke Service Cars 3 Pack Kit HO Scale Brand New In Box | |
10 Bids | US $26.00 | 1h 26m |
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Walthers Slag Car 3 Pack Kit HO Scale Brand New In Box | |
12 Bids | US $39.00 | 1h 28m |
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Walthers Slag Car 3 Pack Kit HO Scale | |
9 Bids | US $36.00 | 1h 30m |
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Walthers Coke Service Cars 3 Pack Kit HO Scale | |
9 Bids | US $30.00 | 1h 31m |
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Walthers Hot Metal Car 3 Pack Kit HO Scale Brand New In Box | |
8 Bids | US $31.00 | 1h 32m |
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Walthers Hot Metal Car 3 Pack Kit HO Scale | |
7 Bids | US $31.00 | 1h 32m |
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HO SCALE LARGE VARIETY LOT KITS PARTS SCENERY MORE | |
9 Bids | US $22.00 | 1h 56m |
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N Scale Architect HO Scale CNJ Two Story Station NEW FSM Fine Miniatures FOS | |
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US $99.95 | 1h 58m |
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WALTHERS CORNERSTONE MI JACK INTERMODEL CRANE KIT | |
2 Bids | US $26.00 | 2h 25m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT HOUSE WITH SIDE PORCH BUILDING KIT RIX203 | |
7 Bids | US $9.50 | 2h 27m |
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Burlington Route Railroad Express 50 Insulated Reefer by Roundhouse Models | |
2 Bids | US $5.50 | 2h 39m |
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Classic Miniatures Sparks Nevada depot Harriman Std SP UP HO Model kit | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 2h 47m |
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VARNEY SINCLAIR SINGLE DOME CAR RTR W SCREW MOUNTED KDS 38000 CIRCA 1951 | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 55m |
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BOSTON MAINE 40 STEEL BOX CAR RTR SCREW MOUNTED TRUCKS KADEES 77711 | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 56m |
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RARE ATHEARN CARSTEN PUBLISHING RAMSEY OBSERVATION CAR RTR CAR 4 | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 2h 58m |
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WELLS FARGO EXPRESS STATION KIT WOOD AND CARDBOARD 86 CALIFORNIA MODEL CO | |
0 Bid | US $20.00 | 3h 2m |
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Roundhouse Products 50 Covered Hopper DRGW 15602 | |
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US $18.50 | 3h 34m |
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Roundhouse Products 50 Covered Hopper DRGW 15618 | |
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US $18.50 | 3h 40m |
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N Scale Manual Turntable by Con Cor Heljan NEW | |
1 Bid | US $10.00 | 3h 47m |
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Old Time Sawmill HO scale model RR building kit | |
11 Bids | US $67.99 | 3h 59m |
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HO two industrial structures buildings both brick casket factory and generic fa | |
1 Bid | US $19.95 | 4h 5m |
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TWO HOUSES FALLER N GAUGE | |
1 Bid | US $3.95 | 4h 34m |
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DETACHED HOUSE WITH GARAGE VGC VOLLMER N GAUGE | |
1 Bid | US $3.16 | 4h 38m |
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2 HO Athearn Pennsylvania 50 Double Door Box Car Kits | |
1 Bid | US $8.95 | 4h 39m |
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LARGE COALING CRANE WITH LARGE COAL BUNKER VGC FALLER N GAUGE | |
6 Bids | US $44.44 | 4h 41m |
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SET A Craft Model Hobby Tools Suit Airfix Hornby Trains | |
0 Bid | US $9.51 | 4h 49m |
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Timberline Models DRGW narrow gauge Dulce Depot kit | |
12 Bids | US $26.00 | 4h 52m |
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ASSORTMENT OF 25 TREES N GAUGE | |
5 Bids | US $4.29 | 4h 53m |
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Timberline Models DRGW narrow gauge water tank kit | |
5 Bids | US $26.00 | 4h 55m |
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CENTRAL VALLEY C 93 SIDE DOOR CABOOSE GREEN CRAFTSMAN KIT LKS COMPLETE NO TRUCKS | |
1 Bid | US $14.50 | 4h 59m |
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PETROL STATION WITH TWO PUMPS AND WORKSHOP SHOP FALLER N GAUGE | |
2 Bids | US $6.65 | 5h 4m |
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Timberline Scale Products 354 Juniper Street kit | |
11 Bids | US $33.00 | 5h 9m |
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EMERGENCY SERVICES GARAGE VOLLMER N GAUGE | |
1 Bid | US $6.33 | 5h 11m |
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Model Masterpieces HO Kit 125 Fairbanks Morse 300 Ton Coaling Tower | |
1 Bid | US $100.00 | 5h 12m |
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DPM Design Preservation Models Kit 107 Freight Depot | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 5h 12m |
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Evergreen Hill Nevada County RR Supply kit | |
9 Bids | US $27.00 | 5h 13m |
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MEDIEVAL OLD CITY GATE WALL BUILDING VGC KIBRI N GAUGE | |
4 Bids | US $30.24 | 5h 14m |
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Model Masterpieces HO Kit 120 DRGW Durango 65 Turntable | |
0 Bid | US $100.00 | 5h 15m |
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MEDIEVAL ROUND TOWER WITH WALLS VGC KIBRI N GAUGE | |
6 Bids | US $31.83 | 5h 16m |
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BEV BEL ATHEARN HO TRAIN MILLENNIUM SERIES HOLIDAY COLLECTORS REEFER KIT NEW IB | |
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US $17.99 | 5h 18m |
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Eastern Car Woks ACF 70 Ton covered hopper kit Undec | |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 5h 21m |
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Model Masterpieces HO Kit 130 Locomotive Backshop w 2ea 514 Cranes included | |
1 Bid | US $250.00 | 5h 22m |
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Vintage Wells Fargo Express Old Time Wood Passenger Combine Ambroid CV Trucks | |
4 Bids | US $8.90 | 5h 24m |
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Vintage Silver Streak Santa Fe SFRD Super Chief Wood Refrigerator Car Kadees | |
2 Bids | US $5.51 | 5h 24m |
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Vintage CBT Shops Pennsylvania PRR 1944 Box Car Kit SK 1b Scheme Original Box | |
0 Bid | US $8.00 | 5h 24m |
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Rio Grande Southern HOn3 Narrow Gauge Stock Car in Need of Restoration | |
3 Bids | US $2.76 | 5h 24m |
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7 Pennsylvania PRR 3 Bay Rib Side Coal Hoppers KITS Different Road Numbers | |
9 Bids | US $46.00 | 5h 25m |
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4 Con Cor New York Central Silver Streamline Passenger Coaches Observation | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 5h 25m |
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3 Walthers 36 Old Time Tank Car KITS Conoco Humble Oil Southern Pacific | |
3 Bids | US $13.28 | 5h 25m |
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MINICRAFT MODEL KITS 1829 STEPHENSON ROCKET 1 26 SCALE MODEL KIT MADE IN1998 MIP | |
0 Bid | US $5.00 | 5h 27m |
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RESTAURANT WITH APARTMENTS ABOVE VGC N GAUGE | |
4 Bids | US $16.67 | 5h 28m |
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WARSTENER MODERN HOTEL N GAUGE | |
1 Bid | US $7.92 | 5h 32m |
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Master Creations Railhead Saloon kit | |
13 Bids | US $70.00 | 5h 32m |
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Athearn HO Freight Car Assortment | |
4 Bids | US $4.25 | 5h 37m |
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CBT Shops | |
0 Bid | US $8.00 | 5h 38m |
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ATHEARN HO MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD STOCK CAR BLUE BOX KIT MODEL RAILWAY TRAIN | |
1 Bid | US $7.99 | 5h 40m |
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Mckean Models | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 5h 44m |
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Wespe Models Resin German 18 ton Famo prime mover 1 87 | |
0 Bid | US $18.00 | 5h 44m |
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Plasticville lot of vintage models in boxes 12 items total Hangar Motel Airport | |
13 Bids | US $91.00 | 5h 45m |
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1 Freight Car Detail Kit EMRR OO Scale | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 5h 53m |
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N Scale Vintage Atlas Coal Mine Kit | |
2 Bids | US $20.55 | 5h 53m |
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Athearn Bev Bel Corp HO 40ft Boxcar Kit Assortment | |
7 Bids | US $15.50 | 6h 2m |
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Blair Line Inc HO SCALE Kit 168 Drive In Theatre New in Box | |
4 Bids | US $12.55 | 6h 5m |
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Old 1958 copyright Farm Buildings Set of 4 Plastic by RevellNot Assembled | |
15 Bids | US $26.00 | 6h 14m |
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124 Scale Herb Deeks Mine Entrance Adit W Steel Security Door KIT MT AC 1 | |
2 Bids | US $30.99 | 6h 26m |
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