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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Proto 2000 DRGW Rio Grande 4427 PSC CD High Side Covered Hopper HO Scale |  |
2 Bids | US $5.74 | 21m |
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HO 1 87 sc WALTHERS 932 5106 BASF Wyandotte UTLX 78503 30 Tank Car KIT | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 25m |
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Ulrich 3 Axle Kenworth white metal HO scale model kit | |
11 Bids | US $20.50 | 29m |
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The Wheel Works HO scale white metal Rail Truck model kit new in box | |
2 Bids | US $1.11 | 35m |
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Pola 907 Railroad Station Silverton Kit G Scale | |
7 Bids | US $43.00 | 36m |
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HO SILVER STREAK CRAFTSMAN KIT SP UP DOUBLE HERALD WOOD REEFER PFE MINT | |
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US $18.99 | 38m |
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Walthers 933 3039 BACKSHOP Building Kit New Sealed | |
7 Bids | US $33.23 | 43m |
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HO MCKEAN MASTER SERIES 40 PS 1 BOXCAR KIT UNDECORATED NW DECALS MINT | |
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US $19.99 | 49m |
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BACHMANN HO Scale OPERATING GRAVEL LOADER Snap It Model Kit 45511 NIB NEW Boxed | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 54m |
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HO TRAIN WALTHERS 30 TANK CAR KIT UNDECORATED MINT SEALED | |
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US $14.99 | 55m |
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HO TRAIN 50 RIB SIDE HI CUBE BOXCAR KIT UNDECORATED MINT | |
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US $14.99 | 59m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT BUNGALOW HOUSE PLASTIC BUILDING KIT RIX202 | |
12 Bids | US $11.00 | 1h |
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HO scale train bridge KIT | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1h 1m |
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Craft Model Tool Kit Suit Hornby Train Track Cutting Set Quality Roll Up Case | |
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US $19.83 | 1h 2m |
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Ulrich 3 Axle tank car w extra car Kenworth white metal HO scale model kit | |
10 Bids | US $27.78 | 1h 2m |
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HO FRANKLIN JCT PASSENGER STATION by TIMBERLINE II | |
6 Bids | US $43.77 | 1h 14m |
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Athearn HO Rio Grande GP 40 2 Powered Diesil NIB | |
4 Bids | US $39.01 | 1h 15m |
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Quality Craft Model Norfolk And Western Wood Sheathed Caboose No 514 | |
6 Bids | US $14.50 | 1h 19m |
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K5 Kit Bash LIPTON TEA BOX CAR 2 Rail or 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden | |
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US $5.50 | 1h 20m |
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SET A Craft Model Hobby Tools Suit Airfix Hornby Trains | |
0 Bid | US $9.44 | 1h 21m |
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Campbell Scale Models Seebold Mfg Co Craftsman kit 377 | |
0 Bid | US $32.00 | 1h 21m |
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K9 Kit Bash GN Great Northe HOPPER 2 Rail 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Woodn Kit | |
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US $4.40 | 1h 23m |
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SP C 30 1 Caboose American Model Builders Craftsman kit Southern Pacific | |
0 Bid | US $22.00 | 1h 26m |
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N SCALE TRAIN TRACK DETAIL VOLLMER TOWER OFFICE CUSTOM WEATHERED LOT | |
4 Bids | US $5.24 | 1h 28m |
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N SCALE TRAIN TRACK DETAIL RAPIDO TOWER OFFICE CUSTOM WEATHERED LOT | |
11 Bids | US $26.00 | 1h 32m |
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HO BAR MILLS CRAFTSMAN KIT REVELLAS SHIPPING AND STORAGE | |
1 Bid | US $16.99 | 1h 32m |
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MODEL POWER REAL ESTATE OFFICE MODEL KIT 442 HO SCALE NEW | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1h 34m |
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Athearn O Gauge Kit 50 Auto KCS 0203 1295 | |
8 Bids | US $11.50 | 1h 34m |
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Vintage HO Scale Walthers 80 Pullman Observation Car Kit | |
1 Bid | US $20.00 | 1h 45m |
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HO SCALE DESIGN PRESERVATION MODEL CITY CAB COMPANY 112 | |
0 Bid | US $12.99 | 1h 47m |
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IHC PICKLE PLANT KIT HO SCALE BRAND NEW SEALED BOX HO TRAINS BUILDING | |
3 Bids | US $20.49 | 1h 49m |
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FALLERMARKLINTYCOBACHMANN HO SCALE KIT BUILT BUILDING | |
1 Bid | US $5.99 | 1h 50m |
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N SCALE TRAIN TRACK DETAIL STRUCTURE KATO RETAIL OFFICE LOT | |
8 Bids | US $10.03 | 1h 51m |
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Vintage 1950s Plasticville Hospital Kit HS 6 | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 1h 58m |
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QUALITY PRODUCTS CO NEON CLOCK AND SIGN KIT HO | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 1h 59m |
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Model Power Stone Gravel Unloading Station | |
7 Bids | US $8.00 | 2h 3m |
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AMT ERTL 1962 Chevrolet Corvette 1962 Model Kit 1 25 | |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 2h 8m |
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AMT ERTL Plymouth PROWLER with Trailer 125 Plastic Model Kit | |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 2h 12m |
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On2 SRRL STRONG Maine FREIGHT HOUSE KIT B13 Sandy River Car Shops | |
0 Bid | US $55.95 | 2h 16m |
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2 Circus Craft Creations 70 Warren Flatcar Kits O Gauge Model Railroad | |
6 Bids | US $26.00 | 2h 18m |
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Vintage HO 1 87 sc Athearn KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN 50 Auto Freight Car KIT AS IS | |
1 Bid | US $16.99 | 2h 19m |
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Barn Silo Chicken Coop | |
14 Bids | US $15.53 | 2h 19m |
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Model Power N scale Budweiser Brewery | |
13 Bids | US $9.50 | 2h 35m |
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HO ROUNDHOUSE MDC UNION PACIFIC HARRIMAN BAGGAGE CAR KIT | |
1 Bid | US $6.99 | 2h 41m |
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Athearn 1604 CANADIAN NATIONAL Refrigerator Car 40ft Ice Bunker Reefer | |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 2h 48m |
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HO RDA BUILDING JOHNSONS LOFTBOATWORKS STRUCTURE KIT | |
0 Bid | US $35.95 | 2h 50m |
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HO RDA Building Vermont Passenger Station Structure Kit | |
0 Bid | US $21.95 | 2h 50m |
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HO RDA BUILDING MIDDLETON MILLS STRUCTURE KIT | |
0 Bid | US $31.95 | 2h 50m |
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HO RDA Building FREEMAN MANUFACTURING CO Structure Kit | |
0 Bid | US $26.95 | 2h 50m |
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RDA HO Scale Kit Crosstown Garage Structure KIT | |
0 Bid | US $31.95 | 2h 51m |
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HO RDA BUILDING BRP SIGNAL TOWER STRUCTURE HOn3 HOn30 | |
0 Bid | US $19.95 | 2h 51m |
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HO RDA Building DLW Station Structure Kit | |
0 Bid | US $19.95 | 2h 51m |
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Branchline Bluepirnt Series 50 Berwick Boxcar Kits NOS OPP | |
0 Bid | US $17.99 | 2h 51m |
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Baden Baden Passenger Platform By Vollmer | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 2h 52m |
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Ambroid NYOW New York Ontario Western Wood Milk Car HO Kit Craftsman | |
0 Bid | US $29.95 | 2h 55m |
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Creative Laser Design New England Farm House CRAFTSMAN Wood Kit CDL HO 013 | |
0 Bid | US $64.95 | 2h 57m |
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37331 Marklin HO E LOCO CL 3600 CFL DIGITAL NEW | |
0 Bid | US $279.99 | 3h |
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81450 MARKLIN Z Lime Transport Train Set NEW | |
0 Bid | US $289.99 | 3h |
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46775 MARKLIN HO District Inspectors KLV 04 Gang Car | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 3h |
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37607 MARKLIN HO TEE Diesel Powered Rail Car Train 2011 | |
0 Bid | US $899.99 | 3h |
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37926 MARKLIN HO Freight Train Steam Loco CL 042 DB mfx | |
1 Bid | US $379.99 | 3h |
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Station Newsagents and 2 Small Layout Huts Very Good Condition | |
0 Bid | US $4.71 | 3h |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT COALING TOWER BUILDING KIT STEAM ERA L1377 | |
8 Bids | US $4.54 | 3h |
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ACTION LIT MODEL AUTOMOBILES | |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 3h 1m |
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WESTERFIELD MODEL 4552 PRR GRA GONDOLA NEW KIT | |
0 Bid | US $20.00 | 3h 5m |
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N Gauge N Scale Tomix Tomy Hakone Tozan BY G M Electric Locomotive 2620 | |
7 Bids | US $25.49 | 3h 9m |
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