Model Kit
Saturday, June 14th, 2008Model 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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Kato N Guage Model Struture 23 224 Rural Overhead Stairway Kit NEW |  |
4 Bids | US $9.25 | 15m |
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Lot of 14 Athearn HO scale rolling stock in original boxes | |
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Proto 2000 DRGW Rio Grande 4427 PSC CD High Side Covered Hopper HO Scale | |
2 Bids | US $5.74 | 59m |
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11 Bids | US $20.50 | 1h 6m |
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2 Bids | US $1.11 | 1h 12m |
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US $18.99 | 1h 15m |
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Walthers 933 3039 BACKSHOP Building Kit New Sealed | |
7 Bids | US $33.23 | 1h 20m |
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HO MCKEAN MASTER SERIES 40 PS 1 BOXCAR KIT UNDECORATED NW DECALS MINT | |
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US $19.99 | 1h 26m |
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BACHMANN HO Scale OPERATING GRAVEL LOADER Snap It Model Kit 45511 NIB NEW Boxed | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 1h 31m |
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HO TRAIN WALTHERS 30 TANK CAR KIT UNDECORATED MINT SEALED | |
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US $14.99 | 1h 32m |
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HO TRAIN 50 RIB SIDE HI CUBE BOXCAR KIT UNDECORATED MINT | |
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US $14.99 | 1h 37m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT BUNGALOW HOUSE PLASTIC BUILDING KIT RIX202 | |
12 Bids | US $11.00 | 1h 37m |
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HO scale train bridge KIT | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1h 38m |
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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 39m |
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HO FRANKLIN JCT PASSENGER STATION by TIMBERLINE II | |
6 Bids | US $43.77 | 1h 51m |
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Athearn HO Rio Grande GP 40 2 Powered Diesil NIB | |
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Quality Craft Model Norfolk And Western Wood Sheathed Caboose No 514 | |
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SET A Craft Model Hobby Tools Suit Airfix Hornby Trains | |
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Campbell Scale Models Seebold Mfg Co Craftsman kit 377 | |
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SP C 30 1 Caboose American Model Builders Craftsman kit Southern Pacific | |
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N SCALE TRAIN TRACK DETAIL VOLLMER TOWER OFFICE CUSTOM WEATHERED LOT | |
4 Bids | US $5.24 | 2h 5m |
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11 Bids | US $26.00 | 2h 9m |
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HO BAR MILLS CRAFTSMAN KIT REVELLAS SHIPPING AND STORAGE | |
1 Bid | US $16.99 | 2h 9m |
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MODEL POWER REAL ESTATE OFFICE MODEL KIT 442 HO SCALE NEW | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 2h 11m |
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Athearn O Gauge Kit 50 Auto KCS 0203 1295 | |
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1 Bid | US $20.00 | 2h 22m |
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HO SCALE DESIGN PRESERVATION MODEL CITY CAB COMPANY 112 | |
0 Bid | US $12.99 | 2h 24m |
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IHC PICKLE PLANT KIT HO SCALE BRAND NEW SEALED BOX HO TRAINS BUILDING | |
3 Bids | US $20.49 | 2h 26m |
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8 Bids | US $10.03 | 2h 28m |
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QUALITY PRODUCTS CO NEON CLOCK AND SIGN KIT HO | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 2h 37m |
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Model Power Stone Gravel Unloading Station | |
7 Bids | US $8.00 | 2h 40m |
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AMT ERTL 1962 Chevrolet Corvette 1962 Model Kit 1 25 | |
0 Bid | US $15.00 | 2h 45m |
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AMT ERTL Plymouth PROWLER with Trailer 125 Plastic Model Kit | |
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