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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1 Freight Car Wood Kit 44 1 2 ft Unopened Picard Novelty Co OO Scale |  |
1 Bid | US $3.99 | 16m |
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MILE POST O scale ASSAY OFFICE KIT | |
7 Bids | US $20.00 | 20m |
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TYCO SIGNAL TOWER KIT HO SCALE SEALED RARE LOOK MODEL RAILROAD SNAP TOGETHER NEW | |
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US $12.00 | 21m |
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Athearn Genesis Union Pacific SD70M 4674 | |
0 Bid | US $99.00 | 24m |
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Rare HO Scale Carnival Ride plastic Model Kit Motorcycle Ride | |
12 Bids | US $29.00 | 24m |
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S Sn3 MICROTECH LASER SALOON | |
0 Bid | US $28.50 | 28m |
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S Sn3 MICROTECH LASER CUT KEELER OUTBUILDINGS | |
0 Bid | US $27.50 | 28m |
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HO SCALE MICROTECH SANTA FE CUCAMONGA DEPOT KIT | |
0 Bid | US $29.95 | 28m |
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Lot of FOUR Spectrum Vanderbilt tenders NIB No reserve and free shipping | |
7 Bids | US $40.00 | 30m |
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O On30 On3 5 STALL ROUNDHOUSE WOOD KIT great with LIONEL BACHMANN ATLAS | |
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US $169.99 | 33m |
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5 STALL ROUNDHOUSE WOOD KIT On30 On3 great with BACHMANN SPECTRUN WEAVER MTH | |
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US $169.99 | 33m |
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HO train Skull valley station kit Campbell scale models 367 wood builders kit | |
11 Bids | US $28.25 | 36m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT GENERAL STORE BUILDING KIT SCCENERY L1351 | |
9 Bids | US $6.09 | 37m |
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ARII 1 50 Scale Japanese Steam Locomotive C 57 Type Plastic Model Kit NEW | |
3 Bids | US $27.00 | 40m |
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VOLLMER HO 3632 BURGER KING KIT BONUS 3 BUSCH VEHICLES TAXI SUV SEDAN NIB | |
2 Bids | US $51.11 | 41m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN 4068 DENVER RIO GRANDE WESTERN STOCK CARNEW IN BOX | |
4 Bids | US $23.50 | 42m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN Part No 1205 N RIGHT LEFT SWITCH NEW IN BOX | |
11 Bids | US $91.00 | 46m |
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56 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1940s and 1950s Priority ship | |
0 Bid | US $49.99 | 50m |
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lot of 14 N scale hoppers 8 NIB MT hoppers 6 others NIB no res free ship | |
17 Bids | US $117.97 | 50m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN No 1031 BUFFER STOP With LIGHTED SIGNAL NEW IN BOX | |
2 Bids | US $10.50 | 50m |
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Ed Lees Pollock 75 Ton Kling Hot Metal Car All Metal New | |
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US $30.00 | 50m |
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Pollock 75 Ton Kling Hot Metal Cars 3 Pack New | |
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US $45.00 | 50m |
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Suydam Pollock 75 Ton Kling Hot Metal Car All Metal New | |
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US $30.00 | 50m |
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20th Century Exact Scale Bank Building kit b | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 54m |
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Athearn Branchline Ford Hopper kit b | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 54m |
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Ayers Vanderbuilt Tender kit b | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 54m |
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Old Trackside Office Pro Built New GREAT DETAILS | |
0 Bid | US $20.00 | 54m |
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50 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1960s | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 54m |
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Blue Line 85 Streamlined PRR Strata Dome Coach kit 2 b | |
0 Bid | US $12.00 | 54m |
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Central of Georgia PS 1 Box Car b | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 54m |
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Early Ulrich Western Maryland Hopper kit b | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 54m |
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FC GATX 89 TOFC Flatcar kit b | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 54m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN Pt No 1215 N RIGHT LEFT ELECTRIC SWITCH NEW IN BOX | |
10 Bids | US $76.65 | 54m |
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International Coach kit b | |
2 Bids | US $14.49 | 54m |
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JC Silver Side PRR 60 Baggage Car kit b | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 54m |
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Kasiner Streamlined Coach kit b | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 55m |
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K6 Kit Bash ROUND TOP BOX CAR 2 Rail or 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden | |
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US $6.60 | 55m |
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SANTA FE S SCALE DINER Scale Length 80 Copper Brass body wood roof built | |
0 Bid | US $69.99 | 56m |
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32 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1990s | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 56m |
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K8 Kit Bash Old Style 2 BAY HOPPER 2 Rail 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Woodn Kit | |
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US $4.40 | 56m |
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GHQ Models Material Handler w Figure Pro Built NEW | |
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US $22.00 | 57m |
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K7 Kit Bash SUPER VALUE LITTLE CIGARS 2 Rail 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden | |
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US $6.60 | 58m |
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33 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1993 1996 1998 | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 58m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN Part No 4169 FLAT CAR WITH LUMBER LOAD NEW IN BOX | |
8 Bids | US $31.30 | 58m |
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K2 Kit Bash DOTS CANDY Box Car 2 Rail or 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden | |
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US $6.60 | 59m |
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56 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1969 1970s | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 59m |
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K22 Kit Bash HI CUBE BOX CAR 2 Rail or O SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Woodn Kit | |
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US $6.60 | 1h 1m |
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36 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine — 1976 1977 1979 — 3 full years | |
0 Bid | US $24.99 | 1h 1m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN Part No 5075 SIGNAL CONTROL BOX NEW IN BOX | |
7 Bids | US $26.99 | 1h 2m |
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K20 Kit Bash HI CUBE Red BOX CAR 2 Rail or O SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Woodn Kit | |
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US $6.60 | 1h 3m |
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24 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine — 1982 and 1983 — two full years | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 1h 4m |
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K40 Kit Bash PRR BOX CAR 2 Rail or O SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden Kit Pennsyl | |
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US $6.60 | 1h 5m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN No 5007 ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL UNIT NEW IN BOX | |
11 Bids | US $102.50 | 1h 6m |
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K4 Kit Bash GONDOLA 2 Rail or 027 SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden Gon | |
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US $4.40 | 1h 7m |
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28 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine 1980s | |
0 Bid | US $16.99 | 1h 7m |
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K21 Kit Bash NYC BOX CAR 2 Rail or O Scale SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Woodn Kit | |
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US $8.80 | 1h 9m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN No 12x1000 Box of 12 12 INCH STRAIGHT TRACKS NEW | |
8 Bids | US $66.00 | 1h 10m |
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K33 Kit Bash BOX CAR 2 Rail or O SHELL ONLY PARTS Restore Wooden Kit | |
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US $5.50 | 1h 10m |
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LGB LEHMANN TRAIN 4066 FLAT CAR w LOG LOAD STAKES NEW IN BOX | |
9 Bids | US $49.00 | 1h 14m |
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O scale PECOS RIVER SANTA FE SCOUT BOX CAR | |
2 Bids | US $12.50 | 1h 15m |
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HO SEQUOIA CRAFTSMAN BUILDING KIT 65 GALLOWS TURNTABLE NEW RARE | |
1 Bid | US $34.95 | 1h 17m |
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LGB POLA TRAIN Part No 965 ASH REMOVER STAND NEW IN BOX | |
2 Bids | US $15.50 | 1h 18m |
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NEW HAKUCHO train Limited Express HO H0 authentic scale plastic model kit | |
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US $129.00 | 1h 18m |
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Vintage HO Scale DPM Structure Kit Townhouse 1 kit 109 Original Packaging | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1h 21m |
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HO Innovative Model Works Lackawanna 40 1937 AAR boxcar kit unbuilt | |
3 Bids | US $11.00 | 1h 21m |
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CN CNR Canadian National HO Wood Kit Freight Shed | |
1 Bid | US $24.95 | 1h 23m |
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