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Choosing
a Scale
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Size
There
are many things to consider in choosing the right scale to build
your model. First would be what size do you wish your model to be?
Take into consideration the overall size of the model. A large
scale such as 1/48 is great for say a 47' USCG Motor
Lifeboat, but not particle for a Freighter of the same scale. So
maybe 1/87 scale or higher would work out better. Finally the
larger the model, the harder it will be to transport.
Detail
Next
would be the amount of detail you wish to do. The larger the scale
say 1/48, the more detailed you can get. While the smaller the
scale say 1/100, the more difficult it gets to detail do to it's
small size. Not to say it can't be done!
Parts and Fittings
Some
scales are very popular, therefore more would be available to you
in parts and fittings. Also consider related items such as my 1/87
model freighters, many items from 1/87 trains work well. |
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How to Scale
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Scaling a Freighter down
Lets
scale a 600' foot freighter to 1/87th scale, how big would my
model be?
1.
Start be dividing 600' Feet by 1/87th
600'
/ 87 = 6.896'
Feet ( The actual length of our model in
feet. )
2.
Now multiply that 6.896' by 12" and we get our model in
inches.
6.896' / 12" =
82.752 Inches
( The actual length of our model in inches. )
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Finding the scale of a model
We
can work in reverse, by taking a 36" Inch model of a 47' Motor
Lifeboat.
Start by dividing 36" by
12" to convert to feet.
36"
/ 12" = 3.0'
Feet
Now
take our known boat length of 47' and divide that by our known
model length of 3.0', this will give us our model scale.
47'
/ 3.0' =
15.66 Scale or 1/16th
Note
it calculated out to 15.66, it's a good chance it was built to
1/16 scale. |
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Finding the Feet per Inch for your scale
Often models are referred to by feet per inch, like 1/8th of
and inch equals one foot in 1/96th scale. Pretty hand to know.
Simply take 12" inches and divide it by your scale of 1/96th.
12"
/ 96 =
0.125" inches
( Or 1/8th of an inch equals 1 foot ) ( Or 8' Feet Per
Inch ) |
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Scaling Plans of a different scale then your model.
You
may find plans that are not available in the scale you need.
The best solution is to have the plans blown up to the scale
you need. The other to convert each dimension by the
difference, but that can get tedious.
Lets
take plans of 1/192th scale and convert it to 1/87th scale.
Take 12" Inches and divide
it by our two scales of 1/192th and 1/87th.
12" / 192 =
0.0625" Inches
12" / 87 =
0.1379" Inches
Now take the higher and
divided it by the lower.
0.1379" / 0.0625" =
2.2064
( Measure your plans and multiplier by
2.2064 )
Or
enlarge your plans by 220.64 % |
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Computer
Building Aids
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Scalar
 A
very complete scales and scaling program by Gregory Braun. Nice
little program you can download at his website. He also has some
other handy tools!
Download here. |
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Scalecalc
 Here's
another cool little scalar program made by Frank Crenshaw. Nothing
special need to run it, just download , click and go.
Download this
program. |
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Here are a few
Excel programs you can use
to help with your building. If you would like to add your work, or have a
suggestion please email me.
laker30@comcast.com
** You need Microsoft Excel to us these
spreadsheets. ** |
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Scale O
Matic
By: Alan Hinchman
List of most current (2003) operating
Lakers on the Great Lakes. Actual ship dimensions broken down into
each scale. Sections to key in your own ship dimensions.
Download this Excel Spreadsheet. |
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Scale
Converter
By: Jeff Churill
Version 1.0
Easy way to take a particular scaled plan
and convert to different scales. Shows you what you have to
multiply or divide your plans by to get the desired scale.
Download this Excel Spreadsheet. |
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Calculating Hull Volume
By: Jeff Churill
Version 1.1
A handy tool to calculate you hull volume
and needed ballast to simulate a full loud. Works with any scale
model.
Download this Excel Spreadsheet. |
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Calculating Scale Speed
By: Jeff Churill
Version 1.0
See how your model would perform at
a calculated scale speed.
Download this Excel Spreadsheet. |
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The Scales
Back to top
Here's a list of the most
common scales modeled after. I came across a similar list in a Scale
Ship Modelers Association of American newsletter article from spring
of 2005, written by Bill Vanderslice. Here's my version of the most
common scales modeled after. Thanks Bill for helping to put things
in perspective!!
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Dec. |
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Scale |
Inches |
( inches ) = 1 Foot |
Feet Per Inch |
Notes |
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1.2 |
6.0 |
6 |
0.17 |
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1.4 |
3.0 |
3 |
0.33 |
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1.6 |
2.0 |
2 |
0.50 |
Barbie |
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1.8 |
1.5 |
1 1/2 |
0.67 |
Model Cars |
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1.10 |
1.2 |
1 1/5 |
0.83 |
|
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1.12 |
1.0 |
1 |
1.00 |
Doll Houses |
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1.16 |
0.750 |
3/4 |
1.33 |
Die Cast Models |
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1.18 |
0.667 |
2/3 |
1.50 |
Die Cast Models |
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1.20 |
0.600 |
3/5 |
1.67 |
90MM Figure |
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1.22 |
0.545 |
6/11 |
1.83 |
|
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1.24 |
0.500 |
1/2 |
2.00 |
G GAUGE / 77MM Figure |
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1.25 |
0.480 |
12/25 |
2.08 |
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1.32 |
0.375 |
3/8 |
2.67 |
54MM Figure - Dia Cast - Military Models |
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1.35 |
0.343 |
12/35 |
2.92 |
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1.48 |
0.250 |
1/4 |
4.00 |
O Gauge (Trains) - Model Boats |
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1.50 |
0.240 |
6/25 |
4.17 |
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1.64 |
0.188 |
3/16 |
5.33 |
S Gauge (Trains) |
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1.72 |
0.167 |
1/6 |
6.00 |
Model Planes |
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1.87 |
0.138 |
4/29 |
7.25 |
HO Gauge (Trains) Great Lake Ships |
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1.96 |
0.125 |
1/8 |
8.00 |
Popular Model Ships |
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1.100 |
0.120 |
3/25 |
8.33 |
Popular Model Ships |
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1.120 |
0.100 |
1/10 |
10.00 |
|
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1.128 |
0.094 |
3/32 |
10.67 |
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1.144 |
0.083 |
1/12 |
12.00 |
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1.160 |
0.075 |
3/40 |
13.33 |
N Gauge (Trains) |
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1.192 |
0.066 |
1/16 |
15.17 |
Popular Model Ships |
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1.220 |
0.055 |
3/55 |
18.33 |
Z Gauge (Trains) |
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1.384 |
0.031 |
1/32 |
32.00 |
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1.700 |
0.017 |
1/58 |
58.33 |
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1.768 |
0.016 |
1/64 |
64.00 |
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1.1200 |
0.010 |
1/100 |
100.00 |
War Games - Model Ships |
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Launch date on November 10,2000
This
site designed by and maintained by: Jeffrey W. Churill
All photographs & images are
property of Great Lakes Model Association
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URL:
www.greatlakesmodeling.com Webmaster:
jeff@greatlakesmodeling.com |
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Copyright © 2006 Great
Lakes Modeling Association All rights reserved. |
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