I am really new to the modelling craft and I have what may seem a rather stupid question,but I would like to know why there are two different scale sizes on the boxes of revell-monogram model kits. I would really like to know which one is the right one. The scale size the model is cronstructed at?
You’re talking about 1/48 and 1/72 right?
1/48 means that for every inch on the model, the real thing has 48 inches. For 1/72, for every 1 inch on the model, the real thing has 72 inches.
So, let’s say a plane is 20 ft, or 240 inches, long. In 1/48 scale it would be 5 inches long, while in 1/72 it would be 3 and a third inches long
As far as the right one, well that’s up to you my friend! Some people build anything they can get their hands on, some people stick with one scale. I primarily build 1/48 scale.
There’s pros and cons to each. 1/72 scale, you can have more built planes as they take up less space, but they are pretty small and harder to see to paint details. 1/48 scale is a bit bigger, but there’s more room for detail. So really, it’s up to you!
[#ditto]
What he said…I agree with RadMax*, with the caveat that when your Mark I optical devices (eyes) start to get a little tired, the 1:48 scale a/c are a LOT easier to see. Also, I am assuming that you are referring to the more recent Mono and Revell kits - some of the really old Revell kits came in weird scales (e.g. 1:88, 1:96) or “Box scales” meaning it is a size that fits the box. Hope this answers your question (at least somewhat)
Brian [C):-)]
Redmax is right. The scale doesn’t make one better over another. It just depends what you like. Aircraft range in size from 1/144 to 1/18. The most commonly found scales being 1/72, 1/48,1/32. The most popular seem to be 1/48, Good size, can add detail without going blind most of time, alot of choices in that scale. more odd ball stuff in 1/72. Not much in 1/144 ,1/18,but 1/24 is growing in size and popularity. Just remember the larger the second number the smaller the aircraft.
unless you are talking about there skill level system. in that case I’ll let someone else answer. to me there all level 1 in terms of detail and level 3 in term of getting the 50 year old parts to fit correctly. I must admit the surface detail is pretty good on some of there kits.
[#ditto][#ditto]what he said
Are you referring to Monogram’s old habit of also calling 1/48 scale models “1/4 inch scale” (where they meant 1/4"=1’-0")?
Mark
I’ve seen the various model scales called a lot of things over the years:
1/48 scale = 48 inches is 4 feet, thus the 1/4, or the older “One Quarter Scale” moniker. I still call it this. It is the compromise scale, meaning not too big, not too small. Big models are harder to display as they take up a lot of room. Small models solve that, but they are harder to see and work with. Quarter Scale falls in between. Traditionally, die-cast models have been in this scale and much of this scale owes it’s roots to model railroading where it is known as the once popular “O” scale
1/72 = This has been around longer than 1/48 scale, at least in terms of popularity. I’ll wager more model subjects have been made in this sclae than any other. Ive seen it referred to as 1:6 scale, since 72 inches equals 6 feet. I use that name myself more often than not. 1:72 has also gone by now faded names like “Bookshelf Scale,” and 'God’s Own Scale, or ‘God’s Own’, references to its smaller size and popularity, particulalry in Europe and England. The aerial recogniton models of WWII, first created by the RAF out of ground up rubber tires, were in this scale.
1/32 = This has been around a long time, and we used to call if Jumbo scale. I remember building the Revell 1/32 Corsair as a kid - it is still in the line-up, by he way! This scale has always taken a back seat to the others, but it seems to be gaining in popularity now as the modeling community ages. The guys who started building the smaller scale models as kids in the 60’s are “seeing” their eyes tire, and this larger scale is increasingly welcome. More and more subjects are being done on this scale nowadays, with the upstart Chinese company Trumpeter seeming to be in the lead.
“Box” scale = There is no standard size for models in this old scale. Instead, a box size that would make an impressive presentation was selected and molds were cut to fit, so the parts wouldn’t slide around inside. This was quite popular, starting back in the early 50’s, and was really the beginning of styrene kit molding as we know it. These models had drawbacks, though: they would not allow parts to interchange between models and modelers could not compare them to anything else.
The English firm of “Airfix” was the first company to overcome this and standarize their model line to what is now called “constant scale” dimensions. They chose 1:72 for this and still lead the pack in the sheer number of models made to this scale.
Other Scales in modeling
1:43 = It has the widest distribution in the world for model cars, and stems from the British designation for “O” scale railroading. Many car models are made in this scale and it probably has the widest variety of vehicles available through the years. It is rarely seen in the US, however.
1:24 and 1:25 scale = In America, car models were first developed as cast metal, and later styrene, “promos,” offered at new-car dealerships to drum up interest. Monogram was the first to produce them in kit form for for market in a scale derived from the Architect’s Scale of 1:24. Later AMT, Jo-Han, and Revell chose the 1:25 scale, mostly to compete with Monogram. Monogram later switched to this scale after the firm was purchased by Revell.
1:35 scale = This is the purview of the armor modeler. This is a modern development from the early wargaming scales of 1:120 and 54mm, which was the earliest. Did you know Jules Verne pioneered the wargaming genre?
The roots of 1:35 as a military modelling scale lie in early motorized plastic tank kits. To fit motors and gearboxes into a model, they needed to be made in a larger scale. Many companies made such tanks, but it was Tamiya that made 1:35 a de facto standard. Nowadays, there is a whole industry in 1:35 dedicated to offering aftermarket detail parts for kits. After a new kit is released, companies like Aber and Eduard usually make detail sets available for it, allowing modellers to replace kit parts with more accurate photoetched alternatives.
There are also a dizzying array of ship modelling scales to be seen and we havent even touched on the King and originator of vehicle scale modeling, model railroading. We better save these for another time… no sense putting anyone to sleep.
Hi there scarecrow,
Welcome to the lunatic asylum. [:)]
I think the scale thing has been covered already well enough, as far as your eyes are concerned, I’m doing a 1/32 scale Hawker Hunter, which is 16.5 inches long, I also have a 1/144 scale of the same aircraft, that one is 3.75 inches long, both are Revell kits, and I’ll leave you to guess which one is easiest to see. [:-^]
In all seriousness though, the bigger they are the more they cost, so it’s a good idea to try a little one first and see how you get on. If you think I can’t see this well enough, go up a scale.
1/1 scale would suit my eyes, but I can’t afford that much paint. LOL [8-]
Have fun with whatever you build.
All the best,
Mick C.
Here is a scale comparison. 5 Fw 190 D-9’s in 1/144, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 and 1/24
