Question about scale

[FujimiLover]

I have a question regarding differently scaled model figures for display. Since we humans come in all sizes and shapes, would you really notice the difference between 1/24 and 1/25 scale figures? How many scales are their of figures? Obviously, you wouldn't want 1/18 scale, or a much noticably larger scale, but I'm thinking more in line with a scale that's off by so little, like 1/24 and 1/25.

While at Complete Games and Hobbies the other day, they had a really nice full-figured model in 1/18 scale, attractive really, but was wondering if they had her in 1/24 scale. She looked like she was wearing a bikini and some kind of gown or something that flowed down to her feet.

The same question goes for wheels. Would you notice 1/25th scale wheels on 1/24 scale models? Obviously, putting 1/24 on 1/25 would make'em look like inch-ups?

I guess what I'm asking here, is how important is it to match up scales. Die-cast model airplanes have always seemed to be in 1/48 scale, where cars are 1/43 scale. Is there a difference within that "5" margin?

[Guest Davkin]

Here's my modeling scale rule of thumb: "If it looks right it is right" You can drive yourself crazy worrying about ultra-minor issues like wheel diameters being off of scale by .010" that no one would ever notice, or you can enjoy the hobby.

David

[Harry P.]

If you have a 17" diameter wheel in real life, in 1/24 scale (1/24th the size of the original), it would be .708" in diameter. In 1/25 scale (1/25th the size of the original), it would be .680" in diameter.

A 6' tall man, in 1/24 scale, would be 3" tall, and in 1/25 scale would be 2.88" tall, a difference of .12", or a bit more than 1/10th of an inch. And since people aren't all exactly 6 feet tall, the difference is totally insignificant.

I don't think it's worth your time worrying about differences that small. Nobody would ever be able to tell that a 1/24 scale model car next to a 1/25 scale person don't match up, scalewise.

[FujimiLover]

Thank you, and that's pretty much what I figured. But what about the difference between 1/48 scale airplanes, and 1/43 scale cars? I've never seen airplanes in 1/43 scale.

I'm asking cause I have both Aoshima die-cast models, one of Airwolf in 1/48, and one of each KITT and KARR in 1/43. Both superbly detailed, and it look's awesome having KITT parked next to Airwolf. But would anyone notice the difference? I'll post a pic of KITT next to Airwolf and see if you could tell. Also, are there any really good 1/43 scale people out there?

Oh, and by the way, I'm not trying to speak mathematics here, I freaking hate math! LOL! I'm just talking about display purposes if thing's would look right.

Edited April 11, 2009 by FujimiLover

[Guest Davkin]

One thing to keep in mind is that the manufacturers often don't scale accurately anyway. The only way to know what scale any model or part of a model truely is would be to measure it against a known dimension of the 1:1, not by the scale printed on the box, that's really just a target scale. Only you can answer the question of wether that 1/48 airplane and 1/43 car look good displayed together. Now, especially with figures, minor differences in scale are pretty meaningless since humans come in all shapes and sizes.

David

[FujimiLover]

LOL! Yea, but a 1/18 scale figure would look like a giant next to a 1/24 scale person!

[SSNJim]

Thank you, and that's pretty much what I figured. But what about the difference between 1/48 scale airplanes, and 1/43 scale cars? I've never seen airplanes in 1/43 scale.

Most O-Scale (1/48 in the US) railroaders use 1/43 scale cars for their layouts, so it's close enough for them. I just looked up the scales on Wikipedia, and it turns out that O-scale is defined as 1/43, 1/45, or 1/48 depending on where you are in the world.

There is a lot of scenic stuff in your LHS for 1/24 scale, also. Railroad G Scale and #1 scale are 1/22.5 and 1/24. There are people and animals (varying in realism from cartoonish to very real) and lots of items for dioramas.

Jim Edwards

[B_rad88]

Most O-Scale (1/48 in the US) railroaders use 1/43 scale cars for their layouts, so it's close enough for them. I just looked up the scales on Wikipedia, and it turns out that O-scale is defined as 1/43, 1/45, or 1/48 depending on where you are in the world.

There is a lot of scenic stuff in your LHS for 1/24 scale, also. Railroad G Scale and #1 scale are 1/22.5 and 1/24. There are people and animals (varying in realism from cartoonish to very real) and lots of items for dioramas.

Jim Edwards

hey guys what would 1/64 scale toy cars be in the model railroad "lingo" is it "ho" or what? or in scale inches?

Edited April 11, 2009 by KUZTOMMODELS88

[Tom Jackson]

1/64 Is S gauge

[B_rad88]

thanks i didn't know the whole railroad thing, i just stick to cars of all scales, i was thinkig of building dio or something for my 1/64 cars! thank you tom!

[FujimiLover]

HO scale cars are usually those really tiny plastic ones and the best ones I've seen are from Herpa. Herpa has made some very high-quality models in this scale, several are very rare including their special custom series with wild paint jobs and what not. I'm not sure what the "normal" toy-like slot-car cars would be, but I'm guessing same as Hot Wheels, or 1/64 range.

Thank you for your answers guy's, very helpful. Weather or not the scale is acurately, close, the Airwolf and KITT do look great together as they are close enough to scale number wise. Unless you had the real thing to compare to, you probably would look and say, yea, they look right together! I usually try and judge by imagining the driver's size fitting in the pilot's seat, and vise-versa.

[James W]

HO scale cars are usually those really tiny plastic ones and the best ones I've seen are from Herpa. Herpa has made some very high-quality models in this scale, several are very rare including their special custom series with wild paint jobs and what not. I'm not sure what the "normal" toy-like slot-car cars would be, but I'm guessing same as Hot Wheels, or 1/64 range.

HO railroads are 1/87. HO slotcars are all over the place.

Some early slots like Aurora looked closer to 1/87, but I think concessions were made to fit the motors in the cars so modern HO slots are much bigger.

Railroaders use varying scale to advantage to compress space on a layout. You might see an N scale logging operation on a hill above an HO mainline just to make it look farther away.

I don't think this will help much in your cars and planes diorama, but keep it in mind. It might help in setting up a photo.

Hot Wheels and Matchbox are notorious for making their cars fit a package, they are sometimes refered to as 3 inch dicasts for that reason.

Edited April 11, 2009 by James W