How to set figure size to match model size?

Anytime I want to scale an object I just simply divide the full scale dimensions by the scale your in. Example: A 6ft man would be 1” tall in 72nd scale (72”/72nd scale= 1) In 1/48 it would be 1.5”. You can use this for anything as long as you know the full scale dimensions.

It sounds like you may have some figures and a model and that they just don’t look right.

Most often, figures are wildly out of scale. Especially at the smaller scales.

 

The figures can seem out of scale as GM says. My advice is to not use to many figures and ensure they are surving a purpose on the scene. For a single engined aircraft i would use 4 or 5 max. I am not exactly sure what they would be doing in helping it take off, but if it was a WW2 aircraft, i would probably have 1 removing the chocks and one giving the signal to go.

These are a few of mine from last year. The first is a modern larger sibject, but even here i have only used 3 figures, 2 crew preparing to boardand a ground crewman moving to the starter unit.

On this single engined oine i only used 2, but i think they serve the purpose of explaining whats happening.

Here i have 5 figures, 4 of them underneath.

And these 2, the same type of aircraft, both have 3 figures.

And this one also has 3.

I don't think any of these over power yet yet they still help explain whats going on.

GMorrison

It sounds like you may have some figures and a model and that they just don’t look right.

Most often, figures are wildly out of scale. Especially at the smaller scales.

 

 

You can also get kits that are not the scale that it says it is on the box! Not common with newer kits, but some from way back, before my time, were odd scales...they just got relabeled at the closest "mainstream" scale.

I think, even if both, the aircraft and figures, were perfectly in scale...the people are gonna look kinda big. WW1 planes are not large!

 

fermis

You can also get kits that are not the scale that it says it is on the box! Not common with newer kits, but some from way back, before my time, were odd scales...they just got relabeled at the closest "mainstream" scale...

And often a kit was sized to fit to a standard box for shipping and display on a store shelf.  That's what people mean when they refer to "box scale".  The classic American model companies all started out sizing their plastic kits that way, but moved rapidly to fixed scales.

During WWII the average height of a US enlisted man was 5’5”.  Due largely to poor nutrition during the Depression.  

Putting a ‘modern’ scaled figure with a period model may enforce the out-of-scale appearance.  You may want to cheat toward the smaller size. 

 

Gotta remember at 1/72 scale the difference between someone that’s 6’ and someone that’s 5’ is only .167” so I wouldn’t sweat it too much. I would measure the wingspan of the model and then multiply by 72 and then convert those inches back to feet. If it’s comes up close to 29’ 2” (which is what the full scale Fokker D.VII is) then you can get an idea if your plane is indeed at 1/72 scale. If not then you can adjust everything accordingly.

Lol not yet...want to get dimensions before i purchase

What scale is that? Those figures look perfect for that setting.

What scale is that? Those figures are perfect.

Sgt.HoundDog

What scale is that? Those figures are perfect.

 

Everything is 1/72nd (allegedly). Brands do vary, but you can't be choosey given the shortage of ground crew figures. In those builds i have used figures from 3 or 4 different brands.

If your useing figures from different brands, thats when issues can arise with size. Airfix figures for example are closer to 1/76. Of course real people vary in size, but as mentioned above, in this scale it would be tiny. So placement is important. I won't put a standing Airfix figure next to a Revell one for example, but a kneeling Airfix figure will be fine.

Just position your figures around the scene and adjust them until it looks right.

Bish

 

Sgt.HoundDog

What scale is that? Those figures are perfect.

 

 

 

 

Everything is 1/72nd (allegedly). Brands do vary, but you can't be choosey given the shortage of ground crew figures. In those builds i have used figures from 3 or 4 different brands.

If your useing figures from different brands, thats when issues can arise with size. Airfix figures for example are closer to 1/76. Of course real people vary in size, but as mentioned above, in this scale it would be tiny. So placement is important. I won't put a standing Airfix figure next to a Revell one for example, but a kneeling Airfix figure will be fine.

Just position your figures around the scene and adjust them until it looks right.

 

 

That is amazing work and I highly appreciate your advice.

 

Thank you very much.