Scale

I model only in 1/72, I use some HO accessories because I had an old HO train set laying around, things like track for dioramas, scenery, mailboxes and signs. I actually have an N scale layout in progress right now. Im combining my two interests and Ive purchased some 1/144 tanks for it. They are close enough, N is 1/160.

It also varies from company to company sometimes. I compared my 1/144 sherman to another guys 1/160 sherman cast from pewter and his was actually slightly taller, same length and maybe a tad wider. 

HeavyArty wrote:

<<SNIP>> HO scale is a train scale and isn't really for models.  <<SNIP>>

1:87 scale (i.e. HO) is definately for modeling!  It just might not be the kind of models you are interested in.

The letter designation is related to scales.  It started with the railroad models.  O-scale was about 1:43 scale (it is now a common scale used in high-end resin racing car models - like Starter brand et.al.).  European OO scale is something on the order of 1:76 scale.  It morphed into Half-O or HO scale and was standardized at 1:87 scale.  Half of HO or N-scale is 1:160 scale.  Z-scale is something on the order of 1:225.  There is also S-scale (IIRC something like 1:60-ish) and G-scale, and others

Scale is basically a proportion, as in 1 unit represents X units. 

1:72 scale (1/72) is one inch represents 72 inches or six feet.  In 1:72 scale a 6 foot tall man is 1 inch tall figure.  One CM represents 72 CM.   One foot represents 72 feet.  

In 1:48 scale, one inch represents 48 inches.  That same 6 foot tall man is modeled as an inch and a half tall (1.5" X 48 = 72").  

In 1:35 scale, one inch represents 35 inches (or 1 CM represents 35 CM).  In 1:35 scale, the 6 foot tall man is just modeled as tad over 2 inches tall (2x35 = 70"  plus 2/35 of an inch).

Why there is a 1:32 scale and a 1:35 scale has to do with the original marketing and which company was there first,  also metric vs English measurements are involved.

Car models commonly use 1:24 scale and 1:25 scale.  Manufacturer differneces - not significant

In 1:144 scale, one inch represents 144 inches.  Our friend the six foot man is modeled as a 0.5 inch tall figure (0.5" X 144 = 72"). 

Suppose you have a set of plans which are in 1:144 and you want to have them in 1:72?   Well, 144 / 72 = 2.00    You need to take them down to the local Kinkos and have them blown up by 200%   

The whole scale thing is all math, and it gives you a reason to stay awake during math class in  school.   You never know when this stuff may come in handy.

The mm scale for figures dates back to the turn of the 20th century and lead soldier figures in Europe.  The figures were sized such that a 'typical' soldier figure was 54mm tall,  2.12 inches tall.    28mm is half the size of 54 mm.   A typical figure is 1.1 inches tall.

Well, can I use an HO figure on a 1:72 scale model?   Sure you can!  Its your model - do what is easiest for you and what pleases you.  Don't build for me or anyone else.   But lets do some math

The difference between the scales divided by the desired scale.

(72 - 87) / 72 = -0.208.   The figure will appear 21% smaller than the surrounding object. 

But if you put a 1:72 scale figure on your HO locomotive,

(87 - 72) / 87 = 0.172  The 1:72 scale figure will be 17% larger than the surroundings.

As a matter of personal preference I choose to not mix scale differences by more than 10%

For 1/35, buy a 1/35 figure set. 

The scale of figures pretty much corresponds to the scale of models.  Armor models are mainly 1/35, so the figures that go with them are in 1/35 scale.  1/32 is mainly an aircraft scale and has 1/32 figures, however 54mm (traditionally a metal toy soldier scale) is basically 1/32 as well.  HO scale is a train scale and isn't really for models.  28mm is basically 1/72 or 1/76 scale, also called Braille scale for modeling.

Basically, if you buy the same scale as your model, you will be fine. 

Here is a list of common scales and how they relate to each other.