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Scale Calculation Question

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  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:32 PM

Calculating scale is as simple as determining the ratio of the dimension of the model to the dimension of the real thing, so the fraction you need to solve is (model dimension) divided by (prototype dimension).

Convert both to the same units of measurement and do your math. Your Cutter is 360 inches, and your model is 2.4375 inches, so 2.4375/ 360= 0.00677 or 1/147. Finding that last number is easy with the "1/X" key on your calculator.

I ran all three just as you listed them and got results of 1/147, 1/149 and 1/151 for the three, which considering all the factors involved is a very close range and gives you a good idea of what you are looking for; around 1/150.

To get detailed, which matters more when you start to scratchbuilding, the factors here would be:

-what a real "30 foot" cutter's length is. Overall, waterline, etc.

- how carefully you measured the model.

- how much Revell cared when they made the molds. They may have "borrowed" the boats from another model. others would know much more than I.

What you really want to do if you are after the scale of the ship is measure something on the hull that you can compare the actual ship to. Because it may be that this kit has boats that are "over scaled" ie too big.

I usually measure two things: the length at waterline, and the largest width (beam). For the Constitution that's easy information to get. Then do your math.

The waterline length is 175 feet and the beam is 43 feet 6 inches, according to wikipedia.

Now I thought that model was advertised at 1/196, so the real things beam is 522 inches, which divided by 196 equals 2.66, or 2 11/16 inches of beam for your model. Hold the hull halves together and give it a measure.

I hope that helps!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: Berwick, La.
Posted by Tnonk on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:23 PM

tucchase

According to ScaleCalc, your 30 foot boat scales out to 147.48:1.  The other two scale out just slightly larger.  So it sounds like these were intended to be either 144:1 or 150:1.  I leave it to the more knowledgable members here whether the Constitution was made in either of these scales, or something close.

 

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it.

I have four of the boats, one is only slightly smaller than the 28'.   The shape of the boats in comparison to my 1/96 is nearly identical.

I would like to get another to give it a try, in addition to needing at least one of them for my Lindberg project.

I have the 1/120 Monogram/Imai Constitution and it's not even close in either scale or shape.

Thanks again!

Adrian A.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: Berwick, La.
Posted by Tnonk on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:22 PM

tucchase

According to ScaleCalc, your 30 foot boat scales out to 147.48:1.  The other two scale out just slightly larger.  So it sounds like these were intended to be either 144:1 or 150:1.  I leave it to the more knowledgable members here whether the Constitution was made in either of these scales, or something close.

 

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it.

I have four of the boats, one is only slightly smaller than the 28'.   The shape of the boats in comparison to my 1/96 is nearly identical.

I would like to get another to give it a try, in addition to needing at least one of them for my Lindberg project.

I have the 1/120 Monogram/Imai Constitution and it's not even close in either scale or shape.

Thanks again!

Adrian A.

  • Member since
    May 2008
Posted by tucchase on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:13 PM

According to ScaleCalc, your 30 foot boat scales out to 147.48:1.  The other two scale out just slightly larger.  So it sounds like these were intended to be either 144:1 or 150:1.  I leave it to the more knowledgable members here whether the Constitution was made in either of these scales, or something close.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: Berwick, La.
Scale Calculation Question
Posted by Tnonk on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 6:59 PM

Hi Guy's,

I have a question on figuring out what scale a ship was made in.

I'm talking about a Revell or Monogram kit from the 1970's of the Constitution.

The measurments of the boats are as follows -

The 30' cutter and launch measures out to 6.2 cm (2-7/16").  The 28' Cutter measures out to 5.9 cm (2-5/16") and the 23' jollyboat measures out to 5 cm (1-7/8").  These are all close approximates and may be off slightly.

These boats are well done with shape & detail comparable to the 1/96 offering.

Any help on the scale and/or which kit these boats came in would be appreciated, or perhaps a kind word on how to do it & I'll take a stab at calculating it myself.

Thanks and,

Best Regards,

Adrian A.

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