Calculating ship scales

Your math is correct. Either the description is confused, or the scale is not accurate.

That having been said, ship kits have a long history of 'wandering scales.' The older 'box scale' kits in particular would frequently be reissued with different scales marked.

The only way to truly scale a kit is to measure the kit and do the math. But be aware that 'real' ship dimensions can be misleading; beam/width is usually fairly straightforward, but length can be true length, measured length between two points or hull length, depending on the source---it isn't always indicated.

Cheers

Recon89

Does someone have a multiplier sheet that would give me an approximate length of finished models for different scales? I was never good at math. For an example, I am looking at a 220 foot long ship that is in 1/144 scale. If I assume a 1 foot length equals 144 feet in scale, I would think the finished model would be about 18 inches long, but the manufacturer states the completed model is about 11 1/4 inches long. What am I doing wrong?

 

In naval architecture there are several length measurements:   

Length Overall (LOA) is the distance from the pointy-end to the aft round-end.  The LOA cited may or may not account for a bowsprit or gaff yard.  

Waterline Length (WL) is the length of the hull at the design waterline.  The actual waterline may change based on the draft loading.

Length between Perpendiculars (PP) is the distance between the forward full frame and the aft frame,  usually the center of the rudder stock.

What type of ship are you talking about?

What is the reference source of the 220 foot length dimension which you cite?   What is the length measurement; LOA, WL, or PP?

What is the manufacturer?   Some are known to play fast & loose with their scaling & dimensions

try this link. http://www.scale-models.nl/scalc.html

Along the lines of Ed's question- Pretty often when a model length of a sailing ship is stated, it includes the bowsprit. That length won't ever show up in a stated length of an actual ship.

EdGrune: The one I was looking at was the 1/144 scale ICM type VIIb. I would like to do a type VII boat but can't decide on a scale. The length was from info on Wikipedia. I looked again and it lists the overall length at a little over 220' for type VII boats and lists a presure hull length at 165'. Those were the only dimensions listed for lengths. Wikipedia shows a little over 20' for an overall beam width.

Thanks everyone for the info.

ddp59: That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

I can't find where ICM sells a Type 7.

Revell according to Scalemates is the only game for that boat in 1/144.

It's a great scale for WW 2 subs. I've built a Type 21, and have a Gato to build soon.

EDIT: that's it. The ICM model is a Type 2b. That sub was 135 feet long, or about 11 1/4" in 1/144.

Forgive an old mans eyesight. I took it as a type VII when I first looked at it. Looking at it again, it says II. That must have been really cramped.

Typ II

http://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/uboats/typii/index.html

140.09' x 13.385'

Well between the two of us we could probably find our way home.

As I said, I think 1/144 is a good scale for ship models as I get older. I’ve built the Type 21 with interior. I have a Gato to build and I’m working in a Flower Class corvette.

That ICM seems like a good subject.

Revell makes a Fletcher but I have no place to put a three foot long ship model.

Just want to do something different for a change, I'm basically an armor diorama guy and the sub looks like something good to start on with ships. 

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

GMorrison

but I have no place to put a three foot long ship model.

It's not the three foot Fletcher.

It's the 42" x 12" x18" case for the thing

GMorrison, it is not quite 3' long as at 1/144 scale it calulates to 31.368" long. try a 1/144 scale scratchbuilt models of the battleship HMS Warspite, a heavy cruiser, a light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 1 frigate & a ocean going tugboat nevermind a couple hundred plastic warships in various scales.

Recon89

Does someone have a multiplier sheet that would give me an approximate length of finished models for different scales? I was never good at math. For an example, I am looking at a 220 foot long ship that is in 1/144 scale. If I assume a 1 foot length equals 144 feet in scale, I would think the finished model would be about 18 inches long, but the manufacturer states the completed model is about 11 1/4 inches long. What am I doing wrong?

 

There is an APP for that.

Go to the APP Store.

Enter "Model Scaler" in search.

"Woodland Scenics Model Scaler" should come up.

Free Download.

It works well.