I'm working on some updated model scale reference charts. Long ago, I made some charts, one for each scale, that converted every 1/16 inch in scale to its full-size equivalent (in feet-inches).
These charts work fine, and I keep one next to my computer for reference, but I found that I usually used them to figure out what scale to build a model. I thought it might be more useful to have a slightly less detailed chart that would convert prototype feet to model inches in several scales. Then I can find, say the length of a ship (80-foot Elco PT boat), and read across to see how large it is in different scales: 13/16, 31/32, 1- 3/8, or 2- 3/4 inches, in scales from 1/1200 through 1/350.
I am nearly ready with my prototype scale reference chart, and will post an example sometime soon. But I did want to ask for comments on scales, etc.
The basic format of the chart is like this:
Scale(ft) | 1/350 | 1/144 | 1/72 | 1/48 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1/32 | 3/32 | 5/32 | 1/4 |
2 | 1/16 | 5/32 | 11/32 | 1/2 |
I'm designing them so that they fit on normal letter/A4 paper at a reasonable font size. You are welcome to print them on index cards and use magnifiers to read the chart ;) Because of size constraints, I can have about 4 scales and 100 lengths per chart, which I make in two side-by-side sections.
Right now, I have several versions. The output scale sizes are to the nearest 1/32 inch, though I plan to make metric (mm) versions. Since so many drawings and books have sizes in feet, I plan to have Feet->Scale Inches and Feet->Scale mm for now. I could certainly add meters -> scale inches or meters -> scale mm later:
Aircraft:
Scales: 1/144, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32
Lengths: 0-100 feet every 1 foot
Ships:
Scales: 1/350, 1/700, 1/1000, 1/1200
Lengths: 0-1000 feet every 10 feet
I am considering breaking the ship chart into two parts so that I can do every 5 feet instead.
Railroad:
Scales Z, HO, N, O scales
Lengths: to be determined
Does anyone have any improvements or suggestions? Any favorite scales that I've left out?
The charts will be PDF format, but I have the original Excel file that I could make available to individuals if you have customizations in mind.
Garet
Here's Draft 1 of the Airplane Scales Chart. Any comments or suggestions?