best scale

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

hi all you scratch builders out there

what is the best scale to work with when converting from photos, with view to populating with people as they are a bit hard to do

dave

 

Edited By Dave43 on 01/12/2017 15:12:11

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Dave

I think you're approaching this from the wrong angle. It all depends on the size of the real thing. As I've been known to point out, a 1/96 scale Titanic would barely fit into my workshop whereas a 1/96 coracle will happily float in an egg-cup.

Start with the approximate size you want the finished model to be, then work out the exact scale of that in relation to the full-size. Once you've got that value you can look around for fittings and figures at the nearest available "common" scale and recalculate the model size to fit exactly – or decide whether the difference is significant.

Take the Calmac ferry 'MV Lochinvar' as an example. It's 43.5m long = 145ft. Let's say you want the model to be around 4ft long, so that scale would be almost exactly 1/36. However there are quite a lot of 1/32 scale figures and fittings available, and re-calculating the size of your model to 1/32 to suit them would make it just over 4.5ft. On the other hand a six-foot man at 1/32 scale is only a quarter of an inch taller than at 1/36 scale – are you bothered?

Drafting from photos has its own set of problems, the biggest of which is finding enough large, clear and relevant photos to permit you to draft a reasonably accurate shape. If you can access the real thing and take your own photos with a three-foot rule in the pictures then that is ideal. Once you're happy with the shape and proportions of your sketches then you can re-scale them to suit the required model size.

Dave M

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

oh heck..

thanks dave had not given any thought to the finished size…. been busy taking dimensions of photos and working out the real world size of stuff …so think as long as it fits on the back seat of the car it will be that sort of size i will be going for

thanks for the heads up will certainly take up your advise you might just have saved me a lot of time that could be used in building

bit more planning needed thanks …time to put the cart in the proper place!

Dave S

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

PPPP-PP……………………..

DM

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Dave is quite right. Start by deciding how big you want your model to be and 'back seat of car' is a very good starting point and something used by kit manufacturers. After all, if it is going to be difficult to transport the model you won't sail it very much. (but also bear in mind the box size if you want to protect it).

The size of model will determine the scale. Some people prefer larger scales while others opt for the opposite direction. 1:48 is very popular but this does mean that you pretty much have to show all the detail that is on the full size vessel. On the other hand, at 1:150 scale you can get away with being artistic and suggesting detail rather than faithfully reproducing it. Scale can be an issue as people tend to be more comfortable with working at a particular scale which in turn will dictate the size of the original vessel if you want it to fit on the back seat!

It's all very elastic really unless you drive a low loader with a crane attached!

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

AND it depends on your subject matter viz scale, and figures at this scale, AND suitable for the vessel….for instance if you were to choose a Roman galley, figures would be extremely difficult to source at any scale…

Ashley

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

thanks all …some good advise to take on board ..wanting to model Loch Nevis as this is the Grandsons choice so

think I will settle on 1/76 that way it will should be about 2ft long and fit in the car…. I will be able to carry it and still

get a bit of modeling into it. model train scale so might be able to use some of the fittings and stuff.

so to start research for more photos or deck drawings sketches from grandson and any Caledonian Macbrayne

models about.

DS

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Very close to 1/72 too, and there are many different figures available at that scale.

DM

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

DAVE, knowing something of Calmac ferries, you have picked one hard model to build there, with a great amount of detailing both sub deck and on deck and car deck, especially at such a small scale.

there was some time ago a feature article printed in model boats or possibly marine modelling on Loch Nevis which would be worth you reading if you wish to continue, and also there is a facebook forum set up especially for builders of Calmac and other ferries….worth you joining. https://www.facebook.com/modelmacbrayne/?ref=ts&fref=ts Good luck with your build though as they look beautiful on the water……from one Calmac lover to another.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

There is a profile drawing online which you may have already seen.

**LINK**

The only plan I am aware of for this route is for the earlier Lochmor

**LINK**

Colin

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

thanks Niel &Colin

up to now only got the deck plan of deck 3 & 4 off the cal mac site and the profile drawing

plenty of photos though and will search for article mentioned. only in the first week of research so optimistic so far

just need a few shots of car deck and bridge and a couple of 1/76 cars and a luton van ready for the car deck.

all winter untouched…. so thanks guys

DS

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

another idea springs to mind ….does any model supplier sell a multi directional prop unit so it will steer without rudders. or is this a step too far in models of 1/76 scale. although this might be another project to think about

ds

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Dave,

Yes, but they are not cheap, see here:

**LINK**

Colin

[Dave43Participant @dave43]

see what you mean colin will have to give it some serious thought will use a lot of pocket money.

still looking for photos of car deck and working out the scale for building but a bit stuck on car deck

DS

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