Scales

[Chris SchillerParticipant @chrisschiller60792]

Hi all,

I work for a company called Modelu, we make 3D printed models of people and equipment, usually railway based. We have just scanned some Fisherman poses and were wondering what scales are popular in the model boat world.

Thanks in advance

Chris

Modelu

[Chris SchillerParticipant @chrisschiller60792]

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Hi Chris, Welcome to the world of model boats. Funnily enough I am also into model trains and have a number of your figures scattered around my OO gauge railway layout. I suspect I may have also seen you at one of the model railway shows doing your scanning.

As regards model boats the following tend to be the more popular scales:

1/12th, quite a few kits out there are 1/10th and modellers populate them convincingly enough with 1/12th scale resin dolls house figures. I have a 1/12th scale steam model that has around six or so "passengers". You can't get ones with outdoor clothing though so there is definitely a niche there!

1/35th and 1/32nd, probably more kits in this range, some with white metal figures included. Good quality resin options would be useful to many modellers particularly in the areas of period fishermen, officers and sailors.

1/48th, a very popular scale with quite a few warship model kits in this scale. Consequently RN officers and crew, gun crew, sailors etc would be popular. As well as suitable period crew for tugs, work boats and fishing boats.

!/72nd, some models in this scale but not as popular as the larger scales.

1/96th, quite a lot of warship kits in this scale so RN officers, gun crews and sailors might prove popular.

1/128th, probably too small to consider anyway.

They are probably the more popular scales although I do know of models in 1/16th and 1/20th as well.

Just a final word, knowing both the model railway world and the model boat world I think it would be fair to say that the model boat world is a fraction the size of the market of the model railway world. As comparisons, the model boat world has only one magazine and sadly due to a cancellation there are really only one or possibly two shows this year. Consequently the demand from model boats will be significantly less than you will be used to from the model railway quarter.

[Chris SchillerParticipant @chrisschiller60792]

Thank you so much for your reply, that has been really inciteful. We are glad you are already aware of us and you will notice the same level of detail going into the figures for the boats.

We have been doing a range of different scans over the last week that should offer a bit of a different range.

We noticed that there is usually a model boat show in Bristol in April so will keep a look out for that in 2023. You mention about a magazine, would that be 'Model boats"?

Many thanks again for your reply,

Chris

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Hi Chris, This forum is actually affiliated to the Model Boats Magazine and generally seen as supporting the publication. I'm sure someone will correct me but I think there are normally model boat shows at Bristol and Blackpool as well as Warwick in a normal year. I'm sure there are others.

Also of interest might be the model engineering shows such as again at Warwick and at Doncaster racecourse where not only will you find model engineering but also representation from model boats, model RC trucks and the larger steam driven railway models.

Also of potential interest might be the model boat clubs, some of which have gala days, although these would generally be of very limited numbers compared to the big shows. Model Boat Mayhem also hold a boating weekend at Wicksteed Park annually.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Following on from what Richard says, there are a lot of internet searches for suitable figures to populate model boats of various scales.

There are also quite a few online suppliers and retailers who may be willing to carry your products as they do with other manufacturers.

Colin

[Stephen GarradParticipant @stephengarrad28964]

The show in Bristol mentioned above was The South West Ship Show organised by http://www.coastalshipping.co.uk at BAWA, the British Aerospace Welfare Association building on Saturday 2nd April, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Stephen

[Chris SchillerParticipant @chrisschiller60792]

Thank you all for your replies, for those interested the new products are now online. Please follow the link to see them: https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/product-category/finescale-figures/shipping-fishing-waterways/

All of these products are printable in 1:10th scale down to 1:200th. If you want a scale that isn't on the site please give us a message and we will be able to do this for you.

[Author]

Posts