Scale
Size
1:43 Scale is a model
approximately 3 to 5 inches in length
1:24 scale is a model
approximately 5 to 8 inches in length
1:18 scale is a model
approximately 8 to 11 inches in length
1:12 scale is a model
approximately 14 to 16 inches in length
Model cars are
manufactured in various scale sizes, which denotes the reduced measurement of
the model cars — based on measurements taken from the actual cars. That means
that our models are scaled down in size, in proportions as near exact as
possible, from real cars. This in-turn allows for the realistic visual
appearance of our models. The higher the ratio, the smaller the model car.
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1:12
scale - Very large, highly detailed models; usually about 14 or 15 in (36
or 38 cm) long; mainly targeted at adult collectors. These models are
generally much more expensive than the 1:18 models. Many diecast motorcycles
are also produced in this scale.
-
1:18
scale - Large, detailed models, usually about 8 to 11 in (18 or 20 cm)
long; mostly targeted at adults. America is the main market for these,
although some European and Australian companies also produce cars and even
trucks in this scale.
-
1:24
scale - This has long been a favoured scale in the USA, due to many
construction kits and dealer promotional models being this size.
Mebetoys
of Italy had a large range of cheap 1:24 toy cars.
Franklin Mint and
Trax also use this scale.
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1:32
scale - Intermediate size, most common for model tractors and other
agricultural vehicles;
Britains has used this scale for decades, and it is also used by
Ertl and
Siku. Vintage car
models are also quite common in 1:32 scale.
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1:36 scale - Popularized by
Corgi
in the 1970s, a common scale for toy vehicles such as those from
Maisto,
Kinsmart and
Welly
-
1:34 scale - Used almost exclusively by
First Gear Models of the USA for their large scale diecast trucks.
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1:43
scale - the most popular scale for model cars worldwide. This scale was
made popular by
Dinky
in the 1930s as it was compatible with O gauge model railways. This scale is
the most commonly used in Britain, Europe, Japan and Australia, but less so in
the USA. In continental Europe 1:43 is often favoured for model trucks. It is
also widely used for handbuilt models in resin and white metal.
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1:48
scale - Several companies produce diecast model aircraft in 1:48 scale,
which is a popular scale for plastic construction kits. Some diecast military
vehicles and model train accessories are also made in this scale.
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1:50
scale - The most widely used scale for trucks, buses and especially
construction vehicles.
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1:55 scale - used mostly by
Siku of Germany
for its toy range of cars and trucks. The
Disney-Pixar Cars Die-Cast Line by
Mattel are
nominally in this scale.
-
1:60 scale - the scale of the immensely popular pre- and post-war military
vehicles series by Dinky Toys (including military Dinky Supertoys), and still
used by many military modellers.
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1:64
scale - popular for farm models and American model trucks. Matchbox,
Hot
Wheels,
Jonny Lightning and model Nascar racers are nominally this size.
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1:72
scale - usually used for military die-cast
armoured fighting vehicles due to compatibility with 1:72 plastic
construction kits.
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1:76 scale - scale popular mainly in Britain, Australia and Hong Kong for
highly detailed buses and lorries such as those by
EFE and
Corgi OOC, and
Trax
Models in Australia. These models were originally intended as
OO scale
model railway accessories, but became collectibles in their own right.
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1:87 scale - These are compatible with
H0 scale model trains, and tend to be more popular in the USA and
continental Europe. They are more commonly made of plastic, and German
companies such as
Herpa and
Wiking produce wide ranges of highly-detailed models in this scale.
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1:148 scale - compatible with British
N scale
model trains, this scale has recently gained popularity in the UK due to its
compact size and low priced models from
Oxford Diecast.