1:72 scale
Encyclopedia
1:72 scale is a scale
used for scale model
s, most commonly model aircraft
, corresponding to one sixth of an inch representing one foot (or 1 inch to 6 feet). In other words, 72 of a given model placed end to end would represent the length of the real thing. In this scale, a man who is six feet tall would be exactly one inch in height. The scale was popular for aircraft because small fighters and large bombers were represented, and was practically the only choice of scale if a modeler wanted to have all aircraft types represented in the same scale.
This scale originated with the Skybirds
and Frog Penguin
aircraft model ranges produced in the United Kingdom during the 1930s and was subsequently used for aircraft recognition
models by the Allies of World War II
.
More subjects and genres are covered in this scale than any other.
This scale is widespread in Western and Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, and is extremely popular in the UK. It is less popular in Australia, Canada, and the USA, where 1:48 is more prevalent.
In recent years this scale has also gained popularity for model military vehicle
s, and is also used for Japanese anime
science fiction models, die-cast model cars, figures, and radio-control model ships.
s. The beginning of die-cast production in this scale can be connected to the famous Hong Kong model car producer Hongwell Company. The company opened its factory dedicated to these model cars in 1997.
The success of this scale in the die-cast market has multiple reasons. One of them is that these models may be precisely designed using Zamak
as a basic alloy, which is a real advantage in contrast to 1:87. The other reason is that these models are sold in perspex boxes that can easily be organized into columns, thus helping collectors to keep their collection in good condition.
Unlike 1:64
, 1:72 die-cast models are strictly produced in true scale even if they don't fit the original box size. The number of complementary plastic parts (lamps, mirrors) and a higher amount of screen printed decorations make these models much more lifelike, yet still allowing them to be produced in large numbers as they might be used as toys as well.
Models in this scale are admired by collectors because their finishing may be compared to most 1:43 models, but their size allows one to build up a large collection in smaller spaces.
Emergency vehicle models started a new way of collecting in this scale. As most of the manufacturers offered emergency models in the local markets in local liveries, swapping these cars soon became an everyday procedure in the lives of collectors. Thus international online communities for 1:72 die-cast models are more popular than for older scales.
The best-known manufacturers in this scale are Hongwell (Cararama brand), Real-X, Yat Ming and Realtoy. Other brands such as Schuco
, Abrex, Bumi Cars or Motorart also have these models in their portfolio but the manufacturers behind these brands are Hongwell or Yat Ming. Italian Bburago
also announced its 1:72 scale range at the 2005 International Nuremberg Toy Fair. This product line would have been a spin-off of Schuco's Junior Line extending the portfolio with the models of Real-X. As Bburago has been sold by Dickie-Schuco Group shortly after, these models never reached the European market under the Italian brand.
Many scale model manufacturers now recognize the difference and there has been a marked change over the last 10 years, with vehicle and figure producers consolidating to 1:72. Currently a large number of manufacturers produce figures in this scale such as HaT, Italeri
and Zvezda
Scale (ratio)
The scale ratio of some sort of model which represents an original proportionally is the ratio of a linear dimension of the model to the same dimension of the original. Examples include a 3-dimensional scale model of a building or the scale drawings of the elevations or plans of a building. In such...
used for scale model
Scale model
A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
s, most commonly model aircraft
Model aircraft
Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft using a variety of materials including plastic, diecast metal, polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass...
, corresponding to one sixth of an inch representing one foot (or 1 inch to 6 feet). In other words, 72 of a given model placed end to end would represent the length of the real thing. In this scale, a man who is six feet tall would be exactly one inch in height. The scale was popular for aircraft because small fighters and large bombers were represented, and was practically the only choice of scale if a modeler wanted to have all aircraft types represented in the same scale.
This scale originated with the Skybirds
Skybirds
Skybirds was the brand name of a series of 1:72 scale wood and metal aircraft model kits produced by A. J. Holladay & Co. in the United Kingdom during the 1930s and 40s....
and Frog Penguin
Frog (models)
Frog was a well-known British brand of flying model aircraft and scale model construction kits from the 1930s to the 1970s.- History :Founded in 1931 by Charles Wilmot and Joe Mansour, International Model Aircraft Ltd...
aircraft model ranges produced in the United Kingdom during the 1930s and was subsequently used for aircraft recognition
Aircraft recognition
Aircraft recognition is a visual skill taught to military personal and civilian auxiliaries since the introduction of military aircraft in World War I. It is important for air defense and military intelligence gathering....
models by the Allies of World War II
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
.
More subjects and genres are covered in this scale than any other.
This scale is widespread in Western and Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, and is extremely popular in the UK. It is less popular in Australia, Canada, and the USA, where 1:48 is more prevalent.
In recent years this scale has also gained popularity for model military vehicle
Model military vehicle
-Scales:The term 'scale' refers to the proportion of actual size the replica or model represents. Scale is usually expressed as a ratio or as a fraction . In either case it conveys the notion that the replica or model is accurately scaled in all visible proportions from a full-size prototype object...
s, and is also used for Japanese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
science fiction models, die-cast model cars, figures, and radio-control model ships.
Die-cast models
1:72 scale is becoming increasingly popular for die-cast toyDie-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
s. The beginning of die-cast production in this scale can be connected to the famous Hong Kong model car producer Hongwell Company. The company opened its factory dedicated to these model cars in 1997.
The success of this scale in the die-cast market has multiple reasons. One of them is that these models may be precisely designed using Zamak
ZAMAK
Zamak is a family of alloys with a base metal of zinc and alloying elements of aluminium, magnesium and copper. Zamak alloys are part of the zinc aluminium alloy family; they are distinguished from the other ZA alloys because of their constant 4% aluminium composition...
as a basic alloy, which is a real advantage in contrast to 1:87. The other reason is that these models are sold in perspex boxes that can easily be organized into columns, thus helping collectors to keep their collection in good condition.
Unlike 1:64
1:64 scale
1:64 scale is a traditional scale for models and miniatures, in which one unit on the model represents 64 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-sixteenths scale", since 3/16-inch represents a foot. A man is approximately 1-1/8 inches tall in 1:64 scale...
, 1:72 die-cast models are strictly produced in true scale even if they don't fit the original box size. The number of complementary plastic parts (lamps, mirrors) and a higher amount of screen printed decorations make these models much more lifelike, yet still allowing them to be produced in large numbers as they might be used as toys as well.
Models in this scale are admired by collectors because their finishing may be compared to most 1:43 models, but their size allows one to build up a large collection in smaller spaces.
Emergency vehicle models started a new way of collecting in this scale. As most of the manufacturers offered emergency models in the local markets in local liveries, swapping these cars soon became an everyday procedure in the lives of collectors. Thus international online communities for 1:72 die-cast models are more popular than for older scales.
The best-known manufacturers in this scale are Hongwell (Cararama brand), Real-X, Yat Ming and Realtoy. Other brands such as Schuco
Schuco
Schuco is a German toy maker founded in 1912 by Heinrich Müller and the businessman Heinrich Schreyer in Nuremberg, since early days, Germany's toy capital. Its specialty was usually cars and trucks in both tin and diecast...
, Abrex, Bumi Cars or Motorart also have these models in their portfolio but the manufacturers behind these brands are Hongwell or Yat Ming. Italian Bburago
Bburago
Bburago is an Italian model car manufacturer, that was based in Burago di Molgora, Italy, which made mostly diecast cars from 1976 to 2005, and then under the May Cheong group since 2007.-Early years:...
also announced its 1:72 scale range at the 2005 International Nuremberg Toy Fair. This product line would have been a spin-off of Schuco's Junior Line extending the portfolio with the models of Real-X. As Bburago has been sold by Dickie-Schuco Group shortly after, these models never reached the European market under the Italian brand.
1:72 and HO/OO scale
There has been some confusion amongst manufacturers in the past in terms of railway and scale model scales. Railway scales are identified by alpha/numeric codes whereas all other modeling scales are simply identified by the scale concerned. HO in Australia, Europe, Japan, and the United States is 1:87 and 1:76 in the UK. The UK had its own scale of OO, which is 1:76. Hence the term HO/OO. None of these scales are 1:72, and neither are they compatible with it, as a comparison between an Airfix and Revell GMBH Leopard I tank kits will demonstrate. Even figures in these scales show distinct size differences. Many manufacturers in the past, particularly in the UK, produced items to 1:76 and labeled the packaging as being 1:72, because the scales were historically considered to be close. An example is Airfix's and Matchbox's series of vehicle kits to 1:76, which were eventually re-issued with labeling indicating a scale of 1:72. 1:76 still exists, but it is now considered to a wargaming scale.Many scale model manufacturers now recognize the difference and there has been a marked change over the last 10 years, with vehicle and figure producers consolidating to 1:72. Currently a large number of manufacturers produce figures in this scale such as HaT, Italeri
Italeri
Italeri Incorporated is an Italian manufacturer of plastic scale models of airplanes, military vehicles, helicopters, ships, trucks, cars and figures...
and Zvezda
External links
- 72scale The Definitive 1/72 Scale Modeling Census.
- Task Force 72 1/72 scale R/C ship modeling club, Australia.
- Queen's Own 1/72 scale R/C ship modeling club, USA.
- On The Way!, 1/72nd scale armor modeling resources
- MiniatureZone, Pictures and articles on smallscale 1/72 (20mm scale) historical miniature wargaming and modelling
- Plastic Soldier Review 1/72 scale plastic figures on parade