1:32 scale - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

1:32 scale is a traditional scale

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...

for models and miniatures, in which one unit (such as an inch or a centimeter) on the model represents 32 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-eighths scale", since 3/8-inch represents a foot. A man is 2-1/4 inches tall (55 mm) in 1:32 scale.

1:32 was once so common a scale for toy trains, autos, and soldiers that it was known as "standard size" in the industry (not to be confused with Lionel's "Standard Gauge"

Standard Gauge (toy trains)

Standard Gauge, also known as Wide Gauge, was an early model railway and toy train rail gauge, introduced in the United States in 1906 by Lionel Corporation. As it was a toy standard, rather than a scale modeling standard, the actual scale of Standard Gauge locomotives and rolling stock varied...

).1:32 is the scale for Gauge 1 toy and model trains. It was the scale of some of the earliest plastic model car kits. It is a common scale for aircraft models and for figure modeling

Model figure

A model figure is a scale model representing a human, monster or other creature. Human figures may be either a generic figure of a type , a historical personage , or a fictional character .Model figures are sold both as kits for enthusiast to construct and paint and as pre-built, pre-painted...

, where it is called 54 mm scale, from the height of the human figure. 1:32 was used for equipment to match 54 mm toy soldier

Toy soldier

A toy soldier is a miniature figurine that represents a soldier. The term applies to depictions of uniformed military personnel from all eras, and includes knights, cowboys, pirates, and other subjects that involve combat-related themes. Toy soldiers vary from simple playthings to highly realistic...

s for miniature wargaming

Miniature wargaming

Miniature wargaming is a form of wargaming that incorporates miniature figures, miniature armor and modeled terrain as the main components of play...

and was common in scale military modeling such as tanks and armored cars until it was largely replaced by 1:35 scale.

1:32 is now considedered to be the 'Normal' scale for agricultural models such as Britains or Siku

1:32 is a useful scale for scratch modelling or railways. As well as standard gauge gauge 1 using 45mm/1¾" track, narrow gauge modellers use 0 gauge (32mm - 1¼") track for 42", 1m and 36" gauge originals. Also H0/00 track at 16.5mm is used to represent models of 2'/60 cm gauge railways.

Today, 1:32 is associated with slot car

Slot car

A slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...

scale. A standard for tabletop rail-racing in the mid-1950s, it was adopted by the original slot car

Slot car

A slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...

manufacturers, Victory Industries and Scalextric

Scalextric

Scalextric is a toy brand for a range of slot car racing sets which first appeared in the late 1950s, as a creation of British firm Minimodels. The brand is currently owned and distributed by Hornby.-History:...

See also