WHAT IS SCALE MODELING?
                     WHAT IS SCALE 
MODELING?
What is 
scale 
modelling?
Scale modeling, at least in hobby terms, 
consists of creating miniature 
representations (models) of larger 
subjects. While models may be 
constructed from any material, most 
modelers use plastic kits that are glued 
together and painted.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
About scale 
modelling?
Modelers build figures, tanks and 
artillery pieces, dinosaurs, science-
fiction subjects, landscapes, buildings, 
and many, many other things. Virtually 
anything real or imagined can be the 
subject of a scale model.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
What does 
the "scale" 
part mean?
In order to accurately represent their 
subject, a model must be "to scale". This 
means that all of the proportions of the 
model match those of the real thing.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
What does 
the "scale" 
part mean 
cont.
When modelers talk about scale, they 
are talking about the relationship 
between the size of the model and the 
size of the object the model represents. 
This is usually described as a numeric 
ratio like 1:72 or 1:48.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
Box scale
There are many other scales besides the 
ones listed above. In addition, many kits 
come in "box scale", which means that 
the kit was engineered so that the 
unbuilt model would fit in a certain size 
box.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
Model kit 
A typical model kit includes the plastic 
parts of the kit molded on sprues, or 
parts trees (see the figure below). The 
parts must be cut from the sprues prior 
to assembly. 
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
Model kit 
cont.
In addition to the plastic parts, a kit 
normally includes an instruction sheet, 
which gives you some background 
information on the subject as well as 
detailed diagrams showing how the 
parts should be assembled and painted.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN 
BUILDING MODEL KIT
Construction
In addition to the plastic parts, a kit 
normally includes an instruction sheet, 
which gives you some background 
information on the subject as well as 
detailed diagrams showing how the 
parts should be assembled and painted.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
Painting
Paint may be applied with a brush or an 
airbrush. Most modelers use some 
combination of the two as well as 
several sizes of brushes for different 
types of detail work. Some model paints 
are also available in spray cans. Model 
paints are usually either enamels or 
water-based acrylics.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/
Detailing
This can include applying decals, 
"weathering" a model to make the 
subject appear used or damaged or 
putting the model on some type of base 
or into a modeled diorama scene. 
Various types of pigment powders may 
be used to make a model appear dirty or 
rusty and there are a variety of 
techniques that may be employed to 
make the paint appear chipped, faded, 
stained or otherwise altered.
Source: http://www.austinsms.org/