A scale model is a small thing.
It looks just like a big thing. It can be a car or a plane.
Models help us learn and play. Do you like small toys?
A scale model looks like a real object.
It is often much smaller than the real thing. Models can be cars, planes, or even buildings.
People make them from wood, metal, or plastic.
Some models stay still for display. Other models can move or fly.
Some people build them as a fun hobby. Others use them to test new designs.
Models help us see how things work. They are very cool to look at!
A scale model is a physical object that looks like a real thing.
Scientists call the real thing a prototype. Most models are smaller than the prototype. For example, a model of a building is much smaller than the real building.
But some models can be larger than the real thing. This happens if the prototype is very tiny.
Scale is the ratio between the model and the prototype. A 1:8 scale means one unit on the model equals eight units on the real object. People make models in many ways. Some buy kits to put together. Others use scratch building. This means they make the model from scratch. It takes a lot of skill and time.
Models serve many purposes. Engineers use them to test new designs. They might test how a plane flies in a wind tunnel.
Architects use models to show buildings to investors.
Hobbyists build them for fun. Some models are static, which means they stay still. Other models are animated and can move.
A scale model is a physical object that looks like a real thing. Scientists and engineers call the real object a prototype.
Most models are smaller than the large prototypes they copy. For example, a model of a building is much smaller than the real building.
However, some models can actually be larger than the prototype. This happens when the real object is very tiny, like a subatomic particle.
Scale is the math that connects the model to the prototype. It is the ratio of any length on the model to the same length on the real object. We often write this as a ratio with a colon, like 1:8 scale.
This means one unit on the model represents eight units on the real thing. In some places, people say "1 inch to 4 feet" for a 1:48 scale. People get their models in three main ways. Some buy kits to assemble, which can be modified through kitbashing. Others use scratch building to make a model from nothing.
Building models has been useful for a very long time. Structural engineers have studied these problems for thousands of years.
They use models to test things that are too hard to solve with math alone. In the past, film studios used large models for special effects.
Before computers, movies used models of ships or robots to look real. For the show Star Trek, a model of the Starship Enterprise was made in 1964. The first one cost $600 and was made of pine and brass.
There are many different types of models used today. Some models are static, which means they stay still for display. Other models are animated, so they can move or even fly.
Hobbyists might build model trains in HO or N scale.
Children can even race wood cars in the Pinewood Derby. This event started in 1953 for the Boy Scouts of America.
These small cars run on gravity and use plastic wheels.
Models are made from many different materials. You might see models made of plastic, wood, or metal.
Plastic models often use special glue to hold parts together. People use different paints to make them look real. Enamel paint is very durable for plastic models.
Acrylic paint is also popular because it is water-based. This makes it easier to clean brushes with just soap and water. Some people even use decals to add tiny details like flags.
A scale model is a physical object that is geometrically similar to a larger or smaller object called a prototype.
While most models are smaller than the objects they represent, such as vehicles or buildings, they can also be larger. For example, models might be built to a larger size than tiny anatomical structures or subatomic particles. When a model is built at the exact same scale as the prototype, it is known as a mockup.
These tools serve many purposes in engineering, filmmaking, military strategy, and various hobbies.
Scale is defined by the ratio of any linear dimension on the model to the equivalent dimension on the prototype.
This is often expressed as a ratio with a colon, such as 1:8 scale. This notation means that one unit of length on the model represents eight units on the prototype. In English-speaking countries, this is sometimes described using measurements like "1 inch to 4 feet" for a 1:48 scale.
Builders obtain models through three main methods: kit assembly, scratch building, or collecting pre-assembled models. Scratch building requires the highest level of craftsmanship and time. It is the primary method used by structural engineers to ensure total accuracy.
Scale models are generally categorized as either static or animated. Static models are designed for still display, whereas animated models possess operational features.
In the hobbyist world, some railroad trains roll along tracks, and some airplanes or rockets can actually fly. Flying models range from simple unpowered gliders to sophisticated radio-controlled aircraft powered by methanol or nitromethane engines.
Other hobbies include slot car racing, where electric motors run cars on plastic tracks with metal rails. Children also participate in gravity-powered wood car racing, such as the Boy Scouts of America's Pinewood Derby. This event debuted in 1953 and uses kits containing wooden blocks, plastic wheels, and axle nails.
In the film industry, models were essential for visual effects before the era of computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Filmmakers used "miniature" models of ships or cyber vehicles to create realistic scenes. These miniatures were often much larger than standard hobby models to allow for high surface detail and electrical features like interior lighting. A famous example is the Starship Enterprise from *Star Trek: The Original Series*. In December 1964, a pre-production model was built from pine, Plexiglass, and brass for $600.
A later production model used plaster, sheet metal, and wood, costing ten times more. These models were built at scales of 1:344 and 1:83.9 respectively.
Engineering relies heavily on scale models to solve complex problems.
While many problems are solved with math, some are too complicated for current numerical techniques. Structural engineers use models to study interactions, such as reinforced concrete beam-column-slab problems, by following the requirements of similitude. This process involves scaling specific quantities like loading, geometry, and material properties. Similarly, aerodynamic models are used in wind tunnels to test new aircraft designs. These tests help engineers understand how a prototype will behave in the real world.
Architectural firms also use models to sell designs to builders and investors.
While these were traditionally handmade, modern technology allows for high-tech production. Architects now use Class IV laser cutters, five-axis CNC machines, and 3D printing to create models. Common architectural scales include 1:12, 1:50, and 1:500. In the military, "plan-relief" models provide a geographical representation in relief to visualize fortifications or campaigns. Navies also used hand-made warships for instruction, sometimes using a 1:500 "teacher scale."
Models are constructed from a wide variety of materials to suit their purpose. Plastic is common and includes materials like polystyrene, ABS, and clear acrylic.
Wood is often used, such as balsa wood for flying models or pine for racing cars. Metal, including aluminum, brass, or white metal, provides durability and fine detail. To finish a model, builders use different types of paint. Enamel paint is very durable for plastics, while acrylic paint is a popular water-based alternative because it is less toxic.
Finally, decals are often applied to add tiny details like flags or insignia that are too small to paint by hand.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (24)
+ 12 more
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.