| p> Understanding Die-Cast Truck Replica Scales | | | | originally called proportion or ratio. As the term |
| If you are new to the world of die-cast truck | | | | scale model became more prevalent, the size |
| replicas, one of the first things you may notice | | | | ratio was more often called the scale. Scales |
| when reading about replicas is the model scale. All | | | | were originally stated in words, such as a 1/72 |
| models are designed and fabricated with a specific | | | | scale being one-sixth inch to the foot. The |
| scale in mind, and there are a wide variety of | | | | numerical scales were not extensively used until |
| replica scales available. | | | | the 1960s. |
| What is a Scale? | | | | Many scales seem to contain a multiple of the |
| The scale associated with die-cast replica defines | | | | number six. This is due to using the standard of |
| the difference in size between a die-cast truck | | | | the height of a six-foot-tall man as a reference |
| replica and the actual full-size truck. For example, | | | | point. This was meant to give viewers a sense of |
| a replica with a 1/24 scale means that every 1 | | | | the scale of an object, knowing how the model |
| inch of the replica corresponds to 24 inches of | | | | compares to the height of a person. |
| the actual truck. 24 replicas placed end-to-end | | | | Available Scales |
| would equal the length of one actual truck. Scales | | | | Die-cast truck replicas are available in many |
| can also be represented in a ratio format rather | | | | different scales. Some collectors prefer to |
| than a fractional format, such as 1:24, but there is | | | | specialize in one particular scale, while others |
| no difference in the scale itself. The use of the | | | | collect replicas of many different sizes. Die-cast |
| ratio format is more common in European models. | | | | trucks are generally found in smaller scales than |
| Although it may seem counterintuitive at first, the | | | | cars, because of their inherent larger size. While |
| smaller the second number is in the scale, the | | | | you can occasionally find die-cast trucks in the |
| larger the scale is considered. For example, a 1/32 | | | | huge 1/12 and 1/14 scales, their large size (4 or 5 |
| scale is larger than a 1/48 scale. | | | | feet long) makes them more difficult to afford, |
| Origin of Replica Scale Terminology | | | | collect, and display. Many of the larger-scale |
| The term scale actually originated as the name of | | | | die-cast trucks are equipped to be operated via |
| a measuring device that architects and designers | | | | remote-control. |
| used to create drawings and models of much | | | | The most commonly available scales start around |
| larger objects. The scale was used to correctly | | | | 1/32, and work down to 1/87 scale. These scales |
| draw plans showing the intended dimensions of | | | | are more manageable to purchase and organize, |
| the final product. These types of scales are still | | | | and you can still find some highly-detailed replicas |
| used by architects and engineers. | | | | in these scales. Some scales are based on the |
| Blueprints of large objects had to be created on a | | | | influence of other items. For example, the 1:48 |
| smaller scale. The development of model building | | | | scale matches that of O scale model trains, so a |
| was spearheaded by architects and shipbuilders, | | | | collector of both model trains and trucks could |
| both of whom built scale models of to show their | | | | purchase die-cast trucks at the 1:48 scale and |
| prospective designs prior to commission and | | | | could display them together, effectively showing |
| building. | | | | the correct proportion between the vehicles.The |
| Scale, as a term to describe the relative size | | | | scale is just one of the factors to consider when |
| between a replica and the actual object, was | | | | purchasing die-cast model trucks. |