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Old 07-30-2019, 03:07 AM
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1/33.....why not 1/32 for airplanes models?

Do you know why and where the choice of 1/33 comes from for paper aircraft models while for plastic models the scale used was 1/32 which is explainable.


Thanks.
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Old 07-30-2019, 03:35 AM
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That's because of two unit systems used by different countries in the world. There's an Imperial system and Metric system. Scales like 1/32 or 1/24 come from the Imperial system which is most popular in US these days. Scales like 1/33 or 1/25 are typical for Metric system, so mostly for European model kits.

Basically your question is pretty much the same as: why some countries have left-hand traffic.
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Old 07-30-2019, 06:10 AM
cfuruti cfuruti is offline
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My guess is that 1/33 is a close enough approximation of 1/33.333... = 0.03.
In other words, the designer can shortcut a division by 33(.33) with a multiplication by 3 followed by a division by 100 (obviously trivial with decimal units).
Today, computers can almost make us forget about arithmetic, but in ages begone the choice between "x 3" and "/ 32" could favor the former.
That's just my speculation, since slide rules make approximate divisions by either 32 or 33 equally easy (I could envision a seasoned designer notching or painting a tally at his/her favorite scale...).

BTW, the old "33 rpm" turn speed of LP vinyls is an abbreviation for 33.333..., or 100 rotations in 3 minutes. Similarly, perhaps pre-calculators "1/33" models are actually 1/33.333...?

Last edited by cfuruti; 07-30-2019 at 06:18 AM. Reason: Enhance clarity
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Old 07-30-2019, 11:20 AM
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A logical sequence of metric scales.

1:100

2:100 = 1:50

3:100 = 1:33.33333 recurring - approximately 1:33

4:100 = 1:25

but
when designers are doing their thing
do they all do
1:33.33333 recurring
or do they all do
!:33
or
do some do one
and
others do the other
and
does anyone know
and
does anyone care

?

oh and we all know about slide rules don't we

let's see now ... 2x2 = 3.99 ... mmmm.... call it 4

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Old 07-30-2019, 01:49 PM
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Don't forget 1:35, the universal military scale.
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Old 07-30-2019, 02:15 PM
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,,,,,and 1/76 and 1/87 (HO) and 1/160 (N), etc., etc. etc.
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Old 07-30-2019, 05:25 PM
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What's really beautiful with paper models, is that you can enlarge or shrink any kit you have to any scale you desire.
A convenience not easily enjoyed by models in other media.
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Old 07-30-2019, 06:44 PM
EricGoedkoop EricGoedkoop is offline
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It goes back to the unit of measure on the model that represents a standard unit of measure on the real thing. 1/48th scale used to be called "quarter-inch scale" or - confusingly - "quarter-scale"; 1/4" on the model equals 1 foot on the original.

So, in the Imperial system:

1/4 (.25) x 48 = 12; 1/4 inch equals 1 foot; 1/48 scale
3/8 (.375) x 32 = 12; 3/8 inch equals 1 foot; 1/32 scale
1/2 (.5) x 24 = 12; 1/2 inch equals 1 foot; 1/24 scale

And in Metric:

2 x 50 = 100; 2 cm equals 1 meter; 1/50 scale
3 x 33(.3333) = 100; 3 cm equals 1 meter; 1/33 scale
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Old 07-30-2019, 09:15 PM
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Hello and thank you for your explanations.
I adopted the 1/66 scale a little sentimentally compared to a talented model maker who used it to carve wooden boxwood aircraft, as I explained in the introduction on my site.
All in all, the choice of my scale is justified!
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Old 09-13-2019, 09:40 AM
John G Macalla John G Macalla is offline
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I also want to thank you Ericgoedkoop. This 1/33rd scale has stumped me for years. Roughly almost 60 years. Thru most of that time it seemed to me like this hobby had ceased to exist anymore the main stream of modeling, based on the strange looks I got from people when I mentioned there being a scale model in card stock of a it.

Although it was then precomputer days published models that I bought. There was never an indication of why , or what that scale stood for.
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