January 2, 2009
HO Scale Model Railroad Airplanes and Boats?
What is a good scale in model airplanes and boats for matching it with HO scale trains
Phoenix is right about HO being 1/87 scale. The Walthers Catalog which most hobby stores will have and can order from has some boats and aircraft.
If you want boats or ships, 1/8 inch to the foot scale which works out ot 1/96 scale is close to HO and is a common model shipbuilding scale. I've seen models in this scale used successfully on HO layouts. I have a WWII Fletcher class destroyer that I may put into a layout. It's about 3 feet long. Models in this scale range from small boats to aircraft carriers. Despite the fact that these models are about 10% off scale their large size tends to offset the difference.
Aircraft is a little different, the most common scales near HO scale are 1/72 and 1/100 scale. Both of these scales would look out of scale on an HO layout. However 1/100 planes could be used if they were put into a forced perspective situation. The model could be displayed with a scene break like a canyon, river or body of water in front and the HO scene in front. This would make the smaller aircraft look farther away and correctly scaled. Beware of some toy store planes that claim to be 1/100 scale. Many are much smaller. Plastic model kits will usually be correctly scaled.
Good luck and hope this helps.
Filed under Model Airplanes by admin
Comments on HO Scale Model Railroad Airplanes and Boats? »
Ho scale is 1/87th. Any model that comes close to 1/87th usually will do nicely. For airplanes, Walthers made, a few years back, both a P-51 Mustang and the C-47 / DC-3 cargo-passenger airplane in 1/87th scale. The model could be made either as a military aircraft (C-47) or a civilian (DC-3) aircraft. Some of the older hobby shops such as Ram Hobbies in Chicago may still have a couple on their shelves, or at least Ram did three months ago. Sea Port Model Works and Frenchman River Model Works both produce a number of small fishing type boats. Noch makes sail boats and small barge/tug boats. B & G Train World in Elgin, Illinois did have a couple of small boats in stock last week when I was there. Hope this is of help. Phoenix
References :
Walthers 2008 Model Railroad Reference Book and Walthers.com
Phoenix is right about HO being 1/87 scale. The Walthers Catalog which most hobby stores will have and can order from has some boats and aircraft.
If you want boats or ships, 1/8 inch to the foot scale which works out ot 1/96 scale is close to HO and is a common model shipbuilding scale. I've seen models in this scale used successfully on HO layouts. I have a WWII Fletcher class destroyer that I may put into a layout. It's about 3 feet long. Models in this scale range from small boats to aircraft carriers. Despite the fact that these models are about 10% off scale their large size tends to offset the difference.
Aircraft is a little different, the most common scales near HO scale are 1/72 and 1/100 scale. Both of these scales would look out of scale on an HO layout. However 1/100 planes could be used if they were put into a forced perspective situation. The model could be displayed with a scene break like a canyon, river or body of water in front and the HO scene in front. This would make the smaller aircraft look farther away and correctly scaled. Beware of some toy store planes that claim to be 1/100 scale. Many are much smaller. Plastic model kits will usually be correctly scaled.
Good luck and hope this helps.
References :