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Branding for print graphic Fine Art Models, P.O.Box 225, Birmingham, Michigan, 48012, USA | Tel: 248.288.5155 | Fax: 248.288.4412

Fine Art Models produces museum-quality limited-edition scale models that many feel are the finest available in the world today.

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About Us

Model Scales

Models are built in all different sizes depending on the purpose of the model.  And while there are often “preferred” scales for high-end, collectible scale models, Fine Art Models’ objective is to build in a scale that allows us to model with no compromises.  At the end of the build process, we feel there should be no difference between the full size object and the completed scale model. 

Each category of model has its own unique “optimum” scale.  Below we attempt to give you an idea of the “typical” scale for each as well as the scale Fine Art Models prefers to build in.  In many cases they are one in the same.  However, on occasion, our preferred scale varies slightly from the norm, and we tell you why.

Trains


 Our trains are built in 1:32 (or 3/8 inch = 1 foot), commonly referred to as Standard Gauge or Gauge 1. This scale dates back to the 1870’s when German company Bing began making model trains, and has become the premiere scale for collectible trains. We prefer to build in this scale as we feel it is the smallest scale possible that allows every detail to be modeled without compromise.

While our trains are sometimes referred to as G Gauge by the garden railroad community, this is not correct.  The confusion between G Gauge and Gauge 1 began long ago with the German company LGB, who built trains in a scale of 1:22.5 and then used Gauge 1 (1:32) track to run them on.  Because of this difference in size between the model and the track, the LGB product became known as Narrow Gauge (as they run on a track narrower than their scale calls for).  Many companies followed LGB’s lead and built their models in various scales, all larger than Gauge 1, but still ran them on Gauge 1 track.

Ships


 The British originally defined the scale of ship models back in 17th Century (with the British scale calculated in inches and continental Europe using the metric system).  Ships reaching 400 feet in length and longer often result in a scale model of 1:192 or 1/16 inch : 1 foot (with the Continental scale being 1:200).  Ships reaching 100 – 400 feet in length are usually modeled in a scale of 1:96 - 1/8 inch : 1 foot (with the continental scale being 1:100). Ships shorter than 100 feet in length are modeled in many different scales, with 1:48 (1/4 inch : 1 foot) being the most popular.

Builders Models (commonly referred to as study models or presentation models) are typically doubled in size, and in some cases, greater.  As you’ll see, our limited edition Titanic model is 1:192 scale while our builder’s model is 1:48 scale and our limited edition USS Nicholas model is 1:96 scale while our builder’s model is 1:48 scale.

Small boats, such as our Chapman Yacht, Concordia Sloop Boat, and Yawl are modeled in a scale of 1”:1’ (one inch : one foot).  As a result of this scale, we often end up with is a model that has all moveable, working parts (when working in wood, we find this to be the most satisfying scale of all). 

Automobiles/Military


 Because the vast majority of automobiles and many military vehicles are relatively the same size, high quality automobile models are typically built in a 1:8 scale.   We feel this is, without a doubt, the smallest scale a typical automobile can be modeled in without sacrificing detail (a world-class car modeler once told us they had modeled in 1:10 scale to avoid putting all of the detail into the model, and we have never forgotten this). 

While we have, on occasion, modeled in 1:5 scale, the only advantage to this scale is the visual appeal, however, they do not have any additional detail than that of a world-class 1:8 scale model.

Aircraft


 Aircraft do not have firmly established hobby scales, however you will find most high-quality models built in a 1:16 scale.   We made a decision to build all of our aircraft models in 1:15 scale.  Our decision came about during the build of our first aircraft model, the Nieuport 11.  Since we were building an exact replica, we found that the average human finger could not operate the surface controls on a 1:16 scale model but could operate them on a 1:15 scale model. 

So while the variance between 1:16 and 1:15 scales seems miniscule on the surface, the differences are tremendous. In addition, there is something very special about a 1:15 scale that we can’t quite explain.  However, you can see and feel the difference visually, and this becomes apparent with our Mustang and Corsair models.