Small Scale Models (SSM) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

September 19, 2009

By John Watts ([email protected]), thanks to the many who have contributed to the SSM and SSD over the years, and Eric Verschuur for his inspiration and help with the original HTML version of the FAQ.

Small Scale Models (SSM) started on July 11, 2003 by the late Al Superczynski as a replacment for the Small Scale Digest (SSD). The SSD was started on Jan. 21, 1997 by David Schultz. Before this, the SSD consisted of a small group of modellers passing e-mails back and forth to each other (the earliest of which I have is dated November 15, 1994). The main subject of discussion is 1/144 scale military subjects, but anything 1/100 scale and smaller can and have been discussed.

Table of Contents

[SSM/SSD] [Scales] [Models/Decals] [Model Ranges] [Buy/Sell/Trade] [Modelling Info] [Aircraft/Military Info]

1.0) SSM and SSD [Top] [Bottom]

1.1) Where can I find the SSM and SSD?

1.2) What about non-military subjects?

1.3) Where can I find old SSMs and SSDs that I missed?

2.0) Scales [Top] [Bottom]

2.1) What are the equivalent figure, wargaming, railroad, dollhouse, and miniature scales?

2.1.1) How do you calculate figure and wargaming scales?

2.1.2) How do you calculate dollhouse and miniature scales?

2.1.3) How do you calculate railroad scales?

2.2) What would be considered an accurate range of scales?

2.3) What are the typical size differences between the scales?

3.0) Models and Decals [Top] [Bottom]

3.1) Was a particular model made in small scale?

3.2) Which is the best model?

3.3) Which models are highly recommended?

3.4) Which models are best avoided?

3.5) Why can't I find a particular model?

3.6) Was a particular decal made in 1/144 scale?

3.7) Where can I accurately use Aeroclub's 1/144 scale ejection seats?

3.8) What is included in the Hawk 1/200 scale "Jet Power - Korea" set?

3.9) What is included in the LS 1/144 scale weapon sets? (ARII)

3.10) What is included in the Monogram 1/240 scale "U.S. Air Force Air Power" set?

3.11) Has anyone seen Revell's 1/140 scale A-1 Skyraider?

3.12) Has anyone seen Shanghai Dragon's superdetailed 1/144 scale F-14A?

4.0) Model Ranges [Top] [Bottom]

4.1) Where can I find lists of kits by kit manufacturer?

4.2) Aeros series:

What scales are the Aeros small scale kits? (MVM)

4.3) Atlas series:

What is included in the Atlas 1/144 scale "Military Giants of the Sky" series?

4.4) Aurora series:

What scales are the Aurora "Snap-a-roos" series? (R&L)

4.5) Bachmann series:

What scales are the Bachmann "Mini-" series? (Airfix, Corgi, ERTL, Flyers, Lintoy, Mini Series, Road Champs, S.S.Kresge, Tak A Toy, Tomica, Tomy, Welly, and various airlines)

4.6) BANDAI series:

What is included in the BANDAI 1/144 scale "Wing Club" series?

4.7) CaféReo / RLai systems / Älgernon Product series:

4.7.1) What is included in the CaféReo 1/144 scale "Big Bird" series?

4.7.2) What is included in the RLai (CaféReo) 1/144 scale "if Warbird desk collection"?

4.7.3) What is included in the CaféReo 1/144 scale "JWings Monthly Aircraft Magazine" series?

4.8) Corgi series:

What scales are the Corgi "100 Years of Flight" series?

4.9) Demeter series:

What is included in the Demeter 1/144 scale "AREA88 D'z Collection ACT.1" series?

4.10) Dragon series:

4.10.1) What is included in the Dragon 1/144 scale "Can.Do Pocket Army" series? (Doyusha)

4.10.2) What is included in the Dragon 1/144 scale "Can.Do Giant Armor" series? (Doyusha)

4.10.3) What is included in the Dragon 1/144 scale "Panzer Korp(s)" series? (Hasegawa)

4.11) EKO series:

What scales are the EKO pre-assembled aircraft?

4.12) Entex series:

What scales are the Entex "Pocket Pak Helicopters" series?

4.13) F-toys series:

4.13.1) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Acroteam Collection" series?

4.13.2) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Biplane Collection" series?

4.13.3) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Early Jet Collection" series?

4.13.4) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Heavy Bomber Collection" series?

4.13.5) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Heliborne Collection" series? (Sweet)

4.13.6) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "JASDF Collection" series?

4.13.7) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Seaplane Collection" series?

4.13.8) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Twin-Engine Aircraft Collection" series?

4.13.9) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "U.S.Navy Collection" series?

4.13.10) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "Wing Kit Collection" series?

4.13.11) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale "WWII War Bird Collection" series?

4.13.12) What is included in the F-toys 1/144 scale specials from the Wonder Festival in Japan?

4.14) Fuji series:

What scales are the Fuji "Air Giant" series? (Entex, Minicraft/Academy, Sanshoh, DOLIM, Nitto, Eidai, Smer, and Sunny/Japan)

4.15) Fujimi series:

What scales are the Fujimi small scale helicopters?

4.16) Furuta series:

What scales are the Furuta "Choco-egg Planes" series?

4.17) Hallmark series:

What scales are the Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" ornaments?

4.18) Hasegawa series:

4.18.1) What scales are the Hasegawa "Area 88" series? (Dragon)

4.18.2) What scales are the Hasegawa "BASIC" series? (Howah)

4.18.3) What scales are the Hasegawa "COIN" series?

4.18.4) What scales are the Hasegawa "Mini-Planes" series? (Bachmann)

4.19) Heller series:

What scales are the Heller "Cadet" series?

4.20) Lincoln series:

What scales are the Lincoln small scale kits? (Glencoe, Kader, IM, and ATP)

4.21) Lindberg series:

What scales are the Lindberg "Fighters Four" series?

4.22) Matchbox series:

What scales are the Matchbox "MiniModels" series?

4.23) Model Power series:

What scales are the Model Power "Postage Stamp Models" series? (Delprado)

4.24) Nexus series:

What is included in the Nexus 1/144 scale "Wings of War Miniatures" series? (Fantasy Flight Games)

4.25) Pegaso series:

What scales are the Pegaso small scale kits? (Aeros, Busch, EKO, Hobby Miniatures, Lindberg, National Toys, and Necomisa)

4.26) Playart series:

What scales are the Playart "Fast Wing" series? (Woolworth/Woolco)

4.27) Popy series:

4.27.1) What is included in the Popy 1/144 scale "Projekt Flieger" series?

4.27.2) What is included in the Popy 1/144 scale "Projekt Panzer" series?

4.28) Racing Champions series:

What is included in the Racing Champions 1/144 scale vehicle series?

4.29) Revell series:

4.29.1) What scales are the Revell "MagicFlight" series?

4.29.2) What scales are the Revell "Mini Kits" series?

4.30) RIZCO series:

What is included in the RIZCO 1/144 scale "Area88 Collection" series?

4.31) Takara series:

4.31.1) What scales are the Takara "Amazing Weapons" series?

4.31.2) What is included in the Takara 1/144 scale "Famous Airplanes of the World" series? (Hasegawa)

4.31.3) What scales are the Takara "World Sub Collection" or "Ships of the World" series?

4.31.4) What is included in the Takara 1/144 scale "World Tank Museum" series? (Kaiyodo)

4.31.5) What is included in the Takara 1/200 scale "World Wings Museum" series?

4.32) X-Planes series:

What scales are the X-Planes series?

4.33) Zee Toys series:

What scales are the Zee Toys "DynaFlites" series? (Red Box, Lesney, Modern Toy, Motor Max, Tesco, Zylmex, Air Aces, Hot Wings, In Air, Sky Kings, Intex, and no name)

5.0) Buy, Sell, and Trade [Top] [Bottom]

5.1) Where can I get small scale models and decals?

5.2) How can I sell or trade models with members of the SSM?

5.3) Where can I find small scale aircraft manufacturers?

5.4) Where can I find small scale decal manufacturers?

5.5) Where can I find small scale building, figure, landscaping, ship, and vehicle manufacturers?

5.6) Where can I find small scale miscellaneous manufacturers?

5.7) Where can I find replacement kit parts on the web?

5.8) Where can I get display cases on the web?

5.9) Where can I get modelling supplies and tools on the web?

6.0) Modelling Information [Top] [Bottom]

6.1) Where can I get information on small scale modelling on the web?

6.2) Where can I find modelling related magazines on the web?

6.3) Where can I find small scale kit reviews and modelling tips?

6.4) Where can I find paint colour references on the web?

7.0) Aircraft/Military Information [Top] [Bottom]

7.1) Where can I get information on aircraft or vehicles on the web?

7.2) Where can I get information on specific aircraft on the web?

7.3) Where can I find aircraft manufacturers on the web?

7.4) Where can I get information on museums, militaries, and air shows on the web?

Please inform me if you have any other questions, answers, or addresses that relate to small scale modelling, or if you find any problems with this FAQ.