Miniatures Scales 101

[Whiterook]

Well, for all those folks out there wondering, what on earth are they talking about with all these fractions, ratios, and whatever else they're babbling about, here's the beginner's guide to figuring out miniatures scales!


Miniature Wargaming Scales

The size of a miniature translates directly back to what the actual size is of the original it is replicating, and is known as the scale of the miniature. As life just wouldn’t be fun without annoying variations, manufacturers have not let us down in this regard; as three different systems are used, for no particularly defined reason, to rate scale:

• Ratio Scale – is the system employed to rate scale written as a ratio (i.e., 1:300 or 1.300), or as a fraction (i.e., 1/300). This translates as: the number denoted on the left of the pair equaling one unit on the replica (English Units or Metric Units; i.e., inches or millimeters), being equivalent to this number of units on the original, denoted on the right of the pair (in order: replica/original). An example on how to read this would be: in 1/300 scale, a 1” long miniature tank would equal 300” in length on the original real-life tank. Maybe the easiest way to comprehend this scale method is to look at the simplest example of 1-inch = 1-foot, which translates to 1/12 scale.

• Height (or, Barret) Scale – is the system employed to rate scale written equivalent to the actual height of the humanoid miniature figure itself, in millimeters (i.e., 15mm; meaning the Infantry figure is 15 millimeters in actual height). This is typically measured from base of foot to eyeline; though other manufactures confuse the issue by measuring up to the top of the head, which can lead to inconsistencies when you’re dealing with an Infantry figure who in real life wore a WWI British helmet versus a foot and a half tall shako in the Guards of old!

• Model Railroading Scale - is the system employed to rate scale written equivalent to specific model railroading train gauges, such as the popular O (1:48), HO (1:87), or N (1:160) gauge locomotives and rolling stock.

My interpretation of this (and this is my opinion) is that understanding the three for what they are, and taking into account that the conversion formula described later are but a tools (if not always accurate ones) to finding one’s way through the maze of each individual manufacturer’s scale indications, will assist you in ball-parking what you’re looking for, in relation to your wargaming needs.

For historical games, 15mm seems to be the predominant scale preferred, which are small enough to allow for large squad-level battles. Whereas, smaller scales would obviously work better for en masse epic Platoon, Company, Battalion, or even Corps-level gaming (1/285 being the most popular I have seen for WWII).

When talking about popular WWII armor miniatures out there on the market, 15mm is the scale for most wargamers. Where a gray area exists on available literature out there is, just how does this 15mm scale work exactly, in conjunction with the vehicles themselves that is? The 15mm scale in a game such as Axis & Allies Miniatures generally relate to the Infantry figures, meaning the soldiers are 15mm tall. Now when looking at the armor in this game system, for instance, I would argue that they are certainly a lot bigger than 15mm in length (in fact, they’re all over the place, given that tanks came in different sizes!), and I would wage in height as well. What I conclude is the vehicle size is meant to represent what a 15mm tall Infantry figure (tank crew, to be specifically) would comfortably fit in. In side-by-side actual comparisons, I’ll let you be the judge (I’m not going to touch that with a 10-foot pole!



Ratio to Height Conversion Formula

To convert a ratio scale to a height scale, divide 1610 by the scale (the actual variable). For example, 1/285 figures are equivalent to 5.65 mm (1610/285 = 5.65); and the reverse shows true in that 1610/5.65 = 284.95, which rounds up to 285.

Now in latter part of the previous example, finding an Infantry miniature at 5.65mm would prove daunting, if not impossible; however, 6mm figures can be found, and its equivalence ratio of 1/268 scales it pretty darned close to 1/285 in the grand (or rather, micro) scheme of things!

So where did this magic number 1610 come from? It translates to what was thought the average height of a man, 5’ 3” tall. With this height measure being on the low side in todays comparative averages, it still nevertheless, is the factor used still.

Where there you have it! Simple as mud, right?

[MAGNA]

I was right with you up until 'miniature scales 101'.

No - got all that - it is confusing until you get to know though. I like the 1610 magic number too very useful and I hadn't seen it before.

[TRDG]

I get fairly confused as well sometimes

Cheers, thanks for the topic, that does help me out!!

Tom

[Whiterook]

Scales in the miniatures market had me stumped for a long time. I actually do a little model railroading, and it's much easier to understand in that realm; but wargaming miniatures are all over the place, even in the same scale.

Some figures, for instance...two different manufactures often have different production goals in the "realism" catagory, so on one line, the heads look a little big for the body, in order to accomodate more accurate scupting of features, whereas another manufacture is willing to sacrifice the fine detail for a more accurate head size. Strange, eh?

The times I hear the most confusion from folks is when they're looking for more cost effective alternatives to a current game component, be it Axis & Allies Miniatures armor, or Memoir' 44 armor...both drastically opposing styles and scales.

Glad you lads found it interesting. My hope is to maybe shed a little clarity on a very confusing topic. Hopefully, it didn't put anyone in a coma!

[MAGNA]

You would have been in trouble if my morphine supply had been any lower.

[50th]

Thanks for that WR you really helped me alot. I have some 15mm stuff, and some 1:144 stuff, and by doing the math, the 15mm stuff is too big for the 1:144 stuff. Does anybody know what scale the Memoir44 stuff is in. My 1:144 armor is slightly larger.

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by 50th

Thanks for that WR you really helped me alot. I have some 15mm stuff, and some 1:144 stuff, and by doing the math, the 15mm stuff is too big for the 1:144 stuff. Does anybody know what scale the Memoir44 stuff is in. My 1:144 armor is slightly larger.

Glad you found it useful 50th! Scale is always a difficult and confusing subject.

On Memoir '44, there's not a lot out there that addresses the specifics, but it's something I've looked into in the past, as I wouldn't mind looking for some armor alternatives, as the Shermans in the game look like they were sat upon! And I never like having to use the American Infantry pieces when playing a French "Maquis" Resistance Fighters scenario; for this later I ended up buying some Caesar Miniatures (plastic), which I intend on painting and using in the game someday. Anyway, on scale, this is what I came up with:

Armor = 10mm, and are based on Perrin's design
Infantry = 1:72

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by 50th

Thanks for that WR you really helped me alot. I have some 15mm stuff, and some 1:144 stuff, and by doing the math, the 15mm stuff is too big for the 1:144 stuff. Does anybody know what scale the Memoir44 stuff is in. My 1:144 armor is slightly larger.

I think 1/144th is closer to 12mm, there are makers of 12mm stuff, a search should help you rather quickly 50th.

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by TRDG

I get fairly confused as well sometimes

Kind of breaks up the day rather nicely though doesn't it?

[TRDG]

LOL, what day is this again, or shall I say ........BATTLE

Cheers

Co Z