Understanding using a "Scale" for building a model
	The "SCALE" figure is used to express the percentage size of a model to the prototype (prototype means the real vessel). Note:- when referring to a size this is anything on the vessel not just a length. Scale can be shown in two ways. 1:48 - representing the fraction size, model is a 48th of the prototype. or:- 1/4" to the foot - a quarter of an inch = one foot on prototype. In this example both ways indicate the same scale as there are 48 x 1/4" in a foot.
	Because metric and imperial measurements can be converted one to the other any scale value can be used, although for metric the scale normally moves in steps (multiples) of 5.
	1:12 1" = 1ft Also a standard scale for Dolls Houses 1:16 ¾" = 1ft   1:24 ½" = 1ft Another standard Dolls House scale 1:25   Popular metric 1:32 3/8" = 1ft   1:48 ¼" = 1ft A very popular model boat scale 1:50   A very popular metric 1:64 3/16" = 1ft   1:75   Another often used metric 1:96 1/8" = 1ft Often used for large warships 1:100   metric 1:192 1/16" = 1ft
	Conversions. Feet to Meters Multiply by: 0.3048 Meters to feet Divide by: 0.3048
	The way I calculate the scale Using feet and inches: length in feet x by 12 to get to inches then add length inches ÷ by scale, answer = scale length in inches. To work in metric I multiply by 1000 to get to mm. L1 = length in feet (or meters) L2 = any inches in length (or millimetres) S = scale L1x12+L2÷S = scale length in inches L1x1000+L2÷S = scale length in millimetres
	It will be found that very often vessels of a particular size range will fall into a few scale sizes. 1:24. 1:32. 1:48 (or 1:50) being used for tugs. 1:75 used for AHTS and PSV models (see vessel descriptions) 1:96 for warships and other larger prototypes
	There are so many different scales used that it would be virtually impossible to list them all. Also plans are sometimes produced at a scale that fits a particular size of paper (such as the plans given away in magazines) which results in odd scale ratios such as 1:66.
	Because plans can be enlarged and reduced easily with modern plan copiers you can have a model at any scale you wont and are not restricted to the plans original size.
	Remember that when a vessel is enlarged its volume increases rapidly and you can end up with a model that when ballasted to its correct waterline is very heavy to carry.
	It is worth standardizing on particular scale if you intend building several models of the same prototype fleet that are different lengths (work from the longest hull length). I have the problem with my model of 'Grampian Pride' at 1:42, if I build 'Grampian Frontier' at the same scale she will be 1.63 mtrs long (over 5ft).
	Lets put this together as a practical example of sorting out a scale to build 'Grampian Frontier' (which is in fact a definite future model ).
	Prototype Size: Length overall = 68.66 meters. Scale required 1:42 68 x 1000 + 660 = 68660 mm 68660 ÷ 42 = 1634.76 mm or 1.63476 mtrs - say 1.634 meters 1.634 ÷ 0.3048 = 5.36 feet (just over 64 inches)
	Looking at other scales (rounding the figures) 1:25 = 2.75 mtrs 1:50 = 1.37 mtrs 1:75 = 915 mm 1:100 = 687 mm (686.6) A scale around 1:75 would give a good size model.
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