Finescale
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Finescale is a term related to a specific subset in the hobby of building scale models.[citation needed] The central idea of finescale modeling is that models should be accurate representations of their prototypes with as few compromises as possible.
Typical plastic or metal models are often not accurate scale models due to various production constraints. These simplifications are often rectified by individual modellers by converting or scratch building components. Finescale modeling often requires a degree of assembly and skill beyond those needed for conventional kit building.
[edit] Finescale in plastic kits
Various firms produce aftermarket detail kits for models, typically including components in photo etched brass or resin. These are usually replacements for parts that cannot be moulded in plastic for whatever reason, such as seatbelts, radiator grilles, or railings. Gun barrels turned from aluminum are common with military modelers, and many ship modelers routinely add photoetched brass safety rails to their ships.
Detail sets typically vary in complexity, from relatively simple engine grilles to three-dimensional shapes such as toolboxes, elaborate maritime radars and the like that users must fold themselves from the thin brass sheet provided.
Manufacturers of aftermarket detail sets include:
- Aires (Czech Republic)
- Armorscale (United States)
- Eduard (Czech Republic)
- Extra Tech (United States)
- Fine Molds (Japan)
- Gold Medal Models (United States)
- Hauler (Czech Republic)
- Hasegawa (Japan)
- Joe World (Japan)
- Lion Roar (China)
- Pit-Road (Japan)
- Toms Modelworks (United States)
- Voyager Models (China)
- White Ensign Models (United Kingdom)
[edit] Finescale in model railroads
Throughout their history, manufacturers of model railroads have had to make various compromises to make their models more durable, mechanically reliable or easier to produce. These commonly include details such as the width of wheels and track, the breadth of wheel flanges in locomotives and the geometry of switches.
Several societies exist to further the use of finescale standards in model railroading and aid hobbyists in building or converting their own models to adhere to them. These include:
