1:32 scale

1:32 scale is a traditional <a href="/facts/Scale_(ratio)/1Q9xpvGM">scale</a> for models and miniatures, in which one unit (such as an inch or a centimeter) on the model represents 32 units on the actual object. It is also known as "three-eighths scale", since 3⁄8 inch represents a foot. A 6 ft (183 cm) tall person is modeled as 2+1⁄4 in (57 mm) tall in 1:32 scale.
1:32 was once so common a scale for toy trains, autos, and soldiers that it was known as "standard size" in the industry (not to be confused with Lionel's <a href="/facts/Standard_Gauge_(toy_trains)/lkCkxank">"Standard Gauge"</a>). 1:32 is the scale for <a href="/facts/Gauge_1/wkPH54pI">Gauge 1</a> toy and model trains. It was the scale of some of the earliest plastic model car kits. It is a common scale for aircraft models and for <a href="/facts/Model_figure/lfG4twjG">figure modeling</a>, where it is called 54 mm scale, from the height of the human figure. 1:32 was used for equipment to match 54 mm <a href="/facts/Toy_soldier/csHlTUbd">toy soldiers</a> for <a href="/facts/Miniature_wargaming/uAdcDgNR">miniature wargaming</a> and was common in scale military modeling such as tanks and armored cars until it was largely replaced by <a href="/facts/1:35_scale/yzdvpxR1">1:35 scale</a>.
1:32 is now considered to be the 'Normal' scale for agricultural models such as Britains or Siku
1:32 scale is also the preferred scale for modeling aircraft as this "large scale" provides the builder with the opportunity to better detail the kit or scratch built aircraft project. 
1:32 aircraft models also have their own contest category in modeling competitions as per IPMS rules, and 1:32 scale category is considered the top tier in aircraft modeling contest categories. 
1:32 is a useful scale for scratch modelling or railways. As well as standard gauge gauge 1 using 45 mm / 1.772 in track, narrow gauge modellers use <a href="/facts/0_gauge/WQ3RY5M3">0 gauge</a> (32 mm / 1.26 in) track for 42", 1m and 36" prototype gauges. Also H0/00 track at 16.5 mm is used to represent models of 20 in / 508 mm gauge railways.
Today, 1:32 is associated with <a href="/facts/Slot_car/eGHJmzha">slot car</a> scale. A standard for tabletop rail-racing in the mid-1950s, it was adopted by the original slot car manufacturers, Victory Industries and <a href="/facts/Scalextric/zXDtICwN">Scalextric</a>. Fewer 1:32 car model kits are manufactured today, making scratch building slot cars quite a bit more difficult than it used to be.

1:32 scale open-in-new

1:32 scale