Editing Scale model (section)

==Purposes==
[[File:PIA scale model at display in Karachi Airport.jpg|thumb|right|A scale model of a [[Pakistan International Airlines]] [[Boeing 777]] on display at [[Jinnah International Airport]], [[Karachi]]]]
Scale models are generally of two types: ''static'' and ''animated''. They are used for several purposes in many fields, including:

===Hobby===
Most hobbyist's models are built for static display, but some have operational features, such as railroad trains that roll, and airplanes and [[model rocket|rocket]]s that fly. Flying airplane models may be simple unpowered gliders, or have sophisticated features such as [[radio-controlled aircraft|radio control]] powered by [[model engine|miniature methanol/nitromethane engines]].

====Slot car racing====
{{Main|Slot car racing}}
Cars in 1:24, 1:32, or HO scale are fitted with externally powered electric motors which run on plastic road track fitted with metal rails on slots. The track may or may not be augmented with miniature buildings, trees, and people.

====Wood car racing====
{{Main|Wood car racing}}
Children can build and race their own gravity-powered, uncontrolled cars carved out of a wood such as pine, with plastic wheels on metal axles, which run on inclined tracks.

The most famous wood racing event is the [[Boy Scouts of America]]'s annual [[Pinewood Derby]] which debuted in 1953. Entry is open to [[Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)|Cub Scouts]]. Entrants are supplied with a kit containing a wooden block out of which to carve the body, four plastic wheels, and four axle nails; or they may purchase their own commercially available kit. Regulations generally limit the car's weight to {{convert|5|oz|g|1}}, width to {{convert|2.75|in|cm}}, and length to {{convert|7|in|cm|1}}. The rules permit the cars to be augmented with [[tungsten carbide]] weights up to the limit, and graphite axle lubricant.

====Wargaming====
{{Main|Miniature wargaming}}
Miniature wargames are played using miniature soldiers, artillery, vehicles, and scenery built by the players.

===Television and film production===
{{Main|Miniature effect}}
Before the advent of [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI), visual effects of vehicles such as marine ships and spaceships were created by filming "miniature" models. These were considerably larger scale than hobby versions to allow inclusion of a high degree of surface detail, and electrical features such as interior lighting and animation. For ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', a {{convert|33|in|m|adj=on}} pre-production model of the [[Starship Enterprise|Starship ''Enterprise'']] was created in December 1964, mostly of pine, with Plexiglass and brass details, at a cost of $600.<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal|last=McCullars|first=William S.|date=2001|title=Enterprise '64, Part 1|journal=Star Trek Communicator|issue=132|pages=51}}</ref> This was followed by a {{convert|135.5|in|m|adj=on}} production model constructed from plaster, sheet metal, and wood, at ten times the cost of the first.{{sfn|Eaglemoss|2013|p=17}}{{sfn|Weitekamp|2016|p=5}} As the ''Enterprise'' was originally reckoned to be {{convert|947|ft|m}} long, this put the models at 1:344 and 1:83.9 scale respectively. The [[Polar Lights (models)|Polar Lights]] company sells a large plastic ''Enterprise'' model kit essentially the same size as the first TV model, in 1:350 scale (32 inches long). It can be purchased with an optional electronic lighting and animation (rotating engine domes) kit.

===Engineering===
====Structural ====
[[File:33) Load and Confinement box, U of Illinois (Urbana, IL) Alex.JPG|thumb|This is a load confinement box from the University of Illinois, UC Structural engineering lab. It can impart six degrees of freedom on structural scale models.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ceephotos.karcor.com/?s=load+and+confinement+box |title=Civil Engineering Photos » Search Results » load and confinement box |access-date=2013-11-19 |archive-date=2013-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213234147/http://ceephotos.karcor.com/?s=load+and+confinement+box |url-status=dead }}</ref>]]Although [[structural engineering]] has been a field of study for thousands of years and many of the great problems have been solved using analytical and numerical techniques, many problems are still too complicated to understand in an analytical manner or the current numerical techniques lack real world confirmation. When this is the case, for example a complicated reinforced concrete beam-column-slab interaction problem, scale models can be constructed observing the requirements of similitude to study the problem. Many structural labs exist to test these structural scale models such as the Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory at the University of Illinois, UC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cee.illinois.edu/portalresearch_facilities |title=Research Facilities &#124; Civil and Environmental Engineering at Illinois |access-date=2013-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020021818/http://cee.illinois.edu/portalresearch_facilities |archive-date=2013-10-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

For structural engineering scale models, it is important for several specific quantities to be scaled according to the theory of similitude. These quantities can be broadly grouped into three categories: loading, geometry, and material properties. A good reference for considering scales for a structural scale model under static loading conditions in the elastic regime is presented in Table 2.2 of the book ''Structural Modeling and Experimental Techniques''.<ref>Harris, H., et al. 1999, p. 62</ref>

Structural engineering scale models can use different approaches to satisfy the similitude requirements of scale model fabrication and testing. A practical introduction to scale model design and testing is discussed in the paper "Pseudodynamic Testing of Scaled Models".<ref>Kumar, et al. 1997, p. 1</ref>

====Aerodynamic====
{{Main|Aerodynamics}}
Aerodynamic models may be used for testing new aircraft designs in a [[wind tunnel]] or in free flight. Models of scale large enough to permit piloting may be used for testing of a proposed design.

====Architectural====
{{Main|Architectural model}}

[[File:China Schweinestall Linden-Museum.jpg|thumb|[[Han dynasty]] pottery model of a pig pen]]

Architecture firms usually employ model makers or contract model making firms to make models of projects to sell their designs to builders and investors. These models are traditionally hand-made, but advances in technology have turned the industry into a very high tech process than can involve Class IV [[Laser cutting|laser cutters]], five-axis [[Numerical control|CNC machines]] as well as rapid prototyping or [[3D printing]]. Typical scales are 1:12, 1:24, 1:48, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500, etc.

===Advertising and sales ===
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=== Military ===
{{Main|Plan-relief}}
[[Image:Modeltown2006.JPG|thumb|right|Model ships and castle]]

With elements similar to [[miniature wargaming]], [[building model]]s and [[architectural model]]s, a plan-relief is a means of geographical representation in relief as a scale model for military use, to visualize building projects on fortifications or campaigns involving fortifications.

In the first half of the 20th century, navies used hand-made models of warships for identification and instruction in a variety of scales. That of 1:500 was called "teacher scale." Besides models made in 1:1200 and 1:2400 scales, there were also ones made to 1:2000 and 1:5000. Some, made in [[UK|Britain]], were labelled "1 inch to 110 feet", which would be 1:1320 scale, but are not necessarily accurate.

==== Manned ships ====
{{Main|Port Revel}}
Many research workers, hydraulics specialists and engineers have used scale models for over a century, in particular in towing tanks. Manned models are small scale [[Ship model|models]] that can carry and be handled by at least one person on an open expanse of water. They must behave just like real ships, giving the shiphandler the same sensations. Physical conditions such as wind, currents, waves, water depths, channels, and berths must be reproduced realistically.

Manned models are used for research (e.g. ship behaviour), engineering (e.g. port layout) and for [[Port Revel|training in shiphandling]] (e.g. [[maritime pilot]]s, masters and [[officer]]s). They are usually at 1:25 scale.