Diecast models are produced in a wide variety of scales, and not every collectible fits neatly into the most common categories such as 1/18, 1/24, 1/43, 1/50, or 1/64. The Other Scale Diecast Models category brings together models produced in less-common, unusual, specialty, or otherwise miscellaneous scales, giving collectors a convenient place to discover models that fall outside the standard scale categories.
These models can represent many different subjects, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, military vehicles, construction equipment, ships, spacecraft, emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, and other specialty subjects. The scale itself may be uncommon, but that does not make the model any less interesting. In many cases, an unusual scale is simply the result of a manufacturer choosing a size that works particularly well for a specific subject, licensing program, collection, or display concept.
What Are Other Scale Diecast Models?
An other scale model is generally a collectible produced in a scale that does not have its own dedicated category or belongs to a less frequently encountered scale. Examples can include ratios such as 1/19, 1/21, 1/27, 1/31, 1/34, 1/38, 1/49, 1/55, 1/58, 1/68, 1/79, 1/88, 1/97, 1/110, 1/121, 1/130, 1/145, 1/163, 1/170, 1/202, 1/242, 1/280, 1/324, 1/342, 1/370, 1/397, 1/426, 1/528, 1/537, 1/624, 1/650, 1/928, 1/1410, 1/7600, and other specialized ratios.
The exact scales available can change as manufacturers introduce new products and collections. For that reason, shoppers should always check the individual product listing for the stated scale and dimensions.
Unlike common scales, where collectors may immediately know approximately how large a model will be, an unusual scale requires a little more attention. The same scale can also produce dramatically different physical dimensions depending on the size of the original vehicle or subject.
Why Do Manufacturers Use Uncommon Scales?
There is no single reason why a model may be produced in an unusual scale. Manufacturers may select a particular ratio to balance the size of the finished model, the dimensions of the original subject, manufacturing requirements, available display space, and the intended collecting audience.
For example, a large aircraft or ship may be represented in a relatively small scale so the finished model remains practical for a shelf or display cabinet. Conversely, a smaller vehicle may be produced in a larger scale to make its design and features more visible.
Some unusual scales are also associated with specific subjects or collecting traditions. A specialized aircraft, military vehicle, ship, fictional spacecraft, commercial vehicle, or other large subject may be offered in a scale that is uncommon elsewhere in the diecast market.
This means that an unusual scale should not automatically be viewed as an inferior or less desirable alternative. For collectors, the uncommon scale may actually be part of what makes a particular model interesting.
A Wide Variety of Subjects
The Other Scale category can be useful when shopping by subject rather than by a particular scale.
Depending on current availability, shoppers may encounter models representing:
- Cars and passenger vehicles
- Classic and vintage automobiles
- Sports and performance cars
- Racing vehicles
- Pickup trucks and commercial trucks
- Semi trucks and trailers
- Construction equipment
- Agricultural and farm equipment
- Military vehicles and armored vehicles
- Aircraft and helicopters
- Commercial and airline aircraft
- Ships and naval vessels
- Emergency vehicles
- Police and fire vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Movie and television vehicles
- Science-fiction subjects and spacecraft
- Specialty and promotional vehicles
Because this is a miscellaneous scale category, the selection can change considerably. A model may be placed here because its scale is simply too uncommon to justify a separate scale category, even though the subject itself may belong to a familiar vehicle type.
Understanding Unusual Model Scales
Scale represents the relationship between the dimensions of the model and the original subject. A 1/100 model, for example, is one hundredth of the corresponding linear dimensions of the real subject. A 1/500 model is considerably smaller than a 1/100 model.
This becomes particularly important when shopping for models in the Other category.
A model marked 1/34 is not intended to be the same size as a 1/32 model. Similarly, 1/58, 1/60, 1/63, and 1/68 are all different ratios even though they occupy a relatively similar portion of the compact-scale range.
For this reason, collectors should consider the scale printed in the product specifications rather than judging a model only by photographs.
Scale Does Not Determine the Subject
There is no universal rule stating that one uncommon scale can represent only one type of vehicle. While certain scales have strong associations with particular subjects, manufacturers can use unusual ratios for many different products.
A 1/426 model, for example, may be particularly useful for a compact aircraft display, while another unusual scale may be selected for a ship, vehicle, or specialty subject. The actual product description is the best source for determining what a particular model represents.
Choosing a Model for Your Collection
When selecting an Other Scale diecast model, consider more than the scale alone.
Check the Actual Dimensions
If shelf space is important, look at the product's listed dimensions whenever they are available. The physical size of a model depends on both the scale and the size of the original subject.
A large aircraft in a very small scale can still be several inches long, while a small automobile represented in the same scale may be much smaller.
Consider Scale Compatibility
Collectors who build themed displays may want models that look proportionally consistent. If you are combining an unusual-scale model with existing models, compare the scales before purchasing.
A model does not necessarily have to share the exact same scale to look good in a collection, particularly when the display is organized by subject, manufacturer, era, or theme. However, exact scale matching is important when realistic size relationships are a priority.
Look at the Subject First
For many collectors, the vehicle or subject is more important than the scale. An unusual scale may be the only way to obtain a particular aircraft, race car, military vehicle, commercial vehicle, or fictional subject.
If a model represents something particularly meaningful to your collection, its unusual scale can become part of its appeal.
Consider the Display
Small-scale models are useful for creating larger collections without requiring extensive shelf space. Larger unusual-scale models, meanwhile, can provide an interesting alternative to conventional display sizes.
Think about whether the model will be displayed individually, alongside similar subjects, in a fleet, in a diorama, or as part of a manufacturer-focused collection.
Other Scales and Collecting
Collectors often begin with one familiar scale and gradually expand into other sizes. A collector of 1/64 vehicles may eventually discover an unusual 1/58 or 1/55 model that offers a subject unavailable in 1/64. An aircraft collector may encounter a specialized scale that provides the particular airline or aircraft type they have been searching for.
This is one of the advantages of exploring less-common scales: scale can open the door to subjects that might not otherwise be available in a preferred size.
The Other category can therefore be particularly useful for collectors who enjoy discovering unusual releases rather than limiting their collection to one standard scale.
For shoppers who prefer a specific ratio, DMW also offers dedicated scale categories where available. Comparing the different scale sections can help you find models that fit your preferred display size and collecting style.
Building a Collection Around Uncommon Scales
Unusual-scale models can also become the foundation of a distinctive collection. Rather than treating scale as a limitation, some collectors enjoy searching for unusual ratios and discovering why manufacturers selected them.
A collection can be organized around:
- A specific manufacturer
- A particular vehicle type
- A historical period
- Military or aviation subjects
- Racing and motorsports
- Commercial transportation
- Movie and television vehicles
- Science fiction
- A particular country or airline
- Uncommon or specialty scales themselves
Because the selection in this category can include many different subjects, checking back periodically can be worthwhile as new products and specialty releases become available.
Shop Other Scale Diecast Models
The Other Scale Diecast Models category is a place to discover collectible vehicles and specialty models that fall outside DMW's more common dedicated scale categories. From unusual automotive ratios to compact aircraft, military subjects, commercial vehicles, ships, motorcycles, and specialty collectibles, these models can add variety to almost any collection.
Browse the Other Scale selection at DiecastModelsWholesale.com and explore the available models to find an unusual scale, distinctive subject, or hard-to-find collectible that deserves a place in your collection.
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