Comparison ICM Tupolev-144 (1:144) vs ICM Tu-2S (1:72)

The scale describes how many times the assembled model is smaller than the original from which it was copied: for example, the designation 1:35 means that the copy is 35 times smaller. Accordingly, the larger the number in the denominator, the smaller the scale, the smaller the individual details will be.

Manufacturers choose a specific scale, taking into account the characteristics of a particular model, primarily its type (see the relevant paragraph). For example, passenger cars may well be performed on a large scale like 1:24 or even 1:16; but the ships usually have a scale no larger than 1:72 – otherwise the assembled models would be too bulky.

Note that although there are many different scales on the market ( 1:32, 1:35, 1:48 – 1:70, 1:72, 1:75 – 1:142, 1:144, 1:146), "classic genre” for many modellers are considered 1:72 and 1:144; in particular, many models of military equipment are produced on such a scale.

The general type of a model is the object it copies.

— Cars. Various cars, mostly cars, although there are other varieties — minivans, SUVs, trucks. A separate category is retro cars.

— Airplanes. Civil aviation aircraft — from light "corn" to long-haul passenger liners. Military aircraft in our catalog are allocated in a separate category (see the relevant paragraph).

— Helicopters. Helicopters of civil aviation, as well as various special services — medical, police, search and rescue, etc. (except for military helicopters, they are in a separate category — see the relevant paragraph).

— Ships. This category includes civil ships in the broadest sense of the word: passenger, fishing, scientific, search and rescue, etc. Warships in our catalog belong to the category of "naval equipment" (see the relevant paragraph), also in their own category sailing ships are highlighted.

— Sailing ships. Ships of the sailing fleet — from longships and junks to huge galleons and clippers.

— Military ground equipment. Various ground military equipment, not related to tanks, armored personnel carriers and ot...her specialized varieties. This category includes, in particular, military all-terrain vehicles, rocket systems like Katyusha / Grad, etc.

— Tanks, self-propelled guns. Tanks and self-propelled artillery mounts are caterpillar armored vehicles with large-caliber guns.

— BTR, BMP. Various lightly armored vehicles: armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles. Most armored personnel carriers are wheeled, but tracked vehicles also come across. BMP — a cross between an armored personnel carrier and a light tank, a tracked vehicle with powerful weapons and a compartment for infantry. Armored vehicles — armored wheeled vehicles for transporting and/or fire support for infantry; it can be both historical armored cars and modern army off-road vehicles.

— Military trucks and tractors. Military trucks and tractors are equipment that does not take a direct part in battles and is designed to transport various cargoes, towed artillery, etc.

— Military aircraft. Most models of military aircraft are copied by fighters, although there are other classes — bombers, transports, etc.

— Military helicopters. Various combat helicopters — both directly assault / attack, and transport, multi-purpose, etc.

— Naval equipment. This category mainly includes warships, although other equipment can also be found — amphibious landing ships, ferries and pontoons for guiding crossings, etc. Note that submarines are placed in a separate category (see the relevant paragraph).

— Submarines. Modern models of submarines can be either closed, "in natural form", or open — with openings in the sides, allowing you to see the internal structure of the ship.

— Fantasy. Models of various fantastic machines and mechanisms — starships, robots, futuristic tanks and planes, etc.

The period of time to which this model is devoted. A fairly obvious parameter; we only note that most of the models associated with world wars copy military equipment, it is better to look for civilian equipment in other periods.

Now on the market there are models of such eras: the fleet of the XV-XVIII centuries, the first world war, the second world war, the 50-90s of the twentieth century, modern technology.

The total number of parts provided in the kit.

The larger this number, with the same scale and type of model, the more qualitative and detailed, usually, the model is. On the other hand, with an increase in the number of parts, the complexity of assembly also increases, especially with a small scale and, accordingly, a miniature size of individual elements. Accordingly, for beginner modellers it is desirable to choose kits with a small number of parts, and as skills improve, you can pay attention to more advanced kits.

Nowadays, kits with less than 100 parts are considered relatively simple, from 100 to 250 parts are considered intermediate, 250-500 parts correspond to the advanced level, and the most extensive sets include more than 500 elements.