[Boatanchors] Off Topic Measurement Question

[Gerry Steffens]

Anchorites,

Sorry, just a shot.

Somewhere in the mess I have a "modeling scale" (my term - don't know the
proper term if there is one) similar to the engineering scales used in
drafting long ago & far away.  It is a triangular unit about 10 to 12 inches
long (probably 12) with six scales on it similar to a standard engineering
scale.  However, the scales are different being, 1:72, 1:48, 1:24, 1:18, and
two more that I don't recall.  It was purchased in about 1958, for display
purposes in an eighth grade science fair project about scaling, to accompany
a standard engineering scale.  It came from the local sports shop (the local
plastic or wood model ship, car and airplane place), thus the term "modeling
scale".  The six scales were marked with the number of divisions per inch of
the ratio, i.e. 72, 48, 24, 18, etc.  I never did know the actual use of the
darn thing but, like a lot of radio stuff now in the junk box, it has been
hauled around for about 50 years.  Seems like it cost about a buck and a
half back when a standard wood (before plastic) ruler cost about 20 cents.

I do remember that reading the 72nds scale was easier back then than reading
a 64ths scale now, but that's life.

Cheers,

Gerry

Gerald Steffens P.E.
Radio Historian: Collecting & Restoring
E.H. Scott, McMurdo Silver, Hallicrafters,
National, Zenith Transoceanic and any
other interesting radios plus classic Oldsmobiles

Collection stands at about 300 radios & 6 autos