What fits at 1:72
Aircraft kits, helicopters, armour, sci-fi and wargaming. 1:72 hits a sweet spot between detail and shelf space, which is why it has the widest kit range of any aircraft scale.
| Real subject | Real size | 1:72 model |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-400 airliner | 70.6 m | 98.1 cm |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | 15.06 m | 20.9 cm |
| Supermarine Spitfire | 9.12 m | 12.7 cm |
| M1 Abrams tank | 9.77 m | 13.6 cm |
| Human figure | 1.8 m | 2.5 cm |
Size comparison at 1:72
Relative model sizes at 1:72 (longest bar = largest model):
1:72 in mm, cm and inches
How common real-world sizes convert to 1:72 model size:
| Real size | Model (mm) | Model (cm) | Model (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 13.9 mm | 1.39 cm | 0.547 in |
| 2 m | 27.8 mm | 2.78 cm | 1.09 in |
| 5 m | 69.4 mm | 6.94 cm | 2.73 in |
| 10 m | 139 mm | 13.9 cm | 5.47 in |
| 1 ft | 4.23 mm | 0.423 cm | 0.167 in |
| 6 ft (person) | 25.4 mm | 2.54 cm | 1 in |
Frequently asked questions
How big is a 1:72 model?
Divide the real length by 72. A 15 m fighter jet becomes about 20.8 cm, and a 1.8 m person becomes 2.5 cm tall.
Is 1:72 bigger or smaller than 1:48?
1:72 is smaller. A 1:48 model is 1.5× larger than the same subject at 1:72, because 72 ÷ 48 = 1.5.