1/72nd scale Question

[Larry]

I always thought 1/72 was smaller than 1/87th. Is this true? The reason I'm asking is; Wal-Mart just got some metal 1/72 cars in toys & they are somewhat bigger than all of my H.O. scale cars. These are real nice vehicles & most are late model sedans & sports cars. They are individually packaged in little plastic containers.

Larry

[NWR #200]

1:72 is bigger than 1:87. The smaller the number, the larger the item, compared to HO. For example, 1:1 is MUCH bigger than 1:87, not much smaller.

[CBCNSfan]

Nope just the opposite Larry, the smaller the denominator the larger the answer, Just remember O scale at 1/48 (or whatever) when compared to HO at 1/87

Cheers!! Willis

[Lady_Railfan]

Wanna get even more confused? Here's a neat link. More than you EVER want to know. :D

http://www.thortrains.net/scale1.htm

[CBCNSfan]

Claudia, that's an excellent site if a body wants an excuse for what their doing :D Thanks for posting it. Now more confused that I ever was but with many more excuses now :D
Cheers!! Willis

[hminky]

Here is the difference between 1/76(00 scale) and 1/87(HO)

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/why/image/obj81geo52pg1p33.jpg

The 1/76 figure on the left is a shortened 1/72 figure. The one on the right is 1/87. 1/72 is much too large to use with HO.

Just a thought
Harold

[Larry]

Thanks Everyone. I needed the answer & got it. Why do they always say that you can use 1/72nd for a background, when it's to big. Like plastic model airplanes that you get at the hobby shop. It seems that would be too big for a background item.
Anyway, thanks for the info & I can save money by not buying those vehicles.

Larry