1. What is Scale Speed?

Scale speed is the equivalent speed that a scale model would need to travel to appear realistically proportioned to the full-size object it represents. It's commonly used in radio-controlled models, film effects, and simulations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the scale speed formula:

Where:

• Real Speed — Actual speed of the full-size object (mph or km/h)
• Scale Factor — The ratio of the model size to the real size (e.g., 1:24 would be 1/24)

Explanation: The formula calculates how fast a scale model should move to appear realistically proportioned to the real object's speed.

3. Importance of Scale Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating scale speed helps create realistic motion in scale models, whether for hobby purposes (RC cars, planes) or professional applications (film effects, engineering models).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the real object's speed and the scale factor (e.g., for 1:24 scale, enter 1/24 or 0.0417). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is scale speed important in RC models?
A: Scale speed makes the model's movement appear realistic compared to the full-size vehicle it represents.

Q2: How do I determine the scale factor?
A: The scale factor is the ratio listed on your model (e.g., 1:24 scale = 1/24 = 0.0417).

Q3: Does this work for both metric and imperial units?
A: Yes, as long as you use consistent units (either both in mph or both in km/h).

Q4: Can I use this for time scaling as well?
A: The same principle applies to time scaling, where time appears to pass at a scaled rate.

Q5: What about acceleration in scale models?
A: For complete realism, acceleration should also be scaled by the square root of the scale factor.