Hi there

As a bit of pre-Christmas trivia, what does the term "Braille Scale" mean to you?

I'm confused: twice recently I've seen it used here to refer to 1:72 (and of course there are whole websites dedicated to it for small-sale armour), but years ago it always seemed to refer to scales larger than 1:72, the inference being that you had to move up to "Braille Scales" as your eyesight failed. Some people referred specifically to 1:48 as the "Braille Scale", probably to wind up the "One True Scale" brigade.

With the term seeming to have been effectively hijacked to mean complete opposites, does anyone know where it originated and what its original intended meaning was?

All the best

Rowan

I've always assumed it to mean 1/72nd scale. In fact on Armorama you can filter the ArmorAFV form for Braille Scale and it shows up only 1/72nd scale vehicles.

I always thought that the "Braille scale" refers to the size of the Braille's "rivets"... in Poland we also use it in the meaning of the small scale, up to 1:72.

Hi again

Yes, it's weird the way it's been turned on its head, because 20-odd years ago (in the UK at least) some devotees of 1:72 were using it as a rather derogatory term for larger scale models - in effect, anyone who "had" to work in Braille scales needed an eye-test.

All the best

Rowan

I believe Braille Scale is a term also used by Railroad modellers to describe some of their smaller gauges?

I still use it to refer to 1/48 scale. 1/32 scale to me is "Toe Scale" - big enough you could build it with your toes!

LOL

I have Mental images of Elmer Fudd type modelers with large magnifying glasses and still putting the wings on wrong!

Hi Matt

I'll remember that one now I've got some 1:32 kits waiting by the workbench! I just hope the end results will look like I bothered to take my shoes and socks off!

All the best

Rowan

I always thought "Braille Scale" meant 1/72nd or smaller and was coined from the model railway fraternity

I'll admit to always thinking that "Braille Scale" referred to 1/72 scale, but that got me thinking if 1/72 is "Braille Scale" then what is 1/144 and smaller? Sub-Braille scale?
I've never heard it referred to 1/48 although I can see the connection to that meaning.