heritageflstc

My Feedback: (6)

I built a DC-10 at one time using a small plastic model as a reference. It was like 1/4 scale when built, but I cannot remember how I figured out the measurements. How do I scale up measurements from a small model to actual build size? I cannot remember.

ByLoudDesign

If you target is 10 times the size of the little model, all measurements you take are multiplied by 10!

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Divide the scale of the plastic model by the scale that you wish your model to be and that will be your conversion factor. For example, if the plastic model is 1/72 scale and you want your model to be 1/8 scale then divide 8 into 72, which equals 9. So multiply any dimension of the plastic model by nine to achieve the desired scale of 1/8th.

oliveDrab

1/4 scale DC-10? What was the wingspan of the completed 1/4 scale DC-10?

Hydro Junkie

The span on a full sized is 165' 5" so that means you're looking at a model plane with a span of 41' 4.25" if you're looking at doing a true quarter scale.
Just for giggles, the length would be 45' 6.25"

oliveDrab

That's right. So ... when the OP says: "I built a DC-10 at one time using a small plastic model as a reference. It was like 1/4 scale when built," I wanted him to show us a picture of his completed 1/4 scale DC-10 which would have a wingspan 45' 6.25"! Where did he build it, where does he park it, where does he fly it?!

This is fun to think about. Wouldn't it be great to build a DC-10 with a 14 ft wingspan? I tend to fly electric only so I would power it with ducted fans.

There was a UPS DC-10 at Jets Over Kentucky powered by electric ducted fans ... flew quite well. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...43&FORM=VRDGAR

Oops - went off-topic - sorry.

BMatthews

To keep it nice and simple you figure out what you want for a wing span and then divide the span of your small model or drawing into that one. If you don't like the number that comes out because it has a nasty decimal (such as 9.35) on it then round it up or down to the next even number (9.35->9) and use that as your scale multiplier. This will make the final span an inch or three smaller but so what...

fumus

The threadstarter is referring to a 12' DC-10 build. That's about 1/15 scale.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/scratch-building-aircraft-design-3d-cad-174/7629157-engine-nacelles-airliner.html