Scale Models for Trade show

1:5 scale model of MRAP Vehicle for trade shows

Scale model or replica for trade show is a type of models serving for marketing purposes. They are the largest and the most fantastic looking replicas. The bigger a booth, the larger model has to be exhibited, so it will not be lost there and will be easily seen, notable and magnetic for the audience. Depending on the type of vehicle or aircraft, the most suitable scales for such models are 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:9 and 1:10.

Although Manufacturers and wholesalers can bring to the show a real vehicle or system, a model has a number of advantages:

1. Models are compact. How many real vehicles can be brought to the show, considering each one is as big as a tank, MRAP or personnel carrier? Two? Three? In most cases the company is exhibiting one real vehicle, a latest one or the one that company is promoting the most. What if there is a buyers for the other system, which is not presented or presented modestly by photograph or illustration. Having scale models, more systems can be presented without bringing them all “in person”; therefore the exhibit will be more presentable and versatile. High quality realistic models in large scale will represent a vehicle as good as the real one, especially if to include in model features, emphasizing specific areas of interest benefiting prospective clients the most. Such features could be different and depend on the type of vehicle and it’s specifics. Exhibiting models gives an advantage of present 5 – 6,  and maybe more systems with the same or even better effect.
   

   1:4 Scale model of HMMWV at 2008 AUSA show

2. A model is a natural magnet for the audience. During the show there will have a guaranteed crowd in the booth around the model/s at all times. People are like children, they cannot resist a model, cannot just pass it by and walk on further, and that includes big executives, the potential buyers.
3. Cost of transporting a model or even several scale models cannot be even compared to the cost of bringing the real vehicle. Also, there might be less important trade shows, which might not be worth bringing a real vehicle to, yet with the models, a seller will be able to attend it for a small fraction of the transportation cost and make the best of it.
4. Real vehicle is a very straightforward element of an exhibit – kind of “what you see is what you get”. When it comes to emphasizing an important, “point of sale” features, one often cannot see it and a sales crew might not be fast enough to bring the attention of the audience to such features. That is where a model is irreplaceable. By adding special features, such as “see through” areas, cut-away, interactive systems etc, key features of the product will be exposed, notable, self-explanatory and will draw even more audience.
5. There are products, mostly structures or extra large vehicles, which simply cannot be physically brought to the show. In that case a scale model is the only option to make a serious impact.

Scale models for trade show are usually accompanied by a custom transit case – to store the model in-between the shows and to protect it in transportation.

Click here to read more about Marketing Scale Models.

Levels of Detailing

Here are grades of Level of Detailing for Architectural models and Scale Replicas along with description for each main and transitional grade. Level of detailing is one of the main requirements for scale models and should be defined before actual fabrication will  fits your needs best and which features will be provided when the level of detailing for your model is defined.

Low
General configuration and major details are accurately represented. Textures and finishes are not represented or represented with limitations. Mono, duo or tri chrome panting scheme, solid colors. Doors and windows are not represented or outlined. Scenery elements (if applicable) are simplified and painted monochrome. Vegetation (if applicable) is simplified (balls on stick in most cases) and painted monochrome. Furniture (for interior models, if applicable) is simplified, representing a general type of furniture item and a general size of it, painted monochrome. Pedestal / display (if applicable) is simplified, made of composites and solid painted.

Medium
General configuration and main details are accurately represented. Textures and finishes are represented with limitations by painting and applications, no use of natural materials. Panting scheme is multi-color, solid colors. Doors and windows are outlined, no frames, not recessed, and might be painted in assigned solid color (dark gray or dark brown by default). Scenery elements (if applicable) are simplified and painted monochrome or duo chrome. Vegetation (if applicable) is simplified (balls on stick in most cases) and painted monochrome. Furniture (for interior models, if applicable) is representing a specific type of furniture item and a general size of it, lightly detailed and painted to specifications in main solid colors. Pedestal / display (if applicable) is simplified, made of composites and solid painted.

Medium to High
General configuration, main and some precise details are accurately represented. Textures and finishes are represented by painting and applications, possible limited use of natural materials. Panting scheme is multi-color, solid colors. Doors and windows are frameless or have frames outlined by scribe-lines, recessed, and painted in assigned solid color (dark gray or dark brown by default). Scenery elements (if applicable) are realistic and painted monochrome or duo chrome. Vegetation (if applicable) is realistic and painted monochrome. Furniture (for interior models, if applicable) is representing a specific type and size of furniture item, lightly detailed and painted to specifications in main solid colors. Pedestal / display (if applicable) is simplified, made of composites and solid painted.

High
General configuration, main and precise details are accurately represented. Textures and finishes are represented by painting and applications, limited use of natural materials, such as wood, brass, steel and fabric. Stock and custom photo-etched details are being used to achieve a precise representation of selected details. Panting scheme is multi-color, realistic; paintjob is protected by “invisible” acrylic coating. Signs, paintings, insignia are precisely represented. Doors and windows are recessed, with frames (represented by mask-painting or photo-etching) and colored non-transparent background (dark gray or dark brown by default), with glossy finish on the outside. Scenery elements (if applicable) are realistic and painted monochrome or duo chrome. Vegetation (if applicable) is realistic and painted monochrome. Furniture (for interior models, if applicable) is custom, detailed and painted to specifications. Pedestal / display (if applicable) is made of wood and composites and solid painted or stained.

High to Museum
Similar to “High”, with the following differences:

• Wider use of natural materials, such as wood, brass, steel and fabric.
• Doors and windows might be made of clear material with partial interior behind them.
• Scenery elements (if applicable) are painted realistically upon request.
• Vegetation (if applicable) is painted realistically upon request.
• Pedestal / display (if applicable) is made of wood, stained and has brass plate upon request.

Museum
This is the highest standard of scale model fabrication. The main goal is to create a replica which will look precisely like scaled down original and will be protected from aggressive agents, affecting its look and shortening the life of the model. All details are the most precise and accurate. All textures and finishes are realistic, represented by acid-free applications, artistic painting and decoration, with massive use of custom photo-etching and natural materials, such as wood, brass, copper, steel, stainless steel and fabric. Actual chrome or silver plating. Anti-aging treatment of interior and exterior.
Deluxe wooden or custom designed pedestal/display with custom brass plate (upon request).

Why Model?

Written By Lev Brodsky. Edited by Patric G. Whalen

In the 21st century, do scale models really still maintain a viable place in the marketplace of photo-realistic renderings and virtual reality? Traditional models are costly, take considerable time and effort to build and require space to display. They are relatively fragile and therefore need to be protected from possible damage. In the cost-cutting and time constrained climate of the modern age, what are the ultimate advantages and benefits of scale models that justify investing in them and dealing with the challenges of transportation and maintenance?

Let’s start at the cost end. Computer generated 3D simulations can be cheaper than physical models, perhaps even more so if your organization has 3D programmers on a payroll. These simulations can give your audience some idea of your design, but the scope and scale of the design can be lost in on-screen presentation. A 3D simulation that will fully achieve the scope and scale of a design will typically be much more expensive and time consuming. Even with such investment in computer simulations, the desired impression is not a guarantee.

Years of continued attempts at replacing physical scale models with virtual simulations have resulted in the same answer. No amount of computer programming or special effects can replace the impression of physical scale models. There is a particular power that only scale models are able to harness. Believe it or not, models have a magic appeal. It is the model alone that has the power to wake up the childlike spirit in all of us. A well crafted model draws people to spend hours examining every amazing detail. It is the human sense for adventure that draws people into the magical land of the scale model. No matter what direction a person comes from, each one experiences something different and no one is left bored or indifferent. It is this magic that causes models to receive more attention than even real-life subjects at trade shows.

Marketing Models of Vehicles and Aircraft

Marketing models of vehicles and aircraft are powerful tools. They allow you to present your product in a most spectacular way, to draw undivided attention of the audience and broadly advertise your products through executive gifts and collectible replicas.
The most suitable subjects  are civilian, military / paramilitary vehicles and aircraft, construction and service vehicles, cranes, off-shore platforms, ships, boats and some structures. This article is targeted to prospective clients who wish to learn more about them and their advantages, especially those who do not have previous experience with scale models.

Trade Show and Presentation Models

1:5 scale model of MRAP Vehicle for trade shows

Every manufacturer or wholesaler of vehicles or aircraft is attending trade shows and running indoor presentations for clients. Scale models created specifically for trade shows and presentations are the largest and the most fantastic looking replicas. The bigger a booth, the larger model has to be exhibited, so it will not be lost there and will be easily seen, notable and magnetic for the audience. Depending on the type of vehicle or aircraft, the most suitable scales for such models are 1:4, 1:5, 1:6 and 1:10.

Some of the clients might say: “We are bringing real vehicles to the show. Why do we need a model?”
A model has a number of advantages over a real vehicle:

1. Models are compact. How many real vehicles can be brought to the show, considering each one is as big as a tank, MRAP or personnel carrier? Two? Three? In most cases the company is exhibiting one real vehicle, a latest one or the one that company is promoting the most. What if there is a buyers for the other system, which is not presented or presented modestly by photograph or illustration. Having scale models, more systems can be presented without bringing them all “in person”; therefore the exhibit will be more presentable and versatile. High quality realistic models in large scale will represent a vehicle as good as the real one, especially if to include in model features, emphasizing specific areas of interest benefiting prospective clients the most. Such features could be different and depend on the type of vehicle and it’s specifics. Exhibiting models gives an advantage of present 5 – 6,  and maybe more systems with the same or even better effect.
2. A model is a natural magnet for the audience. During the show there will have a guaranteed crowd in the booth around the model/s at all times. People are like children, they cannot resist a model, cannot just pass it by and walk on further, and that includes big executives, the potential buyers.
3. Cost of transporting a model or even several scale models cannot be even compared to the cost of bringing the real vehicle. Also, there might be less important trade shows, which might not be worth bringing a real vehicle to, yet with the models, a seller will be able to attend it for a small fraction of the transportation cost and make the best of it.
4. Real vehicle is a very straightforward element of an exhibit – kind of “what you see is what you get”. When it comes to emphasizing an important, “point of sale” features, one often cannot see it and a sales crew might not be fast enough to bring the attention of the audience to such features. That is where a model is irreplaceable. By adding special features, such as “see through” areas, cut-away, interactive systems etc, key features of the product will be exposed, notable, self-explanatory and will draw even more audience.
5. There are products, mostly structures or extra large vehicles, which simply cannot be physically brought to the show. In that case a scale model is the only option to make a serious impact.

Scale models for trade show are usually accompanied by a custom transit case – to store the model in-between the shows and to protect it in transportation.

Executive Desktop Models
Next type of marketing models are executive desktop models. They come in scale smaller than a trade show edition. Most suitable scales for vehicles are 1:18, 1:24, 1:35 or 1:32, and for aircraft – 1:72, 1:48 or 1:32. Matching a model’s scale to one of recognized standard scales for vehicle and aircraft models allows to add off-shelf people figurines and scenic elements to enhance the model. Such models shall serve as executive gifts for important clients, current and prospective. Not only presenting desktop model is a very nice gesture – it is an effective advertising of the product or system, embedded right in the office of the client. Presenting executive gifts is a common marketing tactic. But remember this: everything – planners, calendars, pens and mugs, any standard promotion, no matter how expansive it is – will end up in a trash can.

1:12 scale model of MilitaryTrailer

Model will never be thrown away. It will remain in the recipient’s office, continuously pulling his or her attention and of anyone who will walk in that office – all the time, every time.

How much marketers will pay to embed a stunning advertisement of the product right in the very buyer’s office, right in front of the eyes?

Same type of model can be used by sales representatives as a “briefcase” sales model. It is relatively small, lightweight, can be checked easily as a luggage and as effective during presentation as a bigger model. After a meeting a model can be also presented as a gift.

Promotional Collectible Replicas
Last type is promotional models/replicas, similar to die-cast models for collectors. It is a way to spread advertising of a particular vehicle, product or system even wider. Same effect applies: any other promotional item will be thrown away, but never a model. Most suitable scales will be 1:64, 1:50 or 1:43 -  for vehicles, and 1:144, 1:100 or 1:72 – for aircraft, however, a scale for each particular replica should be determined individually based on type and size.

These collectible replicas shall serve mostly as gifts. However they can also serve as give away or sell-for-profit merchandise.

Such replicas have to be produced industrially in quantities starting from 3000 – 5000 copies in order to be cost effective. Model maker’s role is to develop a master and tooling and, if needed, and possibly, to assist with finding a suitable manufacturer if a model maker provide such service.

Although vehicle and aircraft manufacturers are focused on selling the actual systems and not replicas, it is a mistake to waive merchandising as a source of income. Production and distribution of collectibles replicating popular subjects such as HMMWV, MaxxPro, Cougar and Bison MRAP vehicles might generate surprisingly large income in both actual sales and licensing. Good example of serious approach to merchandising is Caterpillar and AgustaWestland.