10mm is commonly and incorrectly referred to as 1:200 scale. The two are different in size.
10mm wargaming scale is 1:185 model scale, and 1:200 should more correctly be referred to as 9.5mm scale.
Between the smaller 6mm (1:300) scale and the 10mm (1:185) scale is a scale not used by wargamers, but popular with railway modellers – Z-gauge, which equates to 9mm wargaming scale, or 1:220 modelling scale.
Rail modellers Z-gauge tracks & rolling stock, and buildings, do fit on table alongside 1:200 wargames models and figures, with only a slight mismatch in size – it’s hardly noticeable, and for the expanded range of options it brings, is well worth investigating.
Unlike the problem at 6mm (of 1:285 models dwarfing the smaller 1:300 offerings), mixing true 10mm with 1:200, and Z-gauge, does work for wargaming. It might not please railway modellers to bring in the larger wargames models to their Z-gauge layouts (they tend to be more purist about true scaling) but for gamers the marginal difference is acceptable.
1:200 & 1:185 also have their origins in military training for aircraft & vehicle recognition. I’ve read somewhere that the 10mm scales are the preferred scale used by the British Army and RAF for such exercises, but my memory may be deceiving me on that. I also remember that around 1990-91, Skytrex of Loughborough UK launched a 10mm range of 1939-41 North African WW2 vehicles and figures, which then launched a revival of the scale for wargamers. Like in 6mm, since then the scale has grown to encompass most periods and theatres. It has become very popular for manufacturers to design and produce ready-assembled army packs for the fast play DBA, DBM, DBR and HOTT rule sets.
I’ve often heard mentioned that although Games Workshop (GW) produced their Warhammer Epic range in a nominal 6mm scale (their plastic and printed cardboard buildings certainly fitted that scale), their infantry figures and many of the plastic vehicles are nearer to 9mm per man, and 1:220 scale or railway modelling Z-gauge, which makes them more playable alongside 10mm wargaming, than 6mm.
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LRL Harbour Head Battery for Tudor and later eras |
Long Range Logistics 10mm Ranges
Long Range Logistics has not as yet designed a range of specifically 10mm scale buildings and scenics, although many of our models with uniScale rating do in fact work excellently with the 10mm group of scales.
As with many of the smaller wargaming scales, we have compiled a list of in-demand building designs, began the drawings and style research, and hope to release the first batches sometime during 2009.
Page incomplete – more to be added