Problem with DIMENSIONS

[ysi_maniac]

When I consult documentation about a plane with pitot tube in nose, I usually do know if "Length" includes pitot tube. The same issue happens with tanks: I do not know if "Length" includes gun barrel or it is only hull.

Do you know a source that specifies this?

[Dizzyfugu]

A good/scientific source will explicitly state what's included in the measurement.

[ysi_maniac]

Do you know any?

[Pellson]

This is a known problem, having had pretty dramatic impact also in the kit manufacturer's scaling. One example I'm too well aware of is the Italeri 1/72 B-58A Hustler where the dimensions used by Italeri to scale the model did not include the pitot, but Italeri, thinking it did, scaled the model three scale meters too short. The result is a kit that builds a significantly too short model, but as the fault is evenly spread across the model, also affecting sweep angles etc.



There is a chap that rectified this, inserting an ungodly amount of spacers throughout, reprofiling wing leading edges and all, but I will not bother with mine. And if I hadn't just told you, neither would you.. 
The difference between how the Italeri kit should have looked (top) and how it came out (bottom) is evident here:

[PR19_Kit]

Scale-o-rama in a box. 

[loupgarou]

And I knew the guy that did that "mistake". He's dead now, some say poisoned by Italeri's bosses. 

[jcf]

Sometimes it is, other times it's not, one of those it all depends situations.

This page of SAC (Standard Aircraft Characteristics) sheets should be of
help for US aircraft.

US Standard Aircraft Characteristics

[Rick Lowe]

Apparently the old Hasegawa A4 has that problem, in that they took the 2-seater length and applied it to the single-seater.
Though the wings are correct, so that's nice...
Again, I have heard of someone cutting it every 1/4 inch or so along it's length and shortening it that way, but life's too short.