Model size does not effect single player use.. the problem only occurs in Multi-Player...
See the way the game works (all SCF's as it is the same portion of the game engine in each game) is that when you are in a Multi-player match.. the people on each end's computer calculates damage to the opponent, then transmits that to the other person..
example :
Player A shoots Player B.. Player A's computer calculates X ammount of damage..
Player B fires back at Player A at the exact instant player A fired.. Player B's computer calculates damage..
this is then transferred to each other and the game engine applies it to the opponents.
Problem is when a ship's model size is different than the opponent, it changes the range bracket for damage inflicted.. IE players are looking at differrent models for the same ship.
this means if Player A fires for 15 Pts damage at range 8 and he has a custom model... player B could be seeing him from range 15...
thus when Player A Fires, his damage will be in the 6-8 range bracket where Player B's damage will be in the 14-16 range bracket when he fires... as such, an unfair contest between the 2 as it is cheating...
for Single Player, then the model size makes no difference except how they show up on screen to you.. but damage values between AI and Player will remain constant as AI will see your ship as you see it.. against another Human.. then it is different.. they have their own model set.. which is why the model size was added..
I am sure that a lot of big winners on the gaming leagues playing SFC 3 will all of a sudden hate SFC 3 and say v531 unbalanced the game, when in actuality their models got resized by the game engine and put them on a level playing field and they can't deal with it..
anyhow.. just letting you know..
For single player use.. model size makes no difference..
in SFC 3 GSA or D3 play, then it is a major factor.. especially in mods...
Hope this helps