What I meant was that if I change the scale for a part, the next part I do will revert to the previous scale setting...which at present is about 10% of normal size.
I will try the set defaults...duh.
OK I think I have figured out my confusion. The default setting is 100, which on larger ships is towards the left end of the scale setting. DOH, 100 means 100%.
I had thought I had been able to change the scale and then use that new scale repeatedly. That was an illusion. Thanks for helping me get my addled brain straight!