All About Model Airplane Kits

Build your dream plane

For nearly every famous commercial, military, or private aircraft you can imagine, there is a model airplane kit waiting to be assembled.

Whether your fascination lies in the fighter planes of World War II, passenger airliners like a Boeing 747, or smaller civilian craft such as a single engine Cessna, a model airplane kit contains all the raw materials needed to build your dream plane.

Basic necessities

Even the simplest model airplane kit includes all the basic necessities of model airplane construction.  Kits contain everything from the individual pieces like fuselage, wings, and propeller to the stickers and decals to be applied once the plane is assembled.  Step-by-step instructions will guide you from starting with a box of loose pieces to the finished model ready for display.  The more expensive model airplane kits may include finishing materials such as paint, or even electric motors for added realism.

Common types

The two most popular types of model airplane kits are:

1. Molded plastic model airplane kits.  The molded plastic kits simply snap together or have individual pieces that are glued together. 

2. Balsa wood model airplane kits.  In these kits, balsa wood is used to construct a frame over which lightweight canvas or high-quality paper is stretched to construct the form of the plane.

The model scale

The scale of model refers to the size of the model in relation to the original aircraft. For example, if the airplane you're building a replica of has a wingspan of 48 feet, then the 1/48th scale model will have a 1-foot wingspan.  Most often, however, model planes are not built to any particular scale.

Skill and patience required

Keep in mind that most model airplane kits are not easy to put together.  They require skill and patience to achieve the results you're looking for.  However, less elaborate model airplane kits geared toward younger children are also available.  Model airplane kits are usually clearly marked with a suggested age range.

The beauty of model airplane kits is that they provide limitless choices for imaginative minds and are as educational as they are fun.

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