Diecast Model Aircraft Collection - Aircraft Modelling for Collectors

a guest post by Luigi Ferro for Aircraft Modelling Universe

Everybody, men or women, young and old, both boys and girls all love to collect. Collecting anything can become a fun hobby and sometimes can be a lucrative investment. Diecast model aircraft have become one of the most popular collected idems today. These little toys can bring lots of money and popularity along with the growing number of fans and popularity.

You just can’t do anything else except spending your money quickly when seeing these models on display and ready to buy. These models are usually made of metal. They give you clearer image of how a real airplane looks like. The price is varies, depending on the level of detail. The most expensive model has best-looks details like the actual plane, while the cheaper one more less detailed. These models are ready made and you don’t have to assemble anything. All you have to do is setting the desk stand and the model is ready to showcase.

Quality Time? Try Building Plastic Model Airplanes

In some instances, it is normally difficult to have some quality time with your young ones. This is especially if you do not have a game console in your possession. If you are in this predicament, you may consider introducing to your children the joy of aircraft modelling, meaning assembling and painting model plastic airplanes. Other than the benefit of quality time, assembling model planes kits also develops your child’s vital skills which he may use later in life.

These include:
• Planning and Decision-making (This stems from the need to choose between the step-by-step aircraft modeling option and the assembly-and-painting options)
• Patience (Due to the need to wait for the glue to dry and harden)
• Hand-eye Coordination (This is far greater and more efficient than the much-touted button mashing hand-eye coordination)
• Perseverance (This is built by consistently working through the intricate processes of assembling a model)

Aircraft Modelling Basics - Modelling the Lockheed F-117A

A very good article I found recently, with some useful aircraft modelling information. And also an awesome source of inspiration when you simply don't know what to choose from the abundance of model kits.

Read the full text in Scale Aviation Modeller, May 1995

"The Lockheed F-117A stealth fighter needs little introduction nowadays, although a few years ago the Pentagon would be adamantly denying its existence. The whole stealth topic, once out in the open, lead to every manufacturer rushing off to tool up a kit of the F-117A. The result being many very inaccurate models! I am pleased to say that the more recent models have had the bonus of actual manufacturers' details and access to the real aircraft, all of which has added up to some very impressive kits.

This kit from Revell is not a revamped version, but an entirely new set of mouldings. The aircraft has the correct sweep angle, detailed bomb bay and undercarriage doors with the serrated edge. It will come as no surprise to most modellers that this kit is moulded in black, well what other colour would you use? The canopy of the full-size F-117A is tinted with real gold and this new kit even has all the cockpit area tinted in this colour. The glazing for the cockpit is moulded as one piece with the laser range finder cover, this whole assembly then clips up into the upper fuselage without the need for glue. For many, including myself, this is an excellent idea and one which should reduce the risk of marking the clear parts with any cement. However, for others this may not seem so good, as it does mean that the canopy cannot be displayed in an open position.

Static Scale Aircraft Model

By their nature and construction, ‘static scale aircraft models’ are not intended to fly. They are nonetheless some to behold and make aircraft modelling such a great hobby. They are generally displayed in collectors, museums, airlines, and travel shops.

They are manufactured by use of several materials like paper, wood, metal, and plastic. The injection-molded Polystyrene plastic is by far the most common material that is used to make them up. This material grants manufacturers a high level of precision and also makes it possible for automation to be implemented. This subsequently reduces the cost of manufacture.

These aircraft models are mainly manufactured in Eastern Europe and the Far East. Ready-made models, which are sometimes referred to as desktop models are generally produce using fiberglass. Collector models, on the other hand, are often made of specialist wood, plastic, or metal.

Die Cast Model Airplane Kits – How to Find and Buy the Best Kit

Die-cast model aircraft modelling kits come in a variety of shapes and styles. They are also manufactured in plastic and metallic constructions. They are by far the most popular and common kinds of kits that are produced and distributed world over.

The reason underlying this is the fact that die-casting is a relatively inexpensive procedure. For instance, the same casting forms may be used severally before a newer one is utilized. This process can at times be replicated hundred times before a complete replacement is implemented also.
Given that it is cheaper and simpler to produce diecast model airplanes, several companies do exist for the sole purpose of doing so. This makes the process of selecting the right company for yourself or as a gift to a loved one quite daunting.

Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle - exotic model kits

Some very aircraft modelling info about a lesser known Russian Aircraft
Read the full article in Model Aircraft Monthly, January, 2002

"For many years there have not been any good models of the famous Ilyushin jet bomber. The kit produced in East Germany by VEB Plasticart was in 1/100th scale and is more of a toy than a scale model. The kits of Airfix and Cruver (both in 1/72nd) were poor quality and had many faults. The first acceptable plastic model of a 'Beagle' was a kit produced in 1997 by the Czech company Bilek. Later, the same model was offered by Italeri (#060). This model is not that good dimensionally however. Based on Soviet sources (Aviatsya i Vremya' magazine) the dimensions of the Il-28 were: length 17.65m, wing-span 21.45m. The fuselage of the Bilek kit is 4mm too short and the wing span is 5mm short. However the shapes of the main elements (fuselage, wings, stabilisers) are correct. The panel lines are engraved, but are not as fine as those in Hasegawa, Tamiya or Fujimi models.

Aircraft Modelling in Paper

Aircraft Modelling brought to extreme