4-year-old boy starts painting a plastic model he has assembled of the South Goodwin Lightship

Plastic models, often called scale models, are models manufactured as kits which are assembled by hobbyists, and intended for static display. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1128x754, 198 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Ship model Plastic model Revell Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1128x754, 198 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Ship model Plastic model Revell Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... A scale model of the Tower of London. ... Look up Kit in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. ...

Subjects

1/35 scale T-34 tank model with a landscaped base.

The most popular subjects of plastic models by far are vehicles such as aircraft, ships, automobiles, and armored vehicles such as tanks. The majority of models depict military vehicles, due to the wider variety of form and historical context compared to civilian vehicles. Other subjects include science fiction vehicles and robots, spacecraft, buildings, animals, and human figures. The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank first produced in 1940. ... Flying machine redirects here. ... For other uses, see Ship (disambiguation). ... Car redirects here. ... ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ...

Construction and techniques

Unassembled parts of a Hasegawa 1/72 F-18E kit

Most plastic models are injection-molded in polystyrene, and the parts are glued together with plastic solvent. While often omitted by novice modellers, specially formulated paint is applied to assembled models. Complex markings such as aircraft insignia are typically provided with kits as slide-on decals. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 595 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 761 pixel, file size: 199 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Unassembled parts of an injection-molded plastic model. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 595 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 761 pixel, file size: 199 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Unassembled parts of an injection-molded plastic model. ... Injection molding (British variant spelling: moulding) is a manufacturing technique for making parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials in production. ... For other uses, see Polystyrene (disambiguation). ... Look up Decal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

A recent trend has been to offer kits where the parts snap together, with no glue needed, and with a paint scheme preapplied to some or all of the parts.

Plastic ship model kits typically provide thread in several sizes and colors for the rigging. Model of a 19th-century vessel in the Bishop Museum, Hawaii Ship models (or model ships) are scale representations of sea-going vessels. ... Yarn Spools of thread Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Scales

Almost all plastic models are designed in a well-established scale. Each type of subject has one or more common scales, though they differ from one to the other. The general aim is to allow the finished model to be of a reasonable size, while maintaining consistency across models for collections. The following are the most common scales for popular subjects:

• Aircraft: 1/24, 1/32, 1/48, 1/72, 1/100, and 1/144, with 1/48 and 1/72 being the most popular
• Military vehicles: 1/35, 1/48 ,1/72, 1/76
• Automobiles: 1/12,1/16,1/18,1/20,1/24,1/25,1/32,1/35,1/43
• Ships: 1/96, 1/350, 1/450, 1/700
• Railways: 1:43.5 (7 mm/1ft : O scale), 1:76.2 (4 mm/1 ft : OO scale), 1:87 (3.5 mm/1 ft : HO scale)

In reality, models do not always conform to their nominal scale; there are 1/25 scale automobile models which are larger than some 1/24 scale models, for instance. For example, the engine in the recent reissue of the AMT Ala Kart show truck is significantly smaller than the engine in the original issue. AMT employees from the 1960s note that, at that time, all AMT kits were packaged into boxes of a standardized size, to simplify shipping; and the overriding requirement of designing any kit was that it had to fit into that precise size of box, no matter how large or small the original vehicle. This practice was common for other genres and manufacturers of models as well. In modern times this practice has become known as fit-the-box scale. A GMC Astro tractor-trailer model from AMT Aluminum Metal Toys, or AMT for short, is a Troy, Michigan-based company that manufactures various plastic models, particularly those of big trucks. ...

History

The first Acetate plastic models were manufactured in the late 1930s by Frog in the U.K. The first modern,styrene plastic models were manufactured in the 1950s by Aurora in the USA, and the British firms Frog and then Airfix. Many manufacturers gained ascendancy in the 1960s such as Revell, AMT, and Monogram in America and Heller SA in France. Since the 1970s, Japanese firms such as Hasegawa and Tamiya, and Chinese firms such as DML, AFV Club and Trumpeter have dominated the field and represent the highest level of technology. Brands from Russia,the Czech republic,several other Eastern European nations, China, and Korea have also become prominent recently. Many smaller companies have also produced plastic models, both in the past and currently. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the [[. In East Asia, the rise of militarism occurred. ... The 1950s decade refers to the years 1950 to 1959 inclusive. ... Frog was a well-known British brand of flying model aircraft and scale model construction kits from the 1930s to the 1970s. ... Airfix is a UK manufacturer of plastic scale model kits of aircraft and other subjects. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Monogram models. ... A GMC Astro tractor-trailer model from AMT Aluminum Metal Toys, or AMT for short, is a Troy, Michigan-based company that manufactures various plastic models, particularly those of big trucks. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Monogram models. ... Categories: Stub | Companies ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Hasegawa is a company that manufactures plastic model kits of a variety of vehicles, including model aircraft, model cars, model ships, model armor and model space craft and Science Fiction kits. ... Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of plastic model kits, radio controlled electric and nitro-powered car models, battery- and solar-powered educational models, and sailboat models. ... Dragon Model Limited (DML for short) is a Hong Kong based manufacturer of plastic model kits and military figures. ... Motto (Czech) Truth prevails Anthem Czech Republic() – on the European continent() – in the European Union() [] Capital (and largest city) Prague Official languages Czech Demonym Czech Government Republic  -  President Václav Klaus  -  Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek Independence (formed 9th century)   -  October 28, 1918   -  January 1, 1993  EU membership May 1... This article is about the Korean civilization. ...

Manufacture

While injection-molding is the predominant manufacturing process for plastic models, the high costs of equipment and making molds make it unsuitable for lower-yield production. Thus, models of minor and obscure subjects are often manufactured using alternative processes. Vacuum forming is popular for aircraft models, though assembly is more difficult than for injection-molded kits. Resin-casting, popular with smaller manufacturers, particularly 'Aftermarket' firms (but also producers of full kits) yields a greater degree of detail moulded in situ, but as the moulds used don't last as long, the price of such kits is considerably higher. In recent times, the latest releases from major manufacturers offer unprecedented detail that is a match for the finest resin kits, often including high-quality mixed-media (photo-etched brass, turned aluminum) parts. Aftermarket (Music), Master psuedoname of projects by engineer/producer Jonathan Borsis. ...

Variations

Many modellers build dioramas as landscaped scenes built around one or more models. They are most common for military vehicles such as tanks, but airfield scenes and 2-3 ships in formation are also popular. A diorama is any of the two display devices mentioned below. ...

Conversions use a kit as a starting point, and modify it to be something else. For instance, kits of the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") are readily available, but the Constitution was just one of six sister ships, and an ambitious modeller will modify the kit, by sawing, filing, adding pieces, and so forth, to make a model of one of the others. “ Old Ironsides ” redirects here. ...

Scratchbuilding is the creation of a model "from scratch" rather than a manufactured kit. True scratchbuilt models consist of parts made by hand and do not incorporate parts from other kits. These are rare. When parts from other kits are included, the art is technically called "Kit Bashing." Most pieces referred to as "scratchbuilt" are actually a combination of kit bashing and scratchbuilding. Thus, it has become common for either term to be used loosely to refer to these more common hybrid models.

Kitbashing is a modelling technique where parts from multiple model kits are combined to create a novel model form. For example, the effects crews on the various Star Trek TV shows frequently kitbashed multiple starship models to quickly create new classes of ship for use in background scenes where details would not be particularly obvious. Kitbashing is a practice in which a new scale model is created by combining elements from existing, commercially-available model kits; these elements may be added to an existing base, or to each other. ... This article is about the entire Star Trek franchise. ... One of the fictional ships called the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek, one of the most famous fictional starships. ...

Issues

The demographics of plastic modeling have changed in its half-century of existence, from young boys buying them as toys to older adults building them to assemble large collections. In the United States, as well as some other countries, many modelers are former members of the military who like to recreate the actual equipment they used in service.

Technological advances have made model-building more and more sophisticated, and the proliferation of expensive detailing add-ons have raised the bar for competition within modeling clubs. As a result, a kit built "out of the box" on a weekend cannot compare with a kit built over months where a tiny add-on part such as an aircraft seat can cost more than the entire kit itself.

Though plastic modeling is generally an uncontroversial hobby, it's not immune to social pressures:^{[citation needed]}

• In the 1990s, various countries banned Formula One racecars from carrying advertising for tobacco sponsors. In response, manufacturers such as Tamiya removed tobacco logo decals from their race car kits, even those of cars which appeared before the tobacco ban.
• The Nazi swastika, which appears on World War 2 Luftwaffe aircraft, is illegal to display in Germany, and disappeared from almost all manufacturers' box illustrations in the 1990s. Some makers still include the emblem on the decal sheet, others have "broken" it into two elements which must be reassembled by the builder, while others have omitted it altogether. After market decal sheets exist that consist entirely of Luftwaffe swastikas.
• A long lasting legal conflict exists between aerospace corporations and the manufacturers of plastic models. Manufacturers of aircraft have sought royalties from model makers for using their designs and intellectual property in their kits. Hobbyists argue that model kits provide free advertising for the makers of the real vehicles and that any royalties collected would be insignificant compared to the profits made from aircraft construction contracts. They also argue that forcing manufacturers to pay royalties and licensing fees would financially ruin all but the largest model kit makers. Some proponents of the aerospace industry contest that the issue is not of financial damages, but of intellectual property and brand image. In contrast, most of the world's commercial airlines allow their fleet to be modeled, as a form of publicity. Many cottage industry manufacturers, particularly of sci-fi subjects, avoid the issue by selling their products under generic untrademarked names (e.g. selling a figure that clearly depicts Batman as "Bat Hero Figure").

Recently, the UK's Ministry of defense has required model and decal manufacturers to pay licencing fees in order to use Royal Air Force insignia. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... F1 redirects here. ... Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of plastic model kits, radio controlled electric and nitro-powered car models, battery- and solar-powered educational models, and sailboat models. ... Nazism in history Nazi ideology Nazism and race Outside Germany Related subjects Lists Politics Portal         Nazism or National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus), refers primarily to the ideology and practices of the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers Party, German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) under Adolf Hitler. ... This article is about the symbol. ... The Deutsche Luftwaffe or   (German: air force, IPA: ) is the commonly used term for the German air force. ... For the 2006 film, see Intellectual Property (film). ... For other uses, see Brand (disambiguation). ... An Airbus A380 of Emirates Airline An airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight. ... The use of the term has expanded, and is used to refer to any event which allows a large number of people to lalalawork part time. ... Sci-fi is an abbreviation for science fiction. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... The Ministry of Defence building, Whitehall, Westminster, London Tri-service badge of the UK armed forces The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the UK military. ... Look up Decal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... RAF redirects here. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ...

See also

• model aircraft
• ship model
• Model military vehicle
• Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
• Airfix
• Kitmaster
• Tamiya
• Mini 4wd
• Revell

A Die Cast Boeing 747-800 static model. ... Model of a 19th-century vessel in the Bishop Museum, Hawaii Ship models (or model ships) are scale representations of sea-going vessels. ... A model military vehicle is a scale replica which represents a military vehicle -- tank or other armored fighting vehicle, artillery, truck (lorry), Jeep, etc. ... Airfix is a UK manufacturer of plastic scale model kits of aircraft and other subjects. ... Kitmaster was the name of a range of injection-moulded plastic model kits produced by the Rosebud doll company. ... Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of plastic model kits, radio controlled electric and nitro-powered car models, battery- and solar-powered educational models, and sailboat models. ... A mini 4wd is a 1:32-sized[1] battery powered race car without remote control. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Monogram models. ...

External links

• Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
• International Plastic Modeler's Society USA
• International Plastic Modeller's Society UK
• KitMaker Network
• One35th Armor Modeling
• Modeling madness
• Aircraft resource center modeling page
• Hyperscale
• Scale Model Aircraft Kit Reviews
• Greatest Plastic Model Show in the germanspeaking Area
• International Plastic Modeler's Society Philippines
• The Scale Firehouse - Emergency Vehicle Models
• Modelling forum in Portuguese language
• International Plastic Modeler's Society, Queensland, Australia