Model Airplanes

How To Build A Plastic Model Airplane

Building plastic model airplanes is a fun interest for people of varying age groups. From the young person with a passion for airplanes to the veteran pilot re-creating his heroic flight, building plastic model airplanes is a popular hobby that many people do enjoy.

Plastic model airplanes can be found in kits and are supplied by almost every hobby shop and can also be purchased in various other stores, as well as on-line. However, if you are interested in a specific type and size of model aircraft your local hobby shop should be your first stop. If your hobby store doesn’t have what you are looking for go on-line. There are many plastic model airplane distributors located on the internet.

Once you have your plastic model airplane you’ll want to find a place to build it. Your work area should be flat, level, well lit, and large enough to allow you to work comfortably. Open the box that kit comes in and carefully take out the plastic trees that the model pieces are attached to. The instructions are also in the box. Open the instructions and thoroughly read them before starting the assembly.

Next, wash the part trees in soap and water. The trees, along with the parts, are made through a process called injection molding. Part of this process requires a release agent to be used to prevent the trees from sticking to the mold. Residue from this agent does get on the trees and can prevent paint from sticking to your model well. You can use a blow dryer to dry them off or you can let them air dry while you read the instructions again or prepare your work area for the assembly of your plastic model airplane.

The instructions will give you all the basic assembly directions you will need to put your plastic model airplane together. However, there are some things you can do to help you build that plastic model airplane that you envision.

Whenever applying plastic model cement do so sparingly. It doesn’t take much model cement to bind pieces together and if you apply too much the glue will ooze out the seams. If this happens you will have sand those areas and clean them up, after the glue has dried, so they’re not visible when the model is completed.

Also, too much glue can make it a little more difficult to handle pieces as you assemble them. A general rule is to apply cement to only one side of the two parts to be glued together.
Before applying the glue test fit the alignment of the two pieces to give you an idea of how to put them together after you have put the glue on. Test fitting will also give you an idea of any paint preparation you might need to do to the assembled piece later on. After applying the glue you’ll want to carefully put the two pieces together. As you place the two together align them according to your kit’s instructions.

Some parts of your plastic model airplane will need to be painted before they are assembled. But plastic model airplane kits generally indicate that.  Painting can be done with a model paint brush. However, spray painting leaves a much smoother surface and can make your plastic model airplane more attractive when you display it.