Best Airplane Model Kits in 2022

Last update: December 27, 2022

Can you fly a model plane anywhere?

Yes, you can fly a model plane almost anywhere, but there are some restrictions. You need to stay away from airports, heliports, and other controlled airspace. You also need to be aware of any power lines or other obstacles that could be in your way.

Do I need a Licence to fly a model plane?

You need a licence to fly a model plane if you want to fly it commercially. If you just want to fly it for fun, you don't need a licence.

Do model airplanes need to be registered?

There are a few countries in the world that require model airplanes to be registered, but the United States is not one of them. In the U.S., you do not need to register your model airplane with the government.

How do you do weathering on a model airplane?

To weather a model airplane, first sand the surface to create a rougher texture. Next, apply a primer coat and let it dry. Once the primer is dry, start by painting the airplane with a base color. Once the base color is dry, add washes of darker colors in the recessed areas. Finally, add a clear coat to protect the paint job.


Revell 1: 48 B25J Mitchell Review:


Creating this model was a lot of fun. I used to create models when I was younger, so I thought I'd give it another go as an adult. With the new models I was assembling, I wanted to paint them as I had never done so with my earlier models. Before this, I created a P-51 Mustang Revell 1:48 scale model. In all honesty, I sucked at that one and ought to have finished some lesser ones first before tackling this one.A lot of paint and glue will be used. Make sure you have enough area to put it because it's fairly large (it might have a foot and a half or more of wingspan) (I hung it from the ceiling in my workshop). I spent a lot of time finishing it, but the most of that was spent painting.My models are always constructed with the landing gears up. With this model, which was designed to be constructed with the landing gears down, it was somewhat challenging to do that. Thus, the landing gear bay/cover sections have some uneven surfaces and gaps.Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this model. One of the sexiest bombers from World War II had to be the B-25 Mitchell, and in my studio, it certainly does.



Revell Snaptite Build and Play Star Wars: The Last Jedi! Resistance A-wing Fighter Review:


Good detail all around. Despite not being visible, the engines are still sculpted inside the housings. Builds up quite soon. It's strange that the pilot hasn't been finished along with the rest of the model. The wing-tip guns are the most problematic because they are made of cheap plastic that is only completed on top and has holes on the bottom.With the wing weaponry, foldable landing gear, and sound effects, the model resembles a Hasbro toy that someone just didn't bother to finish putting together rather than a realistic one. (But less durable; one drop and it crumbles.)Though it is one of the few models currently being produced that scales well with the new Legion tabletop game, it does offer some interesting play characteristics. And the price on Amazon is accurate.I'd rate it as above average for a Snaptite model.



Fascinations Metal Earth SR-71 Blackbird Airplane 3D Metal Model Kit Review:


I've spent years listening to my brother rave about how great airplanes are because he's always been interested in them and other aerospace-related things (the Blackbird in particular was a favorite when he was a little kid). He also enjoys doing hands-on activities and is skilled at those kinds of tasks, so I thought this would be a wonderful combo of two things he would enjoy. I bought it for him as a gift. Although he had never worked with metal before, he had previously gotten other modeling kits and was skilled at assembling them, so I wasn't very concerned about his ability to manage it.On the one hand, the project turned out great, and he seemed to like the gift a lot (he got to work on it the moment he opened the present). Though he enjoyed putting it together, he finished it in less than 30 minutes, suggesting that it may have been a little too simple for him. I kind of expected a longer project, but because I deliberately chose a shorter one, I can't really gripe. The next time, I'll most likely get him a more challenging one.Even if the model might use to be a little bit bigger, it still looks fantastic.



Revell 1:72 SR-71A Blackbird Review:


Just completed assembling this kit.It is a later 1980s Monogram kit, NOT the 1968 Revell kit that was previously released. Revell is reissuing a large number of Monogram's kits as a result of the merger.The D-21 drone, which was never carried aboard the SR-71, is included in this kit. It was adapted for two A-12 spyplanes (the YF-12 served as the interceptor), one of which was lost in an accident.Assembling the kit is simple and straightforward. Although I take my time painting, I'm also speedy. Once the canopies are closed, the interior of the cockpit is passably visible. With the appropriate jackets and helmets for this aircraft, the crew figures are good. The gear doors needed some cutting because I constructed them closed. The gear doors are flush and filling is not necessary.The upper and lower fuselage and wings fit fairly well, but there is a minor gap that needs to be filled.The overall form is adequate but not ideal. It develops into a respectable and reliable model of this legendary aircraft.



Revell Stuka Ju 87G-1 Tank Buster Plastic Model Kit Review:


I am the outlier in this situation. This ancient kit is nice. In my youth, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I had two of them. Despite the fact that both of my prior Stuka kits were Monogram products, this kit has "Made in China 1968" molded on the outside of one wing flap. This decal sheet is brand new and is dated 2016. The top German "Tank Buster" ace on the Eastern Front, Hans Ulrich Rudel, appears to have the identical marks.Thus, it is a modern rendition of a vintage classic kit. I don't remember the earlier kits having the details on the cockpit walls as this one does, so it appears to be updated as well. Everything else is as I recall it. The plastic is of decent quality, however there is some flash. I assembled the wings in the dry, and neither the fuselage halves nor the wings had any warping. The crew statistics are nonetheless respectable and standard for Monogram at the time. Although night flying exaust shrouds are included in the kit, their usage is not demonstrated in the instructions. I suppose it's a choice. This model could easily be changed to become a dive bomber version of the Ju-87D.Although there are newer, better kits available, this kit holds up nicely when you consider how old it was when it was first released. It will make a good addition to my collection of World War II German models after it is completed, painted, and decalled. This ancient Monogram/Revell kit sits in the middle of my previous 1:48 scale Ju-87B and Ju-87D models in terms of quality and accuracy. The small errors could be fixed with a little more specificity. Here on Amazon, you may get a set for the cockpit interior.I like this kit all around. It evokes pleasant recollections and serves as a solid foundation for additional details work.



Revell SnapTite A-10 Warthog Plastic Model Kit Review:


This snap-together model is surprisingly intricate. For such a cheap item, the flashing is limited and less than anticipated. None of the parts appear to be warped, and the mold quality appears to be quite good. Although painting and gluing are not required, doing so will make the model stand out more by improving the fit. This is a good snap-together kit that displays admirably, but nobody would ever mistake it for a Hasegawa model that costs $100 or more and is extremely detailed.



Revell 1:48 P - 40B Tiger Shark Plastic Model Kit Review:


After a ten-year break, I've recently returned to making model airplanes, and I have to say that this kit is fantastic for those with intermediate to advanced skill levels. The first benefit of this specific model is that it comes with instructions and decals for three alternative paint jobs: American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers), RAF in the year 1941, and US Army Air Corps in the year 1940. The kit took me about three days to assemble, but it could be done sooner and would be wonderful for kids to do together. In contrast to some other models I've dealt with, the decals and adhesive on this one were both excellent. The decals also conformed remarkably well to the model, and even without the solutions some people use to apply them, the rivets and panel lines could still be seen through the decal. The fit for the majority of the parts is snug and smooth, and the fuselage and wings are extremely detailed with distinct panel lines and rivets. Furthermore, the landing fear lacks any of the weak design and fittings found in other versions, making it stable and strong. The kit, which I painted in the USAAC colors using a combination of acrylic and enamel paints, turned out better than I had anticipated.The model does have drawbacks, though. If gaps worry you, putty will be needed to seal the slack fit between the wings and fuselage (and to a lesser extent, between the engine cowling and fuselage). The wing flaps, which are on a hinge-like structure in the wing, are also prone to simply falling out of place, which is OK if you want to emulate a parked P-40 but inconvenient if someone wanted to hang it. To put it mildly, putting the fuselage together with the cockpit intact is challenging due to the plastic's inherent thinness in many components. Fortunately, the model is resilient despite the fragility of the plastic and handled the unconventional methods I had to use to assemble the fuselage successfully. The gun sights are the last drawback, albeit a small one. Bead sights are fixed on the fuselage front of the canopy on this aircraft, which is a lovely touch. Con: Until your glue dries enough for them to stand upright on their own, you'll need to manually hold the sights to the fuselage because the holes in the fuselage are nearly twice as big as they need to be to fit the sights themselves. If not, the front bead sight will fall through the flaps without any help, and it will require some inventive shaking to persuade it to do so.Finally, I paid $9.99 for the kit with Prime shipping, and I received it the very next day. So congrats to Amazon for offering such a fantastic device at such a low cost.Excellent price is a pro.Unambiguous directions that are clear.outstanding personalizationstrong landing gear that is stable.Great attention to detail overall; it accurately resembles a P-40.a rotating propeller that neither becomes stuck nor is overly loose.Cons: Tight or difficult fittings between the fuselage and the wings, the engine cowling and the fuselage, and the fuselage halves.The model's thin plastic makes it more difficult to fit different sections together.The bead sights' holes are far too big.At best, it might be challenging to maintain the position of the wing flaps.Rating overall: 8.5/10



Fascinations Metal Earth Cessna 172 Airplane 3D Metal Model Kit Review:


This item is not a toy, nor are any of the other Metal Earth products. They require talent and patience to complete because they are a complex model. They were difficult to put together, not fun. The models are eye-catching, and the result is quite rewarding. Give this to adults only; children and those with attention deficit disorders should not receive it. They are delicate before you begin building, throughout construction, and after. Because the metal bends so easily, effort must be taken to properly shape the necessary components. The proper equipment is crucial. To cut the pieces from the metal sheet, you will need a shear cutter, tweezers, straight edges for bending, and a decent magnifying lamp. It will be worth the effort. You should pick a simple model for your first one, like the Washington Monument. After that, you can go to the harder. Till you've got some experience, avoid the tanks. These kits are not your standard ones.


How do you start scale modeling?

Before you start scale modeling, you need to gather some supplies. You will need a model kit, glue, paint, and other tools that are specific to the type of model you are making. For example, if you are making an aircraft model, you will need an X-Acto knife and fine-grit sandpaper. To start, you will need to assemble the basic parts of the model according to the instructions. Once the main pieces are together, you can start adding details. This is where the paint and other tools come in. You can add as much or

Is model building a good hobby?

Yes, model building is a good hobby. It can be a fun and rewarding way to spend your free time. Model building can help you develop important skills such as patience, attention to detail, and problem solving. It can also be a great way to relax and take your mind off of your everyday worries. There are a variety of different types of models to choose from, so you can find one that interests you. Whether you prefer to build cars, planes, ships, or buildings, there is a model kit out there for you. Model building can be

Is model kit building a hobby?

Yes, model kit building can be a hobby. It can be a fun and rewarding way to spend your free time. There are many different types of model kits available, so you can find one that interests you. Building models can help you learn about history, science, and engineering. It can also be a great way to relax and de-stress.

Is scale modeling hard?

Assuming you would like an answer to this question: No, scale modeling is not hard. It can be quite challenging at times, but with practice and patience, anyone can scale model with success.

Should you paint a model before assembling?

Whether you should paint a model before assembling it is ultimately up to you. Some people prefer to paint each piece before assembly, while others find it easier to paint the model as a whole. There are pros and cons to both methods. Some people find that painting each piece before assembly is more time-consuming, but it allows for a more precise paint job. You can avoid painting over areas that you don't want to be painted, and you have more control over the final product. However, painting a model before assembling it can also be more challenging. It can be

What are the different levels of model kits?

Model kits are available in a wide range of prices and complexity, from simple snap-together models for young children to detailed, advanced models for experienced hobbyists. The level of detail and accuracy of a model kit is usually proportional to its price. The most expensive and complex kits can take dozens of hours to assemble, and may require special tools and paints. Cheaper, simpler kits can be assembled in an afternoon and don't require any special skills or materials. Most model kit manufacturers offer a wide range of products, from simple to complex. The level of detail and accuracy