Greater Abilene Scale Modelers

Lesson 1  - Introduction to Scale Modeling

Models and young builders seem to have always been around but the way models were built fifty years ago would have been very different. Model builders in the World War II era built out of balsa wood and tissue. A few more ambitious modelers carved their creations from solid wood using a plan as a guide.  About this time, the solid plastic (Bakelite^®) models began to appear. They were used to help pilots recognize Allied and Axis aircraft. In Europe, the simple styrene plastic models issued pre-war from the FROG company began to be manufactured again and distributed worldwide. In North America, companies such as Revell^®, Aurora^®,  and Monogram^® began making plastic model kits in the late 1940's. The model kits at first were very toy-like and other than they required assembly, did not resemble modern models.

Today, a well constructed and accurately painted model kit is a miniature replica. The main difference between a toy and a model is the model builder who takes the time and care to make the model look real. If you have never built a plastic model kit, what you purchase is actually a complex set of detailed parts that have been designed to fit together precisely. The manufacturer typically provides an instructions that often contain suggestions,  color references for markings, and color schemes.

You need to take into consideration several factors before purchasing your first model:

•  What scale should be used? Models are miniature replica that are scaled down versions of the real thing. In aircraft modeling, you have a choice over the popular 1/72 and 1/48 scales along with larger 1/32 and even 1/24 scales. Smaller scale aircraft in 1/144 or smaller scales are also available. The general rule is that the larger the scale (1/32 or greater), the more detail you will have due to the model kit being much larger.
• What complexity do you want? Many model kits now have complete interiors and fine detailing. There is a bigger money and time investment to finish a complex kit carefully.
• Finally, what subject do you want to model? Although this text concentrates on plastic scale aircraft models, there are many different types of models available. There are also cars, trains, figures, tanks, spaceships, buildings, animals, etc., etc. to choose from.

Model building is a learned skill. With help and practice is can be fun to learn. The actual construction process is basically two-stage: The model kit is assembled by gluing parts together and then painted or finished. Having a more experienced modeler as guide may be much more useful than any of the kit information sheets. The skills you learn in building your first models will make each future model project "much better" and more realistic. Displaying or entering competitions hones your skills even more quickly. Above all remember it's the fun of modeling that really counts. Don't be overly critical of your own or others first efforts, everyone starts that way!