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Aircraft Model Building Guidelines

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Model Works
Aircraft Model Building Guidelines

Aircraft models are miniature replicas of modern, historical, or customized flying machines. A variety of materials can be considered to be used in building high-quality models, such as metal, wood, fiberglass, foam, plastic, and paper. Craftsmen also use polystyrene, balsa wood, and card stock— it depends upon the request of clients especially if it is for custom-built model aircraft. It usually varies from gliders to scale models. Most designs are intended to actually fly, while others are only meant for collection. Regardless, patience, time, effort, and creativeness are all needed to build high-quality aircraft models.  It also requires a lot of research to do the actual design plan and achieve a wonderful result. Craftsmen need to look after every detail, starting from the style and design down to the final paint scheme.

Aircraft models were first created way back early civilization. It is believed that the oldest one was hollowed out in 1898 at Saqqara tomb. A six-inch model plane including the fuselage and bent wings was found by archaeologists. At that moment, they did not pay close attention to the importance of that artifact until 1960— that was when Dr. Khaliln Messiha, an Egyptian doctor and amateur learner of aircraft models, started a discussion about the origins of model plane craftsmanship. As time passed by, every civilization has built other kinds of aircraft models with a plan of having it be operated by a human. Another Greek creator named Archytas, made “the Pidgeon”, a self-propelled model. Afterward, the famous Leonardo da Vinci shared his ideas about plane models using his “Arial-screw” style.

  1. Aviation enthusiasts and craftsmen in the modern era made their designs roughly right away after the Wright Brothers made their initial voyage. People, especially those aspiring pilots, paid close attention to creating scale models of Wright flyers, giving them hope to also fly in the skies. The Military also developed flying machines equipped with loads of weapons. The development in aeronautics pushed the growth of aircraft model creation starting World War I to World War II. Since then, developers made commercial airplanes carrying passengers and cargos, making it easier for people to travel in the skies. After fifty years, aviation companies introduced the miniatures of their designed commercial planes. In the 1970s, slyness bombers became the latest trend in aircraft model style and design. After the booming opening of the space program with NASA kept on developing, they have expanded to also incorporate spacecraft to model aircraft. Advanced technology allowed builders to develop models that can really fly through a remote controller. It is RC models or Radio-control models which are more developed than a regular one that is sometimes just meant for collections. It still keeps on growing nowadays where more aviation enthusiasts launch modern rockets, flying planes, and custom built aircraft. Hopefully, through our accessible resources and advanced technology, inventors and builders will be able to build and invent futuristic flying machines that will represent "UFOs" and "Star Trek" spacecraft.
  2. Some aviation enthusiasts prefer building airplane models by themselves. Aside from readymade miniatures that are widely available in the market, they can also get model aircraft kits to avoid making one from scrape. It comes with instructions and step by step process to help you assemble it on your own. It also has prefabricated pieces and decals. Thus, you must count all pieces and go with the procedure. In any case, some pieces are not there, don’t hesitate to call or email the manufacturer.

However, whether it be a mass-produced airplane model purchased in the market or a custom-built one made by a respectable craftsman or by you, making an aircraft model needs the precise tools, dyes, and equipment.

To begin, make sure that you have enough space, fine-tip brushes, acrylic paints, knives, and balsa wood to use in this project. Then, select which and what kind of model you want to build.  Professional makers decide according to scale, it represents the difference of size between the miniature model from the actual plane it corresponds to. For instance, the 1/50 scale implies that the aircraft model is 50 times smaller than the real one.

After that, be familiar with the different features and details of the actual plane, including the shape, weight, size, style, design, and color scheme. This will help you build its replica as identical as possible. You can watch aviation movies, browse the internet, or read magazines and old books.

Once you are ready, make sure that all parts, equipment, tools, paints, and manuals are handy and within reach. It is safe to paint everything first before putting them together to avoid unnecessary residue. After that, wait at least 24 hours to assure that the paint is clean and dry. Warm water and solution can be used to remove any residue from the miniature.  Then, separate the parts from each other and have sandpaper ready to flatten the uneven and rough edges of the wood. Use wood glue to attach the pieces into its exact places. Last, put the decals into their correct locations to finish the airplane model. Check it from different angles to inspect if some pieces loose during the process of building the miniature. 

We all have hobbies to divert ourselves from the chaotic environment of this world. Hobbies that give pleasure and delight for anyone who only wants to relax and be occupied especially during free times. Whether you want it just for your own personal collection or simply a hobby or you are doing it for a living, it is nice to do something if your heart is also on it. Building aircraft models is never easy. You need to be passionate and patient to make one. However, as famous craftsmen say, it is difficult to build a high-quality plane model, but the feeling of contentment and satisfaction you will get after you see the result of your work is nothing compared to the complicated process of making one. Aside from patience, passion is also the key. 

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