The field of model airplanes is a very wide one ranging from static non-flying models to various types of flying model.
Some of the static first model aircraft were of the German Zeppelins which became well-known during the First World War. As aircraft technology developed, corresponding models arrived on the market including commercial aircraft along with fighter planes and bombers. The Second World War saw a surge of demand for model aircraft as did the development of the jet engine and later space craft. The most popular process for static model aircraft was die cast.
In 1952 Airfix introduced the injection moulded construction kits. These consisted of plastic parts which were glued together to make model airplanes. The model Spitfire which came out the following year was hugely popular.
Building model aircraft for flying is a consuming passion for enthusiasts of all ages. It can involve building the models from scratch using plans, or assembling them from kits containing most the needed parts ready formed. Standard materials used are balsa wood, foam and fibreglass. These provide the necessary combination of lightness and strength.
The aircraft can be powered in many ways. The earliest method was the wound-up rubber band system called the 'elastic motor' developed by Alphonse Pénaud. The other way is through a scale internal combustion engine.
Controlling the model aircraft can be done in 3 ways - free flight aircraft that fly with no connection to the ground, control line models which employ cables connecting the wing to the controller on the ground, and radio-controlled aircraft.
Some of the static first model aircraft were of the German Zeppelins which became well-known during the First World War. As aircraft technology developed, corresponding models arrived on the market including commercial aircraft along with fighter planes and bombers. The Second World War saw a surge of demand for model aircraft as did the development of the jet engine and later space craft. The most popular process for static model aircraft was die cast.
In 1952 Airfix introduced the injection moulded construction kits. These consisted of plastic parts which were glued together to make model airplanes. The model Spitfire which came out the following year was hugely popular.
Building model aircraft for flying is a consuming passion for enthusiasts of all ages. It can involve building the models from scratch using plans, or assembling them from kits containing most the needed parts ready formed. Standard materials used are balsa wood, foam and fibreglass. These provide the necessary combination of lightness and strength.
The aircraft can be powered in many ways. The earliest method was the wound-up rubber band system called the 'elastic motor' developed by Alphonse Pénaud. The other way is through a scale internal combustion engine.
Controlling the model aircraft can be done in 3 ways - free flight aircraft that fly with no connection to the ground, control line models which employ cables connecting the wing to the controller on the ground, and radio-controlled aircraft.