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Plastic Models

If you are a regular visitor to my website you know I love plastic models. I have made many of them and I started making them when I was a kid. And the love never faded.

I am not sure if it is the pull of all things miniature or something else. Nonetheless plastic models are miniatures too so it would make sense.

Here I have a tutorial for you explaining what they are, how to make them and where to get them along with what supplies and tools you should have.

I also have videos you can watch at the bottom of the page.

 

A plastic model

 

If you want step by step instructions on how to make a plastic model I have a wonderful tutorial right here. I work through an aircraft carrier for the tutorial. And I have to say that I get a real kick out of the super tiny jets that sit on the deck :)

 

 

So What is a Plastic Model?

It is a miniature model of something and it could be practically anything and a couple of very popular types of plastic models is miniatures of military vehicles or other types of vehicles. The picture above shows me painting a plastic model of a P51 Mustang military airplane.

And it is a great hobby

Military Diorama

A lot of people pursue the making of plastic models as a relaxing and fun hobby. Some people just enjoy making the models while other people also set the model into a scene called a diorama. The picture here at left shows a tank placed into a diorama. It depicts a realistic scene for the model. And that is part of the fun of it.

 

Scale

An important part of plastic modeling is the scale of the models. The scale is the relative size of the model compared to the size of the actual item. Lets say a model is 1/2 the size of the original. It would be 1/2 scale. If the model were 1/6 the size then it is 1/6th scale etc. Two of the more common scales are 1/35 and 1/72.

Manufacturers

The First Plastic Models were airplanes manufactured in 1936 by a British company called Frog (Flies Right Off Ground). They were made from a material called cellulose acetate.

Today we have a handful of manufacturers that make models predominantly in the military genre. These manufacturers include Dragon, Monogram, Testors, Trumpeter, Tamiya, Revell, Zvezda and Airfix.

Making Them

 

A sprue with plastic parts

Generally plastic models come on something called a sprue. This is how they are manufactured.

 

The number on a part

 

Each piece is numbered and is removed as needed and cemented to other pieces to make the model.

 

Gluing on a small part

 

 

Here is a playlist of my videos on plastic model making:



Here are some popular plastic models

Revell Mustang Kit

Revell 1:48 P - 51D Mustang

 

Flying Fortress Kit

Revell B17G Flying Fortress 1:48 Scale

 

Tamiya Jeep Model

1/35 Jeep Willys MB 1/4Ton

 

1/35 German Panzer Grenadiers

 

Tamiya Abrams tank 1/35 scale

1/35M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank

Revell USS Arizona Battleship

 

Micro-Set Setting Solution 1 oz

The Mircoscale Micro Set is for improving the adhesion of the decal. Really pulls the decal down onto the model! Features Setting Solution for decals Softens decals and improves adhesion.

Perfect Plastic Putty, 40ml

Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic Putty is a one-part, fast-drying, superfine filler with water cleanup. It has good adhesion and sanding properties on plastic and is easily used, even in awkward areas.

 

ZesGood Pack of 27 Sandpaper Abrasive Dry/Wet Paper Sheets 400/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000/2500/3000 Grit 9" x 3.6" for Furniture, Hobbies and Home Improvement

 

 


 

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