Alexei Volkov
Plastic model kits are scale models consisting of unassembled plastic parts, available in
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Scale models that consist of unassembled plastic parts, available in ["snap-together" form or for assembly using plastic glue] |
| Types | Aircraft, ships, tanks, science fiction, cars, trucks, figures |
| Common Scales | 1/24, 1/32, 1/48, 1/72, 1/100 |
| Common Sizes for Figures | 1/72 (20-25mm), 1/35, 1/16 |
| Assembly | Parts snap together with no glue needed, or are glued together using plastic solvent-based adhesive, epoxy, cyanoacrylate, or white glue |
| Additional Tools | Hobby knife, sprue cutters, paint, paintbrushes |
| Paint | Specially formulated paint is sold for application to plastic models |
| Decals | Screen-printed water-slide decals are provided for complex markings such as aircraft insignia |
| Vinyl Stickers | Provided for insignia and similar details |
| Materials | Plastic, brass, resin, PE metal, wood, metal |
| Manufacturing Process | Injection molding, vacuform, resin casting |
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What You'll Learn
Injection moulding
Plastic model kits are most commonly produced using injection moulding. This process involves creating a "tool" or mould, which is made up of two halves of a steel plate that have been engraved with the shape of the kit's parts. The two halves are then pressed together and liquid styrene plastic is injected into the engraving. Once the plastic cools and hardens, the parts are removed from the mould. This set of parts is known as a “sprue”. Injection moulding is ideal for producing high volumes of the same object, and is therefore commonly used to create plastic model kits.
The process was first patented in 1872 by American inventor John Wesley Hyatt and his brother Isaiah. Their machine worked similarly to a large hypodermic needle, using a plunger to inject plastic through a heated cylinder into a mould. The first injection moulding press was developed in 1919 by German chemist Arthur Eichengrün, who also patented the injection moulding of plasticised cellulose acetate in 1939. The industry rapidly expanded in the 1940s due to the high demand for inexpensive, mass-produced products during World War II. Injection moulding continued to develop in the following decades, with the creation of the first screw injection machine by American inventor James Watson Hendry in 1946, and the first gas-assisted injection moulding process in the 1970s.
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Snap-together kits
Plastic model kits are replicas of various subjects, ranging from military (aircraft, ships, tanks) to science fiction (Star Wars, Star Trek, space), from model cars and trucks to figure models. The first plastic models were injection-moulded in cellulose acetate, but currently, most plastic models are injection-moulded in polystyrene. The parts are bonded together, usually with a plastic solvent-based adhesive.
If you are new to snap-together kits, it is recommended to start with a beginner kit and work your way up to more advanced kits. Trying to build a model kit above your skill level can be frustrating and annoying. It is important to have the appropriate tools and supplies, such as a hobby knife and sprue cutters, to help remove parts from the sprue cleanly and "clean up" the parts.
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Paint and glue
Plastic model kits are available in "
If you are using solvent-based glue, you will need to leave bare plastic where parts will be solvent welded, as solvents will damage paint. You can use tape or liquid mask to protect the surfaces to be solvent welded while painting, then peel off the masking before assembly.
Some modellers prefer to paint parts before attaching them, but this can be tricky as the solvent in the glue can damage the paint. If you are gluing painted parts, it is recommended to scrape back the surfaces to be glued to avoid a mess and get a better bond.
Some types of glue you can use for plastic model kits include epoxy, cyanoacrylate (super glue), and PVA (white glue). Cyanoacrylate is a powerful adhesive that can be used to glue different substances together, but it is recommended to limit its use as it can cause a mess.
When choosing a plastic model kit, it is important to consider the skill level required. Snap-together kits are usually simpler to assemble and do not require glue or paint, while glue-together kits are more challenging and will require additional tools and supplies, such as hobby knives, sprue cutters, and paintbrushes.
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Scale models
The most common scales for aircraft models are 1/24, 1/32, 1/48, 1/72, 1/100, and 1/144, with 1/72 being the most popular for collecting large armies and tabletop wargames. Larger scales, such as 1/32 and 1/35, are used for more detailed models, while smaller scales like 1/100 and 1/144 are used for more simple models.
Plastic model kits in scales ranging from 1:35 to 1:700 are available from Scale Model Kits, a well-known online retailer. Aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles, ships, and figures are among the 3500 model kits available.
The complexity of a model kit is determined not only by its scale but also by the number of parts and the level of detail. Snap-together kits, for instance, are typically less detailed and may feature opaque windows with no interior detail or automotive kits without opening hoods or engine details. On the other hand, glue-together kits often include smaller, intricate parts and require painting, resulting in a more challenging and time-consuming build.
Building scale models can be a rewarding hobby for people of all ages, offering the opportunity to recreate detailed replicas of a variety of subjects.
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Plastic as a raw material
Plastic is the essential raw material for the majority of scale models made today. The first plastic models were injection-moulded in cellulose acetate, but most plastic models today are injection-moulded in polystyrene. Polystyrene is probably the most widely used plastic in model making due to its low cost, ease of processing and shaping, and deformability. It is crystal clear in its natural form and extremely brittle, so it is not recommended for thicknesses below 2mm for model making. Instead, PETG is recommended for transparent parts of models.
Another commonly used plastic in model making is ABS, which stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. ABS is impact-resistant, with good petrol and oil resistance, and a temperature resistance of just under 100°C. It can be glued and painted very well, but due to its structure, it is not available in transparent form. ABS is typically used for parts that need to withstand impacts, such as bodies for vehicles, ships, aircraft, tanks, or excavators, as well as moving elements in model making. ABS can be easily sawed, drilled, ground, milled, CO² laser cut, and formed.
Other plastics used in model making include polypropylene, which is flexible and has good impact strength, and PVC, which is rigid and has good impact strength. Polyethylene is also used for its flexibility, low friction, and good impact strength. Nylon is another plastic used in model making for its high strength, flexibility, and impact resistance.
The choice of plastic for model making depends on the requirements of the application and the processing options available. For example, polystyrene can be thermoformed at fairly low temperatures, while ABS provides more impact strength.
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic model kit is a scale model that consists of unassembled plastic parts, which can be assembled using plastic glue or by snapping the parts together.
Plastic model kits are made from plastic pellets that are melted down and injected into a mould. The plastic used is usually polystyrene, although cellulose acetate was used for the first plastic models.
The tools you need will depend on the type of kit you have. Snap-together kits require no additional tools, adhesives, or paint. For glue kits, you will need glue, paint, paintbrushes, a hobby knife, and sprue cutters.
