The 23 best aircraft models brands
Hasegawa, Tamiya (TAMIYA) and Eduard lead our ranking of 23 aircraft models brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Aircraft Models brands, ranked
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1
Hasegawa
Hasegawa produces plastic model kits of cars, planes and aircraft for hobbyists who build and display scale models. Its car and aircraft kits are sold for home assembly, and the replicas are built to accurate detail. Each kit is supplied as a set of parts for the builder to put together.
Top products: F-20 Tigershark· A7A Corsair II· P2V-7 Neptune
Website: hasegawa-model.co.jp |Brands like Hasegawa
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Tamiya (TAMIYA)
Precision moulding and clean engineering set Tamiya's 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft kits apart.
Website: tamiyausa.com |Brands like Tamiya (TAMIYA)
Popularity 9.0/10
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3
Eduard
Czech firm whose photo-etch detail sets and cockpit upgrades pair with its own plastic kits.
Top products: P-51D Mustang· Bf110C
Website: eduard.com |Brands like Eduard
Popularity 8.4/10
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4
Revell
German brand with snap-fit kits that suit beginners, plus larger detailed kits for experienced builders.
Top products: F-14 Tomcat· Fokker DR.1 Triplane
Website: revell.com |Brands like Revell
Popularity 8.3/10
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5
Academy
Korean-made kits with good value for modern jets, transports, and airliners in 1/48 and 1/144.
Top products: P-3C Orion· F-86F-40 Sabre
Website: academy.com |Brands like Academy
Popularity 6.6/10
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6
Trumpeter
Chinese producer with large-scale kits, strong on WWII fighters and modern jets from 1/24 to 1/144.
Top products: SPAD S.XIII· P-47D Thunderbolt· SBD Dauntless
Website: trumpeter-china.com |Brands like Trumpeter
Popularity 6.6/10
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7
Airfix
British heritage brand with beginner-friendly kits and starter sets that often include paints and glue.
Top products: Junkers Ju52/3mg4e
Website: us.airfix.com |Brands like Airfix
Popularity 6.0/10
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8
HobbyBoss
Value-focused range of 1/32 and 1/48 bombers and jets, covering WWII and Cold War types.
Top products: B-24J Liberator
Website: hobbyboss.com |Brands like HobbyBoss
Popularity 5.0/10
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9
Italeri
Bologna firm with classic WWII fighters and helicopters, plus a line of 1/48 kits.
Top products: Ta-152 H-1
Website: italeri.com |Brands like Italeri
Popularity 5.0/10
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10
ICM
Ukrainian kit maker strong on helicopters and German WWII aircraft in 1/48 and 1/35 scale.
Top products: CH-54A Tarhe· UH-1C Huey· MH-60L DAP
Popularity 3.9/10
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11
Lindberg
From Denmark, Lindberg makes eyeglass frames in titanium, acetate, horn, wood and precious metals. Many of its rimless and screwless-arm designs are lightweight titanium frames, and the collections include modular parts that can be adjusted or customized.
Website: lindberg.com |Brands like Lindberg
Popularity 3.6/10
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12
Testors
Paint and cement brand whose enamels are its core, with a few older metal-body aircraft kits.
Top products: F-14 Tomcat
Website: testors.com |Brands like Testors
Popularity 3.5/10
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13
Master Model
Metal upgrade sets for scale plastic models - Master
Website: master-model.pl |Brands like Master Model
Popularity 3.3/10
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14
RODEN
RODEN is a company that is one of its kind of unique in its outlook. This company provides applicable kits and tools to make realistic and historical planes at your home. Their website aids customers in buying the best choice...
Website: roden.eu |Brands like RODEN
Popularity 3.3/10
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15
Special Hobby
Established in 1989, Special Hobby is a customer-driven brand known for creating wonderful model kits under various categories, which include aircraft, military vehicles, ships and submarines, and many more. All their products are very much realistic in nature and are...
Website: specialhobby.eu |Brands like Special Hobby
Popularity 3.0/10
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16
Hobbycraft
Hobbycraft strives to deliver exciting products to its customer base. The unique brand engages with its clients through the ingenious creations they curate for the market, such as ready-to-use cars and trucks, drones, and airplanes. They are driven by their...
Popularity 2.9/10
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17
MPC
M.P.C. provides services and has extensive expertise in the technology field. They provide services ranging from I.T. assistance to home theatre installation and security camera setup. M.P.C. electronics may assist in gaming by providing server machines and a list of...
Popularity 2.8/10
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18
Kinetic
Kinetic makes it possible to have a unique and memorable musical experience. Their wide variety of premium audio devices is created to improve listening while preserving flawless perfection, unmatched sound quality, and precision. To better serve you and assist you...
Popularity 2.5/10
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19
AMT
AMT's model kits replicate cars and trucks, including classic muscle cars, vintage trucks and drag racers. Some kits are built from a single stock, custom or racing version. Many were first produced decades ago, which attracts collectors as well as...
Popularity 2.5/10
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20
Dragon Models
Dragon Models was established in 1987. They manufacture plastic model kits. The company itself makes the designs. The company has won several awards for the model ideas they have come up with. They have released more than 1000 products to...
Website: dragon-models.com |Brands like Dragon Models
Popularity 2.4/10
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21
Aurora
From its American roots in model and toy making, Aurora sells slot cars, including AFX models, along with stuffed animals and white light products. The slot car line appeals to hobbyists who race miniature cars on tracks. Stuffed animals and...
Website: auroragift.com |Brands like Aurora
Popularity 2.2/10
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22
Meng
Relive the actual combat of World War with Meng Model gaming miniatures. A Chinese company based in Beijing, operating since 2011, covering 25 locations all over the world, comes up with gaming figures that resemble actual automobiles. 1/9 size identical...
Website: meng-model.com |Brands like Meng
Popularity 1.9/10
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23
Herpa
Herpa designs die-cast scale model cars and airplanes, along with radio control aircraft and toy vehicles. The German maker is known among collectors for detailed miniatures of airliners and road cars, and its catalogue spans scale models for display as...
Website: herpa.de |Brands like Herpa
Popularity 1.9/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasegawa | hasegawa-model.co.jp | /HasegawaGlobal | hasegawa_design | – | – |
| Tamiya (TAMIYA) | tamiyausa.com | – | – | – | – |
| Eduard | eduard.com | /EduardCompany | – | – | – |
| Revell | revell.com | /Revell | revellgermany | @revellgermany | RevellGermany |
| Academy | academy.com | /Academy | academy | @academy | academydotcom |
| Trumpeter | trumpeter-china.com | – | – | – | – |
| Airfix | us.airfix.com | /AirfixHumbrolUSA | officialairfix | @Airfix | OfficialAirfix |
| HobbyBoss | hobbyboss.com | – | – | – | – |
| Italeri | italeri.com | /ItaleriModelKit | italeri | @ItaleriModelKit | – |
Aircraft Models Buying Guide
If you are interested in the aviation industry, you may also have an interest in collecting aircraft models. These models come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which makes it difficult to decide which ones to buy. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to buying aircraft models that will help you find the perfect addition to your collection.
Choose Your Scale
The first aspect to consider when purchasing an aircraft model is the scale. The scale refers to the size of the model relative to the actual aircraft. The most common scales are 1:144, 1:72, 1:48, and 1:32. The smaller the scale, the smaller the model will be in size. The most popular scale for collecting is 1:72, which offers a good balance between detail and price.
1:144 scale models are compact and inexpensive, while 1:32 are typically larger and more detailed, but also more expensive. Consider your budget and your display space when choosing a scale. If you have limited space, a smaller scale will be more appropriate; if you have more space or prefer larger, more detailed models, then you may want to go for a bigger scale.
Consider the Materials and Quality
Most aircraft models are made from one of two materials: plastic or resin. Plastic models are more durable and less fragile than resin models, which may be prone to breakage, but they also have less detail. Resin models generally have finer detail, better accuracy, and a more lifelike feel, but they are also more expensive.
Quality is another important factor to consider, especially for collectors. Quality models have better accuracy, finer detail, and a more lifelike feel. They are also heavier and more expensive than cheaper, lower-quality models. If you are looking for a model to display in your collection, it is recommended to invest in a high-quality model.
Choose Your Manufacturer
Deciding on the right manufacturer is also an essential consideration. Different manufacturers specialize in different scales and types of aircraft. For example, Airfix, Hasegawa, and Revell are well-known for producing models in the 1:72 scale, while Tamiya and Trumpeter are renowned for their 1:48 scale and 1:32 scale models.
In addition to the scale, manufacturers also differ in their quality and accuracy. Not all manufacturers prioritize precision, detail, or authenticity in their models. It is essential to research the manufacturers to determine which are the most trustworthy and reliable. Some popular manufacturers you might recognize include:
- Tamiya
- Revell
- Academy
- Dragon Models
- Hasegawa
- Italeri
Selection of Aircraft Models
The selection of aircraft models available can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging to decide which ones to purchase. You might consider the following factors:
Type of Aircraft
What types of aircraft do you prefer? There are numerous aircraft types, including commercial airliners, military jets, or military transport planes. The choice matters, as some of these types are made by certain manufacturers or in specific scales. Consider what type of aircraft represents your personality or aligns with your collection's theme.
Country of Origin
When it comes to military models, choosing models based on the country of origin is another common practice. The details of the paint schemes for planes from different countries often differ, making it more exciting and unique when exhibiting different planes of different nationalities.
Personal Connections
You may also select aircraft that have a personal connection with you. These might be planes from airlines you’ve flown on, aircraft flown by family members, or planes that have significant historical or cultural significance. Such connections make your collection a little bit more special.
Pricing and Budget
Another crucial factor to consider when purchasing aircraft models is your budget. The price of a model depends on numerous factors, including the quality, size, scale, and complexity of the kit. Defining a budget beforehand can help narrow down your choices and keep you from overspending on your collection.
In addition to pricing, it’s worth considering the type of model you are buying. Some models are more expensive than others because they come as complete kits; others may require additional parts and components, such as aftermarket accessories.
Conclusion
Purchasing aircraft models for your collection can be a fun and exciting hobby. However, it’s important to consider various factors before purchasing any model. In this article, we’ve explored some critical factors to consider when buying models, including scale, materials, quality, manufacturer, selection of models, personal connections, and budget.
By considering these factors and researching the manufacturers and models, you’ll be able to build the perfect aircraft model collection that captures your interest and personality perfectly.
