Model aircraft

Aircraft modeling is a hobby that has been around since the 1930s.

The Hobby is most popular among pilots, former pilots, or aviation afficianados. However, the hobby is not limited to those groups of people, and it has been widely popular among kids since its beginning. It is also becoming increasingly popular among women.

Aircraft models come in a wide array of types and sizes.

Static Model Airplanes, those not intended to fly, are not concerned with the constraints of gravity. This type of model can be built to a very high degree of detail. Some static models are scaled for use in wind tunnels. The data acquired and compiled from wind tunnel testing is used to aid the design of full scale aircraft.

There are precast models that are small and large as well models that can be constructed, painted and glued together, or snap fit models, most of which come with decals or paint already applied.

Aircraft models offer a wide array of products. The collector can choose from plastic military and commercial helicopters, plastic military and commercial planes, die-cast military and commercial helicopters and planes, and, for the less skilled collector, snap together military and commercial planes, snap models increasingly becoming more and more popular these days because of how easy and fast to built they are.

Plastic model plane manufacturers include Revell[?], generally recognized as the first manufacturer of plane models, Testors[?] and Hasegawa[?].

Die-Cast model plane manufacturers include Dyna-Flytes (recognized as the first one to built that type of models), Schabak, Gemini Jets[?] and Herpa Wings[?].

Snap Fit plastic plane models include Wooster, Long Prosper[?](In South Africa, Long & Prosper[?]), and Flight Miniatures of Cottonwood, Arizona.

Most of the world's airlines have relied on this type of promotion to attract customers, some of the most notable being Delta Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca, Aeromexico, Fed Ex, Polar Air Cargo, Air New Zealand, Qantas, China Airlines, South African Airways, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian.

Generally,these models can be found at hobby shops located in most countries around the 6 habitable continents.

Most Flying Model Airplanes can be placed in one of three main groups:

• Free Flight Model Airplanes are designed and built in a manner that allows the craft to fly without external input.
  This type of model pre-dates the efforts of the Wright Brothers. [1] (http://www.geocities.com/aerohydro/mfm/model.htm)
• Control Line Model Airplanes are designed and built to be flown using cables (usually two) leading from the wing to the pilot.
• Radio Control[?] Model Aircraft have a separate transmitter unit operated by the pilot, on the ground, that inputs signals to a receiver in the craft.
  In the last 5 years Almost-Ready-To-Fly (ARF) rc airplanes have allowed new people to enter the hobby without the need to first build an airplane from kit form.

See also: Model airports