Model kitsQuestion
Model Airplane Kits for Beginners: 1/72 or 1/48, and Where to Start
How to choose a first model airplane kit: 1/72 vs 1/48 scale, Airfix skill levels, starter sets, eras, the tools you need and how to display a finished plane.
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For a first model airplane kit, choose a 1/72 single-engine aircraft or an Airfix starter set. Airfix rates 1:72 single-engine kits at skill level 1, with about 25 to 50 parts, and recommends starter sets because they come with paint and brushes. 1/72 and 1/48 are the most popular aircraft scales; 1/48 is larger and has more detail.
Airfix’s beginner guide says the hardest part of starting is picking the first model. It suggests narrowing the choice by era, such as World War One, the interwar years, World War Two or the Cold War, and by military or civilian aircraft.
1/72 or 1/48?
| Feature | 1/72 | 1/48 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller | One and a half times larger |
| Beginner kits (Airfix) | Single-engine aircraft, level 1 | Single-engine aircraft, level 2 |
| Detail | Good | More room for detail |
| Shelf space | Easy to collect many | Needs more room |
Wikipedia names 1/72 and 1/48 as the most popular scales for aircraft kits, with 1/144, 1/100, 1/32 and 1/24 also used. The size ratio is simple arithmetic: 72 divided by 48 is 1.5, so a 1/48 model is one and a half times the length of the same aircraft at 1/72.
Airfix skill levels for aircraft
| Level | Example aircraft kits | Parts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Beginner | Starter sets, 1:72 single-engine aircraft | About 25 to 50 |
| 2 Intermediate | 1:72 medium aircraft, 1:48 single-engine aircraft | 50 to 100 |
| 3 Advanced | 1:72 large aircraft and helicopters, 1:48 medium aircraft | 100 or more |
| 4 Expert | Large 1:48 aircraft, 1:24 aircraft | 200 or more |
Airfix calls these guidelines rather than hard rules, and notes that higher levels add skills such as drilling, trimming parts, rigging and photo-etched parts.
Aircraft model kits (1/72 and 1/48)
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What you need
Airfix’s essential tools: sprue cutters, a hobby knife, tweezers, sanding sticks, clothes pegs or clamps to hold parts while glue dries, polystyrene cement, acrylic or enamel paints and a few brushes. Masking tape helps with canopy frames and camouflage lines, and an airbrush is the advanced step for smooth finishes on larger models.
Tips for a first aircraft build
- Paint the cockpit first. Interior parts are hidden once the fuselage halves close.
- Test-fit the fuselage and wings before gluing.
- Use cement sparingly. Airfix explains it melts the plastic slightly to fuse the parts, so a little goes a long way.
- Mask the canopy before painting the outside.
- Add decals last, over a glossy surface, as described in our water slide decal guide.
Choosing by era
Airfix suggests choosing a first aircraft by era if you do not already have one in mind. Its main eras are:
- World War One: the first generation of military aircraft.
- Interwar: what Airfix calls a golden era of British aviation, with gleaming silver fuselages and bright squadron markings.
- World War Two: aircraft from the war that, in Airfix’s words, spanned years and continents.
- Cold War: the era of aircraft such as the Avro Vulcan, which Airfix highlights.
Airfix also notes you can choose between military and civilian aircraft within those eras. Pick the aircraft you find most interesting: as with any kit, enthusiasm carries you through the build.
Displaying a finished aircraft
Airfix describes three ways to display a model aircraft: on a stand, the most common and best for photos; on a wall bracket, for big collections; or in a diorama, the hardest and, in its view, the most rewarding.
For other first kits, see plastic model kits for beginners and car model kits. For smooth camouflage finishes, read airbrush kits for models.
Frequently asked questions
What scale model airplane kit should a beginner buy?
A 1/72 single-engine aircraft. Airfix rates those at skill level 1, its beginner level, with about 25 to 50 parts. A 1/48 single-engine aircraft is the next step, at level 2.
Is 1/48 or 1/72 bigger?
1/48 is bigger. The smaller the number after the slash, the larger the model: a 1/48 kit is one and a half times the length of the same aircraft at 1/72.
Do model airplane kits come with paint and glue?
Starter sets do. Airfix recommends its starter sets for beginners because they include paints and brushes, and its skill level 1 kits require glue and paint to complete. Standard kits usually need both bought separately.
What is an easy airplane kit for a child?
Airfix suggests its QUICKBUILD range for young builders: pre-colored parts that fit together easily, such as a QUICKBUILD Spitfire.
Sources
- Airfix skill levelsAirfix (Hornby Hobbies)
- Model Aircraft: A Beginner's GuideAirfix (Hornby Hobbies)
- Essential tools for Airfix modellingAirfix (Hornby Hobbies)
- Plastic model kitWikipedia
Filed under Model kitsStart with Plastic Model Kits for Beginners: Where to Start
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