Modern airplane model kits are reasonably well detailed and take up little room in your display case (assuming of course you have such a thing). However all airplane model kits can be improved by judicious use of after-market parts and scratch built parts. Still, if you are not the perfectionist, a satisfying replica can be built on a shoestring budget, with a little know how, some basic tools and good research materials.
Like any hobby it is the hobbyist’s passion, dedication and budget that determines what and how much they will spend on the tools required. Here are a few basic tool and equipment tips for the beginner.
Nice-to-Have Tools
Below is a list of WW2 model airplane kit projects I have been working on and the links to the posts about them. For those WW2 model airplanes kits I have not yet posted about I have included a picture of the kit (or one similar) and a link to the kit itself.
I have divided the list into 3 categories… Current Builds, Completed Projects, and Future Projects & Wish-list. The items tagged with an (*) are kits I have yet to find.
You may be wondering how I come up with the items on my wish-list. I found a great little resource publication: Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II.
Its a good reference book of WW2 fighters, bombers and ground attack aircraft from France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, USA and others. It includes a little of the history, illustrations and color profiles. I highly recommend it!
ICM 1:72 scale Me109E7 | Tamiya De Haviland Mosquito FB Mk VI | Revell Hawker Hurricane MkIIB |
1/72 scale | 1/72 scale |
AirFix Bristol Beaufighter | Signifer Grummon Goose | Italeri KittyHawk MkIV |
1/48 scale |
Airfix Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Beaufighter itself, was a pugnacious and robust aircraft. Silent on low level approach made it an excellent ground attack and anti shipping aircraft. Derived from the Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber it was extremely well armed, comprising...
Grumman Goose Model Kits
The Grumman Goose is a patrol and reconnaissance anti-submarine aircraft with the handy ability of being able to land in water or on land. Sometimes referred to as the "Cutters" Goose this aircraft was initially used as a commuter before being drafted ...
Messerschmitt Bf 109
My personal favourite kit to build of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 is the 1:72 scale ICM Me109E-7 Trop (as pictured left). You can read about how I built this kit by clicking on the image to the left or the link above. You will also find images of the...
Airfix Bolton Paul Defiant NF MkI | Italeri T-6G Texan | Revell Lysander Mk1/Mk111 |
1/72 scale | (Harvard) – 1/48 scale | 1/32 scale |
Dragon HE162 Mistel | Italeri BF109-G6 | Airfix Henschel HS123A-1 |
1/48 scale (Master Series) | 1/72 scale | 1/72 scale |
Revell F6F-5 Hellcat | Trumpeter Messerschmitt ME262A-1a | Tamiya Dewoitine D520 |
1/72 scale | 1/72 scale | 1/48 scale |
*Tamiya Aichi M6A1 Seiran | Airfix North American T-6G Texan | Signifer Grumman Goose |
1/48 scale | (Harvard) 1/72 scale | (Cutters Goose) 1/48 scale |
*Hallifax Bomber | *Lancaster Bomber | *Hampden Torpedo Bomber |
1/72 scale | 1/72 scale | 1/48 scale (489 Squadron) |
*Westland Whirlwind | *Polikarpov I153 “Chalika” | *Henschel HS123A-1 |
1/48 scale | 1/48 scale | 1/48 scale |
WW2 Model Airplane Kits brings you news, views and resources for buying, building and collecting World War Two Model Airplanes.
Within the pages of this site you will find reviews of WW2 Model Airplane Kits I have completed, a photo gallery of these kits and the real thing from Air Shows.
I hope to share my knowledge and expertise with anyone interested in taking up this hobby and I make recommendations of the best airplane models kits and model airplane manufacturers to buy in my humble opinion.
I welcome your feedback and comments.
- NZFlyBoy