Model Kits Glossary

1/72 scale is one of the most popular scales for aircraft model kits. A WWII Spitfire at this scale comes out at roughly 15 cm long. Kits are compact, affordable and produced by most major brands including Tamiya, Airfix, Hasegawa and Italeri. The smaller size makes 1/72 practical for modellers with limited display space.

Yes. 1/72 is the most recommended scale for beginner aircraft modellers. The range of kits is huge, prices are generally lower than larger scales, and the finished model is easy to display. Simple single-engine WWII fighters are the most beginner-friendly subjects at this scale.

1/48 scale is a popular choice for aircraft and armour model kits. At 1/48 a Spitfire comes out at around 24 cm long. The larger scale allows finer surface detail to be represented and individual parts are easier to handle and cut from runners than in 1/72.

1/48 produces a more impressive display model with more detail visible to the eye. The trade-off is cost and shelf space. If you have enjoyed a couple of 1/72 builds and want a step up in quality and size, 1/48 is a natural progression.

1/35 scale is the standard for military armour modelling. A 1/35 Tiger I tank kit comes out at about 28 cm long. This scale is supported by the widest range of accessories. Tamiya produces their most comprehensive armour range at 1/35.

Yes. The larger size of 1/35 armour parts makes them easier to handle and cut cleanly. Tank shapes are generally less complex than aircraft fuselages, making surface prep more manageable. A simple Allied tank like the M4 Sherman is a good first 1/35 build.

Airfix is one of the oldest plastic model kit brands, founded in the UK in the 1940s. They are best known for their 1/72 and 1/48 aircraft kits and their military vehicle and figure ranges. Airfix kits are rated from Skill Level 1 (beginner) to 5 (expert), making it easy to pick the right challenge.

Airfix Skill Level 1 kits are ideal for complete beginners. They have low part counts, simple colour schemes and clear instruction guides. The QUICK BUILD range removes the need for glue entirely. Once comfortable at Level 1, Level 2 kits introduce more parts and detail without becoming overwhelming.

Aoshima is a Japanese model kit company founded in 1948. They are well known for their snap-together car kits, anime-licensed vehicle subjects and their range of civilian and sports car kits. Hobbyco stocks Aoshima snap kits as part of their model kits range.

Yes. Aoshima snap kits assemble without glue, making them an excellent option for beginner builders and younger hobbyists. Their car subjects are colourful and recognisable. The Aoshima snap kit bundle deals at Hobbyco are a popular way to get started with Japanese car model kits at an accessible price.

An aircraft model kit is a plastic scale representation of an aeroplane. Subjects include WWII fighters and bombers, Cold War jets, modern combat aircraft and airliners. Aircraft kits are the largest category in plastic modelling, covered by brands including Tamiya, Airfix, Hasegawa, Italeri and Heller.

A simple single-engine WWII fighter in 1/72 scale is the most widely recommended first build. Good choices include the Spitfire, P-51 Mustang or Mitsubishi Zero from Airfix or Tamiya. These kits have manageable part counts and recognisable shapes.

An armour model kit is a plastic scale representation of a military ground vehicle, most commonly a tank or other tracked vehicle. The standard scale is 1/35. Tamiya produces the most widely collected 1/35 armour range. Armour modelling is popular for its weathering possibilities, with techniques such as panel washing and dust effects making finished models look very realistic.

Choose a straightforward subject in 1/35 scale from Tamiya. Early WWII Allied tanks such as the M4 Sherman or T-34 are popular first builds. Avoid subjects with very complex track assemblies for your first kit.

Acrylic model paint is water-based, making it safe to use indoors, easy to clean and quick to dry. It is the most recommended paint type for beginners. Tamiya Color is the most widely available hobby acrylic brand and works well applied by brush or airbrush.

Hobby-specific acrylics like Tamiya Color are formulated for plastic model surfaces and give better coverage, colour accuracy and adhesion than standard craft acrylics. Craft acrylics are thicker and may obscure fine surface detail if not heavily thinned. For best results, use paint formulated specifically for scale modelling.

Dry brushing involves loading a stiff flat brush with paint and wiping almost all of it off on paper towel until barely any paint comes off the brush. You then sweep this nearly dry brush across raised surfaces on the model. The trace of paint catches only on the high points, creating edge highlights and emphasising surface texture.

Yes. Dry brushing is one of the most beginner-friendly painting techniques in scale modelling. It requires minimal materials (a stiff brush, paint and paper towel) and has a very forgiving margin for error. Use a lighter version of the base colour as your dry brush paint for the most natural result.

Decals are pre-printed markings supplied with most model kits on a thin carrier sheet. They represent national insignia, serial numbers, unit markings and decorative details. Most kit decals are waterslide type, requiring water soaking to release from the backing paper before sliding onto the painted surface.

Apply a gloss coat to the model surface before decals to help them sit flat and avoid silvering. Soak each decal in water for 10 to 15 seconds until the film moves freely on the backing. Slide the decal into position and use a soft brush or cotton bud to remove water and air bubbles. Seal with top coat once dry.

A diorama is a three-dimensional display scene created by combining assembled model kits (vehicles, aircraft, figures) with terrain, scenery and props to tell a visual story. Dioramas are a popular advanced stage of model building that draws on construction, painting, weathering and scenic design skills all at once.

Basic dioramas are accessible once you have a few completed model kits under your belt. Start with a simple flat base, a single vehicle and a couple of figures. Use sand, gravel and scatter materials for ground texture. The diorama hobby has a large community and a huge amount of tutorial content available online.

Hasegawa is a Japanese plastic model kit manufacturer founded in 1941. They produce a large catalogue of aircraft kits at 1/72 and 1/48 scales, as well as cars, ships and limited-run specialist subjects. Hasegawa kits are known for fine surface detail and accuracy, suiting hobbyists who want the closest-to-real-world result.

Hasegawa kits sit at an intermediate level. Their part fit is good but they assume some prior experience. If you have already completed one or two Airfix or Tamiya beginner kits, a Hasegawa kit is a natural next step for aircraft modelling.

Heller is a French model kit manufacturer with roots stretching back to the 1950s. They produce aircraft, naval vessels, cars and figures, with particular strengths in French and European aircraft subjects. Heller kits are available at Hobbyco and their mix-and-match bundle deals make them an affordable choice for hobbyists exploring the brand.

Heller produces kits at various difficulty levels. Their straightforward aircraft kits in 1/72 scale are a good starting point. Part fit is generally reasonable and instruction quality is adequate for most subjects. The Heller bundle deals at Hobbyco make them an affordable way to try a new subject.

Italeri is an Italian plastic model kit manufacturer founded in 1962. They produce a wide range of subjects including WWII and Cold War aircraft, armour, naval vessels, figures and historical scenes. Italeri is well regarded for offering subjects not always covered by other brands and for competitive pricing.

Italeri kits generally offer solid detail and good accuracy at a competitive price point. Their range of subjects is one of the broadest of any manufacturer, particularly for Eastern European and Italian theatre WWII subjects. Part fit can occasionally require more care than Tamiya kits, making them a better fit for builders with some experience.

Masking tape is applied to protect painted sections of a model when applying a second colour. It creates a clean paint edge and stops overspray from reaching already-painted areas. Tamiya masking tape is the most popular hobby-specific type because it is thin, flexible and removes cleanly without lifting the underlying paint.

Tamiya masking tape is the standard recommendation. It comes in multiple widths (6 mm, 10 mm, 18 mm, 40 mm) to suit different masking tasks. For curved surfaces, narrow strips can be overlapped to follow the contour. Masking sol (a liquid applied with a brush and peeled off when dry) is a good addition for canopies and irregular shapes.

A plastic model kit is a set of parts moulded in plastic that you cut from frames (runners), assemble using plastic cement and then paint and finish. Kits cover aircraft, tanks, ships, cars, figures and more. Brands stocked at Hobbyco include Tamiya, Airfix, Hasegawa, Italeri, Heller and Aoshima.

Most beginner kits are straightforward with clear instruction sheets and a manageable part count. Look for a Skill Level 1 or 2 rating on the box. Simple single-engine aircraft and basic armour kits are popular first builds. Having sprue cutters, plastic cement and a hobby knife ready before you start makes the process much smoother.

Primer is a base coat applied to model parts before the final paint is applied. It improves paint adhesion, helps reveal sanding marks or gaps that need fixing and creates a consistent base that improves the look of paint over it. Grey primer is the most versatile choice and works well under almost any colour.

Apply primer in thin, even coats using a rattle can or airbrush in a well-ventilated area. Hold the can about 25 to 30 cm from the surface and sweep in short passes. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. Inspect the primed surface for any remaining blemishes before painting.

Plastic cement is the standard adhesive for polystyrene plastic model kits. It works by dissolving the plastic surfaces slightly so they fuse together as they re-harden. This creates a bond stronger than a surface adhesive. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is the most widely recommended type and uses capillary action to flow into tight joins.

Plastic cement chemically welds polystyrene parts together for a permanent, native-strength bond. Super glue (CA glue) creates a surface adhesive bond and works on most materials but does not chemically fuse the plastic. For standard polystyrene model kit assembly, plastic cement is the correct choice.

Scale is the size ratio between the model and the real subject. A 1/72 aircraft is 72 times smaller than the actual aircraft. Common scales include 1/72 and 1/48 for aircraft, 1/35 for military vehicles, 1/24 for cars and 1/350 for ships. The scale affects the finished size, detail level and price.

Think about display space, budget and experience level. Larger scales (1/48 aircraft, 1/35 armour) have bigger parts that are easier to handle. Smaller scales (1/72) are compact and affordable but have finer parts. For a first build, 1/72 aircraft or 1/35 armour are the most widely recommended starting scales.

A snap kit assembles without glue. Parts are designed with tabs and pegs that click securely into place. Aoshima car snap kits and Pokemon model kits are popular examples available at Hobbyco. They can still be painted and detailed after assembly.

Snap kits suit all ages. Adults enjoy them for quick builds. They are also a practical way to build a model kit on a table without needing to set up a workspace for cements and tools. Aoshima snap car kits cover popular Japanese performance cars and are bought by adult collectors as well as beginners.

Tamiya is a Japanese company based in Shizuoka, founded in 1946. They produce plastic model kits across many categories including WWII and modern aircraft, armour, ships and cars. Tamiya kits are known for accurate detail, clear instructions and good-fitting parts. They also produce the Tamiya Color paint range and a wide range of modelling tools.

Yes. Tamiya kits are well regarded for clear instructions, consistent part fit and manageable part counts. Their 1/48 aircraft and 1/35 armour kits are popular with both beginners and experienced modellers. Starting with one of their clearly rated beginner sets gives a solid introduction to plastic model building.

Weathering is the process of applying controlled effects to make a model look as if it has been used, aged or exposed to the elements. Techniques range from panel washing and dry brushing to applying pigment powders for dust and earth effects. Weathering is a major part of armour and military vehicle modelling.

Panel washing and dry brushing are both beginner-accessible techniques that make a noticeable difference with relatively low skill. Start with a simple panel wash using a thinned dark wash over a base coat. Dry brushing can be practised on cheap kits or test sprue before committing to your main build.