Model Airplane Stores Review

For decades, model airplanes have been a subject of father-son bonding and a major draw for collectors. From the most basic rubber band-powered foam flyers to the most complex gas-powered scale replicas of classic military aircraft, model airplanes offer a range of different activities, from building to flying to simply admiring on a desktop.

The world of model airplanes is broken down into separate areas. There are flying and non-flying models, scale and non-scale models, and various stages of construction from do-it-yourself kits to ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) kits to completely pre-built models. In our review of model airplane stores, we examined each store’s inventory and services to help you choose the best place to buy your models.

Types of Model Airplane Kits

• Standard/DIY (Do It Yourself) Kits: These are kits where you start from scratch and assemble the plane from individual pieces. The kit may come with all the necessary parts, but more often you have to buy some components like the motor and radio separately.
• ARC (Almost Ready to Cover) Kits: Some of the work is done for you. The basic plane components are already assembled and the plane is ready to be covered and decorated. ARC kits require no more than a few days of work to finish.
• ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) Kits: Most of the work is done for you, including the covering. You might need to install an engine/radio, complete the decorating and add other finishing touches. Usually less than one day of work is required to finish ARF kits.
• RTF (Ready-to-Fly) Kits: These are kits where all the work is basically done. These kits may also come with a motor and radio included. Typically you have to snap or glue a few pieces in place. Total work time should be no more than a few hours, including waiting for the glue to dry.

What to Look for in Model Airplane Stores

For each of the model airplane stores surveyed, we examined several areas to determine our overall ratings. First of all, the “Best Site Feature” lists the best reason to visit each site. One site might be great for metal model kits, while another may specialize in wooden desktop models. This field will help you find the store that focuses on the exact products or services you want. Below are the rest of the criteria we used to evaluate each site:

Inventory
We examined each store’s inventory including types of flying and non-flying models, model kits, model materials, parts and accessories. This section represents the biggest distinction between the stores because it notes which segment of the model airplane industry is addressed. As noted above, model airplanes include flying and non-flying models, scale, semi-scale and non-scale models, and kits or pre-built models. Using this section of the matrix, you can quickly determine what types of planes each store sells.

Product Descriptions
Another big issue when buying a product as specific as a model airplane is how well the store describes its products. We preferred model airplane stores that provide lots of detailed information about each model, including measurements, scale size, model numbers - and for kits - what other equipment and supplies will be required. Because collectors are usually looking for very specific models, product descriptions are of paramount importance.

Ease of Use
The next thing we examined was each site’s ease of use. This includes some features listed on the matrix such as the ability to create an account and to search by manufacturer, price and size. The rating also incorporates how easy it is to navigate each site in general, including making a purchase and finding specific products or areas of the site.

Help and Support
Finally, we examined each site’s help and support options, including blogs, articles, tech support and general customer support options. Some sites also offer tutorials, FAQs, videos, guides and user forums, which are particularly useful for model building.

Whether you’re looking for several days of construction fun or an afternoon of flying at your local park, model airplanes may be just the hobby for you. Our top-rated model airplane stores Hobby Lobby, ModelPlanes.com and Amazon offer the best service and selection in the industry. Use the "Best Site Feature" field to find the site with exactly the products you want. Also be sure to read more articles on model airplanes in our Learning Center. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™