SPA Modeler

I do like starting random topics of conversions – so here’s one…

why ARE aircraft the most popular modelling subject - and why military and not civil?

WHAT is it about aircraft that get us building them - why not cars or trucks or tractors or something else we see far more of everyday than Aircraft? - Shopping carts maybe?

what d'ya think? (and in Mannys terms - answer this, then go build and post some WIP )

cuz you can fly plane around and go VROOOOOOM

Most often the military can be more rugged looking and with matte, weathered finishes, easier to model than the shiny civie a/c. There are a lot of car and ship modelers out there, but not on here for some reason. That and there are way more military kits.

I prefer armor at this time,But I have built my share of military aircraft,from WWII to present.It's all about the cool factor,A/C just look good.And my preference is military,usually with a nice payload,or some garish markings.

For me personally its because im an airforce brat. Also my dad built military aircraft, and my grandfather built military balsa gliders. Its just what i grew up around.
I think in more general terms, most civi aircraft are white, and white is the most horrible colour to paint ever, period, full stop. Also I think you touched on an important point too, how often do you see military aircraft compared to other forms of transport? The comparative rarity of the subject matter makes it far more interesting.

Military aircraft are something you Dont' see everyday, and is some cases will never see again. That's why I build them.

My take on this... Since ancient times, man has been fascinated by flight. So aircraft as a modeling subject is a natural extension of that fascination. Why military aircraft are more popular as opposed to airliners or civil aviation? I suppose it's the mystique of warbirds as opposed to that of airliners and civil aircraft. Markings can be just as diverse and colorful on civil & airliners, or they can be just as historically significant. But lets face it, Chuck Yeagers "ace in a day" P-51D has more mystique to it than say Bob Hoovers air show circuit Yellow P-51D. I could go on, but since I am typing this on my phone right now, I'll keep this short.

portman wrote:I do like starting random topics of conversions – so here’s one…

why ARE aircraft the most popular modelling subject - and why military and not civil?

WHAT is it about aircraft that get us building them - why not cars or trucks or tractors or something else we see far more of everyday than Aircraft? - Shopping carts maybe?

what d'ya think? (and in Mannys terms - answer this, then go build and post some WIP )

Aren't shopping carts THE most popular modeling subject?



M

Stiik made a few really good points on that.
During the 20th century, aviation has become the epitome of technological progress - from the very first "hops" in Kitty Hawk to the moon in just about six decades. Both media and propaganda were keen to publicize and feature aviators as pioneers, heroic record breakers or as those glamour boys fighting the enemy in and from the skies. And it's not only avout those magnificent men (and women) in their flying machines, it's also about the aircraft they flew.

During the late 19th and very early 20th century, kids were building model ships, in a way reflecting the (then) prevalent militarism - you gotta have a mighty navy to project power. Gunboat diplomacy, etc.
After World War 1, we saw a significant paradigm shift emerging - from ships to planes. So my take is, that scale modelling, when it comes to modelling subjects, positively reflects this.

My personal take: I'm biased. Both my grandpa and dad had very close ties to military aviation. Hence, it was only Besides, I grew up with Buck Danny, Mick Tanguy or Dan Cooper comics. Disaster was inevitable.

Because it is cool! For me really it was what I always wanted to be a part of. Cars were something anyone could get...tanks are targets, ships are full of seman...so that left planes...and opnes that make thing blow up are even cooler.