What is a model, a toy or a serious hobby?

Modeling is a hobby for those who like to play around with tools at leisure, are fond of technology and are not indifferent to its history. What is a model? This is a small copy of a certain prototype, executed in accordance with the scale and other similarity criteria. Before starting to manufacture it, the real modelers study the circumstances under which the prototype was created, the design features and options for external design.

As a rule, stunt modeling takes a great interest in childhood, when parents acquire the first team model. The result pleases not always, but often there is a desire to try more, and this time to work more carefully. At the same time the child develops such valuable personal qualities as accuracy and ability to handle tools. The main thing that should be paid attention at this stage is good ventilation of the room (pairs of glue contain harmful substances).

Becoming older, people think about what a model is, how it turned out to be similar to a real model of technology, and it could be an airplane, a ship, a car and a locomotive, and a tank. The degree of similarity is verified on the photos published on the Internet and in printed editions, at the same time knowledge of the technical characteristics, history of the creation and operation of the prototype is acquired.

The most popular among modelers are aircraft. They are beautiful, their silhouettes are swift, and only looking at a quality copy can lift the mood.

Kits that are sold today are different in scale. It can be large (1:12 or 1:24), enlarged (1:48 or 1:32), medium (1:72) or rather small (1: 144). Most often the model aircraft have a scale of 1:72. The size of such models is sufficient to make out everything, and they do not take up much space.

Prefabricated models are produced by many firms both in Russia and the near abroad, and in Japan, Germany, Italy, South Korea, China and other countries. Quality differs both in detailing, that is, in the degree of reproduction of the structural elements, and in the technology of casting. But this is all for a true master who knows what a model is, does not really matter. All the flaws of the manufacturer can be corrected, you just need to have the desire and patience.

The most "advanced" masters use additional elements that are not in the box. Scale models are supplemented by "etching", that is, parts made of thick foil, creating convex reliefs in the places where they are needed. In addition, the correct toning is important, for which special paints are used.

Painting is usually done by airbrush with preliminary application of special "masks" made of scotch, paper or paraffin. Modern paints for modeling have the property of self-leveling, so at small sizes it is quite possible to do with a brush. The exception is white - it falls very badly on the surface without spraying.

The final touch in achieving similarity is the application of decals and "traces of exploitation," that is, traces of smoke near exhaust pipes, oil stains, paint flaking in some places, and other signs that the scale model differs from a simple toy. Such a product should be very realistic. And when the result will please, it becomes clear what a model is and why it cost so much to tinker with it.