right : Typical improvements to a standard kit, in this case the Aurora (K & B) Fokker E111. Changes include: rudder and elevators are scratch built from plastic card; kit tail skid discarded and scale one fitted; removal of all embossed markings; trailing edges sharpened and straightened; cockpit completely furnished with wooden plank floor from fine veneer, scale seat, seat strap, pump and additioal instruments; upper longerons and bracing wires added to interior sides; kit pylon replaced by scale sprue unit with pulley; incorrect deep rib valleys under wings removed and replaced with scribed wing tape lines; kit undercarriage members discarded and replaced with scale assembly from heat-stretched sprue.

When polystyrene plastic model aircraft kits first appeared on the market sometime in the early 1950s many of the traditional solid scale modellers regarded them with complete indifference, indeed with disdain, the attitude being adopted that skill was quite unnecessary and that they were only suitable as children's toys.

It is true that the early kits were comparatively simple affairs which could be assembled in about ten minutes; however, their commercial success encouraged the manufacturers to expand their ranges and the kits became more refined and complex. Meanwhile, two things happened which had a considerable effect upon the plastic model industry as a whole. The first was that many people who had always possessed the interest but never the time to build models in the traditional way found that they could put together a reasonably attractive model in a short space of time. The first models were probably built as ornaments for shelves or mantlepieces but it only takes one interesting miniature to set off the collecting urge. The consequence of this was that an increasing number of individuals joined the ranks of the modellers. The industry that initially aimed at the children's market found that their products were increasingly being snapped up by all generations. The traditional modellers may have sneered at these 'plastic modellers' but they were the beginning of what has become an international fraternity. In 1963 the International Plastic Modellers' Society was formed the membership of which embraces countries around the world.

The second significant thing to happen was that many of the traditional modellers discovered that with correction and refinement, some quite superb models could be built from standard kits. Thus, interest increased, which in turn stimulated the manufacturers to constantly improve the quality and accuracy of their products until the high standards of today were achieved. The plastic kit is after all the end product of a lengthy and very highly skilled process, the metal master model from which the moulds are made being a masterpiece of the modeller's art. The outcome of all this is that the once maligned plastic kit has been directly responsible for the growth of an enormous interest and participation in model making quite undreamed of before World War 2.

It is worth pointing out in passing that Frog International introduced plastic model aircraft kits in the late 1930s with their Penguin series in 1:72 scale. These were made of bakelite which became slightly unstable after a few years. The manufacturing process in those days was rather expensive with the result that the kits were also expensive. The modern plastic kit is a rarity in that in the 1970s it cost about the same as the original Penguin plastic kits of nearly 40 years ago. Plastic modelling may be regarded by some as only a minor art, but the creation of anything is a kind of achievement and through plastic modelling very many people are provided with a form of activity which gives great pleasure at a relatively small cost.

Despite the manufacturer's emphasis on kits which will be good universal selling lines (and they cannot be criticised for this very necessary basic consideration), the vintage aircraft enthusiast is quite well served. The vintage kits which form the subject of this section vary in quality but even the best can be improved upon. The following is a survey of kits of antique and vintage aeroplanes in quarter (1:48) or near quarter scale produced up to the time of publication of this book. It is emphasized that some may be no longer in production, although they can still be obtained from some retailers or private individuals who advertise from time to time in modelling magazines. Some have become collectors items due to their rarity. However it is surprising how many of the older kids can be located by the diligent searcher. Such people are well advised not to overlook the small toyshop where many an old kit has been found gathering dust upon a shelf by diligent searchers. The faults and inaccuracies noted here are the major ones only. The scale modeller who insists upon a very high standard of accuracy in his models might find that certain plastic kits are not worth the extensive amount of correction required and that it would be more satisfying to build the model from scratch. However, that feature is dealt with later and we are concerned here solely with improving the plastic kit.

As stated in the introduction this section concentrates on 1:48 scale mainly because it is my own favourite working scale. It also happens to be somewhat neglected in other modelling publications, yet the scale allows a high level of fine detail to be incorporated and is the favourite of many keen enthusiasts. If you prefer to work in the much more plentiful 1:72 scale or larger scales (like 1:32 or 1:24) then you will find good coverage given in other books and modelling magazines.