Author's model of a Thomas-Morse S4C in 1/48 scale.This is a typical built-up box model with a moulded cowl. This particular model was fully described in Aeromodeller magazine of April 1969

Whilst a carefully made, accurate and well finished plastic kit model is a thing to be proud of, even the most enthusiastic kit modeller would possibly admit to some feeling of interiority when confronted with a superb model built from 'raw' material starting from a basic set of plans. He cannot fail to see the potential in the model which does not require a kit to be produced before it is built. This is what is popularly known as 'scratchbuilding', and is already referred to as such in this book. Building models from plastic card enables the modeller to develop his talents to a limitless extent which is not possible when the modelling activity is largely curtailed by the components which the manufacturers provide. If the modeller has long been interested in the possibility of building a model of, say, a Rumpler CV, why on earth should he not do so instead of waiting around hoping that some day a manufacturer will bring out a kit, for the odds are that such a kit will not be produced.

There is, of course, no reason why plastic kit modellers should not themselves create models out of the excellent range of plastic material available today. In recent years frequent magazine articles have described how alterations can be carried out on kits to convert them into different versions or even other aircraft. The authors of these articles do not always exploit the full potential of plastic materials as some of the conversions described are cumbersome, unnecessarily complicated, sometimes expensive, and the results are occasionally dubious. Readers of the most complicated features are recommended on occasion to use vast quantities of fillers and large amounts of balsa wood to obtain the object. Curved shapes are made by laminating sheet plastic and cutting and sanding as though it were wood indicating that the writers have not made the most of the basic properties or possibilities of plastic sheet.

The fact is that polystyrene card can be used not only for alterations and remodelling but for building the complete model. What the plastic kit modeller has to do, and for some this seems an unsurmountable hurdle, is to fabricate all the items himself instead of having to merely put moulded items together from a box. He must also learn that true modelling takes time and perseverance, a plastic card model cannot be assembled overnight but the end result is worth it. For the sake of convenience the aeroplane will be considered as three units namely the fuselage, the wings and tail assembly, and the other components (undercarriage, struts, etc).

All of the extra detail mentioned can be made from sprue and plastic card and requires no special instructions as the method should be now obvious to anyone whose modelling activities have taken him to this stage of work. One final word, use fine sprue where light construction is indicated. Aim for delicacy and always remember that painting adds extra bulk. Though this section - and its illustrations - deals mainly with models made wholly from plastic card, nearly all the techniques are equally applicable to those whose work is restricted to detailing or converting plastic kits in any scale, where applicable.