Editing Model aircraft (section)

===Scale===
{{see also|List of scale model sizes}}
Static model aircraft are primarily available commercially in a variety of [[Scale model|scales]] from as large as [[1:18 scale]] to as small as [[1:1250 scale]]. Plastic model kits requiring assembly and painting are primarily available in [[1:144 scale|1:144]], [[1:72 scale|1:72]], [[1:48 scale|1:48]], [[1:32]], and [[1:24 scale]]. Die-cast metal models (pre-assembled and factory painted) are available in scales ranging from [[1:48 scale|1:48]] to [[1:600 scale|1:600]].

Scales are not random, but are generally based on divisions of either the [[Imperial system]], or the [[Metric system]].
For example, 1:48 scale is 1/4" to 1-foot (or 1" to 4 feet) and 1:72 is 1" to 6 feet, while in metric scales such as 1:100th, 1 centimeter equals 1 meter.
1:72 scale was introduced with [[Skybirds]] wood and metal model aircraft kits in 1932 and were followed closely by [[Frog (models)|Frog]], which used the same scale from 1936 with their "[[Frog (models)|Frog Penguin]]" brand. 1:72 was popularized in the US during the Second World War by the US War Department  after it requested models of commonly encountered single engine aircraft at that scale, and multi-engine aircraft in 1:144th scale. They hoped to improve aircraft [[Aircraft spotting|recognition]] skills and these scales compromised between size and detail. After WWII, manufacturers continued with these scales, however kits are also added in other divisions of the imperial system. 1:50th and 1:100th are common in Japan and France, which both use Metric. Promotional models for airlines are produced in scales ranging from  1:200 to 1:1200.

Some manufacturers made 1:18th scale aircraft to go with cars of the same scale. Aircraft models, [[model military vehicle|military vehicles]], [[model figure|figures]], [[model car|cars]], and [[rail transport modelling scales|trains]] all have different common scales but there is some crossover. There is a substantial amount of duplication of more famous subjects in different scales, which can be useful for [[forced perspective]] box [[diorama]]s.

Older models often did not conform to an established scale as they were sized to fit the box, and are referred to as being to "Box Scale".