The Diecast Model as the name suggest, is a ready-made diecast model (usually metal). The price of the models varies with the quality. The more expensive ones will model the airplane with great level of detail and realism. The cheaper ones will be less detailed but will give you a feel of how the actual airplane looks like.

There is usually little or no assembly required. Most of the time, when you buy the model off the shelf, you only need to fit the model to the desk stand and it is ready for display on your display table or shelf.

So if you prefer just to collect and not construct, the diecast airplane model would be a good choice.

But if you like to do some assembling and construction like I do, you will find little excitement in collecting diecast models.

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The Snap Fit Together airplane model kit comes with parts that are pre-painted and are easily 'Snap Fitted' together. There is also no need for gluing and cutting. The model airplane can be easily assembled within half hour or so.

You can also get them at low price too. Such airplane model kits are usually recommended for beginners who are starting out the collection hobby. However, this may not be suitable for advance modellers because it offers little challenge to their construction process.

I have tried some of these airplane model kits and generally it feels great to be able to complete the assembling within a short time.

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The Wooden 3D Construction Kits are made of 3mm ply wooden board. The wooden boards comprised of pre-cut wooden pieces which can be easily pushed out of the board with no cutting needed. The individual pieces can be fitted to interlock with each other to form a 3D model without using any glue.

I tried a few of them and found them challenging, fun and rewarding when they are completed. This is one good activity that you can do together with a friend or parent. My son and I enjoyed working and fixing them together. One of them was this F16 model.

You can get them fairly cheap at this woodcraft puzzle webstore.

Remember, the trick to complete it fast is NOT to push out all the pieces, otherwise you will have a hard time finding and matching them together.

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If you like more challenges and do not mind the work of cutting, gluing and painting, then go for the advanced plastic model kits. The parts are very detailed (can come with more than 100 separate parts) and you have to learn some good gluing technique in order to make a good model.

It takes many practice to perfect these skills especially when it comes to gluing the tiny parts together.

So if you are a patient person who can afford the time and challenge, such airplane model kit is suitable for you. It is like trying to assemble a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. You can also get these plastic model kits very cheaply too from some toy stores in your neighbourhood.

Here is a model airplane (A4 Skyhawk) I have attempted and it took me many days (working on it part-time) to arrive to this stage. It was tough but a good learning experience for me. The Skyhawk fighter model brings special memory to me because I had the opportunity to work on Trainer A4 Skyhawk simulator a few years ago.

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