Best Metal Airplane Model Kits of 2025

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Metal airplane model kits are an excellent choice for aviation enthusiasts who enjoy building and collecting model planes. These kits typically include all the necessary metal parts, screws, and instructions to assemble a detailed replica of a real airplane. The finished product can be displayed on a shelf or used for imaginative play. Metal airplane model kits are available in a wide range of sizes and complexity levels, making them suitable for both children and adults. These kits can also be educational, as they provide an opportunity to learn about the history and mechanics of aviation. Overall, metal airplane model kits are a fun and rewarding hobby for anyone interested in airplanes and aviation.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress Model Kit Cover #TOP 1
Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress Model Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Metal Earth Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Model Kit Cover #TOP 2
Metal Earth Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Model Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Metal Earth A-10 Warthog 3D Model Kit Cover #TOP 3
Metal Earth A-10 Warthog 3D Model Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Metal Airplane Model Kits

#TOP 1

Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress Model Kit

ME1009
Multi
Small
Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress Model Kit Cover
Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress Color 3D Metal Model Kit Fascinations

Get the Metal Earth B-17 Model Kit from Metal Earth for ages 14 and up. No need for glue or solder - simply clip parts from the metal sheets. This B-17 Flying Fortress model is a 2.5 sheet challenge, creating a 3D model measuring 6.90 L x 5.30 W x 1.57 H inches at a 1:130 scale. Transform steel sheets into a detailed etched model by popping out and connecting pieces using tabs and holes, with illustrated instructions included. Display your completed model proudly and enjoy collecting and building more.

What We Like
No glue or solder needed
Highly detailed etched model
Challenging difficulty level
#TOP 2

Metal Earth Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Model Kit

ICX142
Small
Metal Earth Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Model Kit Cover
Metal Earth Fascinations ICONX Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Red Tail 3D Metal Model Kit

The Metal Earth Tuskegee Airmen P-51D Mustang Model Kit is a challenging, 2-sheet 3D metal model kit with highly detailed etched pieces. The kit is ideal for ages 14 and up and requires no glue or soldering. Once assembled, the model measures 6.20 L x 7.60 W x 3.10 H inches at a 1:60 scale. The kit includes easy-to-follow instructions and tweezers are recommended for bending and twisting the connection tabs. Display your completed model and collect them all.

What We Like
Challenging and highly detailed 3D metal model kit
No glue or soldering required
Easy-to-follow instructions included
#TOP 3

Metal Earth A-10 Warthog 3D Model Kit

MMS109
Multicolor
Small
Metal Earth A-10 Warthog 3D Model Kit Cover
Metal Earth A-10 Warthog Airplane 3D Metal Model Kit Fascinations

The Metal Earth A-10 Warthog 3D Model Kit is an unassembled hobby model kit ideal for ages 14 and up. The parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets and assembled without the need for glue or solder. The 2 sheet model has a moderate difficulty level and creates a highly detailed etched model, with an assembled size of 4.72 L x 4.41 W x 2.52 H inches. The kit includes illustrated instructions and can be used to collect and build all the models.

What We Like
Easy to assemble with illustrated instructions
No glue or solder needed
Highly detailed etched model
#TOP 4

Set of 4 Metal Earth 3D Plane Models

FBA_MMS003
grey
Small
Set of 4 Metal Earth 3D Plane Models Cover
Set of 4 Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Plane Models: Avro Lancaster Bomber, Mitsubishi Zero, F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang

This set includes four airplane model kits: Avro Lancaster Bomber, Mitsubishi Zero, F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang. Each kit requires no glue or soldering, and comes on one sheet with an easy skill level of assembly required. These kits are perfect for ages 14 and up, and fall under the category of airplane model kits.

What We Like
No glue or soldering needed
Easy skill level of assembly
Includes four different airplane models
#TOP 5

Metal Earth 3D Model Kits: Set of 9 Planes

43227-1304
Multicolor
Metal Earth 3D Model Kits: Set of 9 Planes Cover
Metal Earth 3D Model Kits Set of 9 Planes

This set includes nine airplane model kits, each approximately 3 to 4 inches in size, featuring Spirit of St Louis, Wright Brothers, P-51 Mustang, and more. The kits are made of museum-quality 3D laser-cut steel sheets, and assembly is easy using tabs and holes. This product is suitable for ages 14 and up, and is perfect for airplane enthusiasts and collectors alike.

What We Like
Museum-quality 3D laser-cut steel sheets
Easy assembly using tabs and holes
Nine different airplane models in one set
#TOP 6

Metal Earth Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady Model Kit

MMS214
Black
Small
Metal Earth Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady Model Kit Cover
Fascinations Metal Earth Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady 3D Metal Model Kit

Get the Metal Earth U-2 Model Kit, perfect for ages 14 and up. No need for glue or solder with easy-to-follow instructions. This 2-sheet model is moderately challenging and detailed, measuring 4.70 L x 7.90 W x 2.40 H inches in a 1:157 scale. Transform steel sheets into a 3D model by popping out pieces and connecting them with tabs and holes. Once completed, proudly display your highly detailed etched model.

What We Like
No glue needed
No solder required
Highly detailed model
#TOP 7

Metal Earth Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 3D Kit

MMS091
Silver
Mittel
Metal Earth Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 3D Kit Cover
Fascinations Metal Earth B-17 Flying Fortress 3D Metal Model Kit

The Metal Earth Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 3D Metal Model Kit by Fascinations is a unique and precise model kit that allows you to create an attractive 3D model without glue. The laser-cut components ensure the highest precision and the step-by-step instructions make assembly easy. The model variety is vast, with options ranging from planes, vehicles, ships, animals, architecture, and even licensed themes such as Star Wars or Harry Potter. The kit requires few tools, and tweezers and needle nose pliers will suffice. It is a great hobby for both young and adult tinkers, but it is not a toy and is suitable for ages 14+.

What We Like
Unique and precise
Vast model variety
Easy assembly with step-by-step instructions
Requires few tools
Great hobby for young and adult tinkers
#TOP 8

Fascinations Metal Earth Aircraft Model Kits

MMS045-MMS111
Multicolor
Small
Fascinations Metal Earth Aircraft Model Kits Cover
Fascinations Metal Earth Aircraft 3D Metal Model Kits Set of 2 - Cessna 172 and Cessna 182 Floatplane

The Fascinations Metal Earth Aircraft 3D Metal Model Kits Set of 2 includes a Cessna 172 model with an easy difficulty level and a Cessna 182 Floatplane model with a moderate difficulty level. The models are packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions and tweezers are recommended for bending and twisting the connection tabs. No glue or solder is needed to assemble the parts which can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. The models go from steel sheets to 3D and includes illustrated instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.

What We Like
No glue or solder is needed to assemble the parts.
The models are packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions.
The kit includes tweezers which are recommended for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
#TOP 9

Fascinations Metal Earth Cessna 182 Skylane 3D Metal Model Kit

MMS111
metallic
único
Fascinations Metal Earth Cessna 182 Skylane 3D Metal Model Kit Cover
Metal Earth Fascinations Cessna 182 Skylane 3D Metal Model Kit

The Fascinations Cessna 182 Model Kit is a hobby model kit that is perfect for aviation enthusiasts aged 14 and up. This unassembled model comes packed in an envelope with easy-to-follow instructions, making it a great project for model building. The best part is that no glue or solder is needed - the parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. With a moderate difficulty level, this 2-sheet model allows you to create a highly detailed etched model of the Cessna floatplane. From steel sheets to a 3D model, you can pop out the pieces and connect them using tabs and holes. Once completed, you can proudly display your 3D model. Collect and build them all for a stunning collection!

What We Like
Hobby model kit
No glue or solder needed
Moderate difficulty level
#TOP 10

Metal Earth F-14 Tomcat Model Kit

MMS458
Navy
Mittel
Metal Earth F-14 Tomcat Model Kit Cover
Metal Earth F-14 Tomcat 3D Metal Model Kit Fascinations

The Metal Earth F-14 Kit is a fantastic 3D metal model for aviation enthusiasts aged 14 and up. It begins as flat metal sheets measuring 3 x 10 cm, making it easy to store and handle. You can follow the clear illustrated instructions to pop out the pieces, bend tabs, and connect them seamlessly. Once assembled, the model measures 6.57 x 5.75 x 2.28 inches, providing a satisfying project that sharpens your crafting skills while also creating an impressive display piece.

What We Like
Engaging crafting experience
Clear instructions for assembly
Compact storage before assembly
Impressive finished size
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who makes the best scale model kits?

Tamiya and Academy probaly are my top two go to brands, but I also buy a lot of old kits on ebay, such as Revell, ARII, and such.

2. How much does it cost to build your own airplane?

There's no absolute answer, of course, but homebuilt airplanes can be, and consistently are, completed for $50,000 to $65,000. Many cost considerably less, and of course, there's no upper limit. Building an airplane is a pay-as-you-go proposition.

The world's most popular scale is 1/72. This was the original scale used back in the late 1930's for some of the first plastic assembly kits produced in England. This scale became popular with modelers in the 1950s with the mass production of Airfix and Frog kits.

4. What is the easiest kit plane to build?

The Lightning EAB was designed to be an easy to build and economical to operate kit aircraft. The components used and techniques employed to build the kit do not require any special knowledge, tools, or building space. The kit is very complete and leaves little searching of suppliers for parts.

5. How much does a scrap plane cost?

Once a jet has been stripped bare of usable parts, its metal frame is redeemed for scrap value. A 747 can fetch up to $55,000 for its scrap alone.

Editor's Notes

During our metal airplane model kit research, we found 24 metal airplane model kit products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 10,515 customer reviews through our big data system to write the metal airplane model kits list. We found that most customers choose metal airplane model kits with an average price of $13.49.

The metal airplane model kits are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of metal airplane model kits, including Metal Earth, Fascinations. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,310 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.