| Airplane model kits market has always been a | | | | are in the middle range of quality approaching but not |
| crowded one with so many manufacturers present. | | | | surpassing its rival Revell of Germany. |
| Even today there is huge number of players trying to | | | | Heller is a French kits manufacturer founded in 1957 |
| sell their products on the world market. Most notable | | | | and as of 1986 member of the Humbrol group |
| producers are Revell-Monogram, Revell, Italeri, Airfix, | | | | together with Airfix. In 2005, Heller was the subject |
| Heller, Testors and Minicraft. | | | | of a management buy-out but the following year the |
| During 60's Monogram and Revell were the main rivals | | | | company went into administration. For many years |
| producing airplane models. However in 1986 both | | | | Airfix models were produced in France alongside with |
| companies have been acquired by Odyssey Partners | | | | Heller models which mean that they are of the similar |
| of New York and were merged together. In 2006 | | | | quality as Airfix and inline with Revell line of |
| German subsidiary separated from Revell-Monogram | | | | Revell-Monogram company. |
| and established a new company with revenues even | | | | Minicraft Models is manufacturer of plastic kits based |
| slightly surpassing the ones of the parental company. | | | | in Illinois, USA. Although Minicraft on some editions has |
| In 2007 Hobicco Inc. has acquired Monogram-Revell | | | | a quite bad reputation for poor molding, bad fit and a |
| LCC company. Some of the new models of Revell | | | | bad correlation with the original they have started to |
| from Germany are known for its high quality but still | | | | improve with their latest molds. On the other hand |
| not same as that of Monogram models since today | | | | Minicraft decal sheets are of exquisite quality. Overall |
| Monogram brand is used for high quality models line | | | | Revell quality is higher while Monogram models |
| called Pro Modeller Kits. | | | | represent a quality benchmark. |
| Remaining eminent model manufacturers are listed in | | | | Testor was founded in 1929 and started producing |
| the article bellow. | | | | hobbyist model cement in 1936 and in 1945 it started |
| Italeri is Italian producer of various plastic model kits. | | | | balsa models production. During 70's Testor has |
| Overall impression of Italeri model kits is that they | | | | added to its portfolio brands like IMC and Italeri. |
| are representing mid range quality, but to note is that | | | | Testor has long tradition of high quality products and |
| their newer kits are constantly improving. | | | | is rated slightly bellow today Monogram model kits. |
| Nevertheless Monogram models are better ranged in | | | | Overall we can say that airplane models quality, due |
| quality then Italeri. | | | | to improved molds tooling, has been constantly |
| Airfix is large British plastic kits producer which was | | | | improving, but even so, Monogram models have |
| founded in 1939 and owned by Humbrol as of 1986 | | | | remained synonym for high quality models. |
| until 2006 and is today owned by Hornby. These kits | | | | |