Aeromodelling

Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft, often scaled-down versions of full size planes, using materials such as polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass. Designs range from simple glider aircraft, to accurate scale models, some of which can be very large.
Models may be built either as static non-flying models, or as flying models. Construction techniques for the two are usually very different.
Static model aircraft

Fokker F28

Schabak Modelle US Airways Airbus A330

Tamiya 1/48 scale Brewster Buffalo aircraft
Static model aircraft (i.e those not intended to fly) are scale models are built using plastic, wood, metal or paper. Some static models are scaled for use in wind tunnels, where the data acquired is used to aid the design of full scale aircraft.
Collectors can buy models that have already been built and painted, models that require construction, painting and gluing, or models that have been painted but need to be snapped together. Snap models require minimal construction and are becoming increasingly popular.
[edit] Promotional use
Most of the world's airlines allow their fleet aircraft to be modeled as a form of publicity.[1] In the early days, airlines would order large models of their aircraft and supply them to travel agencies as a promotional item.
[edit] Scale
In static models, the most popular scales are 1:72 and 1:48, followed closely by 1:32. 1:144 is popular for civil airliners, and there is a growing range of military subjects.[2] More detailed models are available at 1:32 and 1:24. Some manufacturers introduced 1:50 scale and 1:30 scale. Japan offers 1:100. The French firm Heller SA is the only manufacturer to offer models in the scale of 1:125. Herpa and others produce promotional models for airlines in scales including 1:200, 1:400, 1:500, 1:600, 1:1000 and more. A few First World War aircraft were offered at 1:28 by Aurora.
Other less popular scales are 1:50, 1:64, 1:96,