How to Build a Model Jet

The first jet airplane was built and designed by a Romanian engineer in 1910. Since this jet was first built this type of airplane has been used for commercial flights as well as playing major roles in the armed forces. Many airplane enthusiasts enjoy putting together models of these amazing flying machines and putting them on display in their homes. These models come in a variety of skill levels from the kind that snap together and the more moderately difficult kits that require glue and paint.

Things You'll Need

• Jet airplane model kit
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Spray primer
• Sandpaper
• Glue
• Pocket knife

Instructions

1. Select the type of model you want to build and the skill level you are comfortable building. You can build a 747 passenger jet or an F-14 Tomcat model if you wish, the choice is yours. You can find these kits at hobby shops and department stores. If you are new to building models you will want to choose the snap-tight model kits that have fewer pieces and do not require model glue to build. If you've built models before you will want something more challenging.

2. Take a pocket knife and cut the pieces off the plastic frame and wash them thoroughly. Group the pieces by the color you plan to paint them. For example, put all the pieces that are to be painted red together, all the pieces painted chrome and so on.

3. Paint all the pieces the color of your choice. You can use the specified colors in the instructions or use your own for a custom look. Use a paintbrush and model paints to paint the interior cockpit pieces. Place the wheels on toothpicks when painting them. Let the pieces dry for 24 hours.

4. Take the body of the jet plane and the wings and spray them with a coat of primer. Make sure the coat is even over the entire body and wings of the plane. Allow the body and wings to dry and then use sandpaper to sand off the runs in the primer.

5. Paint the body of the plane. To make the process quicker you might want to use small cans of model spray paint.

6. Glue the cockpit pieces into the body of the plane. Place the cockpit canopy over the cockpit and glue it in place. Hold the pieces in place for about 10 seconds to allow the glue to bond.

7. Glue the wings and engines on the body of the plane. Glue the landing gear and wheels on the plane. Be sure to use small dabs of glue to avoid having glue ooze out on the rest of the model.

8. Soak any decals in water and carefully place them on the body or wings of the airplane.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Model Plane Kits
• Model Planes