Plastic model kits and building projects · Compare UK prices
Plastic Model Kits
Build a favourite aircraft, finish a classic car or bring a fictional character to your shelf. Plastic model kits range from pre-coloured snap-fit projects to large, complex aircraft, ships and mechanical brick builds.
Choose by subject, assembly style or difficulty, then explore Airfix, Revell, Tamiya, Bandai and Italeri. Compare the listed UK retailer offers for the exact kit, starter set or edition you want to make.
Airfix Flying Dray Spitfire · A large 1:24 aircraft with distinctive display details
Featured plastic model kits
Three different ways into plastic modelling: a welcoming QUICKBUILD Apache, a traditional Tamiya Porsche and an extensive Revell submarine. Compare the building method, construction level and price alongside the subject you would enjoy displaying.
Best for a first push-together aircraft
First Build · Plastic
Pre-coloured push-together kit
Best for a detailed road-car build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Best for an extensive submarine project
Expert · Plastic · 1:72
Platinum Edition submarine kit
Plastic aircraft model kits
Aircraft kits offer a broad choice of shapes and building demands. Start with an Airfix F-35B starter set, enjoy the detail of Tamiya’s Spitfire Mk.I or develop the larger four-engine structure of an Airfix Lancaster.
Best for an accessible modern-aircraft project
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Starter set · Glue and paint
Build the F-35B’s angular fuselage and wings in a traditional plastic format. The starter-set supplies provide a practical route into assembling and painting a modern aviation subject.
Best for a detailed Battle of Britain aircraft
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Build the elliptical wings, cockpit and fuselage of a Spitfire Mk.I. Tamiya’s traditional kit rewards careful fitting and finishing, with canopy choices and markings adding interest to the completed aircraft.
Best for a classic four-engine bomber
Challenging · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional bomber kit
Assemble the Lancaster’s broad wing, fuselage and four engine nacelles into a detailed RAF bomber. The larger airframe gives you time to enjoy the structure, smaller fittings and chosen finish.
Plastic model car kits
Choose the car and the construction style together. Revell’s click-together James Bond DB5 offers an inviting first display, Tamiya’s Porsche 911 GT2 introduces a traditional road-car build and the Surfer Boy VW adds a recognisable television finish.
Best for a first film-car display
First Build · Plastic · 1:24
Click System · Pre-coloured parts
Click together the pre-coloured body and components of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. The familiar film subject offers an inviting first build with distinctive styling and a clear place in a car collection.
Best for a detailed road-car build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the body, chassis and interior of the road-going 911 GT2 Club Sport. The wide arches and rear wing give this traditional plastic kit a distinctive silhouette to finish and display.
Best for a characterful television vehicle
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:25
Television-vehicle model set
Build and finish the VW T3 associated with Surfer Boy Pizza in Stranger Things. The van’s bodywork and distinctive decoration make the project as much about its screen identity as its shape.
Plastic Formula 1 model kits
Tamiya’s Tyrrell P34, Honda RA272 and Lotus Type 79 offer three distinctive periods of Formula 1 design. Enjoy the exposed wheels, cockpits and mechanical structures, then complete the competition finish that gives each car its identity.
Best for an unusual Formula 1 subject
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Recreate the six-wheel Tyrrell P34 in its 1977 Monaco GP form. The exposed racing-car structure and distinctive front wheels give the build a different character from a conventional four-wheel car.
Best for a compact historic Grand Prix car
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Build Honda’s 1965 RA272 with its narrow body, open cockpit and exposed mechanical details. The historic racing subject rewards precise assembly and a carefully applied competition finish.
Best for a classic 1978 Formula 1 display
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Assemble the low body, chassis and aerodynamic surfaces of the Lotus Type 79. Its 1978 racing outline gives a traditional plastic build a distinctive motorsport subject to finish and collect.
Plastic tank and military vehicle kits
Armour subjects make the hull, turret and running gear central to the project. Compare a Tamiya T-34/76, Revell’s modern Leopard 2A7A1 and MENG’s unusual First World War A7V, each offering a different assembly pattern and finished silhouette.
Best for an approachable armour project
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
Traditional armour kit
Build a 1943 T-34/76 with its sloped hull, turret and tracked running gear. The conventional plastic construction offers an Intermediate military project with plenty of scope for a personal painted finish.
Best for a detailed modern tank
Challenging · Plastic · 1:35
Traditional armour kit
Develop the Leopard’s hull, turret and running gear into a modern armoured display. The 1:35 format gives the smaller fittings and finish an engaging role in this Challenging project.
Best for a distinctive First World War tank
Challenging · Plastic · 1:35
Traditional First World War kit
Build the tall, box-like hull and running gear of Germany’s A7V. Its unusual First World War shape offers a different assembly and painting experience from later low-profile tanks.
Plastic ship model kits
A carrier, waterline battleship and container ship invite different kinds of modelling. Build Ark Royal’s flight-deck layout, Missouri’s wartime superstructure or Colombo Express’s colourful cargo arrangement, with the subject guiding the detail you enjoy completing.
Best for a classic aircraft-carrier build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:600
Traditional aircraft-carrier kit
Assemble the flight deck, island and hull of HMS Ark Royal in a compact carrier format. The deck layout and small shipboard details give the traditional plastic project its character.
Best for a Second World War battleship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Waterline battleship kit
Build Missouri’s long hull, superstructure and main gun turrets as a 1:700 waterline display. The wartime configuration gives the many small deck fittings a clear historical setting.
Best for a colourful commercial-ship project
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Traditional container-ship kit
Build the hull, bridge and stacked-container arrangement of a modern container ship. The repeated cargo forms and colourful finish make this a distinctive alternative to a warship or sailing vessel.
Star Wars plastic model kits
Star Wars kits range from simplified first projects to more detailed traditional builds. Compare a click-together TIE fighter and Build & Play Falcon with Revell’s larger Razor Crest, choosing the spacecraft and construction process you want to enjoy.
Best for a straightforward Star Wars fighter
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Click System spacecraft
Connect the pre-coloured cockpit and distinctive wing panels of a First Order Special Forces TIE fighter. The click-together format offers a direct route to a familiar Star Wars display.
Best for a first Star Wars spacecraft
First Build · Plastic · 1:164
Push-together spacecraft kit
Bring together the Falcon’s recognisable hull and cockpit in a simplified Build & Play format. The familiar spacecraft gives a first construction project a strong connection to the Star Wars universe.
Best for a detailed Mandalorian spacecraft
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional spacecraft kit
Assemble the Razor Crest’s broad hull, cockpit and twin engine nacelles. The traditional 1:72 kit offers an engaging spacecraft project with room to enjoy surface detail and a personalised finish.
Fiction and character model kits
A recognisable character or spacecraft gives a plastic build a personal connection. Bandai’s ENTRY GRADE Naruto, Revell’s larger Grogu and the Strange New Worlds Enterprise provide three contrasting ways to create a favourite fictional subject.
Best for a first anime character build
First Build · Plastic
Pre-coloured snap-fit figure
Fit together Naruto’s pre-coloured parts to create a recognisable display figure. The ENTRY GRADE format brings character modelling into an accessible snap-fit project without requiring glue or paint.
Best for a larger character model
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:3
Plastic character kit
Build Grogu’s distinctive head, ears and robed body in a 1:3 plastic format. The character-led project rewards careful assembly and finishing, creating an expressive addition to a Star Wars collection.
Best for a Star Trek display project
Easy · Plastic · 1:1000
Plastic starship kit
Assemble the Strange New Worlds Enterprise’s saucer, secondary hull and engine nacelles. The 1:1000 format offers a manageable starship display, with finishing choices shaping its familiar screen appearance.
Plastic space and rocket model kits
Explore different eras of spaceflight through a modern Artemis rocket, Shuttle Atlantis and a large Apollo 11 Saturn V. Compare their actual dimensions and construction levels as well as scale; the tall Saturn V offers a particularly substantial project.
Best for a modern lunar-exploration rocket
Challenging · Plastic · 1:144
Rocket model gift set
Build the core stage, boosters and upper sections of NASA’s Space Launch System in 1:144 scale. The modern Artemis subject makes the project a distinctive companion to historic spaceflight models.
Best for a classic orbiter display
Challenging · Plastic · 1:100
Traditional space-shuttle kit
Assemble Atlantis’s fuselage, wings and payload-bay structure in 1:100 scale. The orbiter’s distinctive shape and small details offer a rewarding traditional space-modelling project.
Best for a large historic-spaceflight centrepiece
Expert · Plastic · 1:96
Large traditional rocket kit
Work through the stages and fittings of a large Apollo 11 Saturn V. The Expert project invites sustained assembly and careful finishing, with the tall completed rocket becoming a striking display.
Plastic train model kits
These are construction and display kits rather than powered model-railway running stock. Dapol’s Rocket and Prairie provide smaller traditional projects, while Aoshima’s large DD51 offers an extensive Expert build with a very different display footprint.
Best for a lower-cost railway construction kit
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:76
Static locomotive construction kit
Build Stephenson’s Rocket and its tender as a static 1:76 display. The small boiler, wheels and early locomotive form provide a characterful plastic railway project.
Best for a detailed British steam-locomotive build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:76
Static locomotive construction kit
Assemble the BR Prairie tank locomotive’s body, wheels and smaller fittings in 1:76 scale. The unpowered construction kit makes a traditional steam-era display rather than operating model-railway stock.
Best for an extensive railway display build
Expert · Plastic
Large static locomotive kit
Build the DD51’s long body, cab and detailed running gear in 1:45 scale. The large static construction model offers an Expert project with considerable railway detail to assemble and finish.
Plastic figures and scene-building kits
Enjoy the smaller subjects that bring a display to life. ICM’s aviation figures, Airfix’s RAF re-supply equipment and Revell’s Grogu offer different forms of assembly and finishing. Match scale and setting when combining models into a shared scene.
Best for a small figure-building project
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
Unpainted plastic figure kit
Assemble and paint a group of Japanese Second World War aviation figures in 1:48 scale. The poses and uniforms offer a focused project for a collection or a suitably matched aircraft scene.
Best for developing a wartime airfield scene
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Airfield vehicles and equipment
Build the vehicles and equipment of an RAF bomber re-supply set in 1:72 scale. The collection of smaller subjects offers variety during construction and plenty of scope for arranging an airfield display.
Best for a larger character model
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:3
Plastic character kit
Build Grogu’s distinctive head, ears and robed body in a 1:3 plastic format. The character-led project rewards careful assembly and finishing, creating an expressive addition to a Star Wars collection.
Plastic brick-building model kits
Plastic modelling also includes brick construction. Build a smaller LEGO McLaren W1, explore a Technic Ducati motorcycle or take on the large 1:8 McLaren P1. The reusable connections and working details provide a different experience from gluing a conventional kit.
Best for a smaller brick-built supercar
Easy · Plastic
Brick-building car set
Build the McLaren W1’s bodywork and road-car silhouette from reusable plastic bricks. The compact Speed Champions format gives a familiar performance-car subject an accessible construction experience.
Best for a mechanical brick-built motorcycle
Intermediate · Plastic
Technic motorcycle building set
Assemble the Ducati’s frame, wheels and Technic mechanisms into a motocross display. The construction makes the motorcycle’s structure part of the experience, with details to explore after the build.
Best for an extensive Technic supercar
Expert · Plastic · 1:8
3,893 pieces · Large Technic supercar set
Work through the chassis, bodywork and connected mechanisms of a 1:8 McLaren P1. The Expert brick-building project offers a long, rewarding construction process and a substantial finished supercar display.
Snap-fit plastic model kits
Pre-coloured snap-fit and push-together formats make the assembly itself the focus. Airfix’s QUICKBUILD Apache, Revell’s DB5 and Bandai’s Miraidon offer different subjects without requiring a traditional glued construction process.
Best for a first push-together aircraft
First Build · Plastic
Pre-coloured push-together kit
Build the Apache’s fuselage, rotor and tail using pre-coloured push-together parts. QUICKBUILD makes the helicopter a welcoming construction project, with a display stand for the finished model.
Best for a first film-car display
First Build · Plastic · 1:24
Click System · Pre-coloured parts
Click together the pre-coloured body and components of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. The familiar film subject offers an inviting first build with distinctive styling and a clear place in a car collection.
Best for an accessible Pokémon character
Easy · Plastic
Pre-coloured snap-fit character
Assemble Miraidon’s pre-coloured body and distinctive character details with snap-fit connections. The Easy project offers Pokémon fans the pleasure of creating a display figure from individual parts.
Plastic starter kits and sets
Starter sets can pair a traditional plastic model with useful finishing supplies. The F-35B, Shannon lifeboat and listed Land Rover bundle provide three different Airfix subjects; compare the exact included paints, adhesive, brushes and pack contents before choosing.
Best for an accessible modern-aircraft project
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Starter set · Glue and paint
Build the F-35B’s angular fuselage and wings in a traditional plastic format. The starter-set supplies provide a practical route into assembling and painting a modern aviation subject.
Best for a first traditional rescue-boat build
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
54 parts · Starter set · Glue and paint
Assemble the Shannon’s hull, cabin and rescue-boat fittings in 1:72 scale. The starter set includes basic painting and assembly supplies, making the distinctive orange-and-blue lifeboat an inviting traditional project.
Best for a starter project around a classic vehicle
Easy · Plastic · 1:43
Starter bundle · Glue and paint
Build and paint the recognisable Series 1 Land Rover pick-up. This listed starter bundle combines a compact traditional plastic vehicle with modelling supplies; check the retailer’s exact pack contents when comparing.
Plastic kits for gluing and painting
Traditional plastic modelling lets you enjoy the structure, surface preparation and final finish in stages. Build an F-35B, Porsche 911 GT2 or wartime Missouri, then use the exact kit’s painting guide to develop the subject’s character.
Best for an accessible modern-aircraft project
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Starter set · Glue and paint
Build the F-35B’s angular fuselage and wings in a traditional plastic format. The starter-set supplies provide a practical route into assembling and painting a modern aviation subject.
Best for a detailed road-car build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the body, chassis and interior of the road-going 911 GT2 Club Sport. The wide arches and rear wing give this traditional plastic kit a distinctive silhouette to finish and display.
Best for a Second World War battleship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Waterline battleship kit
Build Missouri’s long hull, superstructure and main gun turrets as a 1:700 waterline display. The wartime configuration gives the many small deck fittings a clear historical setting.
First Build plastic model kits
Our First Build choices favour a welcoming construction process. Airfix’s QUICKBUILD F-22 and London transport bundle use pre-coloured push-together components, while Revell’s DB5 offers a familiar film car in a click-together format.
Best for a first modern-fighter build
First Build · Plastic
Pre-coloured push-together kit
Push together the pre-coloured components to create the F-22’s distinctive stealth-fighter outline. QUICKBUILD offers a welcoming construction format with a clear finished aviation subject.
Best for a first film-car display
First Build · Plastic · 1:24
Click System · Pre-coloured parts
Click together the pre-coloured body and components of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. The familiar film subject offers an inviting first build with distinctive styling and a clear place in a car collection.
Best for a first two-vehicle collection
First Build · Plastic
Push-together bus and taxi bundle
Build the New Routemaster bus and London taxi using pre-coloured push-together components. The two familiar city vehicles provide a varied first construction experience and a recognisable display pairing.
Easy plastic model kits
Easy projects can still offer very different techniques. Tamiya’s small Spitfire introduces conventional assembly and finishing, Airfix’s lifeboat pairs a model with starter supplies, and Bandai’s Miraidon provides a colourful snap-fit character.
Best for a compact conventional aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the Spitfire’s elliptical wings, cockpit and fuselage in 1:72 scale. The Easy-rated traditional kit offers a compact introduction to gluing and finishing a classic RAF aircraft.
Best for a first traditional rescue-boat build
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
54 parts · Starter set · Glue and paint
Assemble the Shannon’s hull, cabin and rescue-boat fittings in 1:72 scale. The starter set includes basic painting and assembly supplies, making the distinctive orange-and-blue lifeboat an inviting traditional project.
Best for an accessible Pokémon character
Easy · Plastic
Pre-coloured snap-fit character
Assemble Miraidon’s pre-coloured body and distinctive character details with snap-fit connections. The Easy project offers Pokémon fans the pleasure of creating a display figure from individual parts.
Intermediate plastic model kits
Intermediate kits introduce more dependent stages, finer fittings or additional finishing choices. A small Rocket locomotive, Porsche road car and Razor Crest spacecraft show how widely the subject and display scale can vary within the same construction level.
Best for a lower-cost railway construction kit
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:76
Static locomotive construction kit
Build Stephenson’s Rocket and its tender as a static 1:76 display. The small boiler, wheels and early locomotive form provide a characterful plastic railway project.
Best for a detailed road-car build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the body, chassis and interior of the road-going 911 GT2 Club Sport. The wide arches and rear wing give this traditional plastic kit a distinctive silhouette to finish and display.
Best for a detailed Mandalorian spacecraft
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional spacecraft kit
Assemble the Razor Crest’s broad hull, cockpit and twin engine nacelles. The traditional 1:72 kit offers an engaging spacecraft project with room to enjoy surface detail and a personalised finish.
Challenging plastic model kits
These builds reward sustained care with alignment, detail and finishing. A six-wheel Tyrrell, Tamiya Spitfire and large Volvo truck provide contrasting subjects, from exposed racing-car structure to a detailed aircraft and commercial-vehicle cab.
Best for an unusual Formula 1 subject
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Recreate the six-wheel Tyrrell P34 in its 1977 Monaco GP form. The exposed racing-car structure and distinctive front wheels give the build a different character from a conventional four-wheel car.
Best for a detailed Battle of Britain aircraft
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Build the elliptical wings, cockpit and fuselage of a Spitfire Mk.I. Tamiya’s traditional kit rewards careful fitting and finishing, with canopy choices and markings adding interest to the completed aircraft.
Best for a substantial modern-truck build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional commercial-vehicle kit
Build the Globetrotter XL cab, chassis and detailed road-going structure in 1:24 scale. The Challenging project gives a commercial-vehicle enthusiast an absorbing traditional assembly and finishing experience.
Expert and complex plastic model kits
Choose a complex project whose construction you want to savour. The long-cannon Me 262, large SR-71B trainer and Platinum Edition submarine each offer intricate assemblies and extensive finishing, with the completed model rewarding the time spent on its details.
Best for an unusual Expert aircraft variant
Expert · Plastic · 1:32
Detailed traditional aircraft kit
Build the long-cannon Me 262 variant in 1:32 scale. Its distinctive nose and detailed aircraft assemblies offer an absorbing project for a modeller who enjoys unusual Second World War subjects.
Best for a large Expert aircraft project
Expert · Plastic · 1:48
Large two-seat trainer kit
Assemble the long fuselage, twin engines and raised rear cockpit of the SR-71B trainer. The 1:48 kit offers a substantial build, with careful fitting and a distinctive finished aviation display.
Best for an extensive submarine project
Expert · Plastic · 1:72
Platinum Edition submarine kit
Develop the long hull, deck and conning-tower assemblies of a Type IX C/40 submarine. The Platinum Edition’s additional detail makes this an absorbing Expert project for a builder who enjoys careful fitting and finishing.
Plastic model kits for adults
Adult builders can enjoy any suitable construction level. A detailed Spitfire, classic Formula 1 Lotus and extensive submarine build offer three distinctive interests and a spread of prices, with assembly and the finished collection both contributing to the pleasure.
Best for a detailed Battle of Britain aircraft
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Build the elliptical wings, cockpit and fuselage of a Spitfire Mk.I. Tamiya’s traditional kit rewards careful fitting and finishing, with canopy choices and markings adding interest to the completed aircraft.
Best for a classic 1978 Formula 1 display
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Assemble the low body, chassis and aerodynamic surfaces of the Lotus Type 79. Its 1978 racing outline gives a traditional plastic build a distinctive motorsport subject to finish and collect.
Best for an extensive submarine project
Expert · Plastic · 1:72
Platinum Edition submarine kit
Develop the long hull, deck and conning-tower assemblies of a Type IX C/40 submarine. The Platinum Edition’s additional detail makes this an absorbing Expert project for a builder who enjoys careful fitting and finishing.
Airfix plastic model kits
Explore Airfix through a modern F-35B starter set, a classic Lancaster and the large Flying Dray Spitfire. The selections show how the brand spans accessible traditional modelling and much more extensive aircraft projects.
Best for an accessible modern-aircraft project
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Starter set · Glue and paint
Build the F-35B’s angular fuselage and wings in a traditional plastic format. The starter-set supplies provide a practical route into assembling and painting a modern aviation subject.
Best for a classic four-engine bomber
Challenging · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional bomber kit
Assemble the Lancaster’s broad wing, fuselage and four engine nacelles into a detailed RAF bomber. The larger airframe gives you time to enjoy the structure, smaller fittings and chosen finish.
Best for a large Spitfire with unusual detail
Expert · Plastic · 1:24
448 components · Large traditional aircraft kit
Build a 1:24 Spitfire Mk.IXc with the Flying Dray edition’s beer-barrel details. The large aircraft offers an Expert construction project and a memorable subject within a Spitfire collection.
Revell plastic model kits
Revell’s range offers different routes to a finished display. Build a pre-coloured Mustang GT, assemble the Razor Crest or spend time on the larger SR-71B trainer, choosing the subject and construction demands together.
Best for a first modern-muscle-car display
First Build · Plastic · 1:25
Click System car kit
Click together the pre-coloured body and components of a 2024 Mustang GT. Its broad stance and familiar road-car styling make the simplified construction a characterful first model project.
Best for a detailed Mandalorian spacecraft
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional spacecraft kit
Assemble the Razor Crest’s broad hull, cockpit and twin engine nacelles. The traditional 1:72 kit offers an engaging spacecraft project with room to enjoy surface detail and a personalised finish.
Best for a large Expert aircraft project
Expert · Plastic · 1:48
Large two-seat trainer kit
Assemble the long fuselage, twin engines and raised rear cockpit of the SR-71B trainer. The 1:48 kit offers a substantial build, with careful fitting and a distinctive finished aviation display.
Tamiya plastic model kits
A compact Spitfire, road-going Porsche and historic Lotus offer three different Tamiya projects. The traditional construction makes the fit, fine details and final painted finish part of the experience.
Best for a compact conventional aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the Spitfire’s elliptical wings, cockpit and fuselage in 1:72 scale. The Easy-rated traditional kit offers a compact introduction to gluing and finishing a classic RAF aircraft.
Best for a detailed road-car build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional glue-and-paint kit
Assemble the body, chassis and interior of the road-going 911 GT2 Club Sport. The wide arches and rear wing give this traditional plastic kit a distinctive silhouette to finish and display.
Best for a classic 1978 Formula 1 display
Challenging · Plastic · 1:20
Traditional Formula 1 kit
Assemble the low body, chassis and aerodynamic surfaces of the Lotus Type 79. Its 1978 racing outline gives a traditional plastic build a distinctive motorsport subject to finish and collect.
Bandai plastic model kits
Bandai’s character-led kits offer the pleasure of creating a recognisable subject from colour-separated parts. Compare a small Chopper robot tank, ENTRY GRADE Naruto and the Going Merry ship for different shapes, project sizes and display possibilities.
Best for a smaller anime construction project
Easy · Plastic
Pre-coloured snap-fit model
Snap together Chopper’s colourful robot-tank form from pre-coloured components. The small One Piece subject combines character modelling with a playful mechanical silhouette.
Best for a first anime character build
First Build · Plastic
Pre-coloured snap-fit figure
Fit together Naruto’s pre-coloured parts to create a recognisable display figure. The ENTRY GRADE format brings character modelling into an accessible snap-fit project without requiring glue or paint.
Best for a recognisable One Piece ship
Easy · Plastic
Snap-fit anime ship kit
Build the Going Merry’s hull, deck and characteristic sail arrangement in a compact plastic format. Its recognisable anime styling makes the ship an engaging project for a One Piece collection.
Italeri plastic model kits
Italeri’s Transit, Audi Quattro and Volvo FH4 offer three distinctive road-going subjects. Build a familiar working van, develop a rally-car finish or settle into the larger truck’s cab and chassis assembly.
Best for a classic commercial-van build
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional commercial-vehicle kit
Assemble the Transit’s body, chassis and interior in 1:24 scale. The familiar working-vehicle subject makes a satisfying traditional plastic project, with its shape and finish contributing equally to the display.
Best for a classic rally-car project
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional rally-car kit
Build the Quattro’s angular body and competition details in 1:24 scale. The rally subject offers an engaging combination of car assembly and a distinctive motorsport finish.
Best for a substantial modern-truck build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:24
Traditional commercial-vehicle kit
Build the Globetrotter XL cab, chassis and detailed road-going structure in 1:24 scale. The Challenging project gives a commercial-vehicle enthusiast an absorbing traditional assembly and finishing experience.
How to Choose a Plastic Model Kit
Start with a subject you enjoy
A favourite car, aircraft, ship or character gives the project a personal connection. Choose the finished model you would enjoy owning, then compare the construction needed to create it.
Choose how the parts fit
Snap-fit, push-together and brick kits use mechanical connections. Traditional plastic kits usually involve cutting parts from sprues, preparing joins and using suitable model adhesive. Check the exact kit instructions.
Check the included supplies
Starter sets and bundles can include paints, adhesive and brushes, while many standard kits supply the model parts and decals. Compare the exact pack, especially when several retailers list different editions or bundles.
Match the build to your experience
First Build, Easy, Intermediate, Challenging and Expert describe the standard construction process. A larger model or adult label does not automatically mean a harder build. See how our ratings work.
Plan the scale and display
Use the finished dimensions as well as the scale ratio. A 1:24 car and a 1:24 aircraft need very different spaces; a tall rocket or long submarine may need a dedicated display position.
Enjoy the finishing stage
Decals, colour choices and careful painting can make a traditional build especially rewarding. Pre-coloured kits offer another route to a display, with optional extra detailing where the maker’s instructions support it.
Quick comparison
Compare the recommended kits by build experience, difficulty and model format. The matching retailer prices help you compare a smaller snap-fit or starter project with a more extensive traditional kit or brick build.
| Plastic model kit | Best for | Difficulty | Assembly / format | Price | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix QUICKBUILD Apache J6004 | a first push-together aircraft | First Build | Pre-coloured push-together kit | £16.75 | |
| Tamiya Porsche 911 GT2 24247 | a detailed road-car build | Intermediate | Traditional glue-and-paint kit | £23.98 | |
| Revell Type IX C/40 Platinum 05180 | an extensive submarine project | Expert | Platinum Edition submarine kit | £146.99 | |
| Airfix F-35B Starter Set A55010 | an accessible modern-aircraft project | Easy | Starter set · Glue and paint | £19.99 | |
| Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I 61119 | a detailed Battle of Britain aircraft | Challenging | Traditional glue-and-paint kit | £31.95 | |
| Airfix Lancaster B.III A08013A | a classic four-engine bomber | Challenging | Traditional bomber kit | £34.99 | |
| Revell James Bond DB5 07746 | a first film-car display | First Build | Click System · Pre-coloured parts | £19.57 | |
| Revell Surfer Boy VW T3 67725 | a characterful television vehicle | Intermediate | Television-vehicle model set | £42.34 | |
| Tamiya Tyrrell P34 20053 | an unusual Formula 1 subject | Challenging | Traditional Formula 1 kit | £22.50 | |
| Tamiya Honda RA272 20043 | a compact historic Grand Prix car | Challenging | Traditional Formula 1 kit | £30.15 | |
| Tamiya Lotus Type 79 20060 | a classic 1978 Formula 1 display | Challenging | Traditional Formula 1 kit | £42.95 | |
| Tamiya T-34/76 35059 | an approachable armour project | Intermediate | Traditional armour kit | £21.67 | |
| Revell Leopard 2A7A1 03360 | a detailed modern tank | Challenging | Traditional armour kit | £38.36 | |
| MENG A7V TS-017 | a distinctive First World War tank | Challenging | Traditional First World War kit | £65.99 | |
| Airfix HMS Ark Royal A04208V | a classic aircraft-carrier build | Challenging | Traditional aircraft-carrier kit | £20.32 | |
| Tamiya USS Missouri 31613 | a Second World War battleship | Challenging | Waterline battleship kit | £31.50 | |
| Revell Colombo Express 05152 | a colourful commercial-ship project | Challenging | Traditional container-ship kit | £46.99 | |
| Revell TIE Fighter 01217 | a straightforward Star Wars fighter | Easy | Click System spacecraft | £25.76 | |
| Revell Build & Play Millennium Falcon | a first Star Wars spacecraft | First Build | Push-together spacecraft kit | £25.98 | |
| Revell Razor Crest 06747 | a detailed Mandalorian spacecraft | Intermediate | Traditional spacecraft kit | £41.99 | |
| Bandai ENTRY GRADE Naruto Uzumaki | a first anime character build | First Build | Pre-coloured snap-fit figure | £19.14 | |
| Revell Grogu The Child 06783 | a larger character model | Intermediate | Plastic character kit | £32.95 | |
| Polar Lights Enterprise POL999 | a Star Trek display project | Easy | Plastic starship kit | £56.16 | |
| Airfix Artemis SLS Gift Set | a modern lunar-exploration rocket | Challenging | Rocket model gift set | £25.20 | |
| Tamiya Space Shuttle Atlantis 60402 | a classic orbiter display | Challenging | Traditional space-shuttle kit | £45.00 | |
| Revell Apollo 11 Saturn V 03704 | a large historic-spaceflight centrepiece | Expert | Large traditional rocket kit | £109.96 | |
| Dapol Rocket and Tender C046 | a lower-cost railway construction kit | Intermediate | Static locomotive construction kit | £11.55 | |
| Dapol Prairie Tank C062 | a detailed British steam-locomotive build | Challenging | Static locomotive construction kit | £16.55 | |
| Aoshima DD51 Standard Specification | an extensive railway display build | Expert | Large static locomotive kit | £246.01 | |
| ICM Japanese Pilots & Ground Personnel | a small figure-building project | Intermediate | Unpainted plastic figure kit | £15.99 | |
| Airfix RAF Bomber Re-supply A05330 | developing a wartime airfield scene | Intermediate | Airfield vehicles and equipment | £27.58 | |
| LEGO McLaren W1 77257 | a smaller brick-built supercar | Easy | Brick-building car set | £13.99 | |
| LEGO Ducati Desmo450 MX 42238 | a mechanical brick-built motorcycle | Intermediate | Technic motorcycle building set | £33.75 | |
| LEGO McLaren P1 42172 | an extensive Technic supercar | Expert | Large Technic supercar set | £283.99 | |
| Bandai Pokémon Miraidon Select Series 59 | an accessible Pokémon character | Easy | Pre-coloured snap-fit character | £27.34 | |
| Airfix RNLI Shannon Lifeboat A55015 | a first traditional rescue-boat build | Easy | Starter set · Glue and paint | £19.95 | |
| Airfix Land Rover Starter Bundle A55012 | a starter project around a classic vehicle | Easy | Starter bundle · Glue and paint | £47.89 | |
| Airfix QUICKBUILD F-22 J6005 | a first modern-fighter build | First Build | Pre-coloured push-together kit | £12.42 | |
| Airfix London Transport QUICKBUILD Bundle | a first two-vehicle collection | First Build | Push-together bus and taxi bundle | £32.73 | |
| Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I 60748 | a compact conventional aircraft kit | Easy | Traditional glue-and-paint kit | £13.95 | |
| Italeri Volvo FH4 XL 3940 | a substantial modern-truck build | Challenging | Traditional commercial-vehicle kit | £66.93 | |
| Revell Me 262 A-1a/U4 03749 | an unusual Expert aircraft variant | Expert | Detailed traditional aircraft kit | £40.79 | |
| Revell SR-71B Blackbird 03751 | a large Expert aircraft project | Expert | Large two-seat trainer kit | £76.51 | |
| Airfix Spitfire Flying Dray A17001A | a large Spitfire with unusual detail | Expert | Large traditional aircraft kit | £114.32 | |
| Revell Ford Mustang GT 07743 | a first modern-muscle-car display | First Build | Click System car kit | £27.14 | |
| Bandai Chopper Robot Tank | a smaller anime construction project | Easy | Pre-coloured snap-fit model | £9.99 | |
| Bandai Going Merry Grand Ship Collection | a recognisable One Piece ship | Easy | Snap-fit anime ship kit | £43.00 | |
| Italeri Ford Transit 3975 | a classic commercial-van build | Intermediate | Traditional commercial-vehicle kit | £29.99 | |
| Italeri Audi Quattro Rally 3642 | a classic rally-car project | Intermediate | Traditional rally-car kit | £29.99 |
Browse All Plastic Models and Kits
Explore plastic models by subject, assembly style, difficulty or favourite brand. The tabs follow the selections above; individual listings identify construction kits, brick builds and supplied-finished display models.
- All plastic models
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LEGO Technic Dodge Viper GTS-R Sports Car Model Kit with V10 Engine & Steering
MM-TP300012 British Infantry Tank MKIII 1:35 WWII Building Blocks Model Kit
LEGO Icons Transformers Soundwave Display Model Kit with Ravage & Laserbeak
Revell 04164 Spitfire Mk.V – 1:72 Scale Model
Plastic Model Kit FAQs
Which plastic model kits suit a beginner?
Start with a subject and assembly method you enjoy. Airfix QUICKBUILD and selected Revell Click System kits offer pre-coloured push-together construction. Airfix starter sets provide another route through traditional gluing and painting. Use the exact Model Steam rating when comparing.
Do all plastic model kits need glue and paint?
No. Many QUICKBUILD, Click System and Bandai snap-fit kits use pre-coloured components and mechanical connections. Conventional plastic kits commonly involve adhesive and painting. Follow the instructions for the exact product rather than assuming every kit from a brand uses the same method.
What comes in a plastic model starter set?
Airfix starter sets include the model and basic finishing supplies such as paints, adhesive and brushes. Other makers and retailer bundles can differ. Check the exact listing’s contents, tools and supplied colours before choosing.
Are plastic model kits for adults always complex?
Adult builders can enjoy a straightforward kit as well as an extensive Expert project. Choose by subject, assembly method and the amount of detail you want to complete. Our difficulty rating describes construction, while manufacturer age guidance is considered separately.
Which scale should I choose?
Match the finished dimensions and level of detail to your display space. Popular options include 1:72 and 1:48 aircraft, 1:24 cars, 1:35 armour and smaller ship scales. The same ratio can produce very different model sizes across subjects.
Are LEGO and other brick kits made of plastic?
Yes. Brick-building sets are part of the wider plastic range, with reusable connections and different building techniques from a conventional glued kit. The Brick building selection and filter help you explore that experience separately.
Are the plastic train models ready to run?
The recommended Dapol and Aoshima train models are static construction kits. They are built and finished for display. Powered model-railway locomotives are a separate format; check each wider catalogue listing’s supplied construction and operating details.
Where do I buy the models shown here?
Model Steam helps you compare listed retailer offers. Buy Now opens the matching stored offer for that kit or edition. The retailer confirms current price, stock, delivery and included contents before purchase.
Explore related models and guides
Follow a favourite construction method, explore model-building gifts or compare another material.