Advice on displaying 1/18th scale pre-painted A/C models

One way to display large airplane models is hanging them from the ceiling.  A pin will not do- mounting can be a challenge. If there is a ceiling light fixture, the fixture could be reworked to add a mounting point for securing thread or fishing line.

 

If they are bombers or big twin fighters, I agree with Don, hanging them is the most practical.  The weight will determine location in relation to ceiling joists.

If single engine fighters, and you have the space, some kind of enclosed cabinet would be the ticket to display and help with the dust issue.

Has anyone tried hanging a model flat on a wall. 

Yes, Toshi has displayed several of his builds that way, along with some others here.

 

Not a bad idea, can build some frame boxes (the same for continuity), mount the models in them, and hang as you would a picture.  Then you can move them around as the mood suits.

Yeah, I've got a couple of 21st Century's 1/18 airplanes.  They were pretty nice, actually.  Some modelers did some superdetailing on them, to hide the seams between parts, or weather them.  I thought that when they were still in production, they presented a good opportunity to get a kid interested in the hobby.  Because they were relatively cheap, you could buy one, give it to your kid, and let him play with it.  If he breaks it, it's not that big a deal.  That's what creates the best memories and the interest that might lead to building other models.

Anyway, to displaying them, yes, hanging them is probably the best way, unless you have a large enough flat area to display the aircraft parked.  Strong anchors are a must, given the weight of the model.  I've used anchor bolts inserted into the ceiling drywall, and also, small screw hooks, screwed into overhead ceiling joists.  Strong fishing line works to suspend the model from the hook.

Hope that helps!

Best regards,

Brad

I have hung all my 1/24 fighters on the wall, nose down. Those picture hooks are rated to hold about 8 lbs, just a big paperclip bent around the tailwheel, and slip the other end over the picture hook. These are only a nail angled in to the drywall but seems to be holding fine after a month. I was worried the tail wheel might be the weak link but all good so far.

Thanks all for the replies and ideas!

My 24 scale Mosquito has been hanging on a wall for 6-7 years with no problems. Only difference is that instead of hooking the over-sized paper clip around the tail wheel strut, I angled one end of the clip into the recess of the rear gear bay, so that the clip is secured to the fuselage rather than the strut.

A fellow teacher friend of mine has his 1/18th, P-38 hanging using two ceiling hooks and heavy fishing mono from the suspended ceiling in his classroom. It looks really neat and has been there for 10yrs with no problems. It just requires an annual dusting.