Where to get aircraft display stands?

Sir,

 Hello, and welcome!  there are others much more expereinced than I - as I got into this hobby within the last year, after a multi-decade break.  At that time, ALL AC came with clear in-flight type display stands, is that to what you refer?

 I have noticed in getting back in that some models do have them, but not ever one, and it appears from what I am seeing that many if not most that so-choose display thiers in-flight do so by using thin brass rod, acrylic tube up the tail pipe of a jet, or some other method, as opposed to the neat little stands that you & I are/were used to, many with "swoopy" designs that seem to suggest speed.  So I guess, you are regulated to making your own.  I do have another suggestion if doing that.  Keep checking the Hobby Lobby site - they often do a 40% off coupon.  When that is going on, go up and buy one of the clear acrylic display boxes.  you can use as-is for a dust free (and little-kid-finger-free) means to store it, or you can cut it up to make the type stand as described above.  If you use the coupon you should be able to get a large box of the type made to display a car for about $7 OTD, and you could easily have enough clear plastic on hand to make 4-6 display stands.

 

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I think it accurate

Hi, and welcome to the forums. Most kits today are made to be displayed gear down. If you wish to display yours in flight then you'll need to make your own base. The way I make mine is very simple. I build 1/48 scale planes so for a single engine one I use a 10 inch square {254mm} board that I drill a 3/8 inch hole about 3/4 the board's thickness to hold a piece of 3/8 inch diameter acrylic rod. I cut a 1/16 inch slot in the underside of the model far enough back so that it will lock in place like the older kits. I cut away part of the top of rod to form the hook that gets inserted into the model. When completed, I just slide the finished model over hooked tab and let gravity hold it in place. Hope this helps you.  Regards, Bill

Here's an old thread that might give you some ideas

/forums/1068914/ShowPost.aspx

 

Thanks guys, but Im not too confident about building my own display stands. So i found these rather cools ones from the AirFix website:

 http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/display-stands/

The hands are moveable and removeable. Looks quite plimsy though but i'll leave judgment to someone who has tried it.

 

Up until the early 1980s, Airfix used to include display stands with almost all their aircraft kits. These came in a range of sizes - the standard design was suitable for aircraft up to 1/72 Lancaster/ B-17 size, and there was a black stand for larger kits, up to 1/144 Boeing 747-size.

A few years ago, Airfix, in response to pressure from modellers, re-released these stands in packs of two, for IIRC, £1.99. Here's one of them supporting a heavily-modified matchbox 1/72 supermarine Walrus:

They were suitable for 1/72 models up to the size of a B-25 or a C-47, or most 1/48 single-engined WW2 fighters. Though no longer in production, you might sil be able to find them in LHSs with slow-moving stock. This same stand was also included in a limited edition version of their 1/72 Spitfire Ia, released in 2003 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Airfix Spitfire:

and which, again, it may still be possible to find in LHSs with slow-moving stock. This same stand is included in their 1/144 Boeing 314 Clipper kit which was re-released only a couple of years ago and which, though not currently in production, should not be too difficult to find.

That said, making your own stands isn't too difficult. I find that a plastic or wooden drinks coaster, with a piece of brass rod, bent to shape, and inserted ito a hole drilled in the model, works well for smallish models, such as this 1/72 Harrier:

or this 1/72 BAe. Hawk:

The materials for this kind of base are quite cheap, and wth a bit of practice, are easy to make and can be made to look rather good.

Cheers,

Chris.

PlasticAce wrote:

hi, im new to this forum, just joined today i know a lot of people built their model aircrafts with the landing gear and display it that way. but personally i prefer to not show the landing gear because an aircraft is supposed to be flying anyways, not sitting idle on the ground.  my question is, where can i find display stands if i choose to not use the wheels etc. i need some type of stand that is compact and needs minimal drilling etc to the model. preferable i can still remove the model and put it back in "airborne" position sorry if my question isn't clear, im not quite up to speed with the jargons :)

 

Ive got some copper tubing that I salvaged from where I work. It is 1/4" diameter and I plan on drilling into the bottom of the aircraft and attach it there then the other end into a simple base. I am working on a gear up Skyraider right now and will post when done