Are you an aviation enthusiast or looking for an interesting model for your collection? Or maybe you want to 3D print a remote controlled airplane? In any case this article is for you!
- Types and Criteria of Model Airplanes
- Model airplane on a 3D printer
- Solid Models
- One-piece B-17 in 1/700 scale
- JAS 39 Gripen solid model
- FA-18 Super Hornet solid model
- Solid model Horten Ho 229
- Curtiss P40 Warhawk solid model
- Multi-part models
- Spirit Of St. Louis
- Spitfire XIV
- Messerschmitt BF-109 in 1/56 scale
- Airbus A400M
- Fairchild 22
- Radio-controlled airplanes
- GASB 2 Fan Jet
- Sopwith Camel
- Northern Pike
- Modular Glider
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII
Types and Criteria of Model Airplanes
Properly made model airplanes are stunning layouts with a high level of detail. Looking at these tiny figurines, it may seem like someone just reduced a real airplane to a miniature size. But the process of assembling a model can take weeks or even months, and quality assembly kits are a rarity.
The solution? Print your own models on a 3D printer! It’s cheap and relatively fast. You can also make as many model parts as you want to make it easier or harder to assemble.
And what if model collecting is not your thing and you’ve always wanted a radio-controlled airplane? We have some of the best models on our list that have great ergonomics for flying!
Model airplane on a 3D printer
So, we present the selection criteria in our list.
The main criteria were complexity and number of parts. In the case of remote-controlled airplanes, the complexity of assembly was also taken into account. The second criterion was complexity of printing. This criterion allowed us to take into account the need for support placement, the resolution required and the need for post-processing of the printed parts.
We guarantee that all the models on this list can be printed on an FDM printer.
We have made it easy to navigate so that you can easily and quickly find the right 3D model:
- Whole models (consisting of 1-2 parts);
- Models with many parts to assemble;
- Aircraft with radio control.
In each section you can find 5 excellent models to print.
Solid Models
One-piece B-17 in 1/700 scale
The model created for 3D printing and micromodeling is very tiny. In fact, it is so small that it is recommended that you print 3 or more models at a time so that the plastic has time to cool. It takes about 45 minutes to print a batch of 3, so you can easily create an entire air unit to defeat your enemies!
Detail: low
Printing difficulty: medium, you need to print several models at a time
Post-processing: Minimal
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Benjamin L.
JAS 39 Gripen solid model
Although the model is not perfect, it has a smooth surface and excellent aerodynamics. The abundance of fine detail does not affect the print quality, but the JAS 39 Gripen requires a printer with a high resolution of 0.15mm or less. If you are looking for a good model to evaluate the capabilities of your 3D printer – the Swedish fighter jet is the best fit.
Detail: medium
Print complexity: high/medium, requires fine tuning of printer
Postprocessing: Necessary
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Simon W.
FA-18 Super Hornet solid model
If the Gripen turned out to be too difficult for your printer, don’t worry – we have another fighter jet on our list. This wonderfully modeled FA-18 is sure to turn out on your printer. Although it is actually in 2 parts along with the stand, we have included it in this category.
Detail: medium
Print complexity: low
Post-processing: minimal, gluing required
Where to find it: Thingiverse
Author: Marc Venendahl
Solid model Horten Ho 229
The futuristic wide wings of this concept aircraft will amaze your imagination. The model can be hung from the ceiling or placed on a shelf. Technically this model is in 2 parts, but it takes very little time to assemble.
The detailing is low
Print complexity: low
Post-processing: Minimal, gluing required
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Baranger Emmanuel, print adaptation by Maxime Sachs
Curtiss P40 Warhawk solid model
For fans of World War II classics we present the Curtiss P40 Warhawk. The model is perfectly detailed, but the creator intentionally reduced the amount of printed detail to emphasize the beautiful curves. The plane can be painted or left monochrome – either way it will attract attention.
Detail: low
Print complexity: medium, supports required
Postprocessing: Medium difficulty
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Cyril Bertinsham
Multi-part models
Spirit Of St. Louis
The Lucky Lindy Wonder, a pre-World War II classic that made its first solo transatlantic flight in 1927, can now be added to your collection. This multi-piece model is joined without glue, which speeds up the modeling process. You will need a 3D printer with a platform of at least 150x150mm for this airplane, as all parts are in one file.
Detail: medium/high
Print complexity: medium/low
Postprocessing: medium complexity, assembly required
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Rick Fichthorn
Spitfire XIV
Another WWII classic. This Spitfire has some amazing details that turn out really nice. The ability to add extras in the form of a propeller and an extra stand allows you to diversify the original model.
Detail: high
Print complexity: low
Post-processing: complex, requires gluing and fitting parts
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Adam Garratt
Messerschmitt BF-109 in 1/56 scale
The famous German aircraft was designed with war games in mind. Combined with a good paint job, this model will be a great addition to the Luftwaffe of any board history game.
Detail: high
Printing complexity: medium
Post-processing: medium difficulty, gluing required
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Colo33
Airbus A400M
Popular in the early scenes of Mission Impossible: Outcast Nation, the A400M is a huge military transport plane with distinctive twin-turboprop engines. This highly detailed model is small in size. Although the plane is awkward to assemble, it has some great features, such as rotating propellers.
Detail: high
Print complexity: high, need fine adjustments
Postprocessing: complex, requires gluing and sanding
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: ads365
Fairchild 22
Another prewar aircraft. This Fairchild 22 model is great for those who like traditional modeling. You will need to print out a large number of parts, which takes little time. But then you have to work hard gluing it all together.
Detail: medium
Print complexity: low
Post-processing: complex, you need gluing and assembling
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: multirap
Radio-controlled airplanes
GASB 2 Fan Jet
This model, one of the few to be printed on a 3D printer, has a unique appearance and excellent aerodynamics. The plane will not be able to perform complex stunts, but its launching and flying can be just as much fun!
Difficulty of assembly: low
Print complexity: low
Post-processing: medium difficulty
Where to buy: Thingiverse
Author: Carlo Colombari
Sopwith Camel
If you are looking for a biplane, this model is definitely for you. This massive Sopwith Camel is printed in multiple runs and requires a lot of filament.
Difficulty of assembly: medium
Print complexity: medium, requires a lot of time and material
Postprocessing: medium difficulty
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Cor Winkler
Northern Pike
This nearly one-meter-long plane looks weird, but its appearance is deceptive. This model, dubbed the Northern Pike, flies great and easily attracts attention. Do you like anything extravagant? Then this airplane is for you!
Difficulty of assembly: medium
Print complexity: medium/high, many adjustments required
Post-processing: Minimal/medium complexity
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: local villain
Modular Glider
A glider with a unique sleek design can easily soar above the ground. With a wingspan of 120 cm it is quite a large aircraft. The model has some special parts for adjustment. The great thing about this model is that it can be printed on almost any FDM printer!
Difficulty of assembly: medium/high, there are non-standard mechanisms
Print complexity: medium/low, some adjustments needed
Postprocessing: minimal/medium complexity
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Walt
Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII
If the static model does not satisfy you, we found a better one! This Spitfire can fly and looks pretty impressive. The model description mentions that this is a heavy version, so you may need to do some additional machining or modifications to this aircraft.
Difficulty of assembly: high
Print complexity: medium
Post-processing: complex, requires sanding to reduce weight
Where to find: Thingiverse
Author: Rikesh Dhirajlal