There are plenty of places to buy aircraft models, so we let our customers do the talking. Aircraft Model Store has collected more than 5,500 verified reviews through Judge.me, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Reading through them, a few models and themes come up again and again. Here is what real collectors say, in their own words.
The Beluga XL: the model that starts collections
Airbus's whale-faced super transporter is one of the most charismatic aircraft flying today, and it converts casual admirers into collectors. One customer, Laura, wrote after receiving her Herpa 1/200 Beluga XL: "I have to say the quality for the price is outstanding... Absolutely love having it displayed and it's much bigger than I imagined once all put together. Definitely the start of a beautiful hobby!"
NG Models Beluga XL F-GXLH in 1/400 scale
That last line is one we hear a lot. If you want the Beluga in the popular collector scale, the NG Models Beluga XL F-GXLH in 1/400 is a diecast favourite, and other airframes in the XL fleet are available if you fancy collecting the full set of whales.
"Identical, but just smaller": the realism test
The highest compliment a diecast model can get is comparison with the real thing. Harry, who bought the GeminiJets TUI Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8, went and checked: "Model looks great, even compared it to the EXACT aircraft at my local airport and it looks identical but just smaller. Overall great product, will buy again."
GeminiJets TUI Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8, 1/400 scale
Modern 1/400 models have reached a level of livery printing and detail that was unthinkable a decade ago, and UK airline subjects like TUI, Jet2 and British Airways are consistently among our most reviewed models.
Models with a story
Many of our best-loved models are pieces of aviation history. A reviewer of the GeminiJets Pan Am Boeing 727 with its polished bare-metal belly wrote: "Wow. It is wonderful, the wings to the front to the polished belly, it gives the 90s vibes. I think it nailed the engines. Definitely recommend." Another collector, Stephen, with over 100 models in his collection, called his Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 TriStar "up there with one of my better models".
Classic liveries sell out quickly because production runs are limited. If a retro subject catches your eye, it is rarely a model to think about for six months.
First models and unexpected occasions
Not every review comes from a seasoned collector. Jonathan bought his first model, an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, after watching the real aircraft land live on a streaming channel: "I saw it land live on Big Jet TV. I needed one!" And one of our favourite reviews of all time came from Richard, who bought a Jet2 Boeing 737 toy model with a plan: "It's going on our wedding cake at the end of the month."
Aircraft models make brilliant gifts precisely because they connect to memories: a first flight, a honeymoon airline, a career in the sky. If you are buying for someone else, our gift picks are a good place to start.
Beyond the models: why service gets mentioned so often
A surprising number of our five-star reviews are not about the models at all. Stephen, a repeat customer, put it simply: "Bought three great models within the last month. All delivered at great speed, packed well. Great service." Every model we ship is packed by people who collect models themselves and know exactly what a crushed corner does to a collector's day.
Frequently asked questions
Are the reviews on Aircraft Model Store genuine?
Yes. Reviews are collected and verified independently through Judge.me, which invites customers to review only after a real purchase. You can browse all 5,500+ reviews, including customer photos, on our product pages.
Which aircraft model brands do customers rate highest?
GeminiJets, NG Models, Herpa and Phoenix all feature heavily in our five-star reviews. We are an official retailer of each, so every model is a genuine licensed product.
What is a good first aircraft model?
Something you have a connection with: an airline you have flown, or an aircraft you have watched. Popular first models include the Beluga XL and UK holiday airlines in 1/400 scale.
Explore our full range of aircraft scale models and see the reviews for yourself. With a 4.8 star average across 5,500+ verified reviews, the collection speaks for itself.