Welcome to the world of model airplanes. When most people think of model airplanes, they envision a nice tidy box with pieces to be put together like a puzzle, the final product being a cute little plane to set on a shelf to be admired but not touched. While this certainly describes one type of model airplane, it’s another category altogether that we’ll focus on in this book. We’ll discuss something that’s more a passion than just a simple hobby. The type of model airplanes in which we’re interested can have wingspans of up to 20 feet, can reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour, and can travel as far as the eye can see. These are serious planes for serious hobbyist. The great thing about model airplanes is that there is something for everyone. You can choose a simple plane, perfect for a child or novice flyer, or build one from the ground up and get involved in some serious competition. Prices for model planes vary from $30 for an off- the-shelf model to thousands of dollars for a one-of-a-kind creation. People of all ages can enjoy this exciting hobby. If you’re looking for something new and different, something exciting and fun, then model airplanes could very well be the answer. As you’ll discover in this book, there are hundreds upon hundreds of incredible models from which to choose, each with unique characteristics.