"Model manufacturers for a mobile " Topic

Our daughter is expecting her first child in July (our fourth grandchild) and she has asked me to make a mobile of airplanes for the crib. The intent is that the mobile will only be in place until the baby is able to maneuver on his own. I am looking for manufacturers of inexpensive small models of aircraft. I like the size of the Wings of War series but not the price. Can you folks be so kind as to recommend possible model airplane manufacturers that may be suitable.

Any advice or suggestion is appreciated.

I've never had an infant so take this for what it's worth – but Matchbox makes a line of toy planes called Skybusters that are relatively inexpensive and can be found at Target or Walmart. They're sturdy.

How about this:

link

You could put multiples on each arm with multiple arms.

DM

You can find cheap planes in toy stores but they are often die cast so relatively heavy. So long as your mobile structure is sturdy enough should be no problem.

Zvezda makes some very inexpensive model kits. Around $5 USD and "snap fit" so low number of parts.

Take a look at Squadron.com and loot at smaller scales 1/144 or 1/200

Make doubly – tripley – sure if something breaks, it can't be swallowed. I'm sure you know exactly what you are doing, but it sounds a bit scary to me.

How about the Disney 'Planes' models? They can be found reasonably inexpensively on eBay from China, they're in bright colours, fun faces, about the right size/weight. And then they're handy toys for later on…

My parents have a few strung up from the ceiling in their spare room and my 2yo kids love them.

While it sounds neat in theory, in practice it could be dangerous, so I recommend against this.

Sharp, pointy noses, wing tips, and rudders can wreak havoc on a small child, should it break.

Not worth taking a chance with that, poking out an eye, cutting the child with a wingtip, swallowing small parts, etc., etc..

Okay, just to clarify: this mobile is to be in place during the short time period the child is unable to sit up, crawl around, etc. He will not be able to reach it, etc. I really do appreciate the concern but we will be applying some common sense to the project. This is to be designed as a deceptive pice that will hang well above the crib.

Thanks for the suggestions so far,

A few pics from the internet:
link

Revell a couple of years ago re-released a load of 1/144 aircraft models cheap. Also have a look at their mini-kits.

You also have the Axis and allies Miniatures game Angels 20 which has cast plastic 1/100 aircraft, some might be about cheap.

Also Search for Gashapon

They are Japanese capsule toys. Many themes available. Some, like F-Toys tend not to have the same term applied to them, but those are part built kits.

They tend to be released in limited collectable runs, you are not sure which of the set you have until you open the box. When they are released, affordable and often covering interesting subjects, give it 12 months and prices rise. 24 months after release, the prices get ludicrous.

They are getting difficult/expensive to find, but Furuta Choco Egg aircraft sound like they might fit the bill, pre painted snap together (though you may want to use glue for some bits). Scales vary (it is a capsule toy inside a chocolate egg, just like a kinder egg, so the full package is banned in the USA, but several people import them), solid injection plastic.

When they were affordable I bought loads as I game in 10/12mm. So I have a good number of Hueys, cold war Jets, some WW2 aircraft, and lots of interwar biplanes in my collection (at one time they were the only 1/144 ish Curtise Hawks out there, then Shapeways came about).