THE JOURNEY OF AN AIRPLANE MODEL begins in the “Replica Rare” factory with manufacturing facilities in the Philippines we offer custom made and standard “off the shelf” wooden and solid cast resin model aircraft, plaques and aircraft tail shields or fins. Unlike our competitors Replica Rare run their business direct from the factory source and not through third party companies or regional trading offices. The quality of your model is assured from day one of manufacture.
STAGE 1 : Moulding / Carving
Skilled carvers using mainly hand tools carve and meticulously form and shape the model. This is a specialist process requiring many years of experience and with a very careful eye for detail. The wood used is kiln dried Philippine Mahogany (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) from renewable sources and is not on the endangered list as are many other woods such as Philippine Teak (Tectona Philippinensis) or Narra (Pterocarpus Indicus / Red Sandalwood Tree). The carvers work from actual aircraft drawing ensuring that the final carved body is an exact scale replica of the original aircraft. We can, as mentoined above. also offer solid cast resin models.
STAGE 2 : Puttying / Primer Stages
Once the model has been carved and to make sure that wood is perfectly flat and with no discrepancies, several coats of acrylic putty are applied to create a very smooth, flawless finish prior to the next primer spray coating which is formulated to ensure that the paint required for the artistry stage is able to make a perfect bond to the primer layer. Detailed painting then begins using durable, long lasting and UV resistant acrylic automotive type paint.
STAGE 3 : Artwork
Colour schemes are applied by hand and air brush and carefully follow the details or pictures supplied. To ensure the best colour match to the actual aircraft we are modelling we normally use a Pantone color reference which is provided by the customer or the original aircraft manufacturer. The paint is a high quality acrylic type which enables us to give a very high quality custom finish that you would associate with that of a plane or even an automobile in a showroom environment.
After carefully painting the aircraft body and wings the artist then delicately paints the intricate and fine detail of the aircraft in the areas of the flight control surfaces, doors, windows, cargo hatches, engine cowlings, undercarriage and very importantly the very prominent “tail fin” or empennage of the aircraft. No detail is spared, even the inside of the engine cowlings are carefully finished and are complemented by authentic looking, in the case of jet engines, fan blades. Even propellers are also carved out of solid wood and paint finished by our artists. Finally we email our customers and ask for their approval of images of the model so that any last minute changes or rectifications can be performed prior to shipping. After the customers final approval a totally clear acrylic lacquer is applied as the final top coat finish in order to provide a clear, hard, durable, protective surface that will last for the many years of the models life. The top coat can be applied in matte, semi matte or gloss finishes.
STAGE 4 : Quality Assurance & Packaging
Throughout the process and on completion your model is carefully checked, by our Quality Assurance specialists to ensure the model is finished to the specifications given and in the highest of quality. Shipping is by FedEx, UPS or DHL International Express courier service and is insured for delivery normally within 3-4 days business days.
Quality Assurance covers all activities from design, development, production, and shipping. This includes the controlled regulation of the quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components; services related to production; and management, production, and inspection processes.
The model airplanes that are being produced are properly enclosed in strong and impact resistant boxes (with foam inserts) and are protected from damage caused by physical force, rain, heat, sunlight, cold, pressure, airborne contamination, and automated handling devices.