Hello folks,

I am originally from India but have been living in the US for a while. I have a favor to ask of you. I am a huge model plane collector. Not the RC variety but desktop models. These models are made in wood, covered with Epoxy putty and painted in great detail.

For some reason, most of these model builders are in the Philippines. See 2 links below as samples.

http://www.philcrafter.com/

http://www.planearts.com/

I am wondering if there are any custom aircraft model builders in the towns you know. I would like to try them out. Any thoughts comments you have would be great!

In general this is not restricted to planes but model boats/ships too. These are huge in the US and most of these sellers in the Philippines worrk primarily to server the US market. Is there any place like this in India

Thanks!
Ram

You seem to be at the right place  

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-people/to-find-some-veterans/

http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/a-model-aircraft-maker-from-kerala/

http://www.rcindia.org/boats-kites-trains-and-all-others/master-boat-modeller-from-odisha-orissa/

http://www.rcindia.org/boats-kites-trains-and-all-others/scratch-build-atlas-van-lines-boat/

http://www.rcindia.org/boats-kites-trains-and-all-others/mistral-motor-yacht/

There are others, just search for "static models".

Here is one more :

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-people/jarnel-singh-another-great-static-modeler/

There is a lot of hidden (and unappreciated) talent in India along these lines, it would be great if you can help market their wares outside !

Anwar,

This is fantastic! Comapred to the wood models in Philippine forums these are top notch. It is a pity that such talent is not recognized.

The Philippine modelers make a kiing of several thousand rupees for simple models :-( while such talent is not recognized.

I am part of a hobby club here which are around 70-80 memebers and we order a sizable amout of static models. Is there any way I could contact these people. I see that some of them are already in these forums. Will try to contact them and keep you folks updated.

If you have contact details of such folks please send it my way. Will atleast try to get them hooked to my club so that they can expand here in the US where there is a huge market for this!

Both Roopesh and Maharana are forum members, I don't have contact details of Jarnel Singh.

All of RC India would be keen to know about the progress of this thread.  I knew that there were some people who liked static models, never knew its economics !

Absolutely, I tried to see their email but its hidden. Will try to contact them both.

The economics is staggering. Let me give you some statistics.

there are 40+ factories in the Philippines that produce these static models.

Each factory employs anywhere between 20-100 artists, engravers, packers etc.

90% of the models are for the US market only.

Each factory sells atleast 500 planes a month. A plane on average is $ 50.

Please do the math!

India has so many talented craftsman but they remain local unfortunately!

Let me see if I can do my small bit here. Will keep the forum posted on how things go.

Any other recommedations people have would be greatly appreciated!

You can send them personal messages.  Incoming PMs will be notified to them via emails.

Hi Anwar,

I was able to get some orders and have PM'ed both of them. Will see if they repsond favorably.

Thanks
Ram

Jarnel Singh's contact info posted here : 

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-people/jarnel-singh-another-great-static-modeler/msg40227/#msg40227