Glossary

Sprue from a model kit cut into small pieces and dissolved in liquid model cement. Used as a filler.

Thin, self-adhesive foil used to simulate metal finishes, including chrome, aluminum, and brass. Can also be used to mask parts, particularly canopies and other clear parts.

Decal-setting solution that helps decals conform to a model’s surface. Applied before the decal is added.

Decal-setting solution that helps decals conform to a model’s surface. Applied after the decal is added.

Two-part epoxy resin putty; can be sculpted or used to fill large gaps.

A high-speed, low-torque, hand-held electric motor that drives a screw-chuck or collet that holds a variety of small saw or cutting blades, grinding wheels, and drill bits. It generally runs from 1,000 to 20,000 rpm.

A model (or kit) with parts made from different materials (plastic, resin, metal, etc.)

Unpainted metal, often the highly polished skin of aluminum aircraft. Specialized paints (such as Testors Metallizer, Alclad II, and SnJ) can be used.

Weight hidden inside the nose of aircraft models with tricycle landing gear to keep them from tipping backward onto their tails. Also called ballast.

“Out of the box,” meaning the kit is built with the parts supplied in the box with no aftermarket or scratchbuilt add-ons or changes.

A magnifier worn on the head to improve close-up vision.

Paint (from an airbrush or a spray can) that accidentally lands beyond (or over) its intended location.

A modeler’s collection of unused, leftover, or recycled kit parts.

Ground coloring matter compressed into chalklike sticks. Ground-up pastels are used to simulate weathering.

While this refers mostly to small folding tools, a photoetched-metal tool can be anything in a modeler’s arsenal dedicated to cutting, filing, annealing, folding, rolling, or doing something else unique to photoetched-metal parts.

Colored powder normally mixed with oil or water to produce paint. Can also be used singly as a weathering medium.

Impressions left in plastic by the pins that eject parts from a mold.

A handle with a tiny chuck designed to hold pin-size drill bits or scribing tools.

Targeted wash applied to specific areas of a model.

Panzerkampfwagen, German term for tank or armored fighting vehicle.

A fine-tooth miniature saw for delicate work.

An older, often unavailable kit that is put back into regular production. Also referred to as a re-release.

A technique to create a wash effect on raised panel lines by painting the lines the desired color, usually black or dark gray, then painting a protective clear coat. Once the final color coat is applied, the panel lines are lightly sanded, revealing the darker color underneath.

Humorous (usually) term for detail-obsessed modelers

Full-length, one-piece vinyl tracks. Ends are joined by applying heat, glue, or both. They are more common on older kits. Also known as loop tracks.