When stocking model airplanes and rockets, know the skill level of your customers

Kits for toy rockets and planes come in many skill levels depending on the experience and assembly skills of your target customer. The very basic might be wooden toy airplanes for small children, although some wooden toy aircraft kits using balsa wood which can require expertise. Then there are RTF (Ready-To-Fly) planes which come already assembled and are ready to go, right out of the box. ARF (Almost-Ready-To-Fly) require some assembly as well as some radio control equipment, and are generally good for children or beginners. Most of these models are relatively inexpensive. More mature hobbyists with a higher degree of knowledge and increased skill levels will want more challenging projects, so be sure to offer them higher end, more expensive, build-it-yourself kits. These customers usually know what they want and have the spending money necessary to maintain such a hobby.

I recommend: Check out Wholesale Trains and China Topwin Industry Co. for wholesale toy airplanes at different skill levels. For model rockets, visit Scale Rockets and Apogee Rockets.

Stock electric trainer toy planes and fuel powered or radio controlled toy rockets

The electric trainer radio controlled airplanes are easier to use and suitable for the beginner or intermediate level hobbyist. Additionally, they are easier to assemble and prepare for use, safer for children, and offer a more varied product line. To cater to the more advanced customer, offer fuel, or glow power, kits. These require more skill and are more expensive. Because it can cost upwards of $200 to $300 to replace parts for the fuel models, they are typically recommended for the experienced model rocket and airplane enthusiast.

I recommend: For radio control toy planes, visit Tower Hobbies and Hobby Lobby. For electric trainers, visit RC Airplane World.

Don't overlook model airplane accessories

To increase your sales, stock a variety of model accessories. There is plethora of accessories involved in the model airplane business in addition to the model airplanes and rockets themselves. Start off with an array of tools and utensils for building the models. For the more advanced models stock up on supply control lines, latches, hinges, screws, weights, floats, wing struts, propellers, landing gear, etc. For electrical flight models have supply wires, batteries, chargers and motors. As many hobbyists know, one of the most enjoyable aspects of modeling is the painting. So be sure to carry paints, acrylics and enamels, varnish, bright primary colors and specialty military and aircraft colors. And lastly, don't forget logos, stickers and decals. Also, consider selling magazines, books and videos, on toy aircraft collectibles and How-To instructions.

I recommend: For model aircraft accessories check out Sig Manufacturing Co. Also, Oak Ridge Hobbies offers a wide selection of model paints.