Academy Plastic Model

Academy Plastic Model Co., Ltd. (hangul:아카데미과학주식회사) is a Korean plastic model, chemical, and toy company. It is headquartered in Suyu-dong Gangbuk-gu Seoul, Korea and was established on September 1, 1969^[1]. It holds three headquarters in Seoul, Korea; Gelsenkirchen, Germany; and Rosario, Cavite, Philippines^[1]. Academy has developed and supplies over 500 products to more than 60 countries worldwide, and, since 1989, Academy has won several Modell des Jahres awards for its high quality products^[2]. Academy manufacturers plastic model kits, radio controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat models, acrylic and enamel model paints, airsoft guns, and various modelling tools and supplies. The company has gained a reputation among hobbyists of producing models of outstanding quality and accurate scale detail.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

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Product Lines

Aircraft model kits

Academy produces predominantly aircraft model kits in the 1:72 and 1:48 scales.

Military Miniatures (1/35 scale)

The oldest category in Academy's export line has been the "Military Miniatures" series of 1:35 scale figures and vehicles. The series has focussed on World War II military subjects though a growing minority of kits in this line come from later periods. The products are characterized by striking full colour paintings on the boxtops, though instructions are generally brief and sometimes poorly translated from the original Korean. Academy molds are generally very clean and almost no flashing is found on their products.

In terms of quality, Academy armor model kits have been reviewed less favorably than competitors such as Tamiya or DML, with many of their kits having accuracy issues. Their recent M3 Lee tank model was criticized in reviews for having incorrect shapes and too-tall suspension units. Their M3 Stuart series were criticized for inaccurate interiors, although Academy offers the only Stuart kits on the market with any interior detail at all.

Radio-controlled trucks and trailers (1/14 scale)

Academy also produces 1/14 scale radio controlled trucks using ABS body shells instead of the alloy and sheet metal that competitor Wedico uses on its 1/16 scale truck line.

The worldwide division/importer also released a semi-low loader trailer in this scale.

Radio-controlled tanks (1/16 scale)

Academy's radio controlled tanks have options such as sound, light and optional parts to depict different variants.

The Leopard A4 and Flakpanzer Gepard are no longer produced; updated versions of the others have some technical and cosmetic innovations over the original models. The latest models have full sound function, fire simulation (barrel moves when fired), and even a barrel stabiliser. Also there is a battle function unit for sale, so you can actually fight a tank battle with other similar equipped tanks from Academy. Don't mistake these tanks with "cheap" tanks from brands like Heng Long or similar, but as the Chinese brands improve there looks more and more toy versions are being rebuild and upgraded as full option "tamiya alike" tank.

Radio Controlled Racing Cars

There is also a small lineup of 1/10 scale radio controlled racing cars, such as

• SB-Sport (4wd electric buggy)
• SB-V2 (4wd electric buggy)
• SB-V2 Pro (4wd competition electric buggy)
• Wyvern (4wd electric buggy, entry level)
• Griffin (2wd electric buggy, entry level)
• STR-4 (touring car)

and various other rather toy grade vehicles.

Track racing cars

• The Mini 4WD series, which are small, single-motor, free-operating electric models designed to run in competition on a special, deeply channeled track.

Static-display scale models

Static-display scale models include the following:

• Cars
• Ships, such as the Titanic
• Miniature figures
• Airplanes

Airsoft guns

• Academy makes Airsoft guns. Airsoft guns are low powered replica weapons that shoot 6mm plastic BBs at moderate velocities.

• In 1992, they made the first "clone" AEG, or automatic electric gun. They copied the Marui Famas gearbox, and made the Academy L85. This gun used to have no hop-up (until very recently when one with a fixed hop-up was made), and due to Korean laws on airsoft gun power, the gun's velocity is 200fps with .2 gram BBs. It is upgradable just like the Marui Famas, and is considered a very skirmishable gun once upgraded.

• Academy also makes many other AEGs. They make an XM177, MP5 series, and recently have made an M16A1 (VN style), and an M4. Also, they recently came out with a DPMS "kitty kat" gun, this gun performs in the same way as a Marui boys gun.

• Their springer line is quite popular. Cybergun currently imports the XM177 and other M16 variants under the DPMS A15 line. They come preupgraded from the factory presumably, as Korean airsoft power laws say that all guns must be under 200fps with .12s (it isn't strictly enforced). Their XM177 and probably many of their other guns are copies of Tokyo Marui. Their M4 and Kitty Kat springers are based on their AEG M4s, and can take a V2 gearbox with very little modification.

• Academy makes a few airsoft kits, which you assemble yourself. They make an Uzi, a few M16 variants, including an M16A1 with M203. They also make S&W M29 revolver kits. None of these kit guns are good skirmish guns, but they are good "wallhangers."

• Academy airsoft guns, and presumably their model kits are also made in the Philippines. In the past (and recently to an extent) airsoft was basically illegal there. However, guns apparently leak from the Academy plant there and are sold at places where airsoft is sold. Many of the Academy airsoft guns imported by Cybergun were made in the Philippines.

Competitors

• Tamiya Corporation
• Tokyo Marui
• Dragon Models Limited

See also

• Mini 4WD
• Model car

Refreneces