A question we sometimes get is: “Why don’t you keep models of every aircraft type, in every airline livery, in every scale and ready to ship?”.  Because the very thing that makes a handmade wood model special is also what makes “one-of-everything” inventory impossible and there follows an explanation of why we have this special Category dedicated to models that we can make from the images shown of the real aircraft.  If you don’t find the exact version you require please just email or message us and we will let you have a quote.

 

Why we can’t stock everything (and why that’s a good thing)

1) The number of possible combinations is practically endless

Even before you talk about paint schemes, there are thousands of aircraft types and sub-variants (different engines, antennas, doors, winglets, radomes, cargo vs passenger layouts, military mods, etc.). Then multiply that by:

• hundreds (often thousands) of airline liveries across decades
• special schemes, anniversary paint, one-off promotional aircraft
• multiple scales and sizes (and stand types, base plaques, gear up/down, etc.)

If we tried to keep “everything” in stock, we’d need a warehouse the size of an airport—and prices would skyrocket to cover the waste.

2) Handmade production isn’t mass production

A handcrafted wooden model isn’t stamped out by a machine that can switch from one airline to another in minutes. Each model requires skilled human time:

• shaping, sanding, fitting, and finishing
• priming, painting, masking, detailing
• quality checks and safe packing

When you’re buying handmade, you’re buying craftsmanship hours—not factory throughput.

3) Accuracy changes by customer, aircraft, and era

Collectors and aviation buyers don’t all want the “generic” version. They want their version:

• a specific registration number
• a specific year’s livery (logos and fonts change over time)
• correct engine type, wingtip configuration, door layout, antenna fit
• sometimes a specific aircraft from a fleet or a personal memory

That level of correctness is hard to do if we build huge generic inventory. We’d rather build the right model than a “close enough” one.

4) Inventory risk is high for niche items

Factory-made products survive by making huge runs of the same thing. Handmade manufacturers serve a different market: enthusiasts, collectors, corporate gifts, and aviation professionals—often looking for something specific.

Stocking dozens of rare aircraft/livery/scale combinations that may only sell once every few years ties up materials, labor, and storage—resources better spent building what customers actually want.

5) Not every livery is available to produce at any moment

Some liveries require extra research, custom masking, specialized decals, approvals, or licensing permissions depending on the brand and usage. That can affect what can be produced quickly, what needs lead time, and what must be done as a commissioned build.

So why are handmade model makers important?

Because we do what mass manufacturing can’t:

• We keep rare aircraft and forgotten liveries alive — the models that factories will never risk producing.
• We offer true customization — scale, size, configuration, registration, base plaque, and customer-specific details.
• We prioritize craftsmanship and longevity — real wood, careful finishing, and collector-grade presentation.
• We serve aviation stories, not just products — retirements, first flights, squadron heritage, corporate fleets, special commemorations, and personal milestones.

The simplest way to put it:-

Mass production is about volume and sameness.  Handmade wooden modelling is about choice, accuracy, and meaning.

That’s why we can’t—and shouldn’t—stock “every plane ever made” in “every livery” in “every scale.” Instead, we exist to create the one you actually want, done properly.