Est. 2021 · Modelau Graddfa Gymreig

Your scale model.
Commission built.

Aviation · Maritime · Automotive · Sci-Fi

A one-man workshop with over 150 commission builds for collectors across the UK and Ireland. A small number of commissions accepted each year — every one individually quoted.

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Imperial Star Destroyer scale model with 400 fibre optic lights, custom lit build
Special build·Imperial Star Destroyer·400 fibre optics·Lit throughout
150+Commission builds
1981A passion since
17Builds for one customer
1Pair of hands, start to finish

Welsh Scale Models is a one-man commission scale model workshop based in Powys, Mid Wales. Every commission scale model build is hand-crafted — aircraft, warships, armour, vehicles and sci-fi subjects, all scales — for collectors across the UK and Ireland.

Selected works

Full gallery →
Tornado GR1 scale model
Tornado GR1·1/48·Royal Air Force
Typhoon ZJ914 scale model
Typhoon ZJ914·1/48·Royal Air Force
F-4 Phantom Vietnam scale model
F-4 Phantom·1/48·USAF — Vietnam
USS Nimitz flight deck lit with LEDs, top-down view

Currently on the bench

USS Nimitz — CVN-68

A 1/350 carrier, over a metre long. Hangar deck lit throughout with LEDs, fibre-optic island, fully marked flight deck and a complete air group — built for a long-standing collector. She'll sit on a solid oak stand. Proper job.

Follow the build — diary →

Commissions

Tell me what it means to you.

Every build starts with a story — the aircraft your grandfather flew, the ship you served on, the car you wish you'd kept. Send me the subject and I'll take it from there.

Get a quote — WhatsApp How commissioning works

The Gallery

Previous commission builds. Hi-res images of every build and work in progress are on the Facebook page.

Builds 01–20 Builds 41–60 Vehicles
Builds 41–60 →
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More Builds

Builds 41–60.

Builds 01–20 Builds 41–60 Vehicles
← Builds 01–20 Vehicles →
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More Builds

Vehicles — all 1/24 scale.

Builds 01–20 Builds 41–60 Vehicles
← Builds 41–60
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Showcase

Three builds. Three stories. Built right here in Mid Wales.

Imperial Star Destroyer — lit build with fibre optics
Special Build

Imperial Star Destroyer400 Fibre Optics — Custom Lit Build

This one wasn't a commission. It was a challenge — and a labour of love.

The iconic Star Destroyer from Revell, transformed with 400 individual fibre optic strands running through the hull. Every navigation light, every running light, every point of detail across the superstructure — all lit from within.

The base features a custom laser-cut Imperial crest in acrylic, with a dedicated light source illuminating it from below. The result is a display piece that works just as hard in the dark as it does in daylight.

SubjectImperial Star Destroyer
Lighting400 fibre optic strands
BaseLaser-cut Imperial crest, back-lit
TypeSpecial Build
Handley Page Victor XL232
Commission Build

Handley Page VictorXL232 — RAF Marham, 1982

On 15th October 1982, Victor XL232 began its take-off run at RAF Marham carrying 109,000lb of fuel. An engine failure sent debris into a neighbouring engine and the fuel tanks. A fire took hold fast.

Take-off was aborted. The five crew evacuated. Then the crash crew went in.

What followed was eight hours of relentless firefighting — foam tenders, water relays from Kings Lynn and Swaffham, ejection seats and cylinders exploding in the heat around them. They didn't stop until the fire was out.

This build was commissioned by one of those firefighters. A model of the aircraft he ran towards.

SubjectHandley Page Victor K2
AircraftXL232 — RAF Marham
Incident15th October 1982
Commissioned byRAF Crash Crew Firefighter
Tornado GR1 Dallas Dhu — Danger Mouse
Commission Build

Tornado GR1Operation Telic — Gulf War II

This one is personal. Commissioned by a Squadron Leader who flew this very aircraft as a navigator during Operation Telic — the 2003 Gulf War campaign.

The Tornado GR1 in its Gulf War barley grey scheme, Danger Mouse nose art, mission tally on the fuselage. Built to sit on the shelf of the man who was actually there. That's what commission builds are about.

SubjectPanavia Tornado GR1
OperationTelic — Gulf War II, 2003
Commissioned bySquadron Leader, RAF (Navigator)
TypePersonal Commission

Your build

Want something like this built for you?

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Commissions

Never done this before? Here's exactly how it works.

You don't need to know any of the technical stuff, or what to do. I'm here to help, advise and build exactly what you want.

Whether it's an indulgence for the man cave, a birthday, Christmas or retirement gift, a present for a partner, or a tribute to service in the armed forces, I can help.

01
Just a chat, really

"I don't know what I want" is a perfectly fine place to start. A photo, a vague memory, "something like my dad's old Spitfire" — any of that is enough. You don't need scale numbers, model names, or the right terminology. I'll ask the questions that matter and figure out the rest. No daft questions, no judgement.

What happens here

An email or a WhatsApp message. Ten minutes of your time. No commitment, no cost to ask.

02
Your honest, all-in quote

I'll come back to you quickly with one clear quote covering the kit, the build, and tracked 24-hour courier delivery to your door. No obligation, no pressure, nothing added later.

If the only kit available for your subject is a poor one, I'll tell you — before you've spent a penny.
What affects the price

The kit — brand, scale, and availability. Some are readily available, others are limited run and may carry a premium.

Added options — custom bases, specific markings, personalisation. For aircraft, I can often match the exact squadron and aircraft number. For vehicles, custom plates from most countries can be sourced.

Weathering & finish — level of detail and complexity required.

Not sure what scale to go for?

I build everything from 1/72 right up to the larger kits. In my opinion, 1/48 hits the sweet spot — a 1/48 Spitfire has a 9-inch wingspan, substantial enough to display proudly and detailed enough to impress. But the choice is always yours. Just ask and I'll give you an honest steer.

F4 Phantom XT597 with glasses for scale
A 1/72 Phantom alongside a pair of glasses — scale puts everything in perspective
03
Secure your place

Once you're happy with the quote, a deposit covers the kit and materials and secures your slot in the build queue. The balance isn't due until the model is finished and you've seen the final photos.

Kits used

All builds use kits from established manufacturers. I'll always source the best quality available for your subject.

TamiyaAirfixHasegawaKineticRevellAnd others
Aircraft kit sprues, decal sheet and photo-etch laid out
Your kit — sprues, decals and photo-etch, checked before a single part is touched
04
I build it — you watch it happen

Getting the markings, colours, and details right is my job, not yours. You won't be asked to track down reference photos or know what anything's called. As the build progresses you'll get regular photo updates every few weeks so you can see it taking shape. No radio silence.

How long does it take?

I work solo and I don't rush — every build gets the time it deserves. For aircraft, a typical commission takes around 8–10 weeks. More complex or larger builds are estimated individually at the time of enquiry.

Ships are a labour of love — months rather than weeks. If you're commissioning one, you'll already know that.

Got a deadline — a birthday, an anniversary? Just mention it when you get in touch and I'll always do my best to make it work.

Chinook fuselage mid-build on the workbench
Chinook fuselage — body assembled, masking underway
F1 car chassis top-down showing full engine and suspension detail
F1 chassis — engine, exhaust, and suspension all picked out
05
Final details

The finishing touches that turn a kit into something worth displaying — markings, weathering, the small details that make it look like the real thing rather than something off a shelf. All of it included, none of it something you need to think about.

Chinook canopy being masked by hand with tweezers
Masking applied by hand — each panel cut and placed individually
Tiny gun turret components next to a pencil for scale
The small stuff — turret components next to a pencil for scale
06
Safely to your door

When it's finished you'll see the final photos first. Happy? Pay the balance and I'll pack it properly — not just bubble wrap and hope — and send it tracked, insured, 24-hour courier. UK and Northern Ireland only. For larger builds, collection may be required — you'll be advised on this at your first enquiry.

Instalment plans available on request for larger commissions — after your deposit, payments are spread across the build as it progresses, with the final balance due on completion.

Handley Page Victor bomber model exhibited at RAF Marham museum
Handley Page Victor — now exhibited by the customer at RAF Marham's museum
07
One last thing

A hand-built commission from me isn't an impulse buy, it's something you want to be pride of place. But it's probably more affordable than you think — and considerably less than most charge for the same result.

Please shop around. Your quote will still be here, and still much less.

Full terms and conditions available on request.

Start the conversation

Tell me what you'd like built.

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About & Contact

Tony at the Royal International Air Tattoo

I'm Tony. Welsh Scale Models is a one-man workshop in Powys, Mid Wales — and every build that leaves here is mine, from first sprue to final coat.

A hobby and a passion since 1981, and a business since 2021. In that time I've built more than 150 commissions for collectors across the UK and Ireland: aircraft, warships, armour, rally cars and the occasional Star Destroyer. My regulars keep coming back — one of them is on his seventeenth build — and I think that says more than anything I could write here.

I'm straight with people. If the only kit available for your subject is a poor one, I'll tell you before you've spent a penny, and we'll find a better route. Honest assessment up front is how I work, and it's why my customers trust the quote they're given.

Every commission gets the same treatment: properly researched, carefully built, and finished to a standard I'd put my own name on. Because I do.

Important details researched — markings, schemes and squadron serials
Honest assessment of every kit before you commit
One pair of hands, start to finish — hand-built in Wales

What customers say

★★★★★

"I recently asked Welsh Scale Models to build a Tamiya model for me, and I couldn't be happier with the entire experience. From the initial order to the final delivery, he demonstrated exceptional professionalism and attention to detail. He took the time to understand exactly what I wanted for the build, ensuring that every detail matched my preferences perfectly.

The communication throughout the process was excellent, and it was clear that he genuinely cares about delivering the highest quality work. The finished model exceeded my expectations — every element was assembled and painted to an incredible standard, showcasing his skill and passion for the craft.

This isn't the first model he's built for me, and once again, he delivered outstanding results. His careful handling during transportation ensured that the model arrived in flawless condition, further highlighting his dedication to customer satisfaction.

It's always a pleasure dealing with him, and I can't thank him enough for his exceptional service. I highly recommend Welsh Scale Models to anyone looking for beautifully crafted, professionally built models."

Ian T.
Northern Ireland — 1/48 Vought Corsair
★★★★★

"I received my commission last week and it is exactly what I asked for. Great detail. Some personal elements added too (nose art and crew names). Communications throughout were spot on — Tony sent regular updates and images of the build to me so we could agree some aspects bespoke as it progressed. Well packaged too and arrived safe. Even the little details were in one piece eg pitot flags. A miracle in itself!

I can't recommend him enough. If you want a truly detailed model of your favourite 'kite' look no further."

Mike H.
RAF Navigator (Ret'd) — 1/48 Panavia Tornado GR1
★★★★★

"My rather large B-1 Lancer commission arrived safe and sound this morning. She was very, very well packed. When we got her out, all we could say was WOW. What a model.

The detail and weathering is fantastic. There was continuous updates along with videos on the progress. Also if little things needed tweaking, Tony was straight there asking if it was ok as not to delay the build.

To me the personal touch means a lot. I cannot recommend Tony and his work enough. His attention to detail and the communication is second to none.

I've already enquired about my next commission."

Andrew W.
Cumbria — 1/48 Rockwell B-1B Lancer

Send a Message

Message sent. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

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Build Diary

Commission updates, personal projects and articles from the workbench.

Land Rover Defender — 1:35 Scale | Commission

A New Project — The Jammy Gits Defender

Martha and Mitchell of Jammy Gits on their overland Land Rover Defender 1/35 Land Rover Defender kit sprues laid out Close-up of 1/35 Defender kit sprue detail

A new kit, lots of tiny parts and the start of a new project — for @jammygits, Martha and Mitchell, a couple who are travelling the world in their Land Rover Defender. (Search Jammy Gits on YouTube for their journey so far.)

My aim is to replicate their converted Landie from a 1/35 scale Defender kit, using 3D printed parts supplied by realm3dprints.com and scratch building, to make a miniature version of it.

July 2026

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