I recently had the opportunity to visit Model Shop Leeds in person for the first time, and I have to say—this place is absolutely incredible. With their 70th anniversary coming up in just two days, I wanted to explore what makes this family-run business such a big deal in the modeling community after seven decades.
For context, I’ve been ordering from Model Shop Leeds for about three to four years now, and they’ve even sponsored some of my videos and helped me get to Dubai earlier this year. But nothing quite prepares you for walking through those doors in person.
First Impressions: The Wow Factor
The moment you step inside, your eyes don’t know where to look first. Models hang from the walls and ceiling, customers browse enthusiastically, and products are everywhere. The shop is absolutely huge—much bigger than I expected—spanning two customer-facing floors plus extensive storage areas.
Tim, one of the staff members who showed me around, explained that downstairs generally focuses on model aircraft and accessories like batteries, covering materials, and power systems. Upstairs, you’ll find model boats, some aircraft, plastic kits, and the increasingly popular laser-cut wood kits.
Why Personal Service Still Matters
Early in my tour, we had a fascinating conversation about radio transmitters that really highlighted why brick-and-mortar hobby shops still matter. We discussed various brands—Spektrum, FrSky, Futaba, Graupner, and the newer Kavan transmitters—and the conversation naturally turned to what makes choosing a transmitter so personal.
As Tim pointed out, it comes down to several factors:
- How the transmitter feels in your hands
- The weight and balance
- Whether you understand the software
- The tactile quality of the controls
This conversation was a perfect example of what you lose with purely online shopping. Model Shop Leeds actually phoned me after I placed my first order years ago to offer advice—that’s the kind of service that earned my loyalty. When you’re about to spend significant money on equipment, having someone knowledgeable to talk to is invaluable.
The Numbers Are Staggering
Will, another staff member who I often work with on orders, shared some incredible statistics:
- 19,342 products currently in stock at the physical location
- 88,000 products available through their website
- Three to four staff members picking and packing orders every morning
Every single corner of the premises is utilised for stock—and trust me, this place is like a TARDIS. It just keeps going. If you visit in person, you definitely won’t leave empty-handed.
A Tour Through the Floors
Ground Floor Highlights
The ground floor is dominated by radio-controlled aircraft equipment, but you’ll also find:
- Display cabinets featuring classic OS engines and various transmitters
- Tamiya paints and a vast selection of modeling supplies
- IC engines alongside modern electric power systems
- Tools from brands like Permagrit
- An impressive selection of ready-to-fly aircraft and kits
Upstairs: Plastic Kits and More
Heading upstairs opens up a whole new world. This is where you’ll find Alan—affectionately dubbed “the plastic man”—and his domain of scale models. The selection includes:
- Extensive Airfix ranges
- Tanks and armor models (including impressive 1/16 scale kits with interior details)
- Historic sailing ships—both plastic kits and traditional wooden plank builds
- Classic Tamiya aircraft kits like the Mosquito
- Tools and accessories specifically for ship builders, including plank benders
- Detail-up parts for customizing plastic models
There’s even a handy barcode scanner station where customers can check prices—a clever solution when you have nearly 20,000 products in stock!
The Airbrush Section
Model Shop Leeds stocks everything from entry-level airbrushes to high-end professional sets, complete with compressors, cleaning kits, propellants, and maintenance supplies. It’s truly floor-to-ceiling coverage of all skill levels.
Building Materials
One area that particularly impressed me was the raw materials section. They stock:
- Balsa wood in various sizes (and yes, they ship it!)
- Plywood sheets up to 600mm x 1200mm
- Specialist woods like lime, mahogany, and walnut for traditional ship builders
- Plastic sheeting and sections for scratch building
- Brass, copper, and aluminum sections
- Abachi and spruce sheeting
This is particularly valuable if you’re restoring vintage models or building from plans, as quality balsa can be surprisingly difficult to source these days.
Nostalgia and New Beginnings
One of my favorite discoveries was their selection of traditional free-flight models. They stock Kil-Kraft kits, including the Ajax and Ace models I built as a child, plus DPR models like the Hypercub. These rubber-powered models are perfect for introducing youngsters to the hobby—they teach traditional building skills with tissue covering and balsa construction.
I couldn’t resist picking up a couple for my friend Nick, who started in the hobby with me throwing these around the park when we were about ten years old. It’s amazing how these simple models can be the gateway to a lifelong passion.
Speaking of nostalgia, they also have classic Tamiya re-releases like the Lunchbox and Midnight Pumpkin—those iconic radio-controlled cars that many of us remember fondly from childhood.
Something for Everyone
What truly sets Model Shop Leeds apart is the breadth of their offering. You’ll find:
- Under-250g drones for beginners (no registration required)
- Model rocketry supplies
- Formula 1 and rally car models
- Historical miniatures from Viking times to modern cavalry
- Snap-together “brick-type” kits for younger builders
- Innovative laser-cut wooden kits that can be motorised
- Flight simulators set up for customers to try
The Staff Make the Difference
Model Shop Leeds employs ten staff members, many of whom started as customers. Some have been there for 30 years or more. This creates an environment of genuine enthusiasm and expertise—these aren’t just employees, they’re hobbyists who understand where customers are coming from because they share the same passions.
Tim made an excellent point during our tour: with online ordering, you miss the opportunity to ask “What do you think?” Sometimes you need that conversation, especially when making a significant purchase or tackling an unfamiliar aspect of the hobby.
Why Model Shop Leeds Matters After 70 Years
In an age of online shopping and next-day delivery, you might wonder why a traditional model shop still matters. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Expert advice you can’t Google: The staff’s combined experience means they can guide you through complex decisions, warn you about potential issues, and suggest alternatives you might not have considered.
Touch and feel before you buy: Especially with expensive items like transmitters, being able to hold them and assess the build quality is invaluable.
Immediate availability: With nearly 20,000 products in stock, there’s a good chance what you need is sitting on a shelf ready to go.
Community hub: A physical shop serves as a meeting place for hobbyists to share knowledge, see what others are building, and stay inspired.
Supporting traditional skills: By stocking materials for scratch building and traditional construction methods, they help preserve modeling techniques that might otherwise be lost.
Final Thoughts
After spending time at Model Shop Leeds, I understand why they’ve thrived for 70 years. Yes, online shopping has its place—it’s convenient when you know exactly what you need. But there’s something special about walking into a shop packed with possibilities, talking to knowledgeable staff, and leaving with not just products but also advice, inspiration, and enthusiasm.
Whether you’re local to Leeds or planning a trip, I highly recommend visiting in person. You’ll experience the “wow factor” I felt, probably spend longer than planned browsing, and definitely leave with your car fuller than you intended. But more importantly, you’ll be supporting a business that represents the best of what hobby retail can be.
Here’s to 70 years of Model Shop Leeds—and here’s hoping for many more decades of inspiring modelers young and old.
