The 10 Best Model Kits For Adults

The Tamiya P-51D Mustang Hobby (about $103) is an exact 1/32 replica of the fighter bombers flown in World War II and the Korean War. It comes with a pair of pilots, one of whom is standing, while the other is in a seated position to fit inside the cockpit.

The Robotime 3D Puzzle Orpheus (around $33) is made of laser-cut wooden pieces that come together fairly quickly. Once you've got it assembled, this little guy is capable of a number of tricks, including lighting up, rotating, and playing music.

You can create a miniature arboretum with the Fat Brain Greenhouse (around $35), a meticulous DIY project that's loaded with potted plants, flowers, and gardening tools. The set comes with a pair of tweezers to help you handle its tiny petals and leaves.

Coming from a top manufacturer in the hobby kit field, the Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M5/5A Zero (about $30) Japanese fighter delivers a high-quality replica of one of World War II's most famous airplanes. It provides a pleasantly challenging and very rewarding build.

While the difficulty level of the Lego Ideas Ship In A Bottle (about $56) may not tax those older than the company's young demographic, the final product isn't really a toy the way most of their offerings are. Instead, it's the kind of showpiece a grownup would have on display.

You can recreate Paris' famous cathedral with the CubicFun 3D Notre Dame (around $52), which includes authentic features like stained glass windows and flying buttresses. When complete, it opens a full 180 degrees so that you can see the church's intricate interior.

If you're looking for a legitimate challenge that will probably take you a good amount of time to construct, the Old Modern Handicrafts Exclusive Edition San Felipe (around $579) is the way to go. It's built to the same specifications as the original Spanish galleon from the 1600s.

If you watched either the original series or its more recent remake, you'll love putting together and showing off the Moebius 942 Battlestar Galactica (about $61). It's based on the ship from the first run of the show that aired in the 1970s.

You won't need any glue or solder to assemble the Iconx Silver Dragon (around $21), which is made of bendable metal pieces that you connect together by folding and twisting. It's a challenging build with several delicate, complex sections that require patience and focus.

The motor design of the AMT 1967 Ford Shelby GT350 (appx. $21) is supremely authentic. It's up to you to choose the color of the racing stripes that run the length of its body, which gives you the opportunity to customize it just a little bit.