| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Research and Development, Manufacturing, Sales and Promotion |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder(s) | Soon Hwan Kim |
| Headquarters | Uijeongbu, Korea |
| Key people | Soon Hwan Kim, President |
| Products | Scale plastic Model Kits, Radio Control Model Kits, Educational Construction Kits, Toys |
| Website | http://www.academy.co.kr |
Academy Plastic Model Co., Ltd. (hangul:아카데미과학주식회사) is a Korean plastic model, chemical, and toy company. It is headquartered in Uijeongbu-Si, Gyeonggi-do, 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.
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Academy produces predominantly aircraft model kits in the 1:72 and 1:48 scales.
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, thoêugh 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.
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.(Brand name: Carisma)
GT14 (electric 4wd Car)
M14 (electric 2wd Car)
R14 (electric 4wd Car)
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.
There is also a small lineup of 1/10 scale radio controlled racing cars, such as
and various other rather toy grade vehicles.
Static-display scale models include the following: