Metal Earth Kits: How to Choose Your First Build

For a first Metal Earth build, start with the Easy-rated Supermarine Spitfire MMS110. Choose the Moderate 1908 Ford Model T MMS051G if an antique car is the project you really want, and save the Challenging USS Constitution PS2002 for a more demanding build. The best choice combines a subject you enjoy, a manageable difficulty level, and enough space for the finished model.

These are steel model kits that you assemble from metal sheets. The finished models in the photos show the goal of the project; they do not mean the kits arrive assembled. This guide compares three different starting points in the Metal Earth collection.

Compare the build before choosing the subject

Sheet count is the amount of sheet material supplied, not a count of parts or a promise about assembly time. Use the manufacturer's difficulty rating first. Then measure the intended display space: the Spitfire needs room across its wings, while the Constitution needs substantially more height than either of the other two.

Spitfire MMS110: a sensible first metal model

The Spitfire is the only Easy-rated kit in this comparison. Its one-sheet format and small finished size make it the clearest starting choice if your main goal is learning how Metal Earth assembly works. Pick it because you want the aircraft as well as an introductory project; an appealing subject is a good reason to keep working carefully.

Supermarine Spitfire · MMS110

Choose it for: an Easy-rated aircraft project with a finished footprint of about 4 × 3 inches. Allow space beside the wings so you can place and lift the model without squeezing it between other objects. View the Spitfire kit

Model T MMS051G: choose the car you want to display

The dark-green 1908 Ford Model T is rated Moderate. It suits someone who prefers a vintage car and is comfortable choosing a more involved introduction. Its finished width is only 1.65 inches, giving it a narrower footprint than the Spitfire. That compact size helps with display planning, but it does not make the assembly easier.

1908 Ford Model T, dark green · MMS051G

Choose it for: a small antique-car display and a Moderate-rated, two-sheet build. Look for the complete MMS051G code when choosing this dark-green version. View the dark-green Model T

USS Constitution PS2002: leave room for a bigger project

The Constitution is the Challenging option. At 6.8 inches long and 5.4 inches high, it also asks for the most display space here. Choose it when the ship itself is the attraction and you are ready for that difficulty. If you are uncertain about handling small metal connections, the Spitfire is the more suitable introduction.

USS Constitution · PS2002

Choose it for: a Challenging ship build with a taller display profile. Measure the space above the shelf, not just its depth, and leave enough clearance to move the completed model. View the USS Constitution kit

What the first assembly session involves

Metal Earth parts join through tabs and slots. Read the instructions before removing parts, and check which connections call for folding and which call for twisting. A connection that looks similar may need a different movement.

Small clippers help release parts from the sheets; tweezers or needle-nose pliers help control the tabs. Avoid repeatedly bending a tab back and forth, which can weaken the metal. Work at a pace that lets you check orientation before committing to a bend.

If painting and finishing are the parts of the hobby that interest you most, compare that experience with our guide to starting plastic models. Metal Earth offers a project centered on forming and connecting metal pieces; a plastic kit may involve a different mix of fitting, adhesive, paint, and decals.

Questions before your first Metal Earth kit

Does an Easy rating mean I can rush the build?

No. Easy identifies the manufacturer's starting level, but the pieces and connections still reward careful handling. Choose it to reduce the challenge while learning the method, and give yourself time to understand each step.

Do these kits need glue?

The intended assembly uses metal tabs and slots without glue. Follow the exact kit instructions; do not substitute adhesive for a connection you have not understood.

Are they suitable gifts for children?

The manufacturer lists all three kits for ages 14 and up. Match the recipient's age, patience, and interest in small-part assembly, and check whether they already have suitable tools. A favorite subject alone does not determine the right difficulty.

How do I choose between two subjects I like equally?

Choose the lower difficulty for your first attempt, then compare the finished dimensions. For these three kits, that points to the Spitfire first, with the Model T and Constitution offering different projects as your confidence grows.

Explore Metal Earth kits by subject and difficulty, or return to the Product Guides to compare other collecting and building options.