Academy (MRC/Academy)

http://www.academy.co.kr

Academy Plastic Model Co., Ltd. is a South Korean plastic model, chemical, and toy manufacturer headquartered in Uijeongbu-Si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, established on September 1, 1969. Over its history the company has expanded internationally, maintaining additional offices in Seoul, Korea; Gelsenkirchen, Germany; and Rosario, Cavite, Philippines, and has developed and supplied over 500 products to more than 60 countries worldwide, earning several Modell des Jahres awards for product quality since 1989. Academy is best known for injection-molded plastic model kits covering military aircraft, armor, and ships, alongside radio-controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat models, acrylic and enamel paints, airsoft guns, and modeling tools. Its range is especially strong in 1/72 and 1/48 scale military aircraft (jets, propeller fighters, helicopters) and 1/35 scale armor, while its ship line spans various scales including warships and submarines; kits are generally noted for clean molding and good engineering at accessible prices, making the brand popular with beginner and intermediate modelers. In North America and other Western markets, Academy kits have historically been distributed and marketed under license or partnership with MRC (Model Rectifier Corporation), which is why the brand is sometimes listed jointly as MRC/Academy in retail catalogs and hobby shops.