Comparison

Scale Aircraft Modelling vs Practical Wireless

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Scale Aircraft Modelling

This app offers in-depth articles, build reviews, and historical references for scale aircraft modelling enthusiasts. It complements online resources with original research and an inclusive approach to the hobby.

Highlights
  • In-depth articles
  • Build reviews
  • Historical references
  • Original research
  • Cross-section of modelling
  • Reference material
Features
Read full description

Scale Aircraft Modelling is the only title to address the needs and issues of the modern age, providing a focused and essential content that is aimed to complement rather than compete with Internet access. The magazine presents preview material, features and full build reviews with a cross section of modelling, historical and reference. SAM makes best use of its pages with original research, thoughtful and incisive editorial, and an all-embracing approach to the hobby that invites readers to ‘look what you can do’ rather than ‘look what we can do’. ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest regular issue at the time of purchase. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

About

Practical Wireless

This publication caters to licensed radio amateurs with a focus on practical construction and current hobby developments. It features news, equipment reviews, projects, and articles on various aspects of amateur radio, from HF to satellite operation.

Highlights
  • Practical constructional articles
  • Latest radio equipment reviews
  • Amateur radio news
  • Software-defined radio features
  • Satellite operation guides
  • DX-ing and DXpeditions
Features
Read full description

Practical Wireless is aimed at the licensed radio amateur and caters for the amateur radio hobby. Practical Wireless is a ‘doing’ magazine focusing on the practical and constructional side of amateur radio and appeals to all ages. Written by expert authors and contributors, Practical Wireless reflects developments in the technology, participants, activities and licensing framework of the hobby. Every monthly issue features: - The latest news - Reviews of the latest radio equipment and ancillaries - Regular practical constructional articles and projects - Features from the UK and around the world - What Next column is aimed at recently-licensed newcomers - Software-defined radio - Satellite operation - Technical, operating and historic interests - DX-ing and DXpeditions - HF (High Frequency), VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) - QRP - Transceivers and Antennas - Rallies and club news ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest issue. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

Screenshots

Scale Aircraft Modelling1 screens
Practical Wireless4 screens

Verdict

The call

Scale Aircraft Modelling and Practical Wireless both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Practical Wireless's written reviews are positive against 0% of Scale Aircraft Modelling's. Practical Wireless also leads on update cadence (every 11 months vs every 38 months). Scale Aircraft Modelling's advantage is iOS requirement (11.2 vs 15.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Scale Aircraft Modelling sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month and Practical Wireless sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Practical Wireless holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Scale Aircraft Modelling's written reviews are positive against 100% of Practical Wireless's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scale Aircraft Modelling ships an update every 38 months, Practical Wireless every 11 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Scale Aircraft Modelling versus Practical Wireless: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScale Aircraft ModellingPractical Wireless
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings)5.0 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1718 — better
Update frequencyEvery 38 monthsEvery 11 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.2 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJellyfish Connect LimitedWarners Group Publications PLC

Customer experience

Scale Aircraft Modelling

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Practical Wireless

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Scale Aircraft Modelling

Subscriptions2
  • SAM 1M Auto-Renew Sub$3.491 Month
  • SAM 12M Auto-Renew Sub1 Month trial$36.991 Year
One-time8
  • November 2017 (pp:487095)$3.99
  • December 2018 (pp:521300)$3.99
  • June 2019 (pp:606283)$3.99
Show 5 more
  • October 2019 (pp:606263)$3.99
  • August 2020 (pp:670097)$3.99
  • April 2020 (pp:670117)$3.99
  • November 2026 (pp:1140776)$3.99
  • August 2018 (pp:521320)$3.99
10 purchases

Practical Wireless

Subscriptions3
  • Practical Wireless 1M Sub$4.491 Month
  • Practical Wireless 3M Auto Sub$14.993 Months
  • Practical Wireless 12M Sub1 Month trial$49.991 Year
One-time7
  • March 2019 (id:787085)$5.99
  • August 2022 (id:782099)$5.99
  • March 2023 (id:780104)$5.99
Show 4 more
  • April 2023 (id:819709)$5.99
  • May 2024 (pp:1001350)$5.99
  • February 2024 (pp:1001365)$5.99
  • April 2024 (pp:1001355)$5.99

Questions

Is Scale Aircraft Modelling free?
Scale Aircraft Modelling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Practical Wireless free?
Practical Wireless is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Scale Aircraft Modelling or Practical Wireless?
Practical Wireless is rated higher. Scale Aircraft Modelling averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Practical Wireless averages 5.0 from 18 ratings.
Do Scale Aircraft Modelling or Practical Wireless have ads?
Neither Scale Aircraft Modelling nor Practical Wireless shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scale Aircraft Modelling or Practical Wireless?
Scale Aircraft Modelling ships an update every 38 months, and Practical Wireless every 11 months. Most recently, Scale Aircraft Modelling was updated on November 3, 2026 and Practical Wireless on November 3, 2026.

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