Contractor Model

This type of model were, and still are, produced for a variety of reasons. Traditionally they were produced by the Aerospace/Space vehicle manufacturers to show-case their products. Here are a number of reasons for making them listed below.

Concept.

When a manufacturer was designing, or attempting to win a contract to produce a new space vehicle they would often produce a scale model of their idea to take to presentations to give a visual idea of their concept

Sales

Closely linked to the concept tag the idea behind producing a model was also used a sales pitch

Technical

Some models were produced as a visual aid to enable two parties to communicate ideas and instructions to each other. One that springs to mind is a highly detailed paper model of the Hubble space telescope. One of these was held in mission control and was used to communicate the positions of equipment locations by the flight controllers to the Shuttle Astronauts

Education

Nasa over the years have produced models of their Launchers and space vehicles. These were used by NASA staff and the astronauts for various outreach projects, as a visual aid whilst describing missions and the vehicles that were used.

Gift

Models have been produced and used as gifts now since the beginning of the space era. Recipients include Kings, queens, heads of state, government officials, to name but a few. As well as them being made for dignitaries and officials they have been produced for commercial purposes as well.

In general these models are very sought after and some command large sums of money.