Well, the title says it all. Why do people use photo-etch parts instead of plastic parts. and how does it make the model better. Thanks

Photo etch, aka PE, is thin brass or stainless steel that has been shaped useing a process similar to developing a photograph.
The improveent come in that parts can be closer to scale thickness, much thinner than plastic. You can get scale sized wingnuts and brackets with much more detail than plastic molding will allow. Mesh screening and fenders also can be closer to scale thickness. NOt all PE parts are better, though. The process does not allow for round pieces so that grab handles and ammunition just don't look quite right.

I do aircraft in 48 scale and use a lot of PE sets for more realistic effect . They replace the instrument panels and the film with the dials is far better then what the kit offer and are scale thickness most of the time . Seats and seat-belts as well . Stitching and lacing , controlhorns , metal fixtures on the fuselge , windsrceen frames, gun jackets and sights the list goes on . However;like the guys have point out , not good for roundness . Parts that are round should be round and replaced with rod .

Al is right , made like photo's but with brass or nickel coated .

Photo-etch is the work of the devil.

I have been put on anti-depressants and anxiety pills due to PE. PE is addicting though!

Stuff that is very easy to Love and Hate.

Once you understand that PE parts are not load bearing for the most part it becomes easy. They enhance or add detail. I have built several kits where the detail was predominantly PE. Think of it as window dressing and better scale representation for a part.

when i started out and picked up my first kit with pe i was like, wow what are all these metal bits , and normal model glue didnt work, so i tried pva, and the superglue, eureka, but by then my fingers were stuck together lol. im not v good with it, i can doo meduim bits, but tiny bits are out of th equesstion,
i see pe as an add on to make the kit a little more special

Remember, you do not need to use every PE part on the fret.

I love the Prepainted PE Instrument panels. Now that I have invested in a PE folder, I am finding the PE easier to use. Some of the details you get with PE are amazing. I always check on the PE before I start a kit. It is habit forming and I do believe it is the work of the devil.