Illustrations from the newspaper size "Cleveland Model Engineering News" of May, 1934. Opens to centerspread "catalog" entitled "The 40 Famous 3/4" Scale Flying Model Thoroughbreds."

A "Me 109" built from the Cleveland kit SF-74, plan dated 1941. Representing a Me 109E-3 or -4, the Cleveland kit is one of the early World War II fighters to come out in a SF, 3/4" scale kit in the large box - a few were also sold in the silver box of 1935. This model was constructed about 45 years ago. The silkspan and nitrate dope covering looks and feels as good as new.

Model builders in the 1930s were generally a school-age group as small rubber-powered kits were sold by the millions (Comet sold 90 million in one year!); this trend continued into the 1940s, but as military veterans returned from World War II, modelling also became a young man's hobby as U-control, free-flight gas, and tether cars caught on. The model magazines reflected this trend and a survey of the content of typical hobby journals will show a trend toward an adult hobby as radio-control became the economic driving force in the 1960s and beyond. As a collector of model wood kits and engines today, you probably weren't born yet, or were a school-age builder yourself in the 1950s. To give you an idea of the transformation that has taken place in the last 50-years, compare a modern edition of Flying Models, the best all-around model airplane magazine available today, with versions of this venerable magazine in the 50's. Flying Models is a continuation of the popular aviation magazine, Flying Aces, which hit its high point in the 1930s. To give a little flavor to this comparison, check out the full-page "pin-up" of "Bunny Talby" from the FM cartoon-style graphic story, "Fixit Wright," a regular feature in the 50's, taken from the July 1957 issue, by clicking here. Use the back arrow to return. In contrast, a recent issue of Flying Models has an article on a huge, 4-turbo-jet C-17A R/C model (17-ft wingspan) which most of us would have trouble fitting in our back yard! The vintage kits you collect were certainly from simpler times. And, you can print-out Bunny and post her with your kit collection.

The modern hobby business is largely based on the "ready-to-fly" model "kit." Although most young model craftsmen of the 1930s built their own stick and tissue models, there were examples of both the "ready" model and kits with many pre-finished parts. The Japanese silk model, shown below, came complete in the box. The structure was made of soldered wire with Japanese silk covering. The wings plugged into tubular sockets in the fuselage and were then strengthened with the rigging wires as shown - rather clever but also rather heavy for the rubber power and small prop. This 1930s model is now part of the AMA museum's collection as I traded it for an engine in the 1990s. At one time it was on display but I didn't see it the last time I visited the Muncie, Indiana museum.

This page is a continuation of a selection of vintage model airplane kits and engines. The average age of most of these kits is around 55 to 65 years - as a result, most boxes and plans show some signs of aging, storage abuse and other minor defects. The condition of the box is generally given on a "1" to "10" scale - not many "tens" around and I don't stock the "ones."! I attempt to show overall condition in the photos with supplementary information in the descriptive text. Call or email if you would like further information on any item.

This Annex No. 3 page is part of the Vintage Model Airplane Kits page; click here to return to the kits page when you are ready. This link is repeated at the bottom of this page and in the left margin. Also, check out the Vintage Kit Annex and the Vintage Kit Annex 2 page, links at left and page bottom.

The May 1943 issue of Model Airplane News carried a full-page advertisement for the American Junior Aircraft Co. for the new "Whip-Powered U-Control" by Jim Walker. This profile style model was powered by the combination of a strong arm and a fishing pole to benefit from the leverage action of whipping. The war year of 1943 was an opportune time to introduce an unpowered model - no gas, no expensive engine, no noise, cheap and a popular warbird (if you can call the Airacobra "popular"). The ad shown below was the introduction.

Jim Walker developed the patented U-control system and his company, American Junior Aircraft, sold millions of gliders (think A-J Interceptor), simple ready-to-fly rubber-powered models, gas-powered U-control kits and similar items. You can review the history of Jim Walker by visiting the website, American Junior Classics. Jim Walker died in 1958 bringing to an end the American Junior saga which began in 1929.

A small legacy company, American Junior Classics, was begun by A-J enthusiast, Frank Macy, to perpetuate the charm of the A-J model line. Macy reintroduced many of the models and kits of the original A-J line, albeit in small numbers, to previous A-J fans and to a whole new generation of eager model buffs and collectors who sought the vintage simplicity that entertained legions of youngsters in the past. The new A-J line, springing from its McMinnville, Oregon home, was interrupted by Frank Macy's death in 2009.

The Whip-Powered Airacobra kit was reintroduced by Macy's A-J Classics in the 1980s, packed in a similar-sized box as the original from 1943 although with new graphics. The photo below, from the A-J website, shows the boxes used over the years for the Airacobra.

Fellow SAM 26 flyer and friend, Jim Bierbauer, recently purchased one of the new A-J kits with the intention of building and flying the whip-powered model. Jim has a long history of U-control flying but had never experienced whip power. The kit along with Jim's model is presented in the photos below. One summer day in 2011 at our California old timer flying field, Jim, along with our friend and cohort, Bob Angel, another U-control buff, elected to test fly the new AJ39. Equipped with a Bob Angel fishing pole, the two stalwarts (and notably senior citizens along with your scribe) commenced to launch the sturdy model and whip it into action. Obviously designed for a 16-year-old's strong arm, the whip model proceeded to stagger around the circle, maintaining flying speed but unable to demonstrate its ability to "Climb, Dive, Bank and Loop" as advertised. Each of the veteran U-controllers took a turn at AJ39 and even offered a turn to those of us bystanders and critics but the generous offer was gracefully rejected by all in attendance. At this point, the famous whip-powered AJ39 was suitably retired, awaiting a reawakening by an enthusiast with proven sports ability such as shot putting.

American Junior Classics reintroduced many of the original 1930s AJ products around 1986. The ad below is a page from the Fall-Winter 1938 Megow's Modern Hobbycraft catalog Number 6 showing several of the American Junior line of ready to fly models.

The "Flyin' Fool Scout" was not an American Junior product. CollectAir has an example of the Scout which was sold by Megow's for only 25 cents. A trade catalog by Nerlich & Co. from 1939 shows the Scout as being priced at $4.20 for a dozen, or 35 cents each wholesale. How did Megow's arrive at such a low price?

Frank Macy's American Junior Classics packaged three of the newly produced AJ line in a "3 Pak." Included in the set were the "74 Fighter," "Hornet," and the "404 Interceptor." The original Interceptor with folding wings was introduced in 1939 - the "404" is an updated version. A photo of the set is shown below; this set is number 001 of the limited edition and was awarded at a 1988 Fun Fly.

The all-balsa AJ 44 Army Model was a nifty design which featured a hollow, steam formed balsa fuselage. The photos below show this model in what has been described as the "prototype" version. This model does not have the AJ logo on the fin as evident in most photos and there is no windscreen for the cockpit. The AJ 44 was more complicated and sold for $1.00; evidently, from catalog info, the model production was stopped as WW2 came along.

This Cleveland kit originated in 1942. The SF kits came in this attractive, lid-type box. The box lid on the kit being offered rates about a "6 to 7", showing scuffing, shelf wear, fading, yellowing, some restoration and corner repairs, and incidental writing on the lid as shown below in detail. The box bottom is in excellent condition and all inserts are intact.

The kit is complete with liquids (one bottle still in liquid form) and all original contents. The kit is all balsa, unlike some of the same kits issued during the war with basswood sticks and veneer printwood. The plan has a few slightly yellowed areas and a minor wrinkle or two - it is large, measuring 28" x 42". Cleveland altered the kit packaging during World War II and a plain cardboard "mailer box" was frequently used and the kits no longer contained liquids. Several years following WWII (1948-49), the "Master" series ("MFM") of kits (with "M" replacing the "SF") came out in a lid-type, red and blue, with white stars in a "Master" kit with a natural paper background and the airplane pictured similar to the "SF" kits. By 1955, these kits had been discontinued and a very limited series of "SF" kits were "custom" issued in a standard small lid box in red, white and blue, again with no liquids. Also, the mailer boxes were apparently used off and on, right up to the end of Cleveland's kit production - oddly, there is little mention and no photo of the "mailer box" in Schreiner's book, Aviation's Great Recruiter, Cleveland's Ed Packard," yet these boxes are frequently seen today in collections.

Cleveland was erratic concerning the inclusion of liquids in their kits - early kits came with no liquids (or printwood) but later the silver box series of "SF" kits included liquids enclosed in a cardboard tube. This practice stopped in the later 1930s and by January 1939 a series of "DLSF" kits came out (Deluxe) which were advertised as having all cements and dope included. By the end of 1939, all "SF" kits had liquids.

This deluxe "Master Flying Model Kit" of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, SF-81, is priced at $315.00. Contents are shown below.

See this new Cleveland book on the Books page for a complete description. If you are interested in Cleveland kits, this new book is a reference that you can't be without - a remarkable work of model history by Herm Schreiner. Priced at $39.95, you can order now by using the Feedback link in the left column.

The following quotes are from two post-war Cleveland catalogs and the information is presented here for general interest; the subject of C-D kits in "SF" series and "M" series was confusing - there were "SF" kits until late 1940s as they became "M" kits, then went back to "SF" kits at the end of the Cleveland kit production.

From the Cleveland Models for '49 catalog (issued in 1948): Introducing our new Master "M" Series. These fine models are direct decendents of our world-famous CLEVELAND-DESIGNED "SF" line of 3/4" scale models, which older modelers can attest were always "the world's finest models." We felt there was a definite demand for super-detailed models at a lower price, so here they are! These kits contain high quality select material. They contain the same super-detailed, fully instructional, clear, precise and authentically accurate plans for which the "SF's" became world-famous. These models are flight-engineered for the utmost in flight performance.....Rubber motive power and bottles of dopes and cement are not supplied as they cannot be stopped from deteriorating while in the kit. This has enabled us to lower our price and still give you a 3/4" scale kit that is identical in quality with our previous "SF" numbers.

By the mid-1950s, the "M" series disappeared, and the Cleveland's Model Airplane Catalog for 1955-56 announced a revival of the original "SF" kits, as follows: Cleveland - America's greatest name in scale - Announces - Hard-To-Get C-D Models HAVE BEEN REVIVED! "SF" 3/4" scale airplane series kits now "Custom-Made" in small quantities. These kits are available ONLY direct by mail from us - while they last! These are the same World Famous Cleveland Designed "SF" Master Kits that you have heard so much about, made up the same as they were in the past....Kits are complete except for cement, dopes and rubberbands. These kits are for those modelers who like to assemble 'em completely themselves and are being manufactured in VERY LIMITED quantities. Upon their sales will depend whether or not we will continue to make these or any additional "Ol'Timer" Custom kits. YOU MAY NEVER AGAIN BE ABLE TO GET THEM! Order your favorites today while they last.

In the early 1950s, sales of the 3/4" scale kits must have dropped off and Cleveland began to emphasize other kits in their line such as the very simple "Quicky" and "Simplex", the easier-to-build IT scale models and scale control line kits. A Cleveland advertisement from September 1951 issue of Air Trails is shown below.

As the 50's progressed, Cleveland again changed the kit designation of their 3/4" scale Master Models and returned to the "M" kit. A Cleveland Model Products Co. full-page ad in the November 1959 American Modeler can be viewed by clicking Here. Note the "M" kits including Cleveland's very first, the M-1 Great Lakes Trainer (SF-1). Also, the multi-engine kits, from the B-17 to the DC-3, are in the kit line, an indication that Cleveland was seriously in the kit business in 1959. The 1960s saw Cleveland retrench to the point of offering mostly plans with very few kits left in inventory.

Go to Vintage Kits Annex 5 page for a listing for sale of all the scale kits in the 1955-56 Cleveland catalog. Additional historical information on Cleveland is located on Vintage Kit Annex 4. Annex 5 and Annex 6 pages.

The first airplane kit produced by Strombeck-Becker was the China Clipper, Kit A51, which came out in 1936 according to R.D. Becker (the first commercial flight of the Martin M-130 Clipper on November 22, 1935 is noted on the A51 plan). Sales of this kit exceeded one million. Price for this kit was 25-cents. The kit A51 was in production up to WW2. The pre-war (pre-1942) StromBecKer airplane, ship and military weapon kits were mostly a "fit the box" scale, almost none of them in the same scale. The China Clipper is 1:128 scale. Minimal sanding required on the pine parts and the finished model is usually not painted. The kit plan recommends that the model be naturally finished.with clear varnish. The 2-page original plan for the China Clipper can be viewed and printed out by by Clicking Here. The history of the Strombeck-Becker Manufacturing Co. is presented on this website at StromBecKer History.

This kit, as first of the airplane line, is a very desirable StromBecKer collectible. The early kits are much rarer than the "built-ups" which appear every now and then from some child's 1930s or 40s collection of toys stashed away in a dusty attic. Since the kits were easy to build, most were opened and quickly glued together. This kit box rates about an "7.5" which is pretty good for the old StromBecKer kits - it's reasonably clean and bright, with a single shelf crush on the front upper edge. The end flaps are complete and unbroken. This kit, as shown below, is available for SORRY SOLD.

The StromBecKer YB-17 kit C2 is one of the most sought after StromBecKer kits, right along with the Boeing 314 Clipper.

Kit C2, the YB-17 Flying Fortress (also variously referred to as the Y1B-17 which is actually the correct designation in 1938 - the 1936 contract at first used YB-17 but was later changed before the first flight of the Y1B-17), scale 7/64" = 1', plan states the following:

"THE FLYING FORTRESS (Boeing YB-17) INTERESTING INFORMATION, January 1938, The pride of the United States Air Corps is America's largest landplane now in service. It is the Boeing YB-17 four-engined bomber, popularly known as the 'Flying Fortress', manufactured by Boeing Aircraft Co., Seattle, Wash.....etc."

Most of the pre-war plans do not carry a date such as this one, although this kit also appeared without the date on the same comments. Detail of portion of plan C2 shown below along with the kit parts.

The kit box rates about an "7 to 8" for this vintage. The image is clear and unmarked as can be seen above. However, one end closure flap is missing and has been replaced with a copy. The contents are complete and in excellent condition. The two-sided plan has some wood acid yellowing but is complete and unwrinkled. This kit from the late 1930s is available for Sorry Sold.

A delightful two-page plan of the Boeing Model 299 Flying Fortress, taken from the November 1935 issue of Model Airplane News, can be viewed full size by clicking here. Use the back arrow to return.

A vintage Boeing advertisement from the December 1936 issue of Aero Digest shows the "New Wings for Defense," the YB-17. This full-page ad can be viewed by by clicking here.

This Berkeley kit of the Curtiss SBC-3 Helldiver was designed for U-control by Don McGovern and engineered by Berkely Models founder, Bill Effinger in 1958. The model is in 3/4"=1' scale with a 25 1/2" wingspan. The model can handle any engine from .09 to .29. This kit is being offered with a Torpedo Special .29 glow engine.

The kit plan is very descriptive with perspective cut-aways, full-size, detailed views, a 3-view of the SBC-3 and exhaustive instructions for building. Lots of parts and a fully planked fuselage. A large number of die-cut and printed balsa sheets. The kit appears to be complete. A portion of the large, 35" x 45" plan is shown below.

A 1949 Torpedo "Special" .29, complete with an original Ohlsson wood prop, is included with this kit. The Torpedo "Special" is not the same "Torpedo" manufactured by K&B from 1946 to 1973 when they removed the Torpedo name and replaced it with the K&B logo. The Torpedo "Special" was built by Miniature Motors, Inc., a Division of Fearless Camera Co. who bought the rights to Bullet engines in 1946 and the name "Torpedo" which was also purchased by John Brodbeck of K&B, hence two Torpedos. The first "Twin Stack" came out in 1946 and had a displacement of .298 cu. in. with spark ignition. The "Twin Stack" Torpedo "Special" was changed to glow in 1949 as the case was not machined for a timer, as can be seen in the photos below (no cam). This particular engine has been bench run recently and is a strong runner and has an interesting exhaust "note" with the twin stacks. The rear, cast fuel tank can be removed if an installation demands it - the fuel line can be run to an auxiliary tank instead such as shown on the SBC-3 plan.

The kit box lid rates about a 6 to 7 with some restoration of scuffing and corner breaks; a few wrinkles remain on lid surface - a very handsome kit and will make a nice display. The Curtiss SBC-3 and SBC-4 were active at the beginning of WWII with about 186 in service but soon to be obsolescent The SBC is a good-looking biplane and was the last combat biplane produced in America - it was first flown in 1933 with several more prototypes flown with higher horsepower engines until the Navy ordered production in 1936 with first deliveries in 1937 to Navy Squadron VS-5. This Berkeley kit is a fine example of scale U-control models of the 1950s. The SBC-3 kit No. 7-3, in combination with the Torpedo "Special" .29 engine, is available for $SORRY SOLD.

A full-page Berkeley advertisement for SBC-3 kit appeared in the February 1958 issue of Model Airplane News. Click on the small picture below if you would like to see a pdf scan in full size.

This kit has a remarkably clean box with contents in excellent condition. This kit is a second version of the original SD-1 kit, with updated box art and some correction to the plan. The advertising (see below) for this 1944 kit is somewhat in error, along with a notation on the plan - the scale is noted as, "Scale=1/36 (1 IN. = 6 FT.)," which of course aren't the same! In fact, the kit is 1/36 scale with a wingspan of 14 1/4". Also, the plan and the ad claim that the model is in the same scale as the "U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics Identification Model Series" which was 1:72 scale (1 in.=6 ft.), not "1/36." The box lid has a notation of 1/36" inserted just before the words "SCALE SOLID MODEL" and it is slightly out of register suggesting it was an afterthought to the original wording. The first version of the model came in a box with earlier boxart and the wording "FLYING SCALE MODELS" (see this first box below) which has been changed, along with the art, to reflect the solid model. The first plan, in the title box, states that the model is "Scale=1/72 (1 IN. = 6 FT.)" and this was revised to 1/36 but the remaining reference to 1/72 remained.

Not only is this particular kit in pristine condition, it has an interesting bit of authentication. As covered on this website, Fred Megow started his business in Philadelphia and remained there. The bottles of corked dope (now dry of course) were wrapped in newspaper for protection - the daily Philadelphia Record dated December 1, 1944 accompanies the kit!

This is as fine an example of a wartime Megow solid model kit that you'll see. The box is nice enough to frame. Own this kit for $105.00.

The earlier version of Kit SD-1 is available with the "Flying Scale Models" box lid shown below. This lid only rates about a "6.5" with some scuffing and staining. Note that the 1/36" notation does not appear on the lid and that the plan incorrectly states that the model is in 1/72 scale. This kit is complete and is priced at $37.50. Both kits together would make an interesting addition to a collection.

Megow kit SD-2 is the P-51A or A-36, the Allison-powered version. This kit is in the same style box as the F6F-3 listed above. The box is in pristine condition and the contents are in nearly new condition - the dope bottles are also wrapped in a wartime edition of a Philadelphia newspaper. This kit also has the error on the plan stating that it is to the same scale as the identification models, but actually it is twice the size of the 1:72 scale, or 1/36. The plan title block has 1/36 scale, but then states "1 IN=6 FT".

This is an excellent collectible Megow kit, with a handsome display box that looks as if it just came off a model shop shelf in 1944. Profile-cut balsa parts. Price on this companion kit to the Hellcat SD-1 is $105.00.

The StromBecKer DC-3 kit from a 1947 design is one of the harder post-war kits to find; apparently most were constructed as many of the "put-together" DC-3s show up. This kit is pristine with a very nice, bright box with a condition scale of about "8+" - one edge shows a slight crush. The kit is complete as shown below. The kit was manufactured around 1953 as the excellent decal sheet is date marked "4-53". Own this Strombeck-Becker Mfg. Co. DC-3 kit number C-35 for $205.00. Sister kit pictured.

This StromBecKer pre-carved wood kit of the P-80 is in 1:72 scale. The box and the contents are NOS. The box is as new as you can get as it was assembled from the flat storage condition as used at the StromBecKer Moline, Illinois factory; the photos below are of the actual kit box being offered. This complete NOS Kit C32 is available for SOLD.

A NOS kit box for C32 is available for $12.00.

This is a budget builder kit - one to complete or use to fill vacancies in collector kits. These are NOS parts and the kit is complete with the exception of the box - all parts, plan, plastic canopy, decals, stand with wire, glue, sandpaper stick etc. are there. There is no original StromBecKer kit box included so the kit parts are packaged in a plain white carton for shipping. An opportunity to build a StromBecKer wood kit at a price less than a cheap plastic kit. This plan was copyrighted in 1950. Price is only SOLD.

This is another budget builder kit - one to complete or use to fill vacancies in collector kits. These are NOS parts and the kit is complete with the exception of the box - all parts, plan, plastic canopy, decals, stand with wire, glue, sandpaper stick etc. are there. There is no original StromBecKer kit box included so the kit parts are packaged in a plain white carton for shipping. An opportunity to build a StromBecKer wood kit at a price less than a cheap plastic kit. This plan was copyrighted in 1950. Price is only $20.00.

The first airplane kit produced by Strombeck-Becker was the China Clipper, Kit A51, which came out in 1936 according to R.D. Becker (the first commercial flight of the Martin M-130 Clipper on November 22, 1935 is noted on the A51 plan). Sales of this kit exceeded one million. Price for this kit was 25-cents.

This first airplane kit by StromBecKer is a rather simple structure, almost toy-like, but elegant in its execution and the minimalist approach to its elements. This kit was dropped from the line by WW2 and it wasn't until 1955 that China Clipper Kit C51 was marketed, a vastly improved wood kit compared to A51 The fuselage of kit C51 is one piece and has corrugations and the hull is stepped; the wing is properly shaped and the nacelles are finer. The two-sided plan is a finely detailed rendition of the airplane. Details of both kits can be found on the Strombeck-Becker History page on this website, including photos of the contents of both kits and a comparison of parts on Part Two.

The historic China Clipper kit is a valuable addition to a wood kit collection - it's place as a first for StromBecKer is significant. You can view the entire plan for A51 by clicking here. The A51 kit with an original box is usually very pricey - many of the "built" China Clippers show up but a complete, in-the-box kit is much rarer. Offered here is a complete kit but without the original box - all the "stuff" you would find in the StromBecKer box and packaged in a plain white box. This A51 kit is priced at SORRY SOLD.

More budget StromBecKer kits for the builder. Both the C34 Super Cruiser and the C37 Super Sea Scout; the decals that come with the kits are the same for the land version as the float version. These are NOS parts and the kit is complete with the exception of the box - all parts, plan, decals, glue, sandpaper stick etc. are there. There is no original StromBecKer kit box included so the kit parts are packaged in a plain white carton for shipping. An opportunity to build a StromBecKer wood kit at a price less than a cheap plastic kit. Price for each is only $SOLD. Have a kit less decal - will scan decal on C-D. Price SOLD

Here's a slick little model of the Beechcraft Bonanza; StromBecKer kit No. C41. This is a "builder" kit which includes all of the kit contents but not the original box; a kit from NOS parts - complete. Own this Bonanza for $24.00.

A detailed three-view of the 1949 Bonanza may be viewed and printed out by clicking here.

Two 1948 versions of the Swift 125; a landplane, kit No. C39 and a seaplane, kit No. C40. Each of these NOS kits is complete but they are not packaged in the original StromBecKer box, but instead, the parts are in a generic white box, making for "builder" models for the enthusiast. Each kit, C39 or C40, is priced at $22.00.

A complete kit of the North American F-86 Sabre Jet, Kit No. C-44, with original instruction sheet and decals. The kit is not in the original StromBecKer box, but is packaged in a plain white box at a bargain price of only Sold. All parts are included, guaranteed.

StromBecKer kit No. C46, the North American FJ-2 Fury Jet. This kit is packaged in a NOS box assembled from the flat storage condition, never used - a "10". This is a bonus kit. The StromBecKer F-86 Kit No. C-44 uses the same parts as the FJ-2 - only the instruction sheet, decals, and box are different from the FJ-2. this kit comes with copies of both the F-86 and FJ-2 instruction sheet/plan and with a set of original decals for both models; you can assemble the model as either a FJ-2 or F-86 - your choice. This dual kit in a NOS box is priced at SOLD.

The NOS box, shipped in the never used flat condition (as pictured above) may be purchased separately for $12.00. Have several.

With a tradition of producing unconventional aircraft, namely the gull-wing F4U Corsair, Chance Vought began work on a tailless, swept-wing jet in June 1945. Called F7U-1 Cutlass, the prototype made its first flight on 29 September 1948, but experienced early mechanical difficulties. All three XF7U-1 prototypes eventually crashed, as did two of the first fourteen production aircraft ordered by the Navy. An order for 88 F7U-2s in 1949 was canceled in favor of the F7U-3, which incorporated many improvements over the F7U-1 including the Westinghouse J46-WE-8A turbojet (2). However, it was still underpowered and had a troublesome nose-wheel design, the former trait mirroring the aircraft's unofficial moniker "Gutless Cutlass." The F7U-3 equipped four Navy fighter squadrons, which with the replacement of their aircraft with the missile-carrying F7U-3M, were redesignated attack squadrons.

This StromBecKer kit of the Cutlass F7U-3 is in 1:72 scale and features a clear canopy and a wire stand. The box rates about a "7" with slight lid staining. The kit is priced at Sold.

Click on the F7U Cutlass picture below and view the StromBecKer sell sheet for the "new" kit from 1953.

One of the most desirable of the pre-war StromBecKer wood airplane kits, the Boeing 314 model is the prime example of the 1930s aircraft kits made by the Stombeck-Becker Mfgr. Co. The history of this company and its products may be accessed by clicking here.

This kit is complete and in outstanding condition. The box is complete with flaps and rates an "8+", hard to find in these old kits. This kit pictured may be purchased for SORRY SOLD.

The large all balsa solid model of the B-25H Mitchell is in a large 1:48 scale. Kit Number F7 from the Long Beach firm of Falcon Model Aeroplanes; undated, but probably in the WW2 era. The kit is complete. The box rates about a "7". The plane has several short fold splits and some yellowed area. A great example of profile cut balsa solid models in the 1940s; own this kit at a bargain price of only $60.00.

The National Model Airplane Championship, or the Nats, is probably the earliest aeromodeling program or event that covered the nation. The Nats, which began in "Lindbergh's year", 1927, predates any of the national model airplane magazines such as Air Trails, Model Airplane News, or Flying Aces and predates the Academy of Model Aeronautics, AMA, which grew out of the 1936 Nats. Prior to the Nats, model airplane news, contests, and information was limited to local clubs, several published books, occasional articles or model sections in publications devoted to full scale airplane reports and accounts, and model craft magazines which would have a model airplane section or correspondent..

The National Playground Miniature Aircraft Tournament, sponsored by the Playground and Recreation Association of America, began the tradition of national contests for model airplane flying. The first 1927 contest was soon followed by other organizations holding "national" contests such as the commercial Airplane Model League of America, AMLA, which was controlled by the magazine American Boy. Newspapers sponosred model contests; Hearst ran the Junior Birdmen of America, a company club, and the Scripps-Howard chain sponsored the Junior Aviators. The YMCA got into the act.

The Playground Nats ran from 1927 to 1929; the first contest wasn't sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association which governed all aviation in America, one way or another, since 1922. The NAA had their own Junior Flying League of the NAA. The Playground Nats in the second year were sanctioned by the NAA but still only survived one more year. The Great Depression took its toll on the commercial sponsors of Nats and by 1933 it took the sponsorship of Model Airplane News, coupled with the NAA, to bring off a national championship event and maintain a tradition which is a major model airplane event today, sponsored by the AMA.

Offered here is a leaflet outlining the Second National Playground Miniature Aircraft Tournament - 1928. Prestigious airmen, military figures, politicians and the like were on the National Committee for the contest. Names such as Orville Wright, Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, Henry Ford, and Commander Richard E. Byrd were carried on the contest rules. Click on the small picture of the cover of this document shown below to view a full size PDF of this program showing all of the committee names.

This four-page, 8 1/2" x 11" folder lists all of the 10 events for indoor and the 10 events for outdoor. Other information covers "Contest Rules," "Those Eligible to Compete in the National Finals," "Awards," "Method of Scoring in the National Finals," "Bibliography," and "Sources for Materials." The Playground Nats were limited to "boys and girls up to twenty-one years of age."

Here is a truly historic model airplane document from 1928, promoting the Finals to be held at Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 5 and 6, 1928. You can add this wonderful modeling ephemera to your early modeling collection for only $27.50.

A really nice Scientific kit from 1975. This is a full rigged Clipper ship with a carved hull; the overall length is 13 3/4". Kit No. 167 in their Collector's Series for only $70.00.

An all-balsa, profile-cut solid model of the Douglas DC-6 Mainliner "300" with a large 16" wingspan. This model has a decal set for the United Air Lines Mainliner. The kit was advertised in 1946 and the ad shown below appeared in the May 1946 issue of Model Airplane News.

An excellent kit, Comet X-1, which requires shaping of the parts including the nacelles - took a lot of work to make a presentable Mainliner. This kit is in great condition; parts and liquids are in the proper tray - one bottle of aluminum paint still has some liquid in it. The box and lid are very presentable and make a superb display example of a pre-plastic kit era model kit. This was no snap together!

Photos of the kit details are shown below. Own this beauty for $187.50.

Two solid model kits are offered here as a "set" representing typical kit products of the Pioneer Modelcraft Co. of Brooklyn during World War 2. Two twin engine bombers are featured, the N.A. B-25 and the Lockheed Hudson. These are relatively simple kits - I have not run across any advertising for Pioneer so perhaps they were sold to dime stores or retailed through hobby houses such as Polks, America's Hobby Center, etc.

The Box shown above featuring the P-38 is a nice lid-type container measuring about 10 inches in length; the North American B-25 kit is in this box. With a wing span of 10 1/8", the full kit is shown below. This must have been a late WW2 model as some of the B-25 history is mentioned on the plan, including the Doolittle Raid - also, the kit is all balsa. This is the typical budget solid model kit of the period - solid blocks of wood with templates or printed outlines for cutting out the parts. Really not a bad kit, with a good box, decent plan, templates and paper insignia. Manufacturers must have figured that every kid in the nation had access to a coping saw! The box side panels show a series of 12 kits available, including the Typhoon, Mosquito and P-51D.

The Pioneer Solid Scale Models kit box with the stylized P-40 is probably from an earlier war period, though the twelve kits in the series, as shown on the back of the inexpensive flap-type box, cover airplanes into the 1942/43 period, including a Jap "Zero", British P-51 Mustang, birdcage Corsair and an early Spitfire. This is a budget kit of the Lockheed Hudson; note that it has a balsa fuselage block and nacelles but a die-cut chipboard wing and tail section. Paper British insignia. A wingspan of 7 3/8 inches. Not a bad plan and has a template sheet for the fuselage profile - templates for contours are shown on the left hand side of the plan. Note that Lockheed is misspelled "lockhead", but the box end flap has the proper spelling! This is a RARE kit of the one and only "Lockhead" Hudson!

This is a nice pair of World War 2 solid kits of twin-engine bombers, both by Pioneer Modelcraft. Own this collectible duo for only sorry sold.

The following kits are listed as "builders" - some are older, some are new in the past 20 years, but in all cases, the price of each is in the range that you can purchase the kit to build, not collect. The photos show the boxes of some of the kits listed. Most of these are in "like new" condition and the contents are all complete.

These are not reproduction kits - they are all original kits. Most are in or near "Peanut" scale.

NOWLEN AER0

Samuel P. Langley's Aerodrome "A" , 13" span, unusual kit, Sold
Nieuport 11, 13" span, Many detail parts including metal cowl ring, outstanding Peanut ,Sold

JETCO MODELS

Dayton-Wright Racer, Henry Struck, wheels retract, Kit PS-1, Henry Struck $10.00
The Lark, 27" wing span, Kit R-3, $7.00

EASY BUILT - Canada

Art Chester Racer, 12" span, Kit FF-38, $10.00
Taylor Cub, 18" span, $10.00
Gremlin Tow Line Glider, $15.00

GENE DUBOIS

Fairchild 24, 13" span, Kit PS-6, SOLD
Miss Los Angeles Brown B-2, PS-11, $18.00
Mr. Mulligan, PS-9, SOLD
Gee Bee R1, PS-7, SOLD
Gee Bee R1, PS-7, older box, $20.00

PECK-POLYMERS

Gipsy Moth, 13" span, PP-11, SOLD
Druine Turbulent, 12" span, PP-3, $15.00
Piper J-3 Cub, 13" span, PP-5, $15.00
Baby Ace, 17 ½" span, PP-15, SOLD
Baby Ace, Walnut Scale Series, 17 ½" span, PP-15, different box, $15.00
Zero, Peanut Scale Kit PP-1 $7.00
Pietenpol Air Camper, 13" Peanut,$5.00

COMET

Fokker D VII, 12" span, 3104, SOLD
Piper Cub Cruiser J5, 26 19/32" span, 3406, $30.00
Curtiss Robin, 22" span, 3303, sold
Taylor Cub, 18" span, poor box, 3211, SOLD

A35 Vengeance, kit 3405:1.49, 20" span, sold
Phantom Fury 32" Kit 3207, $7.00
Gull II, 30", Kit 3903:3.00 (from 1963), $7.00

SCIENTIFIC

Miss America, 20" wing span, Kit 137 $6.00
Sky-Masater, 36" wing span, Kit 160, by Don McGovern, $9.00

SUPREME FLYING MODELS - STEVE PATTI CO.

Pee Wee, $SOLD
Yardbird, $SOLD

GUILLOW

Guillows is one of the oldest and longest running model airplane kit manufacturers. Started in 1924 by an ex-Navy WWI pilot, Paul Guillow, the company is still going strong and has a current website. A short article in the December 1960 issue of American Modeler profiled Guillows. You can read this 50 plus year-old article by clicking on Guillow.

The "Giant Scale" kits shown below are currently offered by Guillows and may be viewed on their website by clicking here. Use the back arrow to return to this page. Note that these kits are priced at $119.99 each. You can purchase any of the three kits presented here for only one-half price, or $60.00. Note that the B-24D and B-17G are still in the original cello wrap, having never been opened.

Other kits include:

British SE-5, 18" span, SOLD
German Rumpler C5, 1964, Kit 206, SOLD
Focke-Wulf Fw-190, ¾" scale, 25 ¾" span, Kit 406, $10.00
Messerschmitt Bf-109, ¾" scale, 24 3/8" span, Kit 401, SOLD
Messerschmitt Bf-109, 16 1/2" wing span, Kit 505, nice model, $7.00
Cessna O-1E Bird Dog, 18 1/8" span, kit 902, 1967, $30.00

CALIFORNIA MODEL COMPANY

Featherette Microfilm Indoor Model, 18", Class B, Frank Green, $7.50

SIG

The '29er, 20 ½" span, Paul McGrath Classic Series, $5.00
Mr. Mulligan, 20" span, Kit FF-23, a very nice scale flyer for $30.00.
Skyray, 1/2A Control Line Stunt, Profile, 23 3/4"ws, CL-23, Mike Gretz, $20.00

ENTERPRISE

Tow-Line Glider, 24" span, Sold

MICROX

Piper PA-16 Clipper, 25" span, FS 703, $25.00

STERLING

Schweizer 2-32 Sailplane, 42 ¼" span, Kit A27, SORRY SOLD

These two kits include two models each:
WACO S.R.E and Interstate Cadet, Peanut Scale, Kit P-3, $7.00
Monocoupe and Citabria, Peasnut Scale, Kit P-2, $7.00
JASCO

R.O.G., simple stick, have two, $SOLD
Thermic C, original JASCO and the much simplified follow-on JETCO, as a pair, sold

MIDWEST PRODUCTS

Piper Cub J-3, 22" wingpan, Kit 407, $5.00

Model designer Earl Stahl was famous for his numerous scale models designed for rubber power - his plans were frequently printed in magazines. If you would like to build a slick Miles Magister model, as it appeared in the February 1942 issue of Model Airplane News, then click here for a set of plans.

Click Here for more kits on Model Kit Annex 4 Page.

Return to Vintage Kit Annex 2 Page for many more vintage items.

Return to Vintage Kit Annex Page for many more vintage items.

Return to the Vintage Model Airplane Kits Page

Vintage model airplane engines are offered on the Vintage Model Engines page which may be accessed by clicking Here.

Page 2 of the 1922 Boucher, Inc. ship model and steam engine catalog. Their motto was, "Toys that are more than just toys." Their models were made to sail and the boats weren't inexpensive; the top of the line sailing boat was the "Osprey," a 36" hull with 800 square inches of sail. The hull was molded composition - the vessels came ready to sail, or for a lesser price, you could buy a kit. The "Osprey" was priced at $50.00 and that was in 1922! A ready to run power boat, the "Baracuda," their largest stock boat at 48", was priced at $184.50 and included the steam engine and boiler. In terms of today's dollar, that price would convert to $2341.35. Boucher was the forerunner of what today is known as Bluejacket Shipcrafters. H.E. Boucher was a French naval architect and was the head of the U.S. Navy's model shop in Washington about 100 years ago.

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