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.
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.
CLEVELAND REPUBLIC P-47 THUNDERBOLT, SF-81 - 1942
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.
SPECIAL for CollectAir Cleveland kit customers. A Free copy of Aviation's Great Recruiter - Cleveland's Ed Packard book by Herm Schreiner will accompany any Cleveland kit priced at $195 or more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BRITISH S.E.-5 U-Control Model by North American Models - with engine
The detailed plan (much shown below) measures 24 1/2" x 35"; unfortunately, the long-ago owner of this kit decided to separate the plan into the various components to be built so it has been cut into 5 pieces, each representing a portion of the airplane but no view has been corrupted (put it all back together if you desire). Accompanying the kit is a small booklet (cover shown below) of 4 pages which gives detailed building and flying instructions (note the use of the French "Manuel"). The instruction states that engines from .099 to .50 may be used. Interestingly, the plan gives no clue on how to install an engine - a .099 would be a snap but a .50 would require some slashing! An Arden .099 would work. The box lid rates only about a "5" - the center label is in fine condition but the lid end portions are stained and split.
Wheels were not provided in the kit; the instruction booklet, item 25, states to, "Install good grade air wheels or "semi-pneumatics" of diameter shown in drawings." Diameter is about 2 1/4" - there are some very suitable WWI style wheels on the current market which would look great.
Pity the poor kid that bought this kit - how do you install an engine; how do you hook up line control? Actually, lightened up, this kit could make a nice RC model with something like an O.S. MAX .10. A more current O.S. MAX 10 RC engine with muffler is included with this kit; a used engine with excellent compression - it appears that the throttle control arm needs to be replaced, but otherwise is in great condition for flying or for display. Photos of the engine are shown below. The vintage kit and O.S. engine at a price of only SORRY SOLD.
This is a terrific all-balsa model kit number BSC-190-B of the S.E.-5 from North American Models of Burbank, California; not dated but it is probably from the late 1940s or early 1950s as the plan shows a wiring diagram for an ignition engine. A modern glow engine accompanies the kit. As the photos below show, this kit is packed with balsa - numerous blocks, sheets, sticks of all sizes. The model would make up into a nice scale version; note the generous use of stringers and ribs which appear scale-like. The wingspan of this model is 26 1/2 inches or a 1:12 scale. The model is designed for U-control, but obviously in order to avoid patent problems with Jim Walker, NAM refers to control only as "Line Control" - also, the controllable elevator is shown but there is no description or drawings of how to link up the elevator to control lines nor are there any bellcrank parts. No patent problems here!
BERKELEY SBC-3 HELLDIVER - KIT 7-3 - 1958
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.
STERLING U.S.S. MISSOURI BB 63 - KIT B-17M
The Sterling kit of the U.S.S. Missouri can be built into a authentic operating replica of the famous battleship. This large model measures 55 1/2" in length and is constructed of balsa and plywood. The model can be powered (an .049 engine is shown on the plan) and radio controlled; a modern powered version would probably be powered by an electric motor or several motors.
Shown below is a 1957 ad for the "Big Mo" from the American Modeler magazine.
This Sterling model was on the market for many years. A small advertisement for this kit is shown below as taken from the America's Hobby Center ad in February 1969 - ten years later.
The optional Ship Fittings Set B 17-F is included - this set was sold separately. There are somewhere around 110 to 115 metal fittings in the set. Photos of the kit, parts, fittings set, plan and a page from the instruction booklet are shown below. The plan is a large 35" x 45" showing the model in full scale; the 8 1/2" x 11" instruction booklet is very thorough. The kit may be purchased for $SORRY SOLD$.
The August 1957 issue of American Modeler carried a kit review of the Sterling Missouri; this extensive review may be read by clicking Here.
CONTEST RULES ETC. FOR 1928 NATS
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.
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.
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..
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."
SCIENTIFIC FLYING CLOUD CLIPPER - Collector's Series
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.
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