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Looking Back?

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, June 23, 2019 6:33 AM

I have several old mags, Air Trails, Model Airplane News, Flying Aces.  Date from late 30s to mid 50s.  I didn't start reading such mags until late 40s, but my collection got lost moving to college, then to AF.  But later, saw a bundle a guy was getting rid of, and bought them for a reasonable sum.

There were no plastic models, except as TB notes, Monogram began offering molded plastic parts of some parts.  Most of mags were flying models, but a few solid wood models which we called solid models (non flying display scale).

Earliest mags featured a lot of real aviation- more than the models.  After war content changed to mostly models.  They did feature 3 views by excellent draftsmen like Wylam and Matt.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Looking Back?
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Saturday, June 22, 2019 11:18 AM

Hi Ya'll :

    I was perusing an old magazine and I mean old . a 1957 Boy's Life. Models were advertised in there . Strombecker and Comet! Build an accurate model of your favorite Plane .

     Went to the hobby shop.That place was full of American Flyer and Lionel Trains and scenery Stuff. Models were in a small shelf unit in the back .Bigger shelves for the stick and tissue flying planes .Small shelves for solid wood planes, cars and  solid wood ships.

   Shopkeeper told me to look to my right and there's the newer plastic car kits .A.M.T. 3 in 1 customizing kits . ( Green Box) ( buildable versions of dealer Promos ).I bought a plane .

   Strombecker D.C.7C. Glue (casien powder glue-AddWater and go for it!) and decals included along with wire landing gear!Solid plastic Molded engine nacelles and props ( that's new ) The wheels were wood too!.Wings were generally shaped.You had to sand and file to aerodynamic profile. Same with the tail and elevators.

   Next, finish with silver paint.of course you have a divot in the wing fillet. Sand and fill again. Examine with a magnifier, then paint two finish coats of silver let dry and apply Decals.

 Next time I went to the hobby shop I spent 98 cents for Revell's plane . First plastic kit! Wow a lot of difference for twenty five more cents ! The Modeler starting today has no idea how great the hobby has become in the world of Plastic,Resin and P.E. Oh, I still have two Stick and Tissue planes.One in the box and the other (oft Repaired and Repainted ) still flyable!

 That old Comet flying model ( rubber powered) Piper J-3 is as tough as the real ones turned  out to be .It still flies too ! Can't fly my new Y.F.22 but it was as much fun O.O.B.as those old wood kits ,Really !

     I Could buy a Flyable one. I'd rather buy my Grand-Daughter a good used car for that kind of money !    T.B.

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