Stinson Model A

Don, That brings back memories of some old kits from manufacturers like Strombecker, Comet, Sterling, and even some early Monogram kits. I remember pasting side and top view cut-outs on balsa blocks and then using cardboard "station templates". The last Sterling aircraft I did was a "stick and tissue" Schweitzer 2-32 sailplane with a 3 foot wingspan back in the mid 80's. I gave it away to my neighbor's 8 year old son who got his Dad to hang it from his bedroom ceiling. As far as I know, it's still there. Ray

Ray Marotta

Don, That brings back memories of some old kits from manufacturers like Strombecker, Comet, Sterling, and even some early Monogram kits. I remember pasting side and top view cut-outs on balsa blocks and then using cardboard "station templates".

Most of the brands gave you fuselage block bandsaw cut for profile, but many did not cut the planform.  The best kits were cut for both profile and planform.  And there was a company, Miniature Aircraft somethingorother, that was machined all over (pretty roughly though) except for at nose and tail where it was chucked into their machine.  Those were the deluxe kits with lots of white metal fittings (LGs, props, etc.).  This was all BP (before plastic), of course.

There was one manufacturer whose name escapes me that provided pre-formed wood fuselages much like Lockheed did with the Vega and some other Golden Age types of aircraft. It may have been "Speedy-Built" or something like that. Not to date myself but I started modeling with Comet's stick and tissue models that cost me a whole 10 cents at the base hobby shop. (I'm an Military brat) All the best Ray

Ray Marotta

There was one manufacturer whose name escapes me that provided pre-formed wood fuselages much like Lockheed did with the Vega and some other Golden Age types of aircraft. It may have been "Speedy-Built" or something like that. Not to date myself but I started modeling with Comet's stick and tissue models that cost me a whole 10 cents at the base hobby shop. (I'm an Military brat) All the best Ray

The Monogram Speedy-Builts of the fifties were an intermediate between balsa flying models and plastic in that they had a lot of plastic parts for details, were heavy, and thus did not fly very well.  The big thing was to eliminate the job of pinning sticks over plans to get the two sides.  The sides were die-cut sheet balsa.  As a result, the model always had flat sides regardless of fuselage cross-section of prototype.  They were great for models of planes with welded tubing fuselages, not so good for models of monocoque aluminum like a P-47.

I vaguely remember the molded fuselage models but cannot think of the brand.  I know Top-Flight made some expensive gas models with that technique.

You know, Guillows sells all kinds of plastic bits and pieces that come in handy for larger scale models. Look at their website. Not for the Stinson, though.

bondoman

You know, Guillows sells all kinds of plastic bits and pieces that come in handy for larger scale models. Look at their website. Not for the Stinson, though.

They don't make anything small enough either.  This cowl will be pretty small. I've bought some half-round, however, and will make enough bumps for one cowl with that, then resin duplicate it. Still a lot of work, but hey, that is what you have to accept for a scratch project, right?

Right! Or, the a/c could have it's Lycomings switched out for Pratts...

bondoman

Right! Or, the a/c could have it's Lycomings switched out for Pratts...

Yes, I have the option of building it as a restored plane, one kept at a local airport.  Most of the photos I have obtained are of that plane, in the Golden Wings museum.  I guess modeling a museum plane is a legitimate thing.  That one has no cowl bumps.