1940s aeroplane model building book
Discussion
Just been around my dad's and he's given me a book that he used to build models from in the 40s. There's three elevations of each plane (at least) and sections through the fuselage too. He used to get blocks of balsa wood and carve them into the planes in the book, sadly the models haven't survived but the book has. I remember when I was young we started to make one too, but it was never finished and I'd forgotten about the book.
Having looked at it, it seems that it was a 1942 edition, and they put five issues out through the war, showing the different planes in each.
Some of the adverts are interesting:
This is a list of all the aircraft covered in this edition:
There's some iconic planes:
The Lancaster was a favourite to be made back in the day apparently. And so the plans have suffered..!
There's some more unusual stuff too:
I'm quite tempted to have a go at making one again now, although I think I may photocopy the plans first - yes I know they stretch slightly in copying, but I'd rather that!
Having looked at it, it seems that it was a 1942 edition, and they put five issues out through the war, showing the different planes in each.
Some of the adverts are interesting:
This is a list of all the aircraft covered in this edition:
There's some iconic planes:
The Lancaster was a favourite to be made back in the day apparently. And so the plans have suffered..!
There's some more unusual stuff too:
I'm quite tempted to have a go at making one again now, although I think I may photocopy the plans first - yes I know they stretch slightly in copying, but I'd rather that!
I think there were seven volumes in all. I remember looking through my Dad's collection when I was a kid. I don't know why but I loved the adverts for the various manufacturers and component suppliers. I also seem to remember them having colour dust jackets. Now I'm going to have to find out if he still has them all.
Yep, old books have that feeling of being a sort of time tunnel back to the past. You are actually touching (and smelling) the real past. Don't photocopy it though, scan it! That way it can be printed out as many times as you want, shared, scaled, whatever, and you don't risk doing any more damage.
My field is electronics, and you can imagine the rate at which technology changed in just a few years around then - most of which wasn't published at the time (or even later) because of national security. When I think of all the old ex-forces electronic and mechanical gear that I bought for 50p off the market and trashed. It taught me a huge amount about how things work though.
My field is electronics, and you can imagine the rate at which technology changed in just a few years around then - most of which wasn't published at the time (or even later) because of national security. When I think of all the old ex-forces electronic and mechanical gear that I bought for 50p off the market and trashed. It taught me a huge amount about how things work though.
mrmaggit said:
I found a pile of pre-and during WW2 Model Engineer magazines in my Dads sideboard. Pile about four inches high. What should I do with them?
I bet they're pretty interesting! Personally I'd keep them but I guess there'd be a market for them if you wanted to part with them 
Bought another couple of volumes
One is a repeat of Vol 3 which is the one dad has, I'm sure it was advertised as being Vol 2 but as his copy is very fragile I'm happy to have another more 'working' edition. I also got Vol 1 which has some great planes in, but the plans look a little rough compared to the later volume.
I'm going to try and get the whole set as and when I can over the years. I'm off to buy some balsa wood tomorrow
One is a repeat of Vol 3 which is the one dad has, I'm sure it was advertised as being Vol 2 but as his copy is very fragile I'm happy to have another more 'working' edition. I also got Vol 1 which has some great planes in, but the plans look a little rough compared to the later volume.
I'm going to try and get the whole set as and when I can over the years. I'm off to buy some balsa wood tomorrow
IanMorewood said:
If you do end up scanning the plans I would be very interested in a copy of the plans for the Consolidated PB2Y I have a soft spot for big flying boats.
I'll have a go Just looked it up and it's one of the fold out three sheet A4 plans, so I'll have to hae a play as the scanner's only A4
I've narrowed down my selection of what to have a go at making down to three, mainly based on what I think will be easiest to make as a first attempt
First choice would be this, the Miles Magister;
... but I'm not sure about the open cockpit in balsa wood!
Second choice will be either a Spitfire or Hurricane, partly because they're on the first couple of pages of the book and secondly good old fashioned cliche
Sadly the scans didn't really work. I scanned a couple and printed them but it skewed the scale, which is probably due to some setting or another, but photocopying made them come out the right size so that's what I'll work from.
Balsa wood has been ordered
First choice would be this, the Miles Magister;
... but I'm not sure about the open cockpit in balsa wood!
Second choice will be either a Spitfire or Hurricane, partly because they're on the first couple of pages of the book and secondly good old fashioned cliche
Sadly the scans didn't really work. I scanned a couple and printed them but it skewed the scale, which is probably due to some setting or another, but photocopying made them come out the right size so that's what I'll work from.
Balsa wood has been ordered
No worries if the scans didn't work I guess I will have to splash out on a copy of the book, several on eBay right now can't believe people don't give a good description of books on eBay.
Oh and build the Hurricane before the Spit it will be a more forgiving build from my plays with balsa in the past.
Oh and build the Hurricane before the Spit it will be a more forgiving build from my plays with balsa in the past.
IanMorewood said:
No worries if the scans didn't work I guess I will have to splash out on a copy of the book, several on eBay right now can't believe people don't give a good description of books on eBay.
Oh and build the Hurricane before the Spit it will be a more forgiving build from my plays with balsa in the past.
I'm happy to have a go at scanning it if you like? I could always measure the scale bar at the bottom but you'd probably have to play around with the printer settings to try and get them to match. Or I could photocopy it as three sheets and stick them in the post?Oh and build the Hurricane before the Spit it will be a more forgiving build from my plays with balsa in the past.
And condition wise, the books do seem a little hit and miss. One of the ones I've just bought has half of one plan missing and a note tucked in saying, "this one seems to have half missing, sorry!"
I don't mind too much as I'm paying the lower end of what they're advertised for, but I can imagine it would frustrate collectors!
Just called in to see dad and he presented me with the model we started - but didn't finish - about 20 years ago!
It's a bit grubby from living in the garage - can't believe he kept it
I'm going to still tackle something more simple from scratch first, then maybe try and finish this one after. I've got some wood and glue, and dad's just given me tips on mixing talcum powder with dope to make the 'filler'.
It's a bit grubby from living in the garage - can't believe he kept it
I'm going to still tackle something more simple from scratch first, then maybe try and finish this one after. I've got some wood and glue, and dad's just given me tips on mixing talcum powder with dope to make the 'filler'.
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