Author Topic: For the geezers - '50s 1/2A profile kits? (Read 5678 times)

Terry Caron · « **on:** October 14, 2016, 03:28:45 PM »

I'm trying to remember who produced a bunch of profile/sheet wing 1/2A c/l models, possibly advertised by AHC in their full-page ads in all the mags. IIRC, they were always down the righthand side of the page.
There were a dozen or more designs, mostly sport, maybe some "scale". Unfortunately. I can't recall any of the names.
I'm almost sure they weren't CG, as the ones I'm familiar with don't ring the right bell.
Definitely not hollow log - did Scientific have a series of profiles also? That's the name that keeps intruding.
Can anyone recall?

kenneth cook · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2016, 04:07:24 PM »

I'm not old enough to recall those kits but I will go out on a limb and say Johnny Casburn maybe?

Terry Caron · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2016, 04:12:04 PM »

I'm not familiar with that name, Ken - maybe a designer for someone?

Dennis Saydak · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2016, 05:01:44 PM »

Here's a typical AHC advert from the mid 50s. There were F-86 and F-F1 profile 1/2A kits advertised but the manufacturer wasn't shown. Perhaps someone who had these kits can remember?

Terry Caron · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2016, 05:10:36 PM »

I would've seen the ads a year or so later, but the 2 in the upper right are sure likely candidates, Dennis.
The copy references choosing from the opposite page - are there other profiles pictured there?

Dennis Saydak · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2016, 05:27:45 PM »

Quote from: Terry Caron on October 14, 2016, 05:10:36 PM

I would've seen the ads a year or so later, but the 2 in the upper right are sure likely candidates, Dennis.
The copy references choosing from the opposite page - are there other profiles pictured there?

AHC ads were consistently on Pages 7, 8 & 9 of every magazine in the 50s. There are no other profiles pictured. Perhaps you are thinking of Enterprise models? I'll check the ads for a year or so later to see if I can find anything else.

Dennis Saydak · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2016, 05:40:03 PM »

AGC ads were consistent all the way to 1959 regarding 1/2A profile kit pictures shown. The only additional design that showed up was a funny looking design called "Syndrome" It had the engine mounted on a pod above the front-located canopy location.

Terry Caron · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2016, 06:01:38 PM »

Enterprise is a possibility, Dennis.
I just wish I could remember, after the hours on end I spent staring at the ads, wrestling over which I'd buy if I had $1.98 (or whatever fortune to an 11 yr old it was in those days

).
I greatly appreciate your interest - I'm hoping to rediscover the first model my older brother and I began with (he actually bought it).
A big thanks.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2016, 07:35:58 PM »

Scientific?

Terry Caron · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2016, 07:42:31 PM »

That's the name that's stuck in my mind, Wayne, but I haven't found anything about profiles from them, only the hollow log series.
Do you remember profiles?

Ed Carlaw · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2016, 07:52:40 PM »

Hi Terry, I'm looking at a 1960 MAN and it is as Dennis says. They show a long list of control line planes for 1/2a but no pictures. The planes on the list appear to be from various manufacturers. The only other company that comes to mind is Consolidated, but I'm not sure whether their kits were profile. The Scientific ad in the same issue only shows two or three profiles. Ed.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2016, 07:58:23 PM »

Going way back here! I believe the profile F-86 and P-51 were Scientific kits. The full-fuselage ones seen at left were from Consolidated. Not sure about the others.

Ed Carlaw · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:05:42 PM »

I came across an ad in the February 1961 MAN for Ambroid. They show two profiles, one being a P-51 and the other the Matador. The ad states that they were C/L Sport/Trainer and Stunt/Trainer with shaped and hollowed wings.

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:09:45 PM »

I find it interesting that the Cub was an extra cost option.

Ed Carlaw · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:16:37 PM »

Monarch also made a couple of profiles but I think they were made after 1960. Ed.

Terry Caron · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:34:27 PM »

I'm sure it's not Ambroid - that I'd remember.

Monarch's not at all familiar, and the time period would be '57-'60 (discovered girls then

).
Definitely profiles.
It's always possible I'm simply compounding memories, but the general layout of the ad is seemingly burned into my brain.
I can almost remember individual planes/names.
It's also possible the recurring ad I have in mind wasn't AHC, but I've "bundled" another major outlet since AHC was so ever-present.
"Crackerjack" is one name I remember if there was more than one, 'cause not this one:

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:41:26 PM »

Maybe Sterling? Their early kit offerings were heavy on the profile side, and were $1.98 in the AHC adds. I used to lust over those adds also and wanted the Beginners Mustang. For the kit and a Cox Baby Bee, some glue and shipping would have run me close to 12 bucks I think! I still have the issue of American Modeler with the add and the order form filled out for those items!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Terry Caron · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:57:31 PM »

Actually, Dan, I'd be shocked not to remember that name - my first, unattainable love was the S-2 Mustang.

I've just looked through the S series and the model names, while many are familiar, aren't checking the right box
Hope it's not all senility!

I asked my brother the name of that first model a few years back; unfortunately I didn't note it at the time and he's gone now.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2016, 09:23:30 PM »

In that ad, did you notice at the bottom left corner an advertisement for a Pogo that would actually take off and land vertically? Lots of luck with that !

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2016, 09:59:39 PM »

Testors?

Terry Caron · « **Reply #20 on:** October 14, 2016, 10:23:22 PM »

Testor's sold solid wood models and plastic RTFs, but I don't think profiles.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
I've run across the name of Ace Hobby - could it have been them in the '50s ads?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2016, 10:31:30 PM »

Most of the 1/2A mfg's had profile kits. Scientific had more profiles than the rest. The worst one was called Sinbad with a Babe Bee mounted on a pylon above the wing. I think Blackhawk Models has most of them in kit form now.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2016, 10:47:52 PM »

Quote from: Terry Caron on October 14, 2016, 10:23:22 PM

Testor's sold solid wood models and plastic RTFs, but I don't think profiles.

Not that it's what you're after here, but paging through old magazines at times it seems like I remember seeing articles or ads about a series of small wood kits from Testors showing a very similar design in .049, .09 and .15 sizes. I can't remember what they were called, but a cartoon logo of a floppy eared dog on at least one of them comes to mind too, maybe a "PUP"?

Terry Caron · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2016, 11:05:45 PM »

Doc, bless you - Scientific for sure.
I looked at Black Hawks offerings and, while I'm not positive the one my brother and I flew is there (maybe Am. Boy), and several of them don't look at all familiar, seeing the Little Ike nailed it - I definitely remember it on my wish list.
At least this effort isn't due to senility.

Thanks, guys, for all your interest and input!

Tony Drago · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2016, 12:13:46 AM »

Quote from: Ed Carlaw on October 14, 2016, 08:05:42 PM

I came across an ad in the February 1961 MAN for Ambroid. They show two profiles, one being a P-51 and the other the Matador. The ad states that they were C/L Sport/Trainer and Stunt/Trainer with shaped and hollowed wings.

Ambroid bought out Enterprise models. Then Midwest bought out Ambroid ( the kit division ).

paw080 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 15, 2016, 01:34:46 AM »

Hi, How about some real rare 1/2A profile kits...produced by PDQ; that's right, PDQ's 1/2A

Mustang, Yak- 9 jr and Bearcat profile kits, all using almost the same wing design and planform..

around 22-25" wingspan. I've got the PDQ 1/2A bearcat kit somewhere; when I find it, it'll be

another photo I'll post...that is if I ever figure out how it's done!

Tony

paw080 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 15, 2016, 01:48:03 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on October 14, 2016, 10:31:30 PM

Most of the 1/2A mfg's had profile kits. Scientific had more profiles than the rest. The worst one was called Sinbad with a Babe Bee mounted on a pylon above the wing. I think Blackhawk Models has most of them in kit form now.

Hi, make that "Syndrome", not Sinbad(that was a Berkeley small towline kit)

I've seen the Enterprise Syndrome kit pop up on ebay a few times; went rather cheaply as I recall...

Tony

Dennis Leonhardi · « **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2016, 02:24:15 AM »

Hey, careful who you call a geezer!

I'm about 6 years ahead of you and thought that pair of profiles was the coolest kit imaginable. I even have at least most of the parts plus the original plans in good shape. I may have enlarged them to get full size profiles. Then I found you can enlarge the top view (I seem to recall 600%) to get full size wing and stabilizer/elevator. Perfectly fine for templates ...

Photos attached; the pdf file I have for the plans is much more crisp than shown because of the need to reduce file size here.

One of these days I'll get to that section of my bucket list!

A couple of observations: in "real life" the stabilizer/elevator is darned small - in keeping with the overall size - and these are really designed for engines such as the OK Cub and Wen-Mac, for example, with a fuel tank mounted on the side of the fuselage. Mounting anything like a Babe Bee with attached fuel tank would probably put the balance point just slightly behind the propeller.

Great memories though!

Dennis

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2016, 07:21:59 AM »

Years after they did the block-fuselage/slab-wing designs, Scientific made a couple of very nice profiles with built-up wings for the .049 including the Bearcat.

Terry Caron · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2016, 08:54:52 AM »

Yes, Ty, I'm convinced Scientific is who made the kit.
However, studying BHM's offerings, none of the names really jump out.
American Boy fits the vague image in my mind but not the vague sense I have of the name my brother told me - Little Devil seems to fit that better, though not profile.
Of course, it may not have been a profile - 1957 was along time ago.

Also, it may have been a Scientific kit not produced by BHM. I don't know how many Musciano designed, but certainly many more than are available now.

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #30 on:** October 17, 2016, 09:36:20 AM »

Quote from: Ed Carlaw on October 14, 2016, 08:16:37 PM

Monarch also made a couple of profiles but I think they were made after 1960. Ed.

The Monarch kits that I was lucky to own were much superior to both Scientific and Enterprise kits. The wood and the cutting was light years ahead of both of them and they all flew well. Sadly I think that they did not survive past the mid 60's but I'm not positive about that.

Dennis

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 17, 2016, 10:37:29 AM »

Terry...you are 9 years my senior and I lived a significant time out side the USA in the 50~70s so every thing these days is "new to me" including old magazine and comic book ads

I have a buddy on Cox Engine Forum (CEF) who frequently posts something about a engine or model from his collection of old magazines... and I get a grand kick out of the included advertisements

To your question, I wonder if Sears or Woolworth had the ads you remember.... or a side thought was if Tom Wilk's extensive collection may include the old ads you remember

Or maybe very early Tower catalogs

Just an aside, but by the time I was state side in the 60s~70s most of what you are trying to remember had passed...but I bet almost every catalog or add from that era is still able to be found

Terry Caron · « **Reply #32 on:** October 17, 2016, 11:02:16 AM »

Hi Fred. So you're not quite a geezer yet, but thanks for the response.

I have a small group of period mags but didn't see the ad I remember, so the post here.
But it was, in fact, the Scientific ad/models as noted above, the "Little Ike", the only specific model I remember, nailing it down.
It all sprang from a notion for a memorial of sorts, a recreation of the first model I flew with a dearly loved, greatly admired, humongously enjoyed and deeply missed older brother.

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 17, 2016, 12:01:21 PM »

Terry brother I totally get that!

At age 4 or about in 1959 I helped my DAD build a Sterling Ring Master, Jim Walker U-Reely, with McCoy 29/35 ignition...(I think)

Of course this was fairly easy to re-live

FOR exactly the same reasons

Terry Caron · « **Reply #34 on:** October 17, 2016, 12:26:10 PM »

Yes, Fred, Don was my lifelong BFF, confidant, mentor, positive critic and partner-in-crime for 'most anything that wasn't boringly "grown up".

No saint, had his faults ("None but what is common to man") yet an all-round nice guy for that.

Andre Ming · « **Reply #35 on:** October 17, 2016, 09:18:29 PM »

1/2 A Profiles are cool.

After I managed to destroy my Cox PT19 on a freak nosed dive encounter with the patio... using the Babe Bee from it, it fell to a "Beginners Ringmaster" to FINALLY teach me how to fly C/L waaaay back in the mid 1960s.

From my "Beginners Ringmaster" I moved to a Goldberg "Stuntman 23", then a "Baby Ringmaster" (built up wing), and eventually built a "Lil' Toot" as well (but don't recall ever flying it). There may have been other 1/2 A profiles that I built... but those are the ones I distinctly recall.

However... the REAL 1/2 A "memory machine" for me is the "Combat Kitten": My first "combat wing". I couldn't wait until I was comfortable enough flying the profiles so I could finally build and fly a "combat wing" airplane. Those "evil looking" combat planes had me from the time I first laid eyes upon one. (A magazine ad.) That time came, and onto it went a Golden Bee. Wow! What a difference between my profiles and that Kitten! Fun!

Wow... that was sooooo long ago now.

Fortunately, when I fire up one of my Fox X powered combat planes and give the helper the "go" signal... I'm a kid all over again!

Time machines, they are.

Andre

John Rist · « **Reply #36 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:24:27 AM »

Quote from: Fredvon4 on October 17, 2016, 12:01:21 PM

Terry brother I totally get that!

At age 4 or about in 1959 I helped my DAD build a Sterling Ring Master, Jim Walker U-Reely, with McCoy 29/35 ignition...(I think)

Of course this was fairly easy to re-live

FOR exactly the same reasons

1959 was the year I finished high school. I flew a Ringmaster with a Fox 35. In 1959 ignition was pretty much gone. LHS only stocked glow.

Les McDonald · « **Reply #37 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:38:41 AM »

I remember building a "Thunderbug" from (I think) Joy Manufacturing.
I may be wrong but I believe Joy eventually became Balsa USA.
These are vague, random memories but perhaps it may jar something loose from you guys!

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #38 on:** October 19, 2016, 10:23:25 AM »

The kid down the road from us had an 049 and a profile from Jim Walker. I don't recall much about it other then that it had a metal prop.

Scott

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #39 on:** October 19, 2016, 02:09:24 PM »

Funny thing was that we were scared to death of that metal prop - and meanwhile those little Top-Flite nylons were cutting our little fingers to shreds!!!