Friend or Foe? 

Another opportunity to: LIVE IT!

 

We are offering aircraft identification kits; these kits are available to the general public.  They are from original WWII drawings with additional instructions and assembly photo sheet.  These came about in Great Britain in 1939 when it became apparent that the anti-aircraft gunners, pilots, observers etc. could not tell from a distance whether or not an aircraft was a "Friend or Foe?"  These kits are made from solid balsa and take dedication and skill to build properly.  They are like time travel in that most of these I.D. models were produced in the U.S. and in GB by high school shop students.  Relive what it was like to be a young person during the 1940s when most all boys and some girls built model aircraft, ships, cars etc.  They were not cast plastic but real wood! They are not "assembled" but built by human hands.  These when completed, are real works of art.  Most should be able to build one in 8 to 10 hours.  They could even be sold on ebay or given as presents.  We also have some of the tools as optional items which will make your build easier and faster. We currently have four different model kits available: P-51, Jap Zero, Spitfire and ME-109.  Please specify how many of each when ordering. 

 

I had not even thought of making kits to sell through the Aviation Cadet Museum, Inc. until a young lady from AOPA asked if we were selling kits?  Ding! the light came on and we now have step 1!  We have four different kits available now, more will follow as demand increases.  I built one of the P-51 kits which you will see in the photos.  This way I speak from experience as to what tools are required, steps involved etc.  I am an experienced modeler and good wood worker.  It took me about seven hours total, start to finish. We plan to sell them for $19.95 each.  We also have coping saws available that are quality made in Germany for $19.95 each, X-ACTO knife set: $18.95 each and a Rotary Cutting Mat: $9.95.  The tools could be shared as some will be cutting, some sanding etc.  I found that a set of needle files are a great help also.  I hope you will all see the importance of doing this.  I could have made a video of me building the kit, but the point is to do it pretty much the way the kids did it in the 1940’s.  This way they are going back in time, learning to follow written instructions, learn the history and building a very unique work of art.  It also takes discipline and a desire to bring the project to completion. All very desirable traits! These kits can be ordered directly from Aviation Cadet Museum, Inc. 542 CR 2073, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, Phone: 479-253-5008.  All items are subject to 7% AR resident sales tax please call for shipping price. Web site: www.aviationcadet.org

 By making these available to the general public we would hope that enough interest in this project would be generated to have all schools across our nation become involved.  Why not build them in Great Britain again as well!  Our educational system teaches many things, however, many times they leave out making things with just our hands.  There is an old Jewish Proverb: "If you don't teach your son a trade, you have raised a thief!"