Cleveland Playboy Senior Class C Gas Balsa Flying Model Airplane Kit, GP-5017

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Cleveland Playboy Senior Class C Gas Balsa Flying Model Airplane Kit, GP-5017 plastic model kit

GP-5017 Cleveland Playboy Senior Class C Gas Balsa Flying Model Airplane Kit

Wood Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good

70 inch wingspan class 'C' gas free-flight model airplane. Cleveland entered the 1930s gas model market with the famous Playboy series. The design is so solid and popular that it is still a favorite at meets today (Like SAM - Society of Antique Modelers) where free-flight competitions are still held. Cleveland was late to introduce these kits (1939), but they wanted to ensure that the quality and performance was there. It appears that there were three aircraft in the Playboy line - the Baby, Junior and Senior. The model has not been started and is in exceptional condition. Whoever buys it will be the second owner; the first lives in town with me. The parts are inventoried 100% complete and includes covering tissue and 'excellent' never-used plans. Please NOTE: that there is some bug damage to the issue paper and very tiny bit to the edge of the plans. The Cleveland Model and Supply Company played a pivotal role in the development of true scale models. In 1909 Bleriot’s English Channel flight caused a surge in aviation and model aircraft around the globe. Several companies were ideally positioned to take advantage of the aviation craze. In the USA, Wading River Manufacturing Co. (1909), White Aeroplane (1911), Ideal Model Aeroplane (1911), Broadfield Model Aeroplanes (1919) were among these pioneers, offering everything from plans and parts to complete kits and ARF models. Lindbergh’s 1927 crossing of the Atlantic Ocean caused an even bigger world-wide phenomenon called “The Aviation Craze” that extended up to the start of World War II. Many companies such as Megow, Guillow's and others started right around the time of Lindbergh’s flight. Some of these models flew and flew well, but they all had one thing in common - were generally not accurate scale representations. In 1929, a youngster named Ed Packard had a very advanced dream – to produce incredibly accurate, true scale models that flew perfectly. This radical idea established the world’s longest operating single-owner model airplane supply business – Cleveland Model and Supply Company. To this day, Cleveland models are treasured as the most accurate flying scale models produced. The fact that Mr. Packard started and successfully grew this business during The Great Depression is a testament to his ideals and business skill. I highly suggest the excellent book called ‘Aviation’s great Recruiter – Cleveland’s Ed Packard’ by H.L. (Herm) Schreiner. It is an excellent history of the man, his company and the times of the Golden Age of Model Aviation.

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