1/16 SF-73 Cleveland Supermarine Spitfire - 27.6 Inch Wingspan Flying Model Airplane Kit
Vaccuform Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
This is a late 1930s/early 1940s 'Deluxe Edition' of this Cleveland SF ('Scale Flying') model in museum scale of 1/16. This exact model is in fine condition with a 'Good' condition box, all of the original internal cardboard presentation material, glass bottles of liquids (glue and dope) and is never started and complete. All Cleveland kits were exceptionally complete and this one is no exception. Because it is the deluxe version, it comes with a set of four large glass bottles of factory fluids - paint/dope and glue - still factory sealed in brown paper and factory tape, very high quality balsa printwood and pre-cut strip wood, balsa blocks, other wood and metal stock as required, completely finished wheels, black fiber propeller blades, a small paper envelope with smaller parts inside, full color insignia sheets, clear material for the canopy and covering material. Includes Cleveland's highest quality plans. Never started and it has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions. 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, called 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 'Aviations 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.
This item has been sold.
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