Modeling Memories

If you’re in search of vintage (ca. 1935-1945) model airplane (e.g., Supermarine Spitfire, Grumman XF5F-1, etc.) plans (published in Bill Barnes Air Trails, Flying Aces, and Model Airplane News), then plan a stop at Ken Horne’s Web site. Packed with Adobe Acrobat PDF reprints from the great DIY airplane building magazines from America’s modeling heyday, this site risks filling your hard drive with way too many plans—all of which could take a lifetime to build.

Although somewhat dated (i.e., the last site update was 2004), this site does provide a wide smattering of 3-views, flying model plans, and solid model profiles that are worth investigating prior to buying one of today’s ready-to-fly foam kits. Supplementing this large library of bygone building plans is a healthy dose of folksy, pulp fiction av tails that can help fill those hours while you’re waiting for the glue to dry. —Dave Prochnow

(Image: Ken Horne)