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was created to chronicle my lifelong model aviation hobby, and to provide some valuable resources for visitors.
- Kirt Blattenberger
AMA 92498

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Kirt Blattenberger with E-flight Taylorcraft on Snow Skis - Airplanes and Rockets
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Sketchbook - Model Building Tips
July 1957 American Modeler

July 1957 American Modeler

Airplanes and Rockets - July 1957 American Modeler     [Table of Contents]
Aircraft modeling has undergone significant changes over the decades - both in technology and preferences. Magazines like American Aircraft Modeler, and American Modeler before that, were the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. Still, many things never change, so much of the old content is relevant to today's modeler.

Whether you are here to wax nostalgic, or are just interested in learning history, hopefully you will find what you are seeking. As time permits, I will be glad to scan articles for you. All copyrights (if any) are hereby acknowledged.
Sketchbook Editions
Jan 1957 | Feb 1957 | Mar 1957
Apr 1957 | May 1957 | Jun 1957
Jul 1957 | Sep 1957 | Oct 1957
Nov 1957 | Oct 1958 | Mar 1959
Jul 1959 | Aug 1959 | Nov 1959
Dec 1959 | Feb 1961 | Apr 1961
Aug 1961 | Dec 1961 | Feb 1968
Jun 1968 | Jul 1968 | Sep 1968
This Sketchbook was scanned from the July 1957 American Modeler, page 8.Most building tips are timeless. Even in this era of ready-to-fly (RTF), almost-ready-to-fly (ARF), bind-and-fly (BAF), etc., there are still many modelers who build their own aircraft. Nearly all top tier competition fliers build their own models, as do aficionados of vintage (aka old-timer) models. Some guys just would rather build than buy a pre-build airplane, whether from a kit or from plans.

Back when the Sketchbook, Gadgetry, Powerless Pointers, and Engine Info columns were run, there were very few pre-built models, and there simply was not as much available in the way of hardware and specialized modeling tools. We were still a nation of designers and builders. The workforce was full of people who worked on production lines, built houses and buildings with hand tools, and did not have distractions like Nintendos and X-Boxes. Remember that plastics were not common material until the early 1950s and the transistor wasn't invented until late 1947.

Airplanes and Rockets - "Sketchbook" - July 1957 American ModelerEnjoy the tips. Some of you will no doubt wax nostalgic over the methods, since you can remember the days when you did the exact same thing!