THF154301

Comet "Speed-O-Matic" Model Airplane Kit, circa 1946

Summary

Model airplanes have been a popular hobby since the 1920s. Early modelers built from scratch, but entrepreneurs soon saw the business possibilities in making and selling model kits. Balsa wood was a favorite building material due to its strength, light weight, and the ease with which it could be shaped.

Artifact

Model airplane

Date Made

circa 1946

Creators

Comet Model Airplane & Supply Company, Inc.

Place of Creation

United States, Illinois, Chicago

United States, New York, New York

Creator Notes

Made by the Comet Model Airplane & Supply Co., Inc., Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York.

Keywords

Models and modelmaking

Comet Model Airplane & Supply Company, Inc.

Republic Aviation Corporation

United States. Army

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2009.45.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Bob Brasie.

Material

Cardboard
Rubber (Material)

Technique

Carving (Processes)
Printing (Process)

Color

Blue
Orange (Color)
Yellow (Color)

Dimensions

Length: 15.75 in

Width: 3.5 in

Height: 1.25 in

Inscriptions

On front of box: FLYING MODEL/ COMET "SPEED-O-MATIC" KIT/ PATENT PENDING On front of box: COMET/ SPEED-O-MATIC/ CONSTRUCTION/ NEW EASY METHOD OF/ BUILDING FUSELAGE/ COMPLETELY CUT OUT/ FUSELAGE BULKHEADS/ NEW METHOD OF FLYING/ MANY OTHER NEW FEATURES/ See picture of Model on back of box/ B. PELTZ On side of box: AIR-AGE EDUCATIONAL KIT/ COMET MODEL AIRPLANE & SUPPLY CO., INC./ CHICAGO - NEW YORK On end of box: FLYING MODEL/ E5 THUNDER On back of box: COMET SPEED-O-MATIC FEATURES/ PATENT PENDING/ A COMPLETELY CUT-OUT/ FUSELAGE BULKHEADS/ B NEW METHOD OF/ FLYING MODEL./ C EASY-TO-BUILD SCALE/ PROPELLERS./ D NEW EASY FUSELAGE / CONSTRUCTION./ E POSITIVE WING AND/ TAIL ALIGNMENT/ F EXACT SCALE MODELS./ G TURNED COWLINGS/ WHERE NEEDED/ H AERONAUTICAL FACTS On back of box: MODELS IN THIS SERIES/.../