Home |
Consolidated Models B-24M in 98th BG, 15 AF colors (1945).
During WWII, nearly 35,000 four engine US bombers were produced. Today, there are less than two dozen flyable world wide. Most people will never have a chance to see a real WWII bomber; much less own one or fly one. Before too long the only flyable US WWII bombers will be model airplanes. At Consolidated Models, we feel we have designed one of the finest models possible. Whatever your favorite US built bomber of WWII is, we have a set of plans for you!
About Us
Back in 1965 on of the popular television shows was a series called "12 O'clock High." It was my favorite program. All I can really remember about the program was the character General Frank Savage and the airplanes. My brothers and I (there are seven of us) were model airplane builders and fliers back in those days. Because of that show I decided to build my first control line, twin engine B-17 and I was happy.
It took four years for me to arrive at the conclusion that models needed to be built to scale. Thus my use of the 1:36 scale formula was born. In 1971 I built my first B-24. I had decided that the profile models weren't perfect but were better than the full-bodied models. All my models were Olive Drab and Gray because, although I had seen black and white photographs of silver aircraft, I had no idea why there was a difference in paint jobs.
My father was a pilot during World War II - the same setting as my favorite television program - but, being a teenager, all i knew was my father had been a pilot. I had no idea of the type of aircraft he flew and since the television program showed B-17s, I assumed that he must have flown one of those. As it turned out,he flew B-24s and B-29s.
It took maturity and years of listening and reading before I understood and appreciated just how awesome the aviation industry was during World War II. I began to study the history of each of the american bombers; I learned why so many different models and why the planes were different colors for different environments and at different periods of the war. I was impressed by the aircraft markings. I also came to appreciate how important scale is to a model builder. Because of these years of study, I can honestly say I believe the scale profile of the ConsolidatedModels.com airplanes is as fine as can be done.
Over the years I have built many models, taught my children to fly, and used my models as displays while teaching classes on aviation. I have had people ask me where they could a model bomber like mine. I'd have to tell them I was sorry but each of mine is one-of-a-kind since I had designed them myself. I have had people admire my ability to pack up my airplanes in a limited space - that was partially a concession to my wife and part solution to my own frustration. I just knew I was happy with what I had been able to accomplish.
One summer day back in 2000 I told a friend of mine that if I never build another airplane I'd be happy because I felt I had the greatest model bomber fleet in the world. Being as it was the only control-line model bomber fleet I had ever seen,I felt I was right in feeling my way. My friend asked if I really felt that good about it, and if so, why not sell them on the internet. Thus ConsolidatedModels.com was born.
The term overnight success does not apply here, unless you consider 35 years to be overnight. I've tried to give those who purchase t planes the benefit of those 35 years of learning. I've tried to share enough information for you to get started and perhaps to spark your interest so that you too will decide to learn more about our rich aviation heritage. When you're building your model don't be rushed - it was 35 years in design. When you're flying your model, take time to enjoy it - it was 35 years in arriving there. When you have a kid stop and watch and ask about your airplane, take the time to tell them about how it came to be.
--updated 11/07/07