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

My Models:
Airplanes, Boats,
Helicopters, Rockets
Airplanes and Rockets
Modeling in Erie, PA
 
Airplanes & Rockets
Modeling Forums
©1996-2012
Kirt Blattenberger with E-flight Taylorcraft on Snow Skis - Airplanes and Rockets
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) | Int'l RC Helicopter Association (IRCHA)
League of Silent Flight (LSF) | National Association of Rocketry (NAR) | National Free Flight Society (NFFS) | Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)

Model Aviation Comics of Yore
Comics from 1950s through Mid 1970s Vintage Model Aviation Magazines

Many decades ago, comic strips had a very broad appeal with people. Daily newspapers and magazines often carried a large variety of single pane comics and strip comics. If you are old enough to remember as fairly recently as the 1960s, the Sunday newspaper had many pages of comics that were large and easy to read. By contrast, my local Sunday paper today has only one full sheet (4 pages) with just a small handful of comics, and some are reduced in size so much that they are barely readable.

Mr. Hutchison and Mr. McGrew, along with possibly other artists (signatures missing or intelligible), provided a series of very humorous comics for various editions of American Modeler at least during the late 1950's and early 1960s, of which I have acquired few editions. Some subjects are dated, but many are as familiar today as back 50 yeas ago. Where available, I scanned the comics and replicated them here so that everyone can enjoy the long-ago work of a great artist. More will be added as they become available. Here are comics from American Aircraft Modeler. The collection of American Modelers has expanded and I am scanning new model aviation comics as they become available - and as time permits. Here are the pages:

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Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, June 1957 American Modeler, page 47

Hobby Shop Laffs
June 1957 American Modeler, page 47




Bill Hutchison - June 1957 American Modeler, page 47



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, October 1958 American Modeler, page 10

Bill Hutchison - October 1958 American Modeler, page 10



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, November 1957 American Modeler, page 50

Anon - November 1957 American Modeler, page 50



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, November 1957 American Modeler, page 23

Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, November 1957, page 23

McGrew - November 1957 American Modeler, page 23



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, November 1957 American Modeler, page 22



McGrew - November 1957 American Modeler, page 22



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, May 1958 Flying Models, page 35

Anon - May 1958 Flying Models, page 35



Airplanes and Rockets - Model Aviation Comics, May 1958 Flying Models, page 25

Anon - May 1958 Flying Models, page 25


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.

I have been scanning and posting excerpts from my collection of AAM and AM, concentrating on model building articles and old advertisements. 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.

If you have editions of any of these old magazines and would either scan the comics and e-mails them to me, or perhaps send me the magazine (I'll pay shipping), I'll be glad to post them.