I imagine this has been seen by many here but, for me, growing up in the 1950’s and building (badly) some ship and aircraft models from these companies, it’s an interesting history. A bit long if you really aren’t interested but well done in my humble opinion.
Here’s the link:
I remember trying to locate the West Hempstead location when I was in college in the 80s. It was long out of business and I never did find it, but I probably did drive past it without realizing it.
Their prehistoric scenes, dinosaurs, cave men, etc. were my favorites.
There is also a good book out there on the history of Monogram.
I’ve seen this video years ago, it is good. I lived with these models as a kid in the late fifties and late sixties. Even then I had the impressions of the companies they covered that I had. Auroa was cheap, not as good. Monogram was more expensive, but a lot better. Revell, good, and did nice ships and stuff. AMT, not in the video, did mainly cars, not my interest, even then. It was fun to see again. My models got better as lots of time went by. I did not take it seriously untill the late seventies. Now with my health declines, I’m back to, just finishing a kit is a plus.
I just remembered there was a celebration of some anniversery of Comet models. Someone did a video of history of Comet and sold it as a CD. I’ll have to search and see if I can find mine.
Ya Know;
There is a good story there. I seem to remember more than those three in the bigger scheme of things. There was ADAMs, Renwal, Marx, Lindberg et al. Now that said, it’s true the ones I mention were Toy manufacturers of some history beforehand. Oh, and let’s not forget Strombecker, who didn’t seem to be able to figure out where to stay.
I remember Comet and a few others Guillows comes to mind. For me, who, even as a kid was slower than most in building.The Comet models and Guillows models that flew Flew beautifully. Because I built patiently. My solid wood forays were successful because we got graded on them in wood-shop in school!
I saw model building then as a get-away from the younger siblngs. And, a way to learn something I didn’t know. The Library was my friend for model Boat plans too!
This was the “Big Three” sort of like the automotive industry in the US; there were more than the Big Three back in the day.
Adams spawned after he took his miitary model molds away from Revell and created his own company. I do believe that Revell/Adams’ 1/40 military series was probably the best overall armor series from any of the manufacturers back in the day. Except for that Frankenstein Sherman.
Just watched it. Very fascinating! Thank you for sharing.
Hmmm, well, long as heck and a little boring to me.
The art is great and is largely credited to oldmodelkits.com.
Do note that there is a version without background music, which is a big bonus.
Bill
Yeah, that’s Max’s Models, YouTube handle “maxsmodels”. Definitely worth subscribing and viewing his videos. He covers most, if not all, of the makers everyone has mentioned so far. He’s got a video on AMT, too, tankboy [;)]
I was interested to learn that “AMT” came from “Aluminum Model Toys”, and that their first models were die-cast presentation models, cast in aluminum, for car dealerships to give to their customers.
Yep, I saw the AMT video a while ago too. I was referring to the this one. There are stories on pretty much all of the main model companies that we have come to love, and now miss. Is there a new one on Squadron Shop? There is an older one on them.
The wife who took over Aurora after husband died looks more like Ghislaine Maxwell than Ghislaine Maxwell does.
I’m usually Mr Impatient on Youtube, but am finding this interesting. I’m 25:27 in, and I say that for two reasons;
Almost a record for me regarding youtube model-related videos
There’s a good pic of what I’m talking about above there, if anyone is interested.
Thanks for the link. [Y]
Good video, thank you!
Guillows still exists and marketing most of their old products, now with laser cut rather than die-smashed parts. They have a pretty active forum at balsamodels.com.
I find it interesting that were looking for this location .I have spent hours trying to find out.its like a big secret.like some kind of spy network location .its probably some dollar store or laundry mat.with the present occupants clueless to what great history this building has.it would be funny if they find the old molds and say what’s this and then toss it away.