balsa models - airplane

A friend has got me thinking about my childhood building of balsa models. I clearly recall a P-51 I built.

Are kits like these still available? If not, are plans available so I can cut my own pieces?

Is there a book that would help the process?

Can someone tell me sources for these items?

Thanks for any help.

Okay, found URL for Penn Valley Hobby Center. They are at;
http://pennvalleyhobbycenter.com/

They have the best selection of any source I am aware of. They carry some that are VERY hard to find elsewhere, such as Golden Age
Reproductions, as well as the popular ones such as Guillows and
Easy-bilt.

They have a convenient catalog- lots of stuff, organized by era, fun to look at, but their prices are generally full retail, plus shipping. Compare their prices for a kit you're familiar with, at your favorite outlet....

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/index.htm

The website above is an outfit that wheels and deals in old model kits.
I have satiated my lust for nostalgia there a couple of times, names pop up from way back; Megow, Maircraft, Comet. Enjoy!

"Historic Aviation" publishes a great catalog full of everything about aviation, including many plastic and balsa model kits. Their telephone is
800-225-5575 for a catalog. See www.historicaviation.com

Bob Morrisette

Also try the reincarnation of Cleveland Models. New owner IIRC is located in
Indianapolis, IN and has a website.

You can still get the plans and patterns, no printwood, props, etc. Be prepared those suckers have a lot of parts to cut out.

I mentioned gasoline alley as a source for the old balsa "solid models".
I see the stick and tissue flying model kits around here at various hobby shops and they will probably always be with us to some extent.

Hobby Lobby carries a small selection - running and ducking before Bill throws stones at me.

There are several firms still making these models. In fact, there is a renaissance currently.

Most hobby shops only carry the Guillows models (Guillows now owned by
Estes). The Guillows models are nice looking, good scale. But, they are heavy and do not fly well. Easy bilt is another brand- don't look as nice or as detailed, but do fly better. However, not many shops carry them. Then, there are a number of smaller vendors.

Have your friend pick up a copy of "Flying Models" magazine, found at

caters to the rubber flying models. Ads for smaller vendors, as well as mail order sources. Also, an excellent mail order place is Penn Valley
Hobbies. They have a web site, but don't have URL handy- try Google search.

I mentioned gasoline alley as a source for the old balsa "solid models".
I see the stick and tissue flying model kits around here at various hobby shops and they will probably always be with us to some extent.