Cleveland models company

A quick look at the Cleveland models company started by Ed. T. Pachasa/Packard just after WW1 and still around today.
Some images courtesy of oldmodelkits.com

[@flyswryan]

Building a Cleveland model was a right of passage for us “serious” modelers. You needed a “real” model making board that the whole plan sheet would fit on, so you saved your money and convinced Dad to drive you to the lumber yard and you bought a 4 x 4 sheet of 3/4” plywood, a roll of 1/16” cork, a quart of contact cement, and a cheap, China bristle brush. Everything fit in the trunk, because trunks in the average sedan were a lot bigger then. When you got home, you “requisitioned” that old table from the rafters of the garage, cleaned it up, and spent about an hour trying to screw the plywood to it (no electric screw guns back then). Then you glued the cork to it (and to the handles of the rakes and Mom’s good broom) and you had a “serious” modeling table. Out came the thumbtacks, plans, and waxed paper. No more Guillow’s preprinted balsa sheets for you: it was time to buy raw stock! The “sport shop” in town didn’t have much for balsa, they were more into guns and tackle, but the town twelve miles away had a “real” hobby shop with lots of balsa, three feet long! My parents had received something in the mail in a 4” diameter, heavy cardboard tube, about forty inches long. Mom said I could have it, so it was promptly affixed across the butterfly handlebars of my banana bike with black vinyl electrical tape and I was off with cash and bill of materials in pocket. The man who owned the store was very supportive, in that I was about eighty cents short and he just shrugged it off with, “so you owe me eighty cents.” I left the store to find the local bully had cut the tube off my handlebars and was using it to beat on two of his sycophants. I yelled at him and he came after me. He swung wildly as I tried to protect my precious bundle of balsa. The store owner came out and kicked the bully hard, right in the balls. The bully, who was a couple years older than me, just lay on the sidewalk, writhing and squealing. The store owner helped me pack the balsa in the tube and tape it to the handlebars. The bully recovered enough to yell that his dad would be visiting the store. The store owner shouted, “I’ll kick him in the balls, too, you stupid little prick!” This was pretty heady action and language for a Midwestern eight year old: I thought maybe this was just how “serious” modelers are and looked forward to joining their ranks with my completed Cleveland Curtiss P-6E.

[@Juscz]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@sledawgpilot]

This was easily as entertaining as the video!

[@FastSports-ScaleCarGarage]

Just excellent! I really enjoy the manner in which you humanize your subjects! Keep 'em coming!

[@garyc.5152]

Nice bit of history...I've purchased several plans from Cleveland Models in the late 70's & Ed Packard would always insert a hand written note of thanks..

[@larrydee8859]

Very good and interesting video!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@itsmeeee2154]

Inherited my uncle’s 1939 vintage Cleveland Models Luscombe Sedan when I was a teen. Never got it recovered and back in the air. Now retired myself. Still have the plane. Was surprised to find Cleveland still in business. Ordered plans and restoring it to fly again as an RC model.

[@RMJTOOLS]

Max I want to really thank you for all the work you are doing with these videos. All these model companies were the ones I grew up with and it really brings back memories. Thanks!

[@garygullikson6349]

I somehow never became aware of Cleveland models while I built Comet and other kits starting about 1949. A good friend of mine, Bob Goff, a few years back, built a number of beautiful, large, electric powered scale models based on Cleveland plans and great modelling expertise. You can use the search block to find videos of some of his models.

[@DickieDelouise]

Excellent video👌👍🙂 being from the Cleveland area, Ed's company is legendary here, and it's nice that him and his company were looked upon so highly around the globe🙂

[@TransAm-Jack]

Built the 7ft wingspan Condor when I was about 14. Built the wing and covered it with tissue. Got 5 or 6 bottles of Aerogloss black dope and a brush (small) went down to the basement and started painting. Maybe three hours later I was done. Got up to go upstairs and whoa, the room was SPINNING. Took about ten minutes before I could walk. Oh the memories.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Excellent 👍. Stick and tissue models may be "old school", but they teach you more about aviation and aircraft design than any plastic kit ever can.

[@muskokamike127]

A friend of mine is building a full sized flyable Spitfire and recently picked up an engine for it. Not a merlin but still. It's wild to see how it is built very VERY similar to our stick and tissue planes. The original spits actually used wood framing covered in aluminum skin. They were only designed to last about 100 hrs in the air. As morbid as it sounds many didn't last that long before they were shot down.

[@Edubarca46]

They may be "old school" but they are still being made today. Companies like Guillows, Herr, Dumas and others in the US; Aeromodelos Britannia in Colombia and Vintagemodelco in England are just some examples of firms making and promoting stick and tissue model airplane kits. They can go along with modern plastic and "almost ready to fly" airplanes. Plastic kits like Monogram or Revell, fulfill a completely different marlet since they don't fly.

[@alfredomarquez9777]

@@Edubarca46 Even when plastic 'static' models do not fly, they serve the important function of inducing people to build things, instead of idiotically destroying virtual things on a screen, that is, real tangible things instead of merely pixels...

[@fredhettesheimer404]

Very informative I was never into wooden plains but it nice to see the origins of the hobby.

[@pastorrich7436]

You ask, "Why do I suddenly want this so badly? 10 seconds ago I did not even know it existed." Dunno, cause I want one too and didn't even know it existed 10 seconds ago! Good show!!

[@roberthill3207]

Excellent video thank you for awesome content and have a great day.

[@Habu12]

I had never, ever heard of this company. But like you, Max I want that bomber now!

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

Cleveland made the Largest glider in my collection. Made from 1949 to 1952, The Cloud King is the Largest Balsa Glider I've seen. With a 3ft wingspan. They also made a P 51 I'm still on the Hunt for. I picked up a American Junoir, Jim Walker Hornet this Weekend. Happy Flying

[@wdtaut5650]

Jetco models had the Thermic 72 and the Imperial RC-100, but the champ, as far as I know, is the Cleveland Models Senior Albatross at 120 inches.

[@Juscz]

Love Cleveland models. Have a number of the kits. One generally never thinks of building these as, given their extreme detail and museum-level quality, they are rather like historic model aviation documents that need to be preserved. If one wants to build any of these, allow me to recommend that he/she get the plans from the company, buy the strip wood and other components, and have a laser burning outfit make the print wood parts. Got plans from Ed Packard in 1990, six years before he sold the company. Remember talking on the phone with him so that I could order the plans I was interested in. Along with the plans I ordered, he sent a signed, xeroxed photograph of himself on card stock and had written on it the following: 'To John Uscian, Cleveland Model builder. Ed Packard.' Am sure he did that will all his customers. A nice touch, to be sure.

[@muskokamike127]

Funny you brought that up about the laser cutting. I recently upgraded my cnc wood router with a laser head. It's supposed to be 7w but I doubt it is. I don't have a ready supply of balsa sheets here but yeah, buying a plan from Cleveland and laser cutting the pieces out is a breeze these days. I'm not sure if my 7w can cut balsa, but it can certainly mark the pieces to be cut out by hand. I'm currently working on a static model of a P-51 mustang out of hard maple. 12" wingspan. It isn't a tissue on frame system, it's solid. I'm going to cnc the rough shape then finish by hand.

[@Juscz]

@@muskokamike127 , COOL! Tell us how it goes.

[@orbitalair2103]

@@muskokamike127 ; Yes, you can also upgrade or build a 3D printer and use a 5W laser which will cut up to 1/4inch balsa. Tech2C on youtube has 2 videos on this.

[@muskokamike127]

@@Juscz I will! I only fiddle with it for a minute or two but I tried to use flitetest's foam board plans and I couldn't cut all the way through. Now it was black not white so that could have had something to do with the fire I started lol

[@muskokamike127]

@@orbitalair2103 thanks man, I'll be sure to check out those videos! I know they play fast and loose with the specs on the lasers. I saw one do a review of a 15 w which was the current draw, not the power of the laser itself lol.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Great coverage of a company I knew little of apart from the fact it existed. I enjoyed my time building balsa and tissue models, I still occasionally use balsa but only to make conversion parts for plastic kits. Another famous (here in the UK) Modeller was the comedian Dick Emery. He was president of the 'Airfix Modellers club' I still have my guilt edged life membership certificate. All the best and stay safe.

[@sebastianmarconi2855]

I have the complete Cleveland kit of the Curtiss F11C Goshawk all in the box. Great video, thanks for producing!

[@markfrench8892]

I don't have one of Cleveland's model planes, but I do have one of the HO scale model railroad car kits.

[@cdjhyoung]

maxsmodels: you have become one of my favorite channels. A subject few others cover, with such a humanizing way of presenting the subjects. Thank you for your great work.

[@36736fps]

I built the giant 7' Condor. Never saw so much 1/16" balsa in my life.

[@russellbenton2987]

Brilliant Max . Informative and entertaining and for me across the pond in Scotland, a slice of Americana

[@joeshmoe9978]

I have two Cleveland kits that were produced during WW2. They contain a notice stating that balsa is now a important war material, and that you should be prepared to substitute other materials.

[@mrains100]

This is beyond cool! Thank you very much for the video. Jimmy Stewart is the man!

[@RJDCR]

kool , thanx......good stuff

[@bluetopguitar1104]

That B9 is cool

[@Edubarca46]

Thanks for uploading the history of this important company. Very well researched. Looking forward to other balsa kit companies like Sterling, Berkeley, Carl Goldberg Models, Keil Kraft and several others.

[@fastmail55]

Thanks Again! This was great!!

[@montylc2001]

I have a Cleveland model Mosquito in my collection, will get to it one of these years.

[@chrissakal532]

Cleveland was home to some great hobby shops as well! There are some great memories there.

[@TransAm-Jack]

The Hobby House downtown, Jaye & Jaye on the eastside, miss them

[@tomo4754]

Jimmy Stuart, one of my hero’s If I had fame and wealth, I’d use a good portion of it to promote model aviation :-)

[@model-man7802]

Haha !I saw the Boeing and thought the same exact thing! Gotta get one of those!😂

[@scottgoodman8993]

I had my eyes on that plan throughout the 60's and early 70's. Cleveland Models advertised in "Flying Models" and other magazines. I sure dreamed. never pulled the trigger. Age 66 now. Maybe time to do it?

[@alexanderfilmworks]

I want the Grumman XF5F - flown by the Blackhawks!

[@sugarhillsrr]

WOW Max thanks again, another model company that I had never heard about.

[@modelrailpreservation]

Cleveland Models is virtually unknown in the model railroad field today, but they made a big contribution to the hobby. 3/16" scale trains. While that scale is commonly known as S Scale and associated mainly with American Flyer, the reality is that American Flyer did not make S scale until after World War II. Before the was Flyer's 3/16 scale cars ran on 1/4" scale - O scale - track. Cleveland Models made and sold 3/16" scale models and track well before Flyer, though they called it "C-D Scale" for "Cleveland Designed". Needless to say, that name did not catch on and the scale was officially called S to avoid using any manufacturer's name.

[@robertsmith9299]

I recall me and my dad building a Cleveland Eircoupe....I was ok building Comet and Guillows kits but this was much larger and more complicated

[@orbitalair2103]

Nice, I did not know that Jimmy Stewert built model planes. Thanks for these videos.

[@maxsmodels]

Henry Fonda also.

[@chrispacer4231]

Catching up. Thanks

[@Reuben-]

Now I know where the joke came from where you receive an unshaped block of balsa wood, and are told to "make it look like this," or "cut away all the wood that doesn't look like an airplane." But man, Cleveland sure had some nice looking kits and models. I really like those old free-flight models.

[@HootOwl513]

MichaelAngelo. But the medium was marble, originally.

[@duracell8258]

We called it, "carve to fit".

[@Diabolik771]

1:31 Saw that address. Hey that's my street!. I'm on the southern section of 57th. Checking google maps, that was in the Stockyard area where they had big cow market, slaughterhouse (ewww the smell), and lastly a rendering plant (eww the smell). I could see when he started, he probably had a barn and it was a dirt road!

[@kenshores9900]

Just shaking my head how you find this. I knew Jimmy Steward was in the Air Corp and was a General. Didn’t know about Fonda though.

[@gregoriodelgadoherrera7621]

Excelent quality model.

[@nathanbond8165]

Yes you can! I have a couple of Cleveland model plans that I ordered from their website one of them is a 1/16 scale Martin B1 bomber and the other one is a plan 1/32 scale rubber band powered stick and tissue plan for the Boeing 1930 mono Wing bomber from the 1930s, there are different levels of plans available on the website that gives you the grade of each plan some plans are simple stick and tissue rubberband powered models, some of them are extremely detailed, complex static build models, they include how to build a detailed cockpit... I've always wanted to convert that Martin B1 bomber plans that I have into a remote control Park RC flyer it is of (course on my never-ending build list) as any model builder will tell you too many models not enough time LOL but I think it would be really cool to build a stick and tissue model in the same construction Manor a techniques that our great-great-great model building grandfather's built.

[@roberthill3207]

Love the music.

[@orbitalair2103]

I could not find much at all about these 2 companies; California Model Co, Long Beach CA, circa 1940-49? And Bill Galloway? of Flying Scale Inc, Metarie, LA. Bills plans are meticulous in thier scale details.

[@vfFokker]

Music at the end of the video should have been Cleveland rocks, sort of a missed opportunity if you ask me.

[@Ty1972]

Another great video! Loving the photos and music montage at the end. Did I spell montage correctly? Take care.

[@maxsmodels]

it is the way I spell it....that does not make it right though

[@Paladin1873]

Much improved music to match the times. If you ever make a video on model rockets, your end theme could be Fly Me to the Moon.

[@whotoinfinity]

A: I always love the tunage/montage at the end of your videos. B: Seeing Jimmy Stewart w/family(?) next to his 310, made me wonder... was there ever a kit for the TV show SkyKing?

[@maxsmodels]

I Never saw one but I am sure somebody did.

[@garygullikson6349]

@@maxsmodels Manzano Lazer Works sells an electric powered Pat Tritle short kit for Sky King's Songbird ( Cessna Bobcat), very nice flyer.

[@ernestcashion4462]

I get a few off of Ebay when I can afford one they're crazy high sometimes

[@joevalentine2048]

Great historical video. You mentioned model trains. I was wondering if this company produced Cleveland brass /metal locomotives? I’d like to see something on Sterling Models or did I miss that one?

[@maxsmodels]

Dunno, may have been

[@joevalentine2048]

Okay thanks. May do a little research on my end. If I find anything I’ll forward it to you.

[@dalecomer5951]

The picture of Jimmy Stewart with Olivia Dehavilland was almost certainly taken on one of the dry lakes adjacent to what is now Edwards AFB. It would have been a an all day trip to get out there and back to L.A. before freeways.

[@maxsmodels]

That is what I figured. Oh those really were the days.

[@dalecomer5951]

@@maxsmodels Looks like Rosamond Dry Lake which is part of Edwards but used rarely. Here is a video shot there about the same time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d56UamWkg85lb7s

[@richardwillett]

I was looking on the Cleveland web site and noticed they had plans for 1/6th scale P-51 Mustangs! Now I was thinking "Hey that's GI Joe scale [the 12 inch ones!] I could build a P-51D for my old buddy Joe! NOT! BTW I know De Havilland Mosquito, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth, Fox Moth and the Beaver but I never heard of the Oliva De Havilland? Joking aside I believe Miss De Havilland was related to the aircraft De Havillands.

[@maxsmodels]

She was

[@kennyswonger5227]

Does this place still exist in Cleveland.Ohio about 50 miles from where I live??you help give us thoughts about places. I didn't know exist.thanks

[@maxsmodels]

yes

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

@@maxsmodels Well least they knew where to be at where the timing's right and stuck to it. Not get bought out by someone else or simply end completely.

[@Edubarca46]

Max, do you know why Cleveland Models' motto is "Since 1919" when apparently the company was started later?

[@maxsmodels]

I think he considered it to begin when he actually 'incorporated' it as opposed when he started selling models the year before but that is a guess on my part. They were simpler times.

[@glorialotz3333]

Jimmy Stewart with his Dennymite.

[@Mannock]

Off topic, the dark hair centre woman at 1:17 is gorgeous. Gotta get that time machine working.

[@maxsmodels]

When you do, could you grab some out of production kits...:)

[@samiam619]

She has that Minnie Driver look about her.

[@jamesdziendziel9187]

lawn darts was a safe and fun game. you weren't supposed to aim and throw them at your friends!

[@maxsmodels]

That was the fun part ;)

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Question: Would Cleveland have been better off with more elaborate box art? Their labels are kind of plain compared to others.

[@maxsmodels]

Could not have hurt but I think they were really oriented at the advanced modeler.

[@richardklug822]

Read the book "Jimmy Steward: Bomber Pilot" for information about his life and WWII service. He was the real deal! On another note: does anyone else think that men's fashions have never looked as good as they did in the 1930's and 40's? Even a gawky kid could look like a "sharp dressed man"!

[@maxsmodels]

He is my favorite actor and no, men's styles have never looked better

[@frankiedaymodels8529]

In Those Days People took Pride In how they Looked And Dressed Before going Out In Public. An Era Of Observation And Family Values. Nowdays An Era Of A Sick Socoety

[@tomo4754]

If I recall correctly, there was a story in the book about Mr Stewart moving either from Indiana PA or New York to Hollywood and some concern about a large model he and Mr Fonda were working on surviving the move. Spoiler, it made it and was finished 👍😊

[@kdryan21]

The logo looks like the Laird logo...

[@soaringbumnm8374]

Another Cleco manufacturer !!! ☺☺☺

[@odysseuslaertiades1528]

Concerning your comments at 6:20: Are you sure your wife doesn't watch these videos?

[@kenshores9900]

Forgot good video.

[@flyswryan]

Building a Cleveland model was a right of passage for us “serious” modelers. You needed a “real” model making board that the whole plan sheet would fit on, so you saved your money and convinced Dad to drive you to the lumber yard and you bought a 4 x 4 sheet of 3/4” plywood, a roll of 1/16” cork, a quart of contact cement, and a cheap, China bristle brush. Everything fit in the trunk, because trunks in the average sedan were a lot bigger then. When you got home, you “requisitioned” that old table from the rafters of the garage, cleaned it up, and spent about an hour trying to screw the plywood to it (no electric screw guns back then). Then you glued the cork to it (and to the handles of the rakes and Mom’s good broom) and you had a “serious” modeling table. Out came the thumbtacks, plans, and waxed paper. No more Guillow’s preprinted balsa sheets for you: it was time to buy raw stock! The “sport shop” in town didn’t have much for balsa, they were more into guns and tackle, but the town twelve miles away had a “real” hobby shop with lots of balsa, three feet long! My parents had received something in the mail in a 4” diameter, heavy cardboard tube, about forty inches long. Mom said I could have it, so it was promptly affixed across the butterfly handlebars of my banana bike with black vinyl electrical tape and I was off with cash and bill of materials in pocket. The man who owned the store was very supportive, in that I was about eighty cents short and he just shrugged it off with, “so you owe me eighty cents.” I left the store to find the local bully had cut the tube off my handlebars and was using it to beat on two of his sycophants. I yelled at him and he came after me. He swung wildly as I tried to protect the bundle of balsa. The store owner came out and kicked the bully hard, right in the balls. The bully, who was a couple years older than me just lay on the sidewalk, writhing and squealing. The store owner helped me pack the balsa in the tube and tape it to the handlebars. The bully recovered and yelled his dad would be visiting him. The store owner shouted, “I’ll kick him in the balls, too, you stupid little prick!” This was pretty heady language for a Midwestern eight year old: I thought maybe this was just how “serious” modelers are and looked forward to joining their ranks with my completed Cleveland Curtiss P-6E.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Yup. Been there, done that. Went on to engined powered control line models. Always loved the building and designing over flying and stacking those cherished creations!