Original U.S. Cold War Era Recognition Model Airplanes - Swift F-4, Venom, J35 - Four Models Total

Original Items: Only One Set of 4 Available. During World War II, the armed forces used a lot of teaching materials to train gunners and aircrew in identifying aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles. It was crucial for servicemen to be able to recognize "friend or foe" in an instant, as it could mean the difference between life and death in combat. Therefore, recognition training was included in almost every World War II service school. Trained spotters were essential to the war effort, and to help them, 1:72 scale plastic models were made. The primary providers of almost all production models in plastic were the manufacturers Cruver and Design Center for airplane models.

These are original models made during the 1950s. One is marked as being made by Cruver, two are marked but not maker-marked, and the fourth appears to have had its markings removed.

Underbody designations read:

- VENOM MAY, 1955 PROPERTY OF U.S.N. CULVER.The de Havilland DH 112 Venom is a British post-war single-engined jet aircraft developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. Much of its design was derived from the de Havilland Vampire, the firm's first jet-powered combat aircraft; it was initially referred to as the Vampire FB 8 prior to the adoption of the Venom name. 7 x 5 ¼”.

- SWIFT F-4 BRITISH FIGHTER JULY 1954 HAWK PROPERTY OF U.S.N. 1:72 SCALE. The Supermarine Swift is a British single-seat jet fighter aircraft that was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was developed and manufactured by Supermarine during the 1940s and 1950s. The Swift featured many of the new jet age innovations, such as a swept wing. On 26 September 1953, a Swift F.4 piloted by Commander Mike Lithgow broke the world absolute speed record, reaching a speed of 737.7 mph (1,187 km/h). 7 x 5 ⅜”.

- J35 SWEDISH FIGHTER NOV. 58 US PROPERTY SCALE 1:72. The Saab 35 Draken is a Swedish fighter-interceptor developed and manufactured by Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) between 1955 and 1974. Development of the Saab 35 Draken started in 1948 as the Swedish Air Force future replacement for the then also in development Saab 29 Tunnan day fighter and Saab 32B Lansen all-weather fighter. It featured an innovative but unproven double delta wing, leading to the creation of a sub-scale test aircraft, the Saab 210, which was produced and flown to test this previously unexplored aerodynamic feature. The full-scale production version entered service with frontline squadrons of the Swedish Air Force on 8 March 1960. 5 ¼ x 7 ¾”. 

- The fourth model is unmarked but appears to resemble a U.S. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Of this we cannot be certain, however. 6 ⅜ x 5 ¾”.

A great group of models ready for further research and display.