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Being a model builder as a kid, I remember three brand names that had some fine kits: Strombecker's - solid hardwood model planes; Guillows and Comet. Remember the 10-cent Comet kits? My cousin and I thought we were equal to the best rocket scientists at the tgime and decided to build ourselves a three-stage rocket. We couldn't get ahold of any rocket fuel (smile) so filled the propulsion chambers with torn off match heads. It must have taken all the matches in our small town to make the rocket. We set it in a small pit near my cousin's home, attached a long fuse, lit it and ran like the dickens. It rose into the air about five feet then toppled over and caught the dry grass on fire. We were darned lucky my Uncle Leo didn't whip our butts with the branch of a near-by willow tree.

10-cent Comet kits! In 1938 I got a year subscription to Model Airplane News AND a 10-cent kit, probably Comet, for a whole dollar. Good start on a lifetime of model building.