June 2012 Notable Toys — Collectibles

Legendary pilot and scientist James “Jimmy” Doolittle won the coveted 100-mile Thompson Trophy Race in 1932 flying a Gee Bee Super-Sportster at an average speed of more than 252 m.p.h. The stubby, bumblebee-like craft named after its manufacturer, Granville Brothers, was powerful, fast and dangerous due to its giant engine, short wings, rearward cockpit and teardrop shape. Aircraft Models Corp. have been producers of the best handmade Mahogany Aircraft Models for decades. We offer a wide variety of handcrafted model planes and military plaques. Museum-quality models that a collector and pilot would proudly display as a symbol for their passion in aviation and their endearing memories of the past. "All our models are completely hand crafted in kiln-dried Philippine Mahogany; no form resins or decals are ever used," Rafael Salonga, sales manager at Aircaft Models Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 1992.