Meccano Aeroplane Constructor

Around 1931 Meccano Ltd introduced a range of toys known as the Aeroplane Constructor sets. They were only produced for around ten years. Perhaps this was because by the end of that time, real aeroplanes were already starting to look more modern than those depicted in the Aeroplane Constructor sets and producing realistic, small models of something like the curvaceous Spitfire or Mosquito in Meccano was just too challenging.

These sets came in several sizes, including more advanced 'Special' sets. There were no parts in the aeroplane sets which were standard Meccano (I don't think - maybe nuts and angle brackets but even the bolts were special) but the models bolted together and the parts were certainly compatible with Meccano. More than once I have seen models built which are part Aeroplane Constructor and part standard Meccano (indeed, I have done this myself).

The two models above are mine and as you can see, they are a very long way from pristine! The one on the left is a float biplane whilst that on the right is a wheeled monoplane. The Aeroplane Constructor sets included parts for open cockpits and closed cabins as well as triplanes, biplanes and monoplanes, engines, townend rings and nacelles.

The 'Special' sets had working ailerons and rudders and special clockwork motors. Pilot figures were also included, cast from solid metal and brightly painted.

Restoring an Aeroplane Constructor model.

I have a modest stock of parts for more aeroplanes but with anything that is rare, you must be cautious about restoring it as this can drastically knock the value. As you have seen though, my built aeroplanes are in such a bad way that careful restoration should not only add to their value but would also make them much nicer to own. In time I will restore both but for now, I have started having a go at the monoplane. My restoration process runs something like this:-

Step One I went through my box of spare parts and replaced every piece of the monoplane with the very worst condition parts that I had, so that I would not uneccesarily mess with anything that was even halfway decent. For example I found a pair of wings that had already been brush-painted and also replaced the vertical rudder (the one in the image above had been cut from the plastic lid of an ice cream tub!).

Step Two I took the model apart and put each component into a diluted mix of caustic soda and left them overnight (Caution - Caustic Soda is nasty stuff, so rubber gloves and safety specs at all times!).

Step Three The image above shows the parts once they have come out of the caustic soda, received a quick rub over with fine wire wool and a good wash in clean water. I have them here on the carpet of my Den with a small fan heater drying them out. You will see that the brass boss of the propeller is masked and that little pot on the top left is full of lovely brass-plated nuts and bolts.  

Step Four Parts are straightened out where necessary and sprayed with primer. There are a fair number of parts needed - and a lot more still, if you were building (say) a motorised biplane version. I have loosely assembled the model here to check that all is well.

Step Five Here we have the model finished - rebuilt after applying a tough sage green gloss topcoat. The purists may not like what I have done because it is not an original Meccano colour, but it was pretty shocking beforehand and is now a really nice thing to have - and can always be resprayed again downstream. Looks good for something around 90 years old.

I am especially pleased with the pilot - because I made him myself. After several failed attempts I have made him from 'Fimo' plastic polymer modelling clay in a home-made mould made of the same material. Now I have figured out how to do this, I can make as many pilots as I need and paint them myself. This is especially useful as genuine metal pilots are becoming very expensive