World War 1 Aircraft Recognition models

[alas]

The sycamore is a metal model!

[carleton]

I got a box of metal ID models out of Holland. It has two soviet helos of the same type(?). The wire landing gear on one was loose in the box, and the other was falling off. Only one metal wheel was in the box.

[Simon]

Dear all

I found this forum while researching what may be a WW1 aircraft recognition model that I purchased last year. I would be interested to hear any opinions, as it would clearly be a rare item, if that's what it is. I've never posted a photo to a forum before, but hopefully this link will work:

https://goo.gl/photos/yyXEA9tbw4qhid4T6

When I bought the model (in the UK), it was described as having been made at the time of WW1 as a child's toy, however, it immediately struck me that the design is not like any of the allied aircraft of that period and is much closer to a German Albatross. That's what led me to think it may have been initially made as a recognition model, but subsequently was passed onto a child and used as a toy.

It would have been odd to otherwise make a toy in the style of an enemy aircraft and I very much doubt if a German made toy like this would have found it's way to the UK back then. It does appear to have the necessary age to it, so I look forward to hearing what anybody thinks...

Simon

[ramseyd]

Simon,
I would be dubious of it being a WWI ID model. I would expect any model that is nearly 100 years old to be in rough shape showing signs of wear and likely repair. Could not tell from the photo the true condition. Also, most ID models do not have propellers, but then, that could have been added later. The struts seemed a little thick for an ID model.

All the information I have ever seen regarding training pilots, etc. in aircraft recognition were drawings (photos), but not real models. This is not to say such items existed or not, but only I have never seen reference to any hand held models used for IDs that early.
Dennis

[Simon]

Hi Dennis
Many thanks for your input, makes sense! I guess it will probably be impossible to ever be completely sure, one way or the other...
Best regards
Simon

[BWBrown]

Hi Simon -
I agree with Dennis. 100 years ago everyone made models from wood, and the expertise that existed then exists only in the hands of a few artisans today. What I am trying to say is that for a model to have come from World War I it would have been of exceptional quality, and the plane very accurately represented. Yours looks more like something from the Art Deco period done as a stylized representation of some aircraft. It is too simplistic to have had any purpose other than art, or for a child's entertainment. Sorry, but I don't think it ever had any connection to things military.
-- Bryan

[Simon]

Thanks Bryan
That makes a lot of sense, maybe what I was originally told was true and it was just made as a child's toy.
Thanks again for your comments, very helpful.
Best regards
Simon