{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-german-japanese-dornier-17z-jap-nick-trainer-recognition-model-airplane-lot-by-cruver-one-unmarked-dated-1942-1944","title":"Original U.S. WWII German Japanese Dornier 17z \u0026 Jap Nick Trainer Recognition Model Airplane Lot by Cruver \u0026 One Unmarked - Dated 1942 \u0026 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original WWII aircraft recognition model grouping consisting of two \u003cb\u003eCruver cellulose-acetate identification models\u003c\/b\u003e and one substantially larger unmarked wooden aircraft model. The Cruver examples represent a German \u003cb\u003eDornier Do 17Z\u003c\/b\u003e, dated \u003cb\u003eSeptember 1942\u003c\/b\u003e, and a Japanese aircraft identified by the Allied reporting name \u003cb\u003e“Nick,”\u003c\/b\u003e dated \u003cb\u003eAugust 1944\u003c\/b\u003e. The third model is constructed from thin lightweight wood, possibly balsa, and remains unidentified. All three show varying degrees of age, warping, and damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring WWII, aircraft recognition became an essential part of military training. Gunners, aircrews, observers, and ground personnel had to distinguish friendly and enemy aircraft rapidly from different angles and under difficult conditions. To support this training, the U.S. military used a wide range of recognition materials including silhouette charts, photographs, films, flash cards, and three-dimensional models. The National Air and Space Museum preserves extensive wartime aircraft-recognition training material dating from 1942–1943, illustrating how seriously aircraft identification was treated throughout the armed forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic recognition models were commonly made to approximately \u003cb\u003e1:72 scale\u003c\/b\u003e, allowing students to study an aircraft’s outline from above, below, and from the side. Many were finished entirely in black so that shape and silhouette, rather than camouflage or national markings, became the focus of instruction. Two important wartime manufacturers were \u003cb\u003eCruver Manufacturing Company\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eDesign Center\u003c\/b\u003e, both of which produced large numbers of molded aircraft identification models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCruver produced two of these beautiful, original (cellulose acetate) models, and the third is a large and unmarked example, likely a German Heinkel 111 but we cannot say for sure. The lot is offered in good condition with some warping and damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underbody of the Dornier reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGERMAN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDORNIER 17z\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e©\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e9-42\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Jap Nick reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJAP NICK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e8-44\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e©\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third example is very large, measuring 17 ¾ x 12 ½ x 3 ½”.  It is made from a thin wood, maybe Balsa. The other two are by Cruver and have warping and damage as shown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis grouping is particularly interesting because it combines \u003cb\u003etwo dated Cruver recognition models from different stages of the war with a substantially larger wooden training aircraft\u003c\/b\u003e. The September 1942 Dornier Do 17Z and August 1944 Japanese “Nick” preserve their original molded identification markings, while the unmarked wooden model illustrates another form of aircraft-recognition training aid. Together they provide a useful cross-section of the visual training equipment used to teach American servicemen rapid aircraft identification during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45818904019013,"sku":"ONSV25LOS054","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25LOS054__01.jpg?v=1790014225","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-german-japanese-dornier-17z-jap-nick-trainer-recognition-model-airplane-lot-by-cruver-one-unmarked-dated-1942-1944","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}