Muncie, Indiana - 1950s Hobby Shop - National Model Aviation Museum

The National Model Aviation Museum sits on the large site and flying field of the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics). Inside the museum they have constructed an absolutely mind blowing replica of a 1950's hobby shop, including its front exterior facade. This is a way for the museum to show in a means that can be viewed but not touched their collection of rare, unbuilt model kits. It is quite easy to get lost in this place just looking at all the old box art and types of models produced, there is even an ancient telephone on the wall as a well as a store clerk mannequin to set the tone.

Because this is a flying model museum, it highlights only the wood kits and paints produced in the early years of the hobby and so does not show the enormously popular plastic kits, ships, cars or trains of the era. The rest of the museum is full of vintage large scale models and a collection of old gas engines. There are a few display cases showing highlights from certain manufacturers. All and all it is a fascinating stop if you are anywhere near central/east Indiana. For myself, having a basement full of 50's and 60's era plastic kits, this place was hard to beat. [Richard Weiss, 07/16/2005]