American Junior

American Junior Aircraft Co.

Perhaps no company in the history of model aviation was more famous or highly regarded for their line of great flying RTF gliders and ROGs than was American Junior Aircraft. The company was founded in the late 1920’s by model airplane legend Jim Walker (1905-1958), and was based in Portland (OR). Walker and his staff spent countless hours experimenting, engineering and test-flying “toy” gliders and model airplanes from the late 1920’s through the 1950’s. Jim never wanted any kid to be disappointed in the performance of an AJ product.

The company also developed complex production equipment for cutting and slicing balsa to very high standards of accuracy and quality, and machinery for steam-forming airfoil and dihedral into the wings of gliders costing as little as 5-10 cents. And if (when) your AJ glider got damaged, you could buy replacement parts without having to spend extra money to buy an entirely new airplane.

Walker … ever the showman … travelled all over the country, demonstrating his gliders and model airplanes to spellbound audiences of all ages. He competed at regional and national model airplane contests, and his company also provided needed sponsorship. (One lucky contest winner received an around-the-world trip, courtesy of American Junior.) Walker spoke just as energetically to his young audiences about the importance of education and flying safety.

During WW2, Walker devised a cost-effective method for soldiers to hone their anti-aircraft gunnery skills … shooting at AJ folding wing gliders launched by portable company-designed catapults. Thousands of AJ Army Interceptor gliders went to their doom for the war effort at bases all over the world. In addition, AJ produced large, radio-controlled target drones for the military.

The company sold hundreds of different products … from 5 cent gliders to gas-engine powered aircraft and boats ... and of course, model airplane pieces and parts of all types. You would be hard-pressed to find a model airplane enthusiast who hasn’t flown AJ airplanes of some type. Many folks started in the hobby with the “74” glider, folding wing Interceptor or rubber-powered Hornet ... all top performers of their time.

AJ Experimental ROG (1934) – This one-of-a-kind prototype became the design basis for the smaller Hornet and larger Pursuit ROG’s. It was AJ’s first use of a metal prop hanger, wire landing gear legs and a wood veneer propeller.

“Hornet” ROG (ca 1947-51) – The Hornet was probably the most widely flown and fondly remembered ROG in the entire AJ line. Even novice flyers could get long and stable flights with the Hornet right out of the package. This particular example is notable for its metal prop hanger and somewhat unusual blue-inked wing (red was standard).

“AJ Bomber” toss glider (ca 1937-40) – Based on the Martin B-10 Army bomber, the AJ Bomber was the company’s answer to the flood of cheap wire & silk gliders from Japan that were flooding the US market in the 1930’s. It was a great flyer and its sales success helped to keep American Junior financially “afloat” prior to WW2. This example is in wonderful condition for its age, but it came to me missing its vertical stabilizer. I added a home-made replacement until an original can be found.

“Americobra” toss glider (ca 1940’s) – The Americobra was based on the Bell P39 Airacobra fighter and replaced the pre-War AJ Bomber in the product line. It is notable for having an exterior aircraft view printed on one side of the fuselage and an “x-ray” interior view printed on the other. A rare “bird” indeed.

“Army Interceptor” (ca 1940-41) – The AI was one of the first high-performing, mass-produced folding wing gliders sold in the US. The wings were folded against the fuselage for launch using a catapult. Once the glider slowed as it reached maximum altitude, a rubber band overcame the reduced air pressure against the wings and quickly snapped them into position for gliding. As the vintage Army photo shows, it was widely used for gunnery practice by the military during WW2.

AJ glider gunnery training, Ft Lewis (WA) – 1943. (photo courtesy of Scott Griffith, AJC archives)

1950’s AJ product dealer rack (photo courtesy of Scott Griffith – AJC archives)

“74” toss glider (ca 1940’s) – The 74 was perhaps the most famous toss glider of all time, and the favorite demonstration glider of Jim Walker. It was roughly based on the Lockheed P-80 jet fighter. With its near-perfect balance and airfoil wings, it was equally adept at aerobatics and long, smooth glides. For mass-produced balsa gliders, “the best of the best”.

“74” civil variant (ca 1950’s) – This unusual version of the original 74 glider used a “civil” printing motif on a modified fuselage profile. However, it doesn’t appear that matching civilian wing/tail decorations were ever developed for this model. It is reported to have been a very short-run AJ product.

“74” toss glider (ca 1959-63) – In order to reduce material and production costs, the 74 glider was redesigned in the late 1950’s. While not having the flying performance of the original 74 glider, this new version still looked very “cool” and was a very good flyer when compared to the competition of its day.

“Sport Plane” toss glider (ca 1959-63) – The Sport Plane is identical in design to the second generation AJ “74” shown above. It featured a very attractive graphics motif … like those seen on many aerobatic aircraft … in lieu of the military-style motif of the standard 74. The Sport Plane was available in the AJ “3 Plane” and “Aero 45” gift packs, but may not have been sold individually.

AJ/Pactra “74” (ca 1970’s) – Probably the last of the 74’s to use wood in its construction … this was the 3^rd design iteration (and the worst performer) of this once-proud glider. Although some of the versions of this 74 design were all wood … this unfortunate example came equipped with foam wings.

“404 Interceptor” (ca 1947-51) – After WW2, the Army Interceptor folding wing glider was redesigned as the 404 Interceptor with a jet motif. However, the 404 retained all the remarkable flying qualities of its predecessor. Launched with a catapult stick, the 404 was legendary (notorious?) for catching thermals and just “flying away”. (Something I can personally vouch for.)

“711 Jet” toss glider (ca mid-1950’s) – One of the few green-colored gliders in AJ’s line-up … the 711 Jet was Jim Walker’s answer to investor pressure to raise the retail price of his beloved 74. The larger 711 was priced at around 17 cents, while the 74 remained at 10 cents.

“Ceiling Walker” helicopter (ca 1950’s) – The CW was probably the most unusual aircraft ever to come out of the AJ factory. It was a rubber-powered helicopter and got its name from its ceiling hugging flight characteristics indoors. Outdoors, it flew straight up and auto-rotated back to earth once its rubber motor “petered out”. It was marvel of design ingenuity.

“Space Kadet” ROG (ca 1960’s) – The Kadet was reportedly the smallest of the AJ ROG’s. But it still had a wing with airfoil & dihedral and a highly efficient prop … features it shared with the larger and more expensive ROG’s in the product line. (Obviously, it was named prior the phrase becoming a good-natured insult in our culture.)