Reproductions of the 1950's Jigtime sheet balsa models

The models in this section represent reproductions of the old Top Flite Jigtime series models. The models were the creation of Carl Goldberg and introduced may people to the world of model aviation. The kits in the series were unique in several ways. They were guaranteed to fly and came with all the color and markings already applied to the balsa parts. The design of the parts included tabs and slots that helped insure that each part could only fit one way during the assembly of the model. The series went through several changes during the time they were in production. A selected set of the series were sold as Duralume models. These replaced the color printed parts with parts that were clad with aluminum foil. The markings were changed to complement the foil backgrounds. During the 60's the models went through a revision. some of the models were dropped from the line and those that remained lost the clear plastic windshields and pilot figures. They also had much of the solid color backgrounds eliminated.

The models shown here along with the plan packages are a best attempt to reproduce the original series in their original form.Each plan package includes a scan of the original kit plan along with some building notes. Some of the kit plans represent the later versions of the models or the Duralume series. While the supplied part templates will deviate a bit from the plan, the plan will provide adequate information to assemble the model. All of the plans are in the Adobe PDF format. Each package contains multiple pages that are printed on U.S. legal size paper (8.5" x 14"). A link is provided with each model description to download the associated plan package. WHEN PRINTING MAKE SURE THAT PRINT SCALING HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.

A description of the method I use to print the parts directly on balsa is provided here. Just click on the link.

NOTE - A very good alternative to printing the parts for these models directly on balsa it to use T-shirt iron-on transfer paper. This material comes in 8 1/2" x 11" sheet size and works very well for transferring the drawn parts to balsa. A summary of the process for doing this is covered here. The major advantage of using this process is any printer can be used. To make it a bit easier to use iron-on transfer paper to create the full color parts for these models an alternate parts drawing package is provided. This drawing package has been laid out for 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. A link to the iron-on transfer package is provided in each model section of this page.

I do hope that if you decide to build any of these models, you will receive as much enjoyment as I have from my trip down memory lane.

Top Flite Jigtime Models
	During the 50's and 60's Top Flite produced a series of all balsa rubber powered kits aimed at the beginning modeler. Their JigTime kits were guaranteed to fly and featured balsa parts with printed color and markings. The JigTime Rascal 18 got me started in this hobby way back in the early 50's. Designed by Carl Goldberg and long out out of production, I have always wanted one of these old kits. My brother and I were fortunate to find one on Ebay. Not wanting to actually build the kit, I decided to try to duplicate the model using an ink jet printer to print the parts directly on 1/32" sheet balsa. The effort was a success and I now have a very nice flying replica JigTime Rascal 18. Oh yea, this model is the origin of the R/C Rascal that is being offered by SIG. (440 kb) Iron-on transfer paper layout package (62 kb).
	Continuing with my efforts to reproduce examples of the old Top Flite Jigtime series models, this is the Navion. It has a wing span of 16". All of the color and markings were printed directly on the balsa using an HP 1120 ink jet printer. Construction is 1/32" balsa. (650 kb) Iron-on transfer paper layout package (224 kb).
	This is a reproduction of the Top Flite Jigtime Luscombe. The original kit only identified this model as a Luscombe. The markings and general arrangement suggest is is based on the Luscombe model 11A Silvaire Sedan. It is a very nice flyer as are all of the models in this series. In fact, the original kits were guaranteed to fly by Top Flite or your money back. (671 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (213 kb).
	This is a reproduction of the Top Flite Jigtime Piper Vagabond. Please note that this package has been updated from a first edition kit. If you visited this site earlier and downloaded the drawing package for the Vagabond it was my best effort to create a first edition model from a second edition kit. The drawing package now reflects an actual first edition kit. (1,137 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (62 kb).
	This is a reproduction of the Top Flite Jigtime Stinson Sentinel. Please note that this package has been updated from a first edition kit. If you visited this site earlier and downloaded the drawing package for the Stinson it was my best effort to create a first edition model from a second edition kit. The drawing package now reflects an actual first edition kit. (344 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (60 kb).
	Within the Jigtime series there were two non-scale models that had the appearance of a full scale airplane. The Rascal 18 shown above was one and a model called the Arrow Jet was the other. The Arrow Jet is shown here. It has lines very similar to the North American F-86D. The colors used on this reproduction are somewhat of a guess as it was developed from a Duralume kit. The Duralume series had the balsa covered with a thin aluminum foil. (515 kb) Iron-on transfer paper layout package (96 kb).
	Thanks to site visitor Carl Godel we now have a drawing package representing the original version of the Arrow Jet. Carl was kind enough to send me scanned images of the parts from his original edition kit. The structure of the original version and the Duralume version are identical. The only deviation are the color and markings. The Arrow Jet drawing package has been updated to reflect the standard version color and markings. (600 kb) Iron-on transfer paper layout package (234 kb).
	Following the introduction of the civilian and sport models in the Jigtime line, Top Flite added some World War II models. Pictured here is the Republic P-47. This model like the others in the series is a great flyer. The original kits came with a vacuum formed cowl and canopy. These parts were reproduced as vacuum formed pieces for the reproduction model shown. Drawings of the vacuum formed parts are provided in the plans package. (881 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (465 kb).
	Another great flying Jigtime W.W. II model is the Curtis P-40. This model came with a vacuum formed canopy and injection molded spinner. The model in the picture had both parts reproduced using vacuum formed components. Drawings for the vacuum formed parts are included in the drawing package. (630 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (290 kb).
	Continuing the Jigtime W.W. II model series is the North American P-51H. Thanks to site visitor John Hackert, I was able to borrow his P-51 that was built from an original kit. John's model is shown in the picture for reference. His is the model without a spinner (it was missing after years of storage). The original kits came with a vacuum formed canopy and injection molded spinner. The reproduction model in the picture had both parts reproduce using vacuum formed components. Drawings for the vacuum formed parts are included in the drawing package. (859 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (465 kb).
	Included in the Jigtime W.W.II series was the Japanese Zero. Like the others in the series, the model did come with vacuum formed parts. For this kit the canopy and cowl were vacuum formed. Drawings for these parts are included in the drawing package. The colors duplicate those of the kit model including the red cowl. (803 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (352 kb.
	Representing another country's W.W. II fighter is the Jigtime Messerschmitt Me-109E. This model came with a vacuum formed canopy and injection molded spinner. The model in the picture had both parts reproduced using vacuum formed components. Drawings for the vacuum formed parts are included in the drawing package. (797 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (464 kb).
	The final offering from Top Flite in their Jigtime WWII series models was the British Spitfire. Like the other WWII models in the series the kit came with a vacuum formed canopy and injection molded spinner. These were reproduced using vacuum formed parts. Drawings are included in the download package. (1,077kb) Iron-on transfer paper layout package (516 kb).
	Top Flite offered three great little catapult launched jets in their Jigtime series. This is the MIG-15. It has a wing span of 9.25 inches. The reproduction parts have been set up to be laminated from two 1/32" sheet balsa halves. This made it possible to have printing on both sides of the flying surfaces. The original kits used 1/16" balsa. That limited flying surface printing to only one side. I have also used light gray as a background color. The original kits had only trim color printed on the balsa. Click on the provided link to download the parts and plan package (773 kb. Iron-on transfer paper layout package (163 kb).You will need to either vacuum form canopies from the supplied drawings, or carve them from something like foam. Thanks go to Larry Renger for loaning me his kits to develop the Jigtime jet reproductions.
	This is the North American F-86 in the jet series. It has a wing span of 9.5 inches. Like the MIG-15, I have used light gray as a background color. The original kits had only trim color printed on the balsa. Click on the provided link to download the parts and plan package (1,210 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (243 kb).
	This is the Chance Vought Cutlass in the jet series. It has a wing span of 8.25 inches. Click on the provided link to download the parts and plan package (561 kb). Iron-on transfer paper layout package (51 kb).