Category:Xactus Models

1931: Xactus Set no.1: D.H. Moth [image info]

1931: Xactus sets [image info]

1932: 1:40 model aircraft kits [image info]

1933: Constructional scale model gliders [image info]

1933: Constructional Speed Boat [image info]

1933: Summer 1:40 kit aircraft competition [image info]

The Xactus Model Co. (Surrey), produced a number of ranges of model kits and ready-built models in the 1930s.

The company seems to have tried their hand at selling models of various non-road vehicles, including aircraft, boats and even a wooden kit of a railway locomotive.

1:40 Series

In 1932, Xactus were advertising an initial range of eight 1:40 wooden model aircraft kits. A few more were added later.

The idea for the 1:40 wooden kit range was patented by a William Henry Lane, of 162 Sydenham Road North, Croydon in 1932 (applied for on 19th February 1931).

1:70 Series "Flybirds"

In 1932, Xactus followed Skybirds in producing a range of smaller 1:70-scale finished models, that Xactus called "Flybirds". The use of the same unusual scale, plus the very similar name, probably caused some dark mutterings in the Skybirds community about "copy-catting".

The Flybirds range launched with eight models, then added another three, and another two. We don't know how the models were numbered within each block.

Skybirds later changed their official default scale for new models to 1:72.

Addresses

• The Exactus Model Co. – 717 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey

See also:

• Skybirds
• Aeromodels Ltd.

External links

• 1931 patent (worldwide.espacenet.com)]