This large-format model-making book contains 6 die-cut pages of push-out colour pieces to create models of the equipment and people found at a World War II airfield (26 cm x 43 cm). 
The heavy-bomber aircraft illustrated on the front cover at top right is a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, hence the suggested date of this publication. During WWII, the RAAF flew B-24 missions from Australian bases in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, and later on from bases on Morotai and the Philippines. Their targets were Japanese air bases, bridges and military installations in the Pacific.
Because the B-24 was a long range aircraft, could move in at low level, and went deep into Japanese controlled airspace, the losses were heavy from anti-aircraft ships but also design flaws resulting in rapid wear and tear, and problems with escape mechanisms.
Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection. 

When completely assembled the book will make up 2 bomber planes, 3 Spitfire planes, 1 petrol lorry, 1 ambulance, 2 search-lights, 1 flag, 1 wind flag, 1 beacon light, 4 kneeling machine gunners, 2 anti-aircraft gunners, 2 lying Bren gunners, 2 stretcher bearers, 1 stretcher, 12 soldiers, 10 parachutists, 6 mechanics, 8 sandbags and 12 Air Force men.

Few intact copies of this publication would have survived as the book is actually designed to be pulled apart and made up into models. It is quite possible that a young person bought or was gifted the book but preferred to admire it intact rather than break it up to make to models.
Scott's Stationery advertised the book for sale in the Newcastle Morning Herald, Friday 11th December 1942, as 'enjoyment for the Kiddies'. The advertisement also appeared in other Australian newspapers at Christmas time that year.
The cardboard is of very low grade manufacture which is typical of this kind of publishing in wartime Australia, which also included patriotic jigsaw puzzles published for the War effort, such as United in Victory, a jigsaw puzzle featuring American President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin. 
Coloured ink especially was rationed in Australia during the War but was made available to print items such as the model book which were sold to raise money for the war effort and to accustom people to the construction of air bases used for training here in Australia and to imagine those used by the servicemen sent overseas.
Children who lived near such airfields, especially those evacuated to the English countryside from London,  came to know the sounds of the different aircraft and if curious enough, met the men who flew them. If there was a crash in a nearby training field, children would sometimes know who was likely to have been in the aircraft due to the sound, much to their distress.

The State Library has endeavoured to identify and or locate copyright holders of material digitised for this website. Where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced and or located, the Library has decided in good faith to proceed with digitisation and communication on-line.

Material is made available for research or study. You may order a high resolution copy.

For any other use refer to the State Library of South Australia's website information about orphan works. The State Library invites persons who believe they are the copyright owners to contact the Library to discuss usage of this item.