2010 has marked the 50th Anniversary of one of the great names in model aircraft - Williams Brothers.

While for many modellers, including myself, the name Williams Brothers is synonymous with their ground-breaking kits of the 1970s, the company actually began way back in 1960 when Granger and Larry Williams, who worked at North American Aviation, began producing accessories for flying models.

By the 1970s the company had expanded into the injection-moulded model aircraft market - and Williams Brothers soon established an enviable reputation for producing high quality kits of subjects that the "big boys" would never touch. Their range of largescale radial engines became almost legendary, while their aircraft kits were in many ways years ahead of their time. Williams Brothers aircraft were never "shake 'n bake" kits - they required a little extra experience and input on the part of the modeller (rather like the current limited-run products of many Eastern European companies), but their attention to detail and accuracy set them well above the mainstream.

Granger and Larry Williams passed away in 2000 and the company eventually changed hands, causing fears that the unique range of subjects (most of which have still never appeared from other producers) been would be lost. Thankfully, the new owner Daniel J Brett is committed to continuing the brand, and 2010 has seen a steady expansion with new premises and many of the kits coming back into production. Continuing the company's commitment to accuracy, the new versions aren't always simple retreads of the originals; sometimes parts are revised or extras included, and many of the decals have been reworked and corrected. The target is to have 18 model aircraft kits and 4 detailed engine kits all in production by year's end, with the really exciting prospect of brand new Williams Brothers kits to follow - the first for many years!

The current aircraft kit range is as follows:

1:32 Scale
32511 - Gee Bee R Racer - $28.95
32521 - Wedell Williams Racer - $28.95
32526 - Gee Bee Z Super Sportster - $28.95
32535 - Seversky P-35 - $28.95
32590 - F9C Sparrowhawk - $28.95
32532 - Hall's Bulldog - $28.95

1/48 Scale
48561 - PCA-2 Autogiro (Contains plastic for 2 models) - $29.95

1:53 Scale
53598 The Lost Electra (With 1963 Commemorative Stamp of Amelia Earhart) - $31.95

1/72 Scale
72546 - C-46 Commando - $32.95
72546-C01 - C-46 Commando (Collectors' edition) - $64.95
72624 - World Flight of 1924 Set (contains all 4 World Cruiser aircraft with Bonus DVD) - $64.95

1:87/HO Scale
52501 - Corben Super Ace (With Decals) - $8.95
52601 - Pitcairn Autogiro (with Decals) - $8.95
52701 - PT-17 (With Decals) - $8.95

Detailed Largescale Engines
30260 1:6 Scale Le Rhone - 43.95
30710 1/8 Scale P&W Wasp - $59.95

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.