Brilliant product design: Balsa Gliders

American Junior 74.

What great toys these were.  Simple design, low cost, lots of fun.  They were introduced in around 1910, and most companies were out of business by the 1970s.  The first one to be mass produced was the Guillow Jetflier, introduced in 1953.   The photos and information are from collector Dave Pecota who wrote a good article for Old Wood Toys.  

American Junior:

This one's a one of a kind prototype.  It has a veneer prop.

 Guilllow:

Miami Wood:

North Pacific:

Testors:

Promo Planes (company unknown): 

 Hi-Flier:

Abbo-Craft:

This model has a dart-gun type of suction cup at the tip so it can be shot onto a window or flat surface.