Last year Donald Hood contacted the Museum from the United States. He was writing a book on Eaglewall Models and looking for any information about The Old Foundry - where the models were first produced. The Old Foundry also just happens to be the current Museum building. Kathy Atherton sent the appeal out to all of our Museum Supporters and the response was amazing.

Donald mailed us a couple of days ago to let us know that the book has now been published.

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The book has been reviewed very favourably on 1250scale.com.

 

 

Here is a copy of the review.

Mr. Hood's book is a very thorough history of the Eagle line, and is filled with many excellent photos of models, box covers, advertisements and other related items. The book details how the line of models got started, how they were produced and marketed sdall the variations that were made and finally the demise of the company. Reading it, I discovered many things that I didn't know, especially the innovative nature of the models. Among these innovations, Eaglewall were the first constant scale plastic ship models, the first plastic kits in 1200 scale, the first to provide ships in "Battle Groups", and the first to provide the option of full hull or waterline models. As such the models played a critical role in bringing youngsters into the hobby at a time before the German made metal models had made a comeback.

While the first part of the book covers the history of Eaglewall and Pyro,the second half covers each model produced by the company detailing the series, box size, rarity , issue date and other statistics. This is accompanied by a photo of the model and the box art for that particular one. In addition, the book also covers other models made by Eagle, such as it's plastic airplane kits.

A more complete study of this line of models can never be published. In the end, whether one is or is not a collector of these models, this book provides an interesting, informative and valuable addition to one's knowledge of the hobby.

Published by Chris Daley Publishing 2011. Hardcover 136 pages. New!

 

Donald Hood also provided a potted history for this website focussing on The Old Foundry involvement.

"One of the most interesting things I learned while researching this book was the Old Foundry's role in the life of Eaglewall.  At first collectors had thought that the Foundry had always produced the models.  We found this to be not true, that the Foundry had started production of the models as "Vulcan".  It appears that after a couple of years of production as Vulcan Models, the assets were sold and the company of Eaglewall Plastics was formed.  Eaglewall stayed at the Foundry for about two more years before finally, due to production space restrictions, moved their headquarters to Brighton.  Still, the Old Foundry building is where it started and where production occurred for three to four years.  After Eaglewall left the Old Foundry is was the beginning of the end for them."

Donald has credited the Museum in the book and writes...

"I wish to personally thank you once again for all of the assistance you and your staff provided to me.  I honestly feel that the information you provided made stunning changes to what was previously known about Eaglewall models."

He also acknowledged all the Museum supporters that helped him

With special thanks going to the Museum, Colin Dawson and Roger Dawson.

"There are three individuals singled out for special mention as major contributors to the contents of the text.  Those three would be yourself, Colin Dawson and Roger Dawson (not related).  You three made all the difference in the world to the quality of information provided and I thank you profusely!"

The book can be bought on Amazon here.