Catalogue Search

We’ve recreated this striking cut-out model builder booklet so you can build your own bomber squadron base and experience what it would have been like to play as a child during World War II. Here are some examples of the front and back model cut outs that you can print and make yourself.

Front cover of the Spitfire and Bomber Squadron cut out model builder book [SLSA clrci22074740]

Front cover of the Spitfire and Bomber Squadron cut out model builder book [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the Spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the Spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the spitrfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The front of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

The back of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

Front cover of the Spitfire and Bomber Squadron cut out model builder book [SLSA clrci22074740]
The front of the Spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the Spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The front of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the anti-aircraft gunners cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The front of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the petrol lorry cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the spitfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the spitrfire cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The front of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]
The back of the second Bomber cut out model [SLSA clrci22074740]

Many families were facing financial hardship during the early 1940s so toys like this were considered a luxury item. It would also have been a popular wartime toy as it didn’t require glue or sticky tape, both of which were in short supply due to rationing, like many common household items. 

Coloured ink was also rationed during the war but was made available to print items such as this model book as they were often sold to raise money for the war effort. 

It was printed on low-grade cardboard, which was typical of this kind of publishing in wartime Australia, with patriotic jigsaw puzzles such as United in Victory, a jigsaw puzzle featuring American President Franklin D Roosevelt and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, also using this type of material.

Jigsaw with WWII image of US President Roosevelt & Australian Prime Minister John Curtin
Image caption: United in Victory interlocking jigsaw, 1942. Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection.

In addition to raising money, these toys were also designed to accustom people to the construction of air bases used for training here in Australia, and to help them imagine those used by the servicemen sent overseas. 

Children who lived near such bases came to know the sounds of the different aircraft and sometimes even met the men who flew them. 

Make it

Few intact copies of this booklet have survived as it was designed to be pulled apart and made up into models but we’ve recreated the booklet and offer it as an activity you can download and print.  

Download and print the booklet

  • The booklet has 16 pages which will need to print as 8 pages with images on the front and back, so make sure your printer can print on both sides of the paper. 
  • The original booklet was printed on thick low-grade cardboard and you could push the pieces out to build your model. On the digital version you will be able to see where the original cut out lines are on the images, so follow your best instincts to trim and cut the pieces of the models.
  • Make sure to follow the instructions in alphabetical order. 
  • Also keep that in mind when using regular printer paper the models won’t be as durable as the original would have been.

What you'll make

 

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 
12 Air Force men

What you'll need

  • A printer that prints on both sides of the page
  • Scissors
  • Stanley knife, or similar, for cutting the slots and scoring lines for folds 
  • Cutting board
  • Have fun! 

Share your creations with us

Why not share your creations with us? Tag us in your social media posts #slsa 

ABOUT THE PUBLICATION

Date of publication: circa 1941
Publisher: Ace Publications
Place of publication: Australia
Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection
Catalogue record
View on the Digital Collections website

Written by Denise Chapman, Curator Access and Engagement and Laura Wolfe, Digital Engagement Coordinator.