Category: 1950

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SAS SE-210 Caravelle 1:100th scale

Caravelle trio

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Three 100th scale SAS SE-210 Caravelles from 1959 to around 1967.

As a launch customer on the Caravelle, SAS of course needed promotional models of the new aircraft, and as usual they turned to W. Osgaard & Co. for the job. During SAS’ years of using the Caravelle, W. Osgaard & Co. and later Fermo made several different versions of the model: 1:25th scale cutaways (two different SAS liveries), 1:50th cutaways (two different SAS liveries) as well as solid fuselage versions and of course the 1:100th scale models shown here. Of the 1:100th scale models at least four versions exist: The three versions shown in the pictures here and the ultra rare circa 1964 Thai Airways livery version. The casting used for all 1:100th scale Caravelles was the same, and the expensive steel mould was taken over by Fermo when Osgaard seized operations.

Despite a long production run and probably a quite high production number, these Caravelle models rarely show up, and when they do they’re often in bad condition.

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1:50th SAS DC-8-33 fibreglass model

Collectors and museums will be well aware that a number of 1:50th scale models of the SAS DC-8-33 OY-KTA exist. This one from the Fermo promotional catalogue is however a funny hybrid. It appears to be cast in one piece unlike the metal models, and the all-painted surfaces and beveled windows suggest this model was made from fibreglass like the later 1:50th scale DC-8 models from Fermo. In this SAS livery, fibreglass models are apparently rare if they even exist beyond this one, and it is unknown if this model still exists. It may have been a test model made by Fermo using old SAS livery decals during the transition from metal to fibreglass models. 

Note green navigation light on wingtip.

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SAS 1:25th Caravelle Cutaway

Caravelle Cutaways at the workshop in 1959

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1:25th scale SAS Caravelles at the W. Osgaard workshop in 1959

A unique image featuring one of the ‘holy grails’ from W. Osgaard & Co., the 1:25th scale SAS SE-210 Caravelle Cutaway. Between 20 and 25 of these were made in 1959 to promote the beautiful and sleek jetliner that made SAS enter the jet age.

The models were cast in aluminum and featured interior lights, navigation lights (one in each wing and one in the vertical stabilizer) and spinning perspex ‘jetstreams’ in the two engines powered by small electrical motors. The weight of one of these models including the chrome display stand was close to 30 kilos.

This image was shot by an employee at the workshop in 1959 shortly before the models were shipped off to Scandinavian Airlines. They obviously marked a proud milestone for the factory and the employees, too. 

Around 1966, some of these models were recalled to be repainted by Fermo in the new ‘SCANDINAVIAN’ livery. Today, the surviving examples are mostly to be found in museums.

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SAS DC-6 Ashtray

SAS DC-6 ashtray

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Ashtrays featuring small models were a mainstay during the 1950s and 1960s, and here is a wonderful example from the W. Osgaard & Co. portfolio with the number 661-2. The idea of having the aircraft ‘flying through the skies’ of tobacco smoke is actually quite good, and it must have sparked the imagination of those yet to experience their first flight.

Scandinavian Airlines System or SAS was to become one of the major customers at W. Osgaard and later Fermo, and this is probably one of the earliest and rarest SAS-models from this company. Note that the writing and cheatlines seem a bit sketchy – they’re probably done freehand, so this may be a prototype.

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DC-6 Tabletop Lighter

DC-6 Lighter Model

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DC-6 Lighter Model

From a time when smoking was allowed on airplanes (and probably everywhere else…), what could be more cool than this Tabletop Lighter model of a DC-6? This magnificent image from the W. Osgaard & Co. sales folder and the number 4693 suggest that this was an actual model produced and sold, but during 15 plus years of research, we are still to see one in the flesh. No doubt about the coolness factor though!

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KLM DC-7C Cutaway

KLM DC-7C starboard side

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Starboard side. Note wires for interior lighting.

This model is one of the highlights of the late fifties, showing the luxurious interior offered to the traveler at the time. Cast in aluminum and painted, it was offered in the odd scale of 1:40. The seats are injection-molded plastic with a velvet-like  covering not seen on other models from W. Osgaard & Co. A series of probably around 20 these models were manufactured in 1957. Image from the original W. Osgaard & Co. promotion folder, model number 5072. These models show up from time to time in collections on the web.