What is the scope
of the Classic Jetex Archive?
This Classic Jetex Archive
confines its brief to the classic Jetex era.
We also chronicle prior events which led to the formation of the company that,
for most of the era, was synonymous with Jetex – Wilmot, Mansour and Co., Ltd.
Happenings since that period, which have included a renaissance
of interest in Jetex modelling (witness the inception of this website!) are the scope
of the host of this Archive,
jetex.org.
Here we attempt to record, for the enlightenment and entertainment of posterity,
the significant achievements, outcomes and personalities of the Classic Jetex
era:
- the innovative motors, both those produced under the Jetex brand and those
under rival brands, as well as their unique fuel formulations
- the astounding range of models designed for Jetex power, including many
construction plans
- published material of the era, documenting all facets of Jetex motors and
modelling
- the creative people who fired the imaginations and productive skills of
a whole generation of modellers.
When was the classic
Jetex era?
For the modelling public, the classic Jetex era began in 1948,
with the sale of the first Jetex motors.
The close of the era cannot be dated so precisely. Somewhat arbitrarily, we have
chosen to fix its termination as 1979. By the end of the seventies, there were
a number of indications that the golden days of the classic Jetex era had reached
their end:
- with the sale of D.Sebel and Co., current manufacturers of Jetex motors, fuel and
kits, production had ceased
- rival and replacement motor manufacturers had also quit the market and would
not reappear till near the end of the century
- the modelling magazines were no longer regularly publishing plans and articles about
Jetex-powered models
- it was some years since kit manufacturers had produced new models for Jetex power
- the great Jetex contests were events of the distant past.
By 1984, Kenneth Brothwell,
in the SAM 35 Yearbook of that year, was in a position to regret "the passing
of Jetex" and wistfully hope for "the return swing of the pendulum" - but perhaps
not conceive that it would come to pass with the force that it has, in this new
millennium!
|
 |
In June 1948,
Aeromodeller carried the very first of hundreds of Jetex advertisements.
|
|
|
