American Junior - Chuck Hein Photo Album

Memories of Jim Walker and American Junior

The following photographs and stories were provided to American Junior Classics by Raymond Hein, the son of Chuck Hein. Chuck Hein worked for American Junior from 1954 till the early 1960's. Here are some rare photo's and a glimpse of the modeling world of the past.

Jim Walker flying Fireballs at the Cleveland Hobby Show

Jim Walker prepares to fly two Fireballs at the indoor arena for the 1954 Cleveland Hobby Show. Raymond Hein, the
son of Chuck Hein, (far right) prepares to release his Fireball. Those lines look awfully short for flying U-Control.


Looks like Jim Walker is doing his famous Sabre Dance at the Cleveland Hobby Show.	Flying two Fireballs in Cleveland. Notice the batteries attached to the base of the U-Reely's for speed control.

Jim Walker flying three Fireball U-Control planes

Jim Walker at one of his outdoor exibitions of flying three Fireballs at once. He has a U-Reely in each hand and the special helmet to control the third plane.

The following is a newspaper Article from Chuck Hein's home town of Fon du Lac in 1954. Chuck Hein was getting ready to work for Jim Walker in Portland, OR. This story gives some insight into the life of Chuck Hein at this time in his life.

City Is Given Photo History Of Centennial (2-28-54)

C. J. "Charlie" Hein, one of the most active photographers in this area for the last nine years, left Fond du Lac today and will reside in Portland, Oregon, where he has accepted an administrative post with the American Junior Aircraft corporation.

Hein, who did a considerable amount of picture-taking for state and local newspapers and several national magazines, paid a visit to the city hall earlier in the week and presented commissioners with scrapbooks containing the pictorial progress of local construction projects in recent years.

Donates Folder

In addition, Hein also gave the city a complete folder of-pictures of Fond du Lac's Centennial program, including the outstanding parade. All of the photographs have captions which describe the various civic activities.

Hein was active in the community since coming here in 1945 from Arlington Heights, Ill. He was employed at Albert Hauer and Sons for nine years and played a major role in local model airplane and hobby programs. Before coming to this city, Hein was employed in the engineering department of the Chicago and North Western railroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Hein and their son, Raymond, flew to Portland this morning. Hein said there is a possibility the American Junior Aircraft corporation will build a plant in the near future somewhere in the midwest.

'Covered' Marathon

Hein personally covered every major event in the last nine-year history of Fond du Lac. He is also an outboard motorboat enthusiast and did a large amount of photography for the sponsors of a the annual Winnebago marathon. And, when it comes to building and flying model airplanes, Hein is tops in the field.

Hein is a past president of the Fond du Lac Associated Hobby Club's, Inc., and a former director of the Flying Badgers, a model airplane club he helped to organize. He was also a member of the city's Centennial committee and worked on several other local promotion committees.

Chuck Hein was involved with the Sky Wolves model airplane club in the early 1940's. Notice the first production control line model, the Fireball, on the table next to the trophy. We have some rare film footage of this club as they transition into U-Control. Click here to play film

Hobby Shop photo with Firebaby being shown, Fireball on shelf

Into the mid 1950's we see what a Hobby Shop looked like. Firebaby is on counter and shelf. Also, notice the late model Fireball on the top shelf. On the far lower right is a box of '74 Fighters.

This boy is holding a Fireball on floats.

Another Fireball looks very graceful and is ready to fly off the water.


Jim Walker with his Nationals Radio Winner - 1941	Jim's Radio Transmitter - 1941

Jim Walker shows off one of his experimental Sonic Control Gliders.

Jim Walker is on the golf course with his radio control lawnmower

Jim Walker is on the golf course showing off his Radio Controlled Lawnmower. It is noted that Jim would often run his R/C Lawnmower in the Rose Festival Parade in Portland. Johnny Knepper, who built one lawnmower for Jim, said he was able to make the mower turn out of the parade and head for some cute young thing in the crowd, stop a few feet away in front of her and "curtsy or bow" to her, which generally embarassed but delighted the crowd. Jim would do this the whole parade route.

Radio controlled lawnmower by Jim Walker

Chuck Hein photo of Jim Walker relaxing while the Radio Controlled Lawnmower works fo Him.

Toy Journal story on American Junior Aircraft Company

Jim Walker's daughter Marilyn is tossing a model 47 Fighter

Marilyn Walker, Jim's daughter is tossing a model '74 Fighter at a Hobby Show in Chicago

Story from The Southern & Southwestern Toy Journal

A-J Aircraft Grew With
Aviation Industry

THE AMERICAN Junior Aircraft Company of Portland, Oregon, one of the foremost manufacturers of Ready-To-Fly model aircraft, has been actively engaged in the manufacture of Flying Toys since the early 20's.

Under the leadership of Jim Walker, this firm has produced many, many true-to-flight planes that gave wings to the youth of this country. The names Hornet, Interceptor and "74" Fighter are synonymous with the names of American Junior and Jim Walker. Millions of boys and girls have been indoctrinated to the thrills of model flying with these planes.

Two years ago, American Junior outgrew its facilities and was forced to move to larger quarters, where it now has 60,000 sq. ft. of working space. The block-long, two-story plant is close to the center of Portland's business section and is ideally situated for shipping and distribution of its products. Despite the addition of new equipment and improved production methods, the plant is
being taxed to keep abreast of the ever-increasing demand for the A-J line of planes and boats.

The present line of Ready-To-Fly planes now being produced include:

    1. The "74" Fighter Glider with Return Flight - 10 cents.
    2. The 7-11 Jet Glider - 19 cents
    3. The Ceiling Walker (Helicopter) that flys straight up outdoors - indoors it walks on the ceiling.
    4. The "SuperSonic Jet" Glider - catapult-launched and a high speed glider with controllable         ailerons for flight control.
    5. The 39 cent "Firefly" rubber-powered stick model - the newest in the line.
    6. The "Interceptor" - the long-flying, catapult-launched glider with the folding wings that open at         peak altitude and soars great distances.
    7. The "Hornet" - the tops in rubber-powered planes.
    8. The "Pursuit" rubber-powered model is the biggest in the line.

U-Control flying was developed and pioneered by American Junior, setting a new trend in powered model flight. With the introduction of the Jim Walker "Fireball" U-Control got its start in the market. Although the Fireball has been discontinued, it has been succeeded by the Jim Walker "Firebaby," Firecat, Bonanza and Firebee planes. The Firebaby was the first Ready-To-Fly U-Control plane available and is still one of the most popular. The Firecat is a prefabricated kit for the larger motors and is an exceptional stunt and combat plane. The Bonanza and Firebee planes are small profile replicas of current aircraft.

With the introduction of the Firebee, the Firecracker .065 engine made its debut, and modelers saw for the first time an engine with a variable speed throttle that permitted controlled speed in flight. Further, this engine, operated at 85 throttle, is so quiet that it can be flown most anywhere.

Ted Jones, left, designer of "Miss Thriftway," and Chuck Hein,
sales engineer of A-J Aircraft, compare details of the
American Junior model and big boat.

Recently the A. J. line was broadened to include boat kits. The first model to capture the fancy of the modelers was the "Miss Thriftway," a replica of the unlimited hydroplane that has captured the Gold Cup for the past three years.
The 18-inch model is designed for display or use with 1/2-A or small-A class motors. Miss Thriftway sells for $2.95 for boat only and $10.95 for boat and Firecracker engine and $11.50 for the boat and Cub marine engine and hardware. A marine hardware kit has also been introduced at 98 cents and includes prop, universal, strut, shaft, stuffing box, rudder and rudder brackets for small engines.

Now in production and ready for shipment is a 24-inch version of the new sensational hydroplane, "Thriftway Too," that features the new cab forward design. The model is precut wood parts, canopy, decals and is suitable for A, B, or C Class engines.

In the photo to the right we see Willie Willingham, left, with his "Miss Thriftway." Chuck Hein poses with the "Miss Thriftway Too." Photo taken around 1957 at the Westmoreland casting pond in Portland, Oregon. This was a popular park where Jim Walker tested his new creations.


American Junior mobile hobby show truck - mid 1950's	Chuck Hein on coffee break

American Junior production line - 1950's

Women workers on break at American Junior plant in Oregon - 1950's

Top: Production line photo from the 1950's - this image shows women on one of Jim Walker's innovations in packaging. Jim Walker hired women from his earliest days in business. Jim Walker pioneered, and patented, the heat seal bagging technique for packaging his products. Bottom: This image shows the A-J workers on a break. The decorations suggest it is Christmas time.

Click here for a larger Rose Festival photo	Another development by Jim Walker was this model car, the Jaguar. These cars were powered in two ways. One version had an electric engine, another had a gasoline engine. (left) Here we see the Jaguars in the 1954 or '55 Rose Festival Parade in Portland, Oregon. (right) Here are the children of the band leader Spike Jones posing in one of only about 500 Jaguars were produced by American Junior.


Chuck Hein is interviewed during the live broadcast from the A-J factory. View a his interview from our "Short Takes" film library	This photo was taken upon the completion of the merger of American Junior Aircraft with Pactra in 1963. (left to right) Chuck Hein, sales engineer; Al Davenport, President; Dora Walker, Secretary (Jim Walker's wife); Ron Anderson; Bill Walker (Jim Walker's brother).