Heirloom Pieces That Feed Thousands of Craftsmen

At first glance, you think they're made of resin, hardmeals for thousands of local craftsmen and that sent
plastic, or metal.generations of children to school. But imagine what
With the glossy lacquer finish and intricate curves, you'llgoes on when one starts to create a model plane not
be amazed that they're made of wood, Philippineonly as a work of art but as a source of income for a
mahogany, as a matter of a fact. Such are thefamily. Scale drawing done by an artist or modeler,
desktop model planes hand-carved by manyhand-carving based on the scale with kiln-dried
craftsmen of Angeles City, Pampanga, in themahogany as material, sanding until the piece is
Philippines, the former home of Clark Air Base.smooth, hand painting with concern on accuracy and
Just before the end of the Vietnam War, wooddetails, and lacquer coating and finishing.
carving is already a flourishing trade in the PampangaWith all these talent, effort and time, a piece is not just
province. Most businesses had been doinga product. It is a masterpiece and an heirloom that
custom-made wall plaques and name plates fordeserve to be cherished.
American service men of Clark Air Base. Then later,Only craftsmen with decades of experience in
toy planes. When the American servicemen's passionintricately carving wood blocks into planes, 30 years to
shifted to replicating the aircraft they have piloted andbe exact, can make such an imposing work of art. A
loved, the business evolved into plane modeling initiallycompany like Mastercraft Collection and other
using Narra wood as material.entrepreneurs take pride in these men loyal to their
It soon created an industry that provided three squarecraft.