Heirloom Pieces That Feed Thousands of Craftsmen

At first glance, you think they’re made of resin, hard plastic, or metal.

With the glossy lacquer finish and intricate curves, you’ll be amazed that they’re made of wood, Philippine mahogany, as a matter of a fact. Such are the desktop model planes hand-carved by many craftsmen of Angeles City, Pampanga, in the Philippines, the former home of Clark Air Base.

Only craftsmen with decades of experience in intricately carving wood blocks into planes, 30 years to be exact, can make such an imposing work of art. A company like Mastercraft Collection and other entrepreneurs take pride in these men loyal to their craft.

Just before the end of the Vietnam War, wood carving is already a flourishing trade in the Pampanga province. Most businesses had been doing custom-made wall plaques and name plates for American service men of Clark Air Base. Then later, toy planes. When the American servicemen’s passion shifted to replicating the aircraft they have piloted and loved, the business evolved into plane modeling initially using Narra wood as material.

It soon created an industry that provided three square meals for thousands of local craftsmen and that sent generations of children to school. But imagine what goes on when one starts to create a model plane not only as a work of art but as a source of income for a family. Scale drawing done by an artist or modeler, hand-carving based on the scale with kiln-dried mahogany as material, sanding until the piece is smooth, hand painting with concern on accuracy and details, and lacquer coating and finishing.

With all these talent, effort and time, a piece is not just a product. It is a masterpiece and an heirloom that deserve to be cherished.