Library Information
Services
Help
The world's largest to-scale collection of miniature airplane models is housed here at the library at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. The Kalusa Collection is comprised of over 5,500 pre-flight, private, commercial, military and rocket aircraft models.
The models are built to a 1/18 inch-to-foot scale. Consistent use of this scale provides all aircraft in the collection with accurate size relations to one another. Each model is also painted with the detailed markings characteristic of the aircraft.
The Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection has recently been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest collection of handmade aeroplanes in the world.
John W. Kalusa is the man who painstakingly handcrafted the collection over much of his life. In 1936, at the age of 14, he started making World War I models for a battle game. After serving as an aerial photographer and mechanic in World War II, Mr. Kalusa resumed his hobby. A retired purchasing agent with Rocketdyne, Mr. Kalusa carved and painted about two model aircraft a week at his home in Mesa, Arizona. Mr. Kalusa passed away on February 17, 2003.
The Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection is available for viewing during library hours. There is also a video about the collection and Mr. Kalusa that can be viewed in the collection area.
For more information or to schedule a tour of the collection, please contact the Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Curator:
For more information, contact:
Circulation Supervisor
(928) 777-3758
prlib@erau.edu