Herkimer Tool and Model Works, The Factory History (c) 2018 David Burke V2.7

Transcription

1 This is an article about the factory of the Herkimer engine making company called Herkimer Tool & Model Works which was based in the hamlet of Herkimer in the State of New York, USA. This enterprise was established in 1921 as a jobbing machinist contractor by Charles Brebeck. Herkimer produced a wide array of engines for the model toy aircraft industry and also they did manufacturing work on the Righter engines used to power US Army target drones in WW2. Walter Righter, as you may know teamed up with the movie actor Reginald Denny to produce four variants of the Drone engines, Herkimer built the Mk2 version with the counter rotating propeller gearbox, an outstanding achievement. Pg 1 of 9

2 Examples of engines produced by Herkimer includes their twin 1.20 and the famous OK Cubs, see adverts on this page. As you can see on the left, Herkimer also branched out into other model lines to increase the range of goods offered to the retail buying public. Pg 2 of 9

3 Herkimer made model cars and also had an interesting entry into the Education Market with an engine building kit. The model car featured the OK Cub.049 glow plug engine. Drive was obtained via sidewinder gearing to the rear wheels and was intended for tether car use. Pg 3 of 9

4 Factory photos Front of the factory as it appeared during engine production. Aerial shot taken in 2009 below. Pg 4 of 9

5 On the next few pages is some still shots from a visit to the Herkimer Factory around 1952 by the National Broadcasting Company of America. To quote Ted Brebeck at OK Engine Co., {The photos are still shots taken by the NBC TV production company that came to our factory to do a segment for the television show " Industry on Parade" which we then used in a feature film called "Model Wings on the World". This film was loaned to and shown across the US to scout and community groups as an entertainment and promotion for the hobby of sport flying.} unquote. Pg 5 of 9

6 (c) Copyright 1952 NBC-News Pg 6 of 9

7 (c) Copyright 1952 NBC-News Pg 7 of 9

8 The Factory History After Model Engine Production Ceased The Herkimer based company continued to manufacture model engines until about 1965, after which it reverted to being a jobbing contractor. The following grab of the Herkimer Tool and Machining Company website about sums it up. As you can see, the Factory moved as it downsized and went away from model engine production and eventually split in two companies with Ted Brebeck, the founding owners Grandson continuing the OK Engine sales and support. See below for a view of the remaining machinery on the revised floor plan. Pg 8 of 9

9 OK Model Company Ted Brebeck, the founder s Grandson still operates the model engine arm as OK Engine Company. OK ENGINE COMPANY OK STREAMLINERS P O Box 355 Mohawk NY OKENGINES@AOL.COM Part of his blurb goes as follows. MODEL AIRPLANE ENGINE DEPARTMENT Engine and parts production ended in WE will still maintain our repair service for the one million 1/2A OK engines produced. That is the OK Cub.049 and.074 displacement sizes. The charge is $15 if the engine is sent to us complete. If parts are missing, parts charges will apply. Our catalog includes other ordering and sales tax info. Our basic catalog is free by . However, we maintain a listing of engines, parts, and paper ephemera which are too few to list in a catalog. Hard copies of this listing is available for $3 from the address below and is updated quarterly. Ask for the one-of list when ordering. Report Close I came to the conclusion a long time ago that making model engines seems a very good way to turn a large pile of cash into a small loss very quickly. So why do mere mortals do it? My thinking is that it takes a very special type of individual that is filled with passion, vision and talent. Without that special person, these engine factory s just slowly fade away. Sort of like Taipan without Gordon (and Peter) Burford, or SuperTigre without Jaures Garofali, or Rossi without the Rossi Brothers. One needs to look at the vision needed to create a saleable product in the right quantity, at the right time and at the right price. OK engines were a quality product of the late Thirties through to the mid Sixties. There was no throttle control nor any attempt at exhaust silencing as was the norm back then. These engines can be hard to find these days but they definitely deserve their hallowed place in the sun. Pg 9 of 9