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The Precise Models Inc. letterhead and logo included abstract initials of the business name, outline of a towmotor, plane and rocket. The original artwork for the Precise Models letterhead and catalog are pictured on this page.
Precise Models, Inc., 150 Kenwood Street, Elyria, OH. April 2008
History Precise Models, Inc. was founded by Mr. Paul Schneider and Mrs. Rita Malanowski. Paul was a business partner with Mr. Edward William "Bill" Topping of Topping Models, Inc. since returning from the U.S. Army in 1949. Rita had been employed at Topping Models, Inc. from 1954-1960 in the purchasing department. Paul's son, Gary was also an employee for Topping while in High School. All three left Topping Inc. employment in May 1960 to start the new company. Precise Models Inc. was incorporated on May 5, 1960 and located in a small rented building at 137 Edgewood Street, just 3 blocks West of Topping Assemblies. The building was shared with the owner using one end for his small business. Paul immediately began calling on his former Topping business contacts and was in fierce competition with Topping for model business for the next five years.
The new officers were Paul Schneider, President and Rita (Mrs. Bernard) Malanowski, Secretary-Treasurer. Paul and Rita served as the Corp. Directors in addition to Mr. Robert Vandermark, a local attorney that served in an advisory capacity. A 1963 Dunn & Bradstreet report shows net annual sales of $100,000 and noted a 25% increase over the previous year. In 1964, there were 10 full time and 4 part time employees.
Per Paul’s son, Gary, the first order placed with Precise Models, Inc. was the Republic F-84 Thunderstreak. Paul had kept the RF-84F Thunderflash pictured below and is one of the very first models produced by the new Precise Models, Inc. This model was removed from the shrink wrap for display and has the small Precise Models decal under the wing. The small decal was later determined to be Precise Models Inc. marketing and was not allowed to use the label with later orders.   In 1963 Precise Models purchased a small building at 150 Kenwood Street, located directly across the street from Topping Assemblies. Shortly thereafter, Rita passed away at age of 51 and Paul bought out her share of the business. Competition now included not only Topping, but RoLen (Dick Roberts and Stan Lenovitch), both located across the street at 157 Kenwood St. The arial view map below shows the business locations.
Business continued to grow and in the 1970s the adjoining warehouse was constructed, expanding the facility to 9,800 sq. ft. During the 1970-1980's Precise employed up to 30 full time employees and shipped 200 models per day. Precise also had 2 primary sales representatives with close ties to the defense contractors. The sales reps were located on the East and West coast. The West coast representative was Jack Rubley.
Aerial Map showing locations of Topping, RoLen & Precise Models
Paul would host numerous parties for almost any occasion, including birthday parties for his two pet schnauzers. These pictures were taken at Paul’s 65th birthday in 1982. There was an annual Christmas party complete with catering. Per Gary, Paul started his workday at 5:30 a.m. and was at the shop every day of the week, often "just to get out of the house and away from Mom". He usually had 20 or more friends stop in on Saturday morning breakfast consisting of steak & eggs.  
Paul's Office-Conference Room-Breakroom Finishing Room & Warehouse Upon Paul’s passing away in 1989 at the age of 72, Gary became President with his mother having joint ownership. Gary worked for Topping Models part time while in High School and upon graduation in 1957, attended Miami University in Oxford, OH. for 1 semester. He returned to Elyria and was employed with a civil engineering firm in Elryia with surveying for new subdivisions. In 1959-1961, Gary attended Long Beach College part time before returning to Elyria to work years for the City Engineering Dept. In 1967, Gary started working with his father at Precise Models, Inc. Upon his mother's death in the 1990's Gary took over full ownership of the business.
Precise Catalog: An envelope sized 6 page catalog was published by Precise in the 1970s showcasing 15 models made by Precise and listed 13 manufacturers / customers. Companies included Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV and Northrop. The Precise Models catalog is available while limited supplies last. Also, a very few catalogs autographed by Precise Models President Gary Schneider are avaiable. 
 
Precise Models Catalog Cover - original artwork Finished Logo
The last order placed with Precise Models was a small in-house production of 50 Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes from in-house stock and sold to a Grumman employee. The last models finished were some McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantoms just before closing in December 2005. In February 2010 the Precise Models building was sold to a Elyria auto body repair & painting business. The building has since undergone a signficant rennovation and does not resemble the building it was a few years ago. The injection molds, tooling equipment and models that had once filled the warehouse are gone. The last 4 remaining employees I had met were Frannie, Donna, Phyllis and Joe. Frannie had worked as a painter for Topping as had Phyllis's mother. They along with many others had dedicated many years in making the high quality and collectible models. Today, Gary is retired but remains active in the VFW and American Legion. He has contributed much of the historical information for this site and is always willing to help with any model tips or questions.  Paul Schneider, Precise Models, Inc.
President 1960 - 1989
Gary Schneider, Precise Models, Inc.
President 1989 - 2005 (Photo taken March 2010)
Additional information on Topping Models Inc, Precise Models Inc, RoLen, Allyn, and other contractor scale model manufacturers can be viewed at http://members.chello.nl/ This page was last modified on Monday, August 15, 2011
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