Testor Corporation
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hobby products, Scale model tools and accessories |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Founder | Nils F. Testor |
| Headquarters | Rockford, Illinois , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Nils F. Testor (founder) |
| Products | Enamel, acrylic and spray paints, adhesives, brushes, cutting instruments; scale model kits (brands: Testors, Model Master, Spray Chalk, Testors Craft) |
| Parent | RPM International |
Testor Corporation (commonly known as Testors) is a U.S.-based producer of tools and accessories designed for scale model kits. Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, the company operates internationally as a division of RPM International. Established in 1929 by Nils F. Testor, the company manufactures a range of products including enamel, acrylic, and spray paints, adhesives, brushes, and cutting instruments under various brand names such as Testors, Model Master, Spray Chalk, and Testors Craft.
Early Development
The origins trace back to Axel Karlson’s invention of "Karlsons Klister," an adhesive initially intended for mending women's hosiery but later adopted for wider applications. In 1929, Karlson brought on Nils F. Testor—then managing a F. W. Woolworth store in Rockford—to oversee office operations at the fledgling enterprise. Following the commercial failure of Karlson’s product and his return to Sweden, Testor secured the company’s assets through borrowed capital and founded "The Testor Chemical Company."
Understanding that cobblers—then the primary clientele—offered limited market potential, Testor repositioned the glue as "Crystal Clear Household Cement," broadening its appeal to general household repairs. This strategic realignment facilitated growth, and by 1936 the firm had expanded its offerings to include hobbyist model cement and butyrate dope. In 1940, Testor Corporation became a charter member of The Hobby Industry of America, cementing its role within the hobbyist product sector.
Impact of World War II
The outbreak of World War II created significant shortages in raw materials critical for producing adhesives and paints at Testor. To counteract these constraints, the company diversified into making static scale models of popular aircraft carved from pinewood. These models achieved considerable popularity and helped sustain business during periods when chemical production was restricted.
On February 1, 1944, a fire inflicted severe damage on Testor’s Rockford plant, resulting in losses exceeding $200,000. Nevertheless, within one year a larger manufacturing facility was constructed to resume operations. After the war ended, Testor reinstated production of its key glues and paints, including adhesives formulated for new plastic materials. Surplus ultra-lightweight balsa wood from wartime supplies also enabled the manufacture of flying wooden aircraft models and supported custom model makers.
Strategic Acquisitions and Collaborations
In 1949, Nils Testor formed a strategic alliance with Charles Miller, president of Duromatic Products—the maker of the well-known McCoy hobby engine. This collaboration involved joint marketing efforts and product compatibility agreements that strengthened Testor’s position in the self-propelled model market.
During the 1960s, plastics became predominant in hobby manufacturing, necessitating specialized adhesives and paints. Although Testor had been producing such chemicals since the 1940s, it initially hesitated to enter the plastic model kit market. However, in the early 1970s as part of growth initiatives, Testor acquired IMC and Hawk Model Company—both leading producers of plastic model kits—and subsequently purchased Italian manufacturer Italeri. These acquisitions broadened Testor’s product range and enhanced its global footprint in plastic scale modeling.
From 1984 to 1987, Testors sponsored "Adventures in Scale Modeling," a video series dedicated to detailed model construction that helped boost brand visibility.
Starting in the late 1980s, Testors collaborated with diecast companies such as Bburago, Jouef, Racing Champions, Lincoln Mint, and Maisto to rebrand their products as model kits. This approach aimed to attract younger audiences by providing alternatives to conventional plastic kits while further diversifying Testor’s product lines and services.
F-19
In January 1986, Testors introduced a model kit representing the speculative F-19 Stealth Fighter, created using publicly available intelligence before the official debut of the F-117 Nighthawk. Although this concept differed greatly from the actual aircraft, it shaped the design of video games and other toys, incorporating elements such as angled fins that were later adopted in stealth aircraft development. Additionally, Testors produced a model of a Soviet fighter jet.
Product lines
Under development