Unusual Model- do you know what it was used for?

[Flyingtiger10]

By chance I just got one without its box or base, and I was wondering what was it used for.
The scale is 1/40 and is very accurate and made of three metals: Aluminum wings and tail; bronze cowling, exhausts and wheels; and pewter
body and propeller. The prop turns and so the wheels. The registration in the tail is of a real plane that is in exhibition in the Smithsonian Air and
Space Museum, one of the few left from WWI. The maker as stated earlier in this post, is unknown, but under the fuselage it is engraved "Japan". The real plane was registered to the US Army Expeditionary Forces Air Service in France, and made in August 1918. It was assigned to Capt. Arthur Raymond Brooks. He shot down 6 enemy planes in the great war and had 5 more kills by other pilots. Was sent to the
USA in December 1919, and donated to the Smithsonian Institute and restored in 1984-6. Interesting to know that it was marketed by Sears, as part of a radio set. Actually, there is a complete set that works on eBay right now.
The link is: http://r.ebay.com/JVciAQ . According to the seller, it was made in 1984. The number of this set is 611. The plane was attached to a post--as have been said earlier--and serves as an antenna when it swivels. Exactly as the pictures and info posted earlier by several members, including, GR.

[MichaelB]

It's quite a piece, although at the time of it's sale it could only be a curiosity. The addition of an AM radio is just a cheap add on and solidly dates the piece into the early '60s.
Once again, rereading the prior posts on this subject is like talking to ghosts! Please review the extensive information and photographs which GR included!
MJB

[Tone]

Two things:
First,"Waco" is the name of a toy importer. I know of a tin toy that looks like an American Airlines DC7 + Electra with wing lights that came in a box marked with this brand name.
Second, the box art graphics look later than the 50s-60s...more like the 70s.