De Havilland Gypsy Moth and Tiger Moth. Beautiful biplanes from the place where industrial design meets craftsmanship meets art.

Another way to find some pics and models: Google for "bush planes", or "fly-in" (as in fly-in fishing lodges) some of em are still flying up north. The De Havilland Beaver just hit its 50th anniversary, so is a little past the era you're looking for. Beech Twins are very cool.

One of my favourites from the era is the PBY5 Canso flying boat. Postwar, of course, they were converted for water bomber use and are still putting out fires. Again, designers managed the near-impossible task of making something that's ungainly by nature a thing of both beauty and utility.

A few years ago CBC radio interviewed one of Canada's first stewardesses, who worked in Cansos starting in the late 40's doing passenger service in the Queen Charlottes and other BC coastal areas. She said she was astonished when she saw the Canso in the movie "Always" (underrated IMHO), and started yelling "That's my plane!" Not only was it a Canso, it still had the same serial numbers. Literally the same plane.

W-O