Plásticos Lodela S.A.

Lore & Background

Plásticos Lodela S.A. was established on August 17, 1957 by Apolo Loóez de Lara, whose surname was contracted to form the company name. The firm initially manufactured Revell brand plastic models, along with their own plastic cement and a small line of modeling paints. In 1975, Lodela began producing Cox brand miniature internal combustion engine toys, primarily control line model airplanes, but also some cars and helicopters. From the mid-1980s, the company also issued models from Airfix and Heller SA, and some kits included Lodela's original Mexican markings.

The company became particularly known for its 1:144 scale commercial airplane models, producing kits for many Latin American airlines such as Viasa, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroperú, Aeroméxico, and Mexicana, as well as for non-Latin carriers including Delta, Eastern, Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France. Lodela also gained popularity for its 1/72 scale warbird models from World War II, with a few from World War I. During the late 1980s, the company had an advertising contract with American soda brand Orange Crush, releasing some car models with the soda's logo on their boxes.

Reader's Guide

Plásticos Lodela S.A. holds a significant place in the history of plastic model manufacturing in Latin America, as one of the few major Mexican companies to produce scale models under multiple international brands. Its ability to manufacture Revell, Cox, Airfix, and Heller SA models under license made it a key distributor of plastic kits in the region. The company's specialization in 1:144 scale commercial airliners, particularly those of Latin American airlines, gave it a unique niche that appealed to both local modelers and collectors of airline memorabilia. Its 1/72 scale warbird kits also contributed to its reputation among military aviation enthusiasts. The late-1980s advertising tie-in with Orange Crush demonstrated Lodela's reach into promotional modeling. However, the company faced litigation from 2004 to 2012 when it was sued in Mexican court by Banco Nacional de Mexico, which marked a troubled period in its later history. Despite these legal issues, Lodela's output remains of interest to collectors for its distinctive Mexican markings and its role in bringing global model brands to the Latin American market.

Did You Know?

• The company name Lodela is a contraction of founder Apolo Loóez de Lara's surname.
• Lodela produced Cox brand miniature internal combustion engine toys starting in 1975.
• It released car models with Orange Crush soda logos on the boxes during the late 1980s.