PacMin Studios
Aviation marketing studio and manufacturer of model aircraft.
Pacmin Studios, once called Pacific Miniatures, makes model aircraft and works as an aviation marketing studio. The company was started in 1946 by Orval Coker and Don Meeker, both then employed by Douglas Aircraft Company. Their early work involved cutaway models of commercial planes for Boeing and Douglas, showing interiors to highlight the luxury and comfort of flying at a time when few people had flown. The business began in a small facility in Alhambra, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, and produced models in many sizes and types. Fred Ouweleen bought the company in 1986. In 1995, it moved to Fullerton, California, where it now runs a modern facility, with manufacturing also in Tijuana, Mexico, and Shenzhen, China. Customers began calling the company PacMin, and that name became official in the 1980s. Today it is branded as Pacmin Studios to reflect its specialized work on desktop and large exhibit models, full-scale prototypes, and CGI. Though best known for aviation models, Pacmin Studios has also made projects for automotive, space, and entertainment clients worldwide. In 2018, it launched The Model Shop, a retail site selling officially licensed models to the public, made with the same processes and materials used for airline and aerospace clients. The company’s main service is designing and building high-fidelity scale model aircraft in common scales like 1:100 and 1:200, as well as large scales such as 1:20. It produces detailed desktop models and large exhibit models, including full-scale prototypes and cutaway displays that show intricate interior details. These cutaway and exhibit models can include working lights, detailed cabin interiors, and custom paint finishes, making them useful for aircraft marketing and product launches.
Quick Facts
- Native Name
- Pacific Miniatures
- Industry
- model aircraft marketing
- Predecessor
- <!-- or
- Founded
- 1946, Alhambra, California
- Hq Location City
- Fullerton, California
- Owner
- Fred Ouweleen
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pacmin Studios was founded in 1946 as Pacific Miniatures by Orval Coker and Don Meeker, both employees of Douglas Aircraft Company. Their first projects were cutaway models of commercial airliners for Boeing and Douglas Aircraft, designed to show the interior of aircraft and convey the luxury and comfort of air travel at a time when a small percentage of the population had experienced airline travel. The company initially operated from a modest manufacturing facility in Alhambra, California, a Los Angeles suburb, and began producing models of all types and sizes.
In 1986, Pacific Miniatures was purchased by Fred Ouweleen. The company relocated to Fullerton, California in 1995, where it currently operates from a state-of-the-art facility, with manufacturing operations in Tijuana, Mexico and Shenzhen, China. Customers referred to the company as PacMin, and this name was officially adopted in the 1980s; today it is branded as Pacmin Studios to reflect its specialized work with desktop and larger exhibit models, as well as full-scale prototypes and CGI.
While best known for aviation models, Pacmin Studios has also engineered and produced projects for companies in other industries such as automotive, space, and entertainment. In 2018, the company launched The Model Shop, a retail site offering officially licensed models for public purchase using the same processes and materials as the models supplied to airlines and aerospace manufacturers.
Reader's Guide
Pacmin Studios holds a significant place in the history of model aircraft manufacturing, particularly in the aviation marketing sector. Founded in 1946 by two Douglas Aircraft employees, the company pioneered the use of cutaway display models to promote commercial air travel, helping to convey the luxury and comfort of flying to a public that had little experience with it. Over decades, Pacmin evolved from a small Alhambra workshop into a global operation with manufacturing in Mexico and China, while maintaining its focus on high-fidelity scale models. The company's adoption of the Pacmin name in the 1980s and later rebranding to Pacmin Studios reflects its expansion beyond traditional model making into full-scale prototypes and CGI. Its 2018 launch of The Model Shop made its officially licensed models available to the public, extending its legacy beyond corporate clients. Pacmin's work across aviation, automotive, space, and entertainment industries underscores its versatility, while its continued operation from a state-of-the-art facility in Fullerton, California, demonstrates its enduring relevance in model aircraft production.
Did You Know?
- Pacmin Studios was founded in 1946 by two employees of Douglas Aircraft Company, Orval Coker and Don Meeker.
- The company's first projects were cutaway models of commercial airliners showing interior details to promote air travel.
More in Radio-Controlled Helicopters and Model Aircraft 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced