This glow plug engine was built by the DEW Corporation in Kimball, NE, in the early 1960s. DEW stands for the initials of the owner, Dale E. Wood. According to Tim Dannels at the Model Engine Collector’s Journal, the DEW engine was, “not a totally successful venture, although they were decent engines. By 1965, the engine was bought out by a Ray Kesteloot in California and re-marketed under the Kustom name. On these the word ‘DEW’ was ground off of the bypass and replaced with a sticker. There was also a .61 R/C version as well as a .51 Stunt.”
This example came in the original box with instruction sheet and a receipt from 1962 showing the engine going to “D.C. Spring” in N. Hollywood, CA at no charge. The price on the box says “$25.95.” The engine is frozen up from lack of use, but it is complete.
Dale designed these DEW engines at his drafting table and his father, Milton, built the molds and completed the necessary machine work. During this time they were both working in the oil fields of western Nebraska into Wyoming.
Dale was born to Kansas farmers in the height of the Dust Bowl near Goddard, Kansas. He served during the Korean War on the 6th Army Rifle Team. He also pioneered slot car racing in Wichita and was a general contractor, building new homes and remodels until he retired. He passed in 2006. His father, Milton, worked for The Coleman Co. in Wichita as a machinist and tool maker. He later retired from Beechcraft in Wichita.
