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For most manufacturers of the day, many materials became scarce and reserved for the war effort, Stanley had to change up a bit its products. Some models were dropped during the war years, but the ones that remains shows various type of materials and finished, not seen before. Jan 20 1943 The Stanley Works was awarded the coveted E (Excellence) award Pic Commons Wikepedia Can you spot the black sheep in this line up ? Way at the end... Times 2 The Stanley Bailey bench plane that we know, did not escaped unscattered from theses restrictions. As a results of the fluctuating demand and resources available, all bets are off trying to nail down a "typical" TYPE 17 1942-1945.  Remember the USA did not entered the war until after Pearl Harbour Dec 1941. And muddying even more our efforts, Stanley was well known to used up previous parts inventory. Stanley No 3 Type 17 This pic is from a previous rehab, taken 30 Apr 2005 You'll see later how she fare all these years, was my user ...

Continuing into our explorations of "low cost" economy line of planes, this is the Bull in the China shop, the Stanley Handyman ! Sgt Rudy reporting with Aviator Handyman, Sir What? Did I heard food? You are on your own Aviator! Stanley Handyman H1204 The name says it all.  It is not a professional model... Stanley had three economy lines before, the Four Square 1923-1935 and in the 1930s they also had Defiance and Victor economy planes. After WW2 there was a big demand for housing with returning servicemen and the rise of the Week End Handyman gave birth to new lines of lower cost tools, alongside the continuing demand for "professional tools".  Stanley answered the call with the Handyman line up.  That Handyman name (and Yankee)  were acquired with the purchase of  North Bros mfg. in 1946. Sadly with the rise of the new fangled power tools, the demand for Professional planes declined, but the rise of the Handyman special's tools continued unabated to this day....