"The world's largest to-scale collection of miniature airplane models is housed here at the Hazy Library at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. The Kalusa Collection is comprised of 5,825 pre-flight, private, commercial, military, and rocket aircraft models," the official website says.

"The models are built to a 1/18 inch-to-foot scale. Consistent use of this scale provides all aircraft in the collection with accurate size relations to one another. Each model is painted with the detailed markings characteristic of the aircraft. In 2003, the Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection was inducted into the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest collection of handmade aeroplanes in the world.

"John W. Kalusa painstaking handcrafted the collection over much of his life. In 1936, at the age of 14, he started making World War I models for a battle game. After serving as an aerial photographer and mechanic in World War II, Mr. Kalusa resumed his hobby. A retired purchasing agent with Rocketdyne, Mr. Kalusa carved and painted an average of two model aircraft a week at his home in Mesa, Arizona. Mr. Kalusa passed away on February 17, 2003."

"Specializing in aviation, aerospace, security, and intelligence, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott is a beautiful campus with impressive goals and a commendable mission statement," the Only In Your State reports.

"The most famous of these displays is the Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of handmade miniature airplanes on earth.

"You'll see over 5,800 models representing pre-flight, private, commercial, military, and rocket aircraft. The accuracy and attention to detail are astounding; these two attributes are difficult to achieve when working on such a small scale."

"The John W. Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection is a wonderful assortment of 5,829 model aircraft, all done to an exact scale of one-eighteenth of an inch to one foot," the Arizona Oddities reports.

"Each model is delicately painted, right down to the detailed markings characteristic of the actual aircraft. This required a steady hand because many of the planes have wingspans of less than two inches.

"John Kalusa started building the models in 1936 when he was a mere 14 years old. Eventually, he created all sorts of flying devices, from biplanes to jets, from bombers to hot air balloons. After his death in 2003, his family donated the collection to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University here, and it is now on display in the university library. That same year, the work was selected as the largest collection of handmade airplanes in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records."

"Over 5000 model airplanes located at Emery Riddle Aeronautical University's Library. Young and old will the models. Though some are small - still excellent detail. A bit off the main stream of historical Prescott - but worth the short drive."

"Overall though, a nice collection (half of which is upstairs). There is also a nice set of NASA patches in the library as well."

"Unbelievable number of miniature airplanes and helicopters that were hand made by one man. It is located in the library at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University campus."

"This exhibit in the ERAU library is truly unique. All the aircraft models are hand made."

"If you're an airplane nut and maybe have built a few models in your lifetime, you have to see this amazing collection by John W. Kalusa. There are over 5,000 miniature planes...making the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of handmade aeroplanes in the world. Mr. Kalusa was an aerial photographer & mechanic in WWII."