Model of an above ground nuclear fallout shelter for a school, designed by the US Department of Defence, made by Art Designers Incorporated, Alexandria, Virginia, USA, about 1962

This is one of a group of models (CD.19 to 25- 2016) that were made in the early 1960s for use by the state of Montana in travelling exhibitions. The models were shown at fairs and other public events as part of a campaign to publicise the importance of nuclear shelters, and to encourage people to build their own. Four of the models in the V&A's collection are for domestic shelters – instructions for building these are detailed in the US Department of Defense’s 1962 booklet ‘Family Shelter Designs’. The other two models are for school shelters – one to be built above and one below ground.

Four of the six models (three domestic models plus the above-ground school shelter) form part of a set, for which the original travelling crate survives. Each model fits inside its own hood before being packed into the crate. There is space in the crate for one additional model which was missing when the set was acquired. It is not known what this missing model would have been. The remaining two models (for the steel culvert shelter and the below- ground school shelter) appear to have been made separately although they are in the same style as the larger group. These two do not bear labels for any model maker (the other four and the travelling crate are all labelled by Art Designers Incorporated, Virginia).

This is one of a group of models used by the American state of Montana to demonstrate designs for nucelar fallout shelters. The models, which included a group showing designs for DIY domestic shelters, were shown at fairs and public events.

CD.23:1-2016