Academy Fishing Reel Technical Information and History. ReeLpedia® - Page 3 By Bernie Ladd, 10/9/2024.
The ACADEMY Nottingham reel, produced by Academy Plastics Pty. Ltd. in Richmond, Victoria, Australia, emerged in the post-war period.
It competed with brands like Alpha and Ebro, which were also manufactured in Melbourne, as well as interstate rivals such as Alvey and Steelite, both of which produced Bakelite Nottingham reels. ACADEMY focused on mass production, targeting the budget end of the market. However, the early ACADEMY Nottingham reels, as documented in their factory specifications, boasted impressive features: a solid cast gunmetal bracket, bronze-bushed drum (spool), top-quality molded components, a free-action line guide, ratchet selector and brake, non-corroding materials, and a high-quality chrome-plated finish. These reels were comparable, and in some cases arguably superior, to other brands in terms of quality.
Academy Plastics also produced Bakelite Nottingham reels for Hartley’s Sports Store in Melbourne under the HARTLEY'S brand. Another reel, made by ACADEMY during the same period, was manufactured for the Melbourne-based company SPALDING.
In the 1950s, ACADEMY expanded its product line to include a range of fishing reel models, tackle boxes, junior rod angling kits, and other angling equipment made from durable polyethylene plastic. These products came in various sizes and color options. Academy Plastics continued producing angling equipment well into the 1970s.
Featured below are 20 different fishing reel models produced by the ACADEMY manufacturing company, along with other angling equipment, presented with detailed images and comprehensive technical descriptions and specifications.
Academy Three Centre Pin Fishing Reel models.
Academy Series 450 Release Latch Centre Pin Bakelite and Metal Reel – First Version ( Acd 1 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/2'' wide drum (spool), a 4" backplate diameter, and an optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal T-saddle, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and black Bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1940s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Academy Series 450 Release Latch Centre Pin Bakelite and Metal Reel – Second Version ( Acd 2 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/2'' wide drum (spool), a 4" backplate diameter, and an optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal T-saddle, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and red Bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Academy Series 550 Release Latch Centre Pin Bakelite and Metal Reel ( Acd 3 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and later style white optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and white plastic type handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Academy Nottingham Fishing Reel models.
Academy Series 400 Standard Bakelite and Metal Reel with Original Box. ( Acd 4 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/2'' wide drum (spool), a 4" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal T strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide , and red bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Very hard to find with original box.
Academy Series 300 Standard Bakelite and Metal Reel. ( Acd 5 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/8'' wide drum (spool), a 3 1/4" backplate diameter, and later style white optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal T semi-strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and red bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Common.
Academy Series 300 Standard Bakelite and Metal Reel. ( Acd 6 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/8'' wide drum (spool), a 3 1/4" backplate diameter, and later style red optional check lever. It also includes a cast gunmetal T semi-strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and red bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1960s. Collectibility: Very hard to find with original box.
Academy Series 500 Standard Bakelite and Metal Reel. ( Acd 7 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and early style red bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Common.
Academy Series 500 Standard Bakelite and Metal Reel. ( Acd 8 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and red later style optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and early red bakelite handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 150s. Collectibility: Common.
Academy Plastic Type Nottingham Fishing Reel models.
Academy Series 500 - 5 inch Standard Black Reel – A.B.S. (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Plastic and Metal Construction (ACD 9)
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and white optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and later style white plastic handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1960s. Collectibility: Common.
Academy Series 400 - 4 inch Standard White A.B.S. Plastic and Metal Reel. ( Acd 10 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/8'' wide drum (spool), a 4 1/8" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass T strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and later style red plastic handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo and Made in Australia is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1960s. Collectibility: Common.
Academy Light Game Fishing Reel.
Academy Light Game Fishing Reel – A.B.S. (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Plastic and Metal Construction (Acd 11)
This Academy-brand light game reel is equipped with a heavy-duty 316-grade stainless steel spindle measuring 5/16" in diameter. It also features a T-saddle strap back crafted from 316-grade stainless steel and a nickel-bronze sliding, rotating line guide.
​
It is noteworthy that standard Academy model reels were typically fitted with brass spindles and cast gunmetal Y-backs. Later versions were manufactured with cast brass T-saddle strap backs. Early models were nickel-plated, while later versions were chromium-plated.
​ This particular light game reel has a backplate diameter of 4 1/4” and a drum (spool) width of 3 3/8”. The drum (spool) and backplate is made from A.B.S. (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. While this reel appears to be factory-made by Academy, no other examples of Academy light game reels have been documented or found in advertisements to date. Collectibility: Rare.
Academy 3 1/2" Junior Reel - Polythene Plastic and Metal (Acd 12)
This model, described by Academy Plastics as "unbreakable and impervious to saltwater contamination," was produced in three distinct color options: green, black, and white. The reel features brass metal fittings, a 1 1/2" wide drum (spool), a backplate with a 3 1/2" diameter, a plastic optional check lever, a brass revolving line guide, and later-style plastic handle knobs. The word "Academy" is molded on the front of the drum, while the backplate bears the Academy Plastics logo and "Made in Australia.” Circa: 1959 Collectibility: Common.
Academy 'M S' 4-Inch Standard Red Reel - A. B. S. (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Plastic and Metal construction (Acd 13) This model, manufactured by Academy Plastics in Melbourne, Australia, was exclusively produced for Mick Simmons Ltd., a renowned sporting goods retailer in New South Wales. The reel features: Stainless steel fittings, a 4” backplate diameter, a white optional check lever, a pressed stainless steel steel strap back and saddle (foot), stainless steel revolving line guide and plastic handle knobs. The “M S” logo is moulded into the backplate. Circa 1960s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Academy Series 400 - 4 inch Standard Black A.B.S. Plastic and Metal Reel with Later Red Box. ( Acd 14 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/8'' wide drum (spool), a 4 1/8" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass T strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and later style white plastic handle knobs. "Academy" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Academy Plastics logo and Made in Australia is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1970s. Collectibility: Hard to find
Academy Plastic Fishing Equipment Associated Accessories and Advertisements.
ACADEMY Plastics Melbourne, Polythene (soft plastic ) Tackle Boxes Circa 1950s.
Academy Plastics Manufactured Fishing Reels for Spalding, a Melbourne-Based Sporting Goods Retailer.
Below are examples of Spalding-branded reel models produced by Academy Plastics.
Spalding SUPERB 5 inch Bakelite and Metal Reel manufactured by Academy plastics Melbourne Australia. ( Acd 15 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and ribbed black orred bakelite handle knobs. "Spalding and Superb" is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Spalding logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Spalding 5 inch Bakelite and Metal Reel manufactured by Academy plastics Melbourne Australia. ( Acd 16 )
This reel features chromium-plated metal fittings, a 1 7/8'' wide drum (spool), a 5" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass Y back, a brass-plated bikerdyke line guide, and black bakelite handle knobs. "Spalding " is moulded on the front of the drum, and the Spalding logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Common.
Spalding 5 inch Reel - White Polythene Plastic and Metal manufactured by Academy plastics Melbourne Australia (Acd 17)
The reel features brass metal fittings, a 1 7/8" wide drum (spool), a backplate with a 5 " diameter, a plastic optional check lever, a brass bikerdyke line guide, and maroon bakelite handle knobs. The word "Spalding" is molded on the front of the drum, while the backplate bears the Spalding logo. Circa: 1959 Collectibility: Hard to find.
Spalding Cast Aluminium Drum and Bakelite Backplate Nottingham Fishing Reel. ( Acd 18)
Produced by Academy Plastics for the Spalding retail company, this rare vintage reel showcases a unique combination of materials and design features.
​ A standout feature of this reel is its drum (spool), cast in aluminum alloy—a deviation from the typical Bakelite construction. Several examples of this reel have been documented, yet no factory manuals, advertisements, or official records provide details about a Spalding reel made with an aluminum alloy drum and a Bakelite backplate.
It appears the aluminum drum may have been introduced to address the fragility of Bakelite, which was prone to cracking or breaking if dropped on a hard surface. Interestingly, while the aluminum drum was adopted, the backplate remained Bakelite, despite being equally susceptible to damage.
Whether this reel represents an experimental design intended for mass production—potentially with both the drum and backplate made from aluminum—or the result of an employee’s innovation remains a mystery. (reeLpedia® Ladd, B., 18/1/2025)
The dimensions of this reel match those of the 5" Spalding Bakelite model, with similar handle knobs and mechanisms. Circa 1950s. Collectibility Rare.
Spalding 4 inch Bakelite and Metal Reel manufactured by Academy plastics Melbourne Australia. ( Acd 19 )
This reel features nickel-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/2'' wide drum (spool), a 4" backplate diameter, and red optional check lever. It also includes a cast brass T strap back, a brass-plated revolving line guide, and red bakelite handle knobs. "Spalding " is moulded on the drum front, and the Spalding logo is moulded on the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Hard to find.
Rare Hartleys Nottingham Fishing Reel Manufactured by Academy Plastics.
Hartleys 4 inch Bakelite and Metal Reel manufactured by Academy plastics Melbourne Australia. ( Acd 20 )
This reel features nickel-plated metal fittings, a 1 1/2'' wide drum (spool), a 4" backplate diameter, and black optional check lever. It also includes a brass-plated revolving line guide, and black bakelite handle knobs. "Hartleys " is moulded on the drum front, and the Hartleys logo is moulded on the backplate. Academy logo and made in Australia moulded inside the backplate. Circa 1950s. Collectibility: Rare.
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