Aurora Model Kits
Aurora Douglas M2 Mailplane - (M-2), 1/48, 111-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$62
First issue with classic Joe Kotula artwork dated 1957. The kit is a very good depiction of this rare mail plane and is molded in a beautiful burgundy, black and clear. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. This aircraft has a fascinating history. From the internet: The United States Post Office had been running the air mail service since 1918 mainly using variants of the de Havilland DH.4 biplane. In 1925, it decided to modernize and placed an order with Douglas for a replacement aircraft based on the Douglas O-2 observation biplane. The company modified an O-2 by covering over the forward cockpit to make a mail compartment and moving the pilot into what had been the observer's cockpit. The aircraft was designated the DAM-1 (Douglas Air-Mail-One) but this was soon shortened to M-1. The M-1 used the same Liberty engine as the DH.4, which was available in large numbers. Small modifications were made to the exhaust system to keep fumes away from the pilot and the design was considered a success, but was not ordered into production. When the Contract Air Mail (CAM) routes were introduced, the newly formed Western Air Express Company (later Western Airlines) ordered six mailplanes with the designation M-2. The main change from the M-1 was that the tunnel radiator was replaced with a frontal type. It also had the provision to carry a passenger instead of mail in the front cockpit. Just before Western Air Express introduced the aircraft into service (in April 1926 from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City), the Post Office ordered 50 aircraft designated M-3 for its major route network. The M-3 had only detailed differences from the M-2.
Aurora Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1/76, 372-350
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$150
Still factory sealed. Rare and even rarer in this condition. Aurora of Canada issue is dated 1964 and this issue retaining the same artwork as the 1956 issue. This kit has arguably the most dramatic and fanciful B-29 composition from the 'Golden Era' of modeling. Note the square 'Northern Lights' logo has been replaced with the Aurora sunburst oval logo. There is no fading or stains, tape or price tags, but there is light crease along the upper left side. Responding to market information that boys wanted larger kits, Aurora introduced the B-26 followed by the B-29 and B-25, all of which sold well for many years- almost right up until the end.
Aurora F8U-1 Crusader - (F8 / F8U1), 1/48, 119-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$120
Very rare first issue from 1957. This box art was used for only one year or less; then Aurora changed to the much more common 'ground' artwork. This model was a very good early effort by Aurora and features retractable landing gear, removable tail section, removable & detailed jet engine, pilot, 'fair' cockpit detail and more. Molded in the correct glossy light gray and clear plastic. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Everything inside is correct for this issue, including the 1st issue instructions, large clear rectangular-based stand and early decal sheet correctly lacking the stand decal.
Aurora Lockheed F-94C Starfire, 1/82, 495-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$42
Dated 1961. Dramatic Jo Kotula box art. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. The decals have some light damage affecting several of the transfers as they were once stuck to the instructions.
Aurora De Havilland DH-10 Bomber, 1/48, 125-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM+
$125
1957 original issue in amazing, investment-grade 'Near Mint+' condition. Very light wear is the only flaw. This is the first issue of this large scale (1/48) kit and part of the famous Aurora WWI series of 1/48 scale aircraft. The series began in 1956 and Aurora added new kits into the early 1960s. The line proved incredibly popular that these kits were included in the 'mold upgrade' in the 1970s before Aurora went out of business. Includes three crew, ground base and two ground crew. Molded in the correct gloss dark olive, black and clear plastic. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Aurora Focke-Wulf Fw-190 - Famous Fighters Logo Issue, 1/47, 30-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$175
Still factory sealed with the box in amazing, investment-grade "Mint" condition. The seal is 100% intact and the kit has no more wear than it left the assembly line. Dated 1960 and the first issue with this artwork. Note the 79 cent price extension and "Famous Fighters" in the border of the oval sunburst logo, which is unique to the 1960 release.
Aurora Russian Stalin Tank, 1/48, 303-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+++
$125
Rare first issue from 1956 with Northern Lights logo. The box is in beautiful "Excellent+++" condition with factory-new color & gloss and four solid corners. There is no fading, no stains, no tears or missing litho, no creases and no price tags or tag marks. It would have graded 'Near Mint' but there is a very small (11mmx 5mm) factory tape pull on the upper long side. Molded in the correct gloss deep green with flexible black treads. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora Bristol F.2B Brisfit Fighter (F-2B) - Western Front No. 48 Sq R.F.C. Pilot Keith Park / No. 22 Sq Pilot Vert Galand, 1/48, 776
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$36
Dated 1976. Later issue with greatly improved mold quality, full rigging instructions and decals for both aircraft listed. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions.
Aurora Cessna Skymaster 337, 1/72, 279-70
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$52
1968 issue of the famous tandem light aircraft that saw civil and military service. After Aurora purchased the Comet molds, they reissued the Comet civil light aircraft line. It appears that Aurora may have been inspired by the Comet kits or sales of the reissues, and they produced several more new molds to add to the line. This Skymaster is one of those kits. Since the model was designed new, it has significantly more detail than the older Comet kits. Features all recessed panel lines, full interior with front and back bulkheads, four bucket seats and instrument panel, clear windows and rotating propellers. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora PBY-5A Catalina, 1/74, 374-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$125
Rare, first issue from about 1956. This was a fine effort by Aurora for that time and an impressive model when assembled. Features retracting pontoons and rotating propellers. Includes correct early logo instructions which show the clear 'Triangle World' stand. This correct stand is included. This must be one of the first instances of the 'Triangle' stand being used as it is normally associated with oval 'Famous Fighter' logo kits. Molded in gloss silver and clear. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. It is interesting to note that the early Aurora PBY issue has at least three small variations to the box top. The very first issue says '1/4 SCALE MODEL' at the top right. Clearly, this kit is not 1/48 scale and someone at Aurora corrected it. Following that, there are two known corrections: early and late. On the early version, the '1/4' was blotted out with a dark blue oval or circle and '5/32' was added after the word 'SCALE.' It was now correct, but the appearance was not completely professional. This box is the later version - on the next box order, they kept the '1/4' blotted out but added a proper looking '5/32' in front of the blot.
Aurora German Pfalz D-3 - (D-III), 1/48, 109-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$49
SALE!! Dated 1957 with classic Jo Kotula artwork. This is the second issue; please note 69 cent price extension, 'Famous Fighters' logo border and the Parents' Magazine Seal at the right. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. This is part of the famous Aurora WWI series of 1/48 scale aircraft. The series began in 1956 and Aurora added new kits into the early 1960s. The line proved incredibly popular, so these kits were included in the 'mold upgrade' in the 1970s before Aurora went out of business.
Aurora German Tiger Tank, 1/48, 312-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$84
Hard to find 1/48 scale armor kit. John Steel box art is dated 1964 and has "Famous Fighters" on the four side oval logos only. The box is in exceptional "Near Mint" condition with as new color and gloss, no tape or price tag marks and four solid corners. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. NOTE: there are tread burns on the back of several pieces and on the front of one sprocket.
Aurora Lightning P-38 - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 99-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$125
Rare. Third issue with rectangular 'Aurora Line' logo and Famous Fighters of All Nations on the box top. The box has four solid and original corners, no repairs, tags, tag marks or tape (other than the factory sealing tape) but has moderate wear and very light age foxing as shown, hence the grade of 'good.' Inside, this model is molded in a stunning and beautiful correct gloss medium blue plastic and clear. It includes the correct early rectangular clear stand and stand arm. The model has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Even the original factory tissue packing paper is present. NOTE: the decal were previously stuck to the instructions in several small areas. The actual transfers are in 'excellent' condition; the damage is to the backing paper only.
Aurora X-15 Satelloid Rocket Plane, 1/48, 120-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$225
Very rare first issue dated 1958. Inside, the kit is like new and even includes the original tissue paper. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Decals and instructions are box in 'excellent' condition with typical age yellowing as the only flaw. Please NOTE that this kit came molded in white & clear and also later in black & clear. This one is molded in black and clear.
Aurora HC-1B Chinook - (CH-47), 1/48, 350-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$115
First issue hardbox issue dated 1961 with classic Jo Kotula artwork and the 'Famous Fighters' in the border of the Aurora sunburst logo. Very large 1/48 scale kit with good cockpit and rotor detail, moving rotors, clear side and cockpit windows and full decals. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora Piasecki H-25A Army Mule, 1/48, 502-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$125
Second issue from 1957. The original issue Jim Cox box artwork was retained and you can clearly see where the 1956 Northern Lights rectangular logo was positioned and is replaced by the yellow rectangle with the new Sunburst Famous Fighters logo. Earlier in the 1950s a company called 'Helicopters for Industry' created a line of large, early kits. In 1956 Aurora bought the molds and quickly reissued these models with new box artwork. Large kit features cockpit with instrument panel, control sticks and seats, spinning rotors and 'Army Mule' decals. Molded in the correct gloss olive drab and clear plastic. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora SE-5A Scout Playcraft Issue - Bagged, 1/48
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$49
Still factory sealed. Very rare, late 1950s/early 1960s Aurora Great Britain Playcraft bagged issue. The original header is in 'Very Good' condition with light age foxing and wear & tape around the 'hanger hole' as shown.
Aurora Fokker D-7 Playcraft Issue - Bagged - (DVII), 1/48
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$49
Still factory sealed. Very rare, late 1950s/early 1960s Aurora Great Britain Playcraft bagged issue. The original header is in 'Excellent' condition with clear tape around the 'hanger hole' as shown.
Aurora History In Miniature 3 Model Ships Viking Black Falcon Chinese Junk, HM-698
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$850
Incredibly rare. This is among the earliest of the Aurora gift sets; please note the 1954/55 logo at the lower right and 'Famous Fighters Of The Sea' slogan. Inside are the three kits - Viking Ship, Black Falcon Pirate Ship and Chinese Junk. They are still in the original factory sealed bags. The paperwork is still factory sealed as well. It also includes the very rare set of Aurora 'Speed-Dry' Enamel paints which is still factory sealed. Please NOTE that the paint brush and glue are missing. Otherwise complete with all kits and paint still factory sealed. The box displays well but is graded 'good-' because edge wear, closed split corners, scuffs and general litho damage (mainly on top long side panel at the very bottom). I have correctly repaired the split corners from the inside with thin cardstock and book binding glue.
Aurora Spad XIII, 1/48, 107-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$59
First issue hardbox is dated 1957 with great Jo Kotula artwork. Please note the 69 cent price extension and oval 'Famous Fighters' sunburst logo. This is part of a popular and very successful series of 1/48 scale WWI aircraft that Aurora started in 1956 and added to well into the 1960s. Many of the line were in production right up until the demise of Aurora in the mid 1970s Molded in correct high-gloss olive drab and black plastic. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.