Welcome to Old Model Kits
Hasegawa IJN Light Cruiser Yahagi - Operation Ten-Ichi-Go 1945, 1/350, Z26
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$110
Very finely molded and incredibly well detailed full-hull model with 511 pieces. Never started and the parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
ITC Staggerwing Beechcraft Motorized - (D17S or G17S Staggerwing YC-43 - UC-43 - GB-1 and Traveller I), 1/32, 36558-298
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$485
Incredibly rare and even more so in this condition - never started and complete in a 'very good' box. This is a large scale model of the one of the most famous light planes of all time and part of the very famous ITC motorized action model series. The kit feature true scale appearance, motorized propeller and a gearing system that provides drive on one wheel so the aircraft taxis with the propeller turning. Includes all motorizing hardware, metal shafts, brass switch contacts and battery box contacts, other metal parts, electric motor, gears and more. The kit has never been started. All hardware as well as the electric motor are still in the factory sealed bag. The plastic parts were never factory bagged and have been inventoried 100% complete. Includes decals that are flat, intact and in 'excellent+' condition for the box art aircraft and instruction booklet that is in 'near mint' condition. The box is solid, complete, no repairs excellent color and gloss and has light general wear, edge wear and age foxing on the center and lower right as shown in the photo. Other kits in this famous and valuable motorized action line included the Beechcraft Bonanza, Grumman Goose, ,Sub Chaser, Graf Spee, NS Savannah, many automobiles and others. There were even hand-held Remote Control motorized versions of a few other kits including the Subchaser, Graf Spee, NS Savannah, Ford Model T Pickup, Mercury Sport Convertible, Ford Victoria Hardtop, US Army Personnel Carrier, T-92 Airborne Tank, Soviet Rocket Launcher and Soviet Amphibious Tank. The top-of-the-line Cam-A-Matic series combined motorization with gears & cams to create even more impressive action. The Halibut Sub, B-29, Thor Missile Base and USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier were a few of the kits that made up that line. All are valuable collector's items today.
Berkeley Curtiss SBC4 Helldiver - 24 Inch Wingspan Flying Model Airplane Kit
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$119
Very early Berkeley kit. This Helldiver features 24 inch wingspan, unique 'Automatic Bomb-Release During Flight', turned balsa cowl, sheets of high-quality printwood, pre-cut stringers and spars, fully formed wheels & thrust button, formed metal propeller shaft/rubber hook, sealed tube of wood glue, clear material for the canopy, metal stock as required, a factory sealed wax bag of hardware, printed color insignia, two colors of covering tissue (orange and silver) and more. Includes full-size plans & instructions. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes insignia and plans. Berkeley is a very famous manufacturer of flying model kits from the Golden Age of flying aviation, about 1932-1954. Founded in 1933 by William Effinger, the company was quite progressive in producing quality kits - it was likely the Berkeley 'Buccaneer' was the first gas powered model in kit form. In the later 1930s, Effinger acquired the services of a very talented Henry Struck. Struck went on to design numerous award-winning kits under the Berkeley name. Berkeley weathered the post WWII recession and emerged as a major kit producer in the late 1940 and 1950s. These were great years for Berkeley and they produced some incredible and large kits. The company went bankrupt in about 1960 however. Fox engines (Duke Fox) bought the company and released the kits alongside his own FOX models and engines. This arrangement did not last, and in the early 1960s the Berkeley name disappeared from hobby shop shelves.
Aurora Focke-Wulf FW-190, 1/47, 30-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$159
True 1960 hardbox release in amazing, investment-grade 'Near Mint' condition. Notice the 79 cent extension, 'Sunburst' logo with 'Famous Fighters' inside which gives us the early date. The box is amazing with only the very lightest and slightest of wear. Molded in high-gloss black and clear with the clear triangular 'globe' display stand. It even includes the original factory tissue packing paper. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Decals are intact and perfectly flat, graded 'excellent++' with slight yellowing as the only flaw; the instructions are 'near mint++' condition.
Aurora Focke-Wulf Fw-190 Famous Fighters Of All Nations - First Issue, 1/48, 30-59
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$289
Very rare and 100% correct first issue from 1954 with the proper swastika box art and swastika decals. This one is even rarer as it is never started and complete. The model is molded in the correct gloss black and clear, with the rectangle-based clear stand, matching instructions, decals and even the original factory packing tissue paper. The decals are flat and in stunning 'excellent++' condition with the only flaw being slight age yellowing to the backing paper only. The instructions are 'near mint.' The box has very good color and gloss, four solid original corners (no repairs), no price tags or tag marks, no tape or tape marks (other than the thin factory sealing tape of course), no fading, stains or missing litho. Flaws include general wear & scuffing as shown and light corner wear. This kit has a fascinating history. The FW-190 was among the first (or was the first) kit made at the new West Hempstead factory in 1954. It immediately followed the famous "Brooklyn 8" (Aurora's first 8 aircraft kits). It was Aurora's first WWII aircraft kit to be originally issues with landing gear and bombs but still retains the small clear rectangle stand which was also shown on the instructions. This first issue shows the swastika on the box art and decals; however, Aurora quickly realized that they could not sell the kit in Europe. So they used an ink stamp to black out the offensive mark on the box top and initially cut it out of the decal sheet; however, they were quick to make a completely new decal sheet with the 'iron cross' replacing the swastika. These alterations are often called the 'second issue' although it carried the same part number and everything else was the same.
Eureka Hobby AD-2 Skyraider - 24 Inch Wingspan Class 1/2A Engine Control Line Flying Aircraft
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$275
Extremely rare, highly prefabricated kit from post-war Japan. Most likely from the early 1960s. These kits were produced to complete in the saturated American market, and they distinguished themselves by the quality and amount of work already done. This large-scale model can be operated with B or C class engines and features a beautiful aluminum full cowl, pre-shaped and assembled landing metal gear struts with rubber tires & metal hubs, completed hand-soldered metal gas tank, clear vacuform canopy (still excellent and not yellowed), diecut hardwood fuselage bulkheads, horiztonal & vertical stabilizers, elevator & rudder, die-cut fuselage keels, metal hardware packet still factory sealed with a Eureka paper header, finished wood propeller, die-cut wing ribs, die-cut and notched hardwood wing spars, a very large number of other factory cut parts (both large and small), sheeting wood, full size plans, full color insignia in the original Eureka envelope and more. Never started and complete. Eureka Hobby made a large line of giant scale gas powered models; they were not inexpensive, which is what makes them very rare today. This Bearcat was $8 in the early 1960s. Other aircraft produced, along with the wingspans and price are as follows: F4U Corsair (31" $10), Me-109E (36" $8), FW-190 (36" $8 and 26" $5.95, AD-4 Skyraider (36" $8), AD-2 Skyraider (24.5" $4.95), L-17 Navion (33" $8), F-94C Starfire with an all metal body and wings for Tiger-Jet engine (31" and $19.95, DC-6B (73", 59" long, four tanks, aluminum cowls, shock absorbing gear, four props for $47.50 - I had one of these, it was an amazing kit), Super DC-3 (61" $29.95, Fairchild Packet Transport (56" $29.50), C-45 Twin Beech (45" $28), Military DC-3 or C-47 (48" $24.50), SA-16 Albatross (54" $25.95), P-2V4 Neptune (51" $21.50), Commando (62" $28), Mig-15 (all metal body and wing, designed for Tiger Jet engine, 36" $22.50), F-84E Thunderjet (37.5" for Dyna-Jet fully enclosed engine and has rear aluminum fuselage $22.50) and finally a B-29 - the line flagship. This model had a 7 foot wingspan, was 59" long, was entirely wood planked and had numerous special features - all for only $39.50. San Diego Model Shop was at least one of the US distributors for these models.
Cleveland 1931 Bayles Gee Bee Racer - Balsa Flying Model Airplane Kit, 1/16, SF-17
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$110
Very rare 1936 'Silver Box' issue. This is a Cleveland 'SF' or 'Scale Flying' model in museum scale of 1/16. This is the earlier simple cardboard box with the silver printing. All Cleveland kits were exceptionally complete and this one is no exception. Features very high quality balsa printwood, stringers and spars, fully carved nose, fully formed & finished wheels, thrust button, balsa blocks and stock as required, adhesive instrument panel, pre-hollowed wheel pants stock, metal stock, clear windshield celluloid and covering tissue. Includes the famous CD high-quality plans. Even includes the original factory packing tissue. The model has not been started. Inventoried complete with all parts and paperwork. The Cleveland Model and Supply Company played a pivotal role in the development of true scale models. In 1909 Bleriot's English Channel flight caused a surge in aviation and model aircraft around the globe. Several companies were ideally positioned to take advantage of the aviation craze. In the USA, Wading River Manufacturing Co. (1909), White Aeroplane (1911), Ideal Model Aeroplane (1911), Broadfield Model Aeroplanes (1919) were among these pioneers, offering everything from plans and parts to complete kits and ARF models. Lindbergh's 1927 crossing of the Atlantic Ocean caused an even bigger world-wide phenomenon called "The Aviation Craze" that extended up to the start of World War II. Many companies such as Megow, Guillow's and others started right around the time of Lindbergh's flight. Some of these models flew and flew well, but they all had one thing in common - were generally not accurate scale representations. In 1929, a youngster named Ed Packard had a very advanced dream- to produce incredibly accurate, true scale models that flew perfectly. This radical idea established the world's longest running single-owner (77 years) model airplane business- Cleveland Model and Supply Company. To this day, Cleveland models are treasured as the most accurate flying scale models produced. The fact that Mr. Packard started and successfully grew this business during The Great Depression is a testament to his ideals and business skill. I highly suggest the excellent book called 'Aviation's great Recruiter- Cleveland's Ed Packard' by H.L. (Herm) Schreiner. It is an excellent history of the man, his company and the times of the Golden Age of Model Aviation.
Hawk 4 Famous Racing Planes Gee Bee / Ike / R3C-1 (R3C1) / Laird Solution Gift Set, 1/48, 510-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$140
Rare and from 1956. This is the true first issue due to the 98 cent price extension on the part number. This gift set featured all four aircraft in the originally-molded vivid colors as well the R3C-1 with landing gear (shortly after this, the molds were modified to make it a floatplane). The Gee Bee is molded in bright gloss red, the Laird Solution in a gloss antique gold, the Ike in bright white and the R3C-1 in brilliant yellow. Inside, everything is just like it left the factory. The kits have not been started. All four are still sealed in the original stapled bags. Includes special one-piece instruction sheet and correct one-piece decal sheet.
Life-Like 280mm Atomic Cannon with 2 Gun Transporters - (M56) - (ex Adams), 1/40, H662-500
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$225
Classic rare Life-Like reissue of this Cold-War kit from the original Adams 'Action' model molds originally issued in the late 1950s. The Atomic Cannon was the Army's 20 mile range gun that could fire shells with small atomic bombs inside them. Features transporters with movable wheels and towing yokes - fully detailed cab interiors and complete suspensions - machine guns swivel and elevate - Gun can be configured for firing or towing positions - Gun Barrel elevates by real operating gears - Gun Carriage rotates 360 degrees on platform - Gun actually fires 2 "Atomic" shells. Includes crew of 7. The kit has never been started. One of two parts bags is still factory sealed. The parts that were not sealed have been inventoried complete. With decals and instructions.
AMT 1965 Buick Wildcat 2 Door HT 3 In 1 - Stock / Custom / Racing, 1/25, 6525-150
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$325
First issue from late 1964. Very rare, especially in an 'excellent' box, untouched inside, never started and 100% complete. Also has no significant tire burns (I did not see any; if there are any, they are very small). This is a well detailed model with full engine and engine compartment, complete interior, opening hood, numerous optional parts and much more. Molded in white, chrome, clear, red-tinted clear and with rubber wheels, metal axles and metal body screws. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Decals are flat but have typical age cracking with some slight lifting, so they are graded 'good'. Instructions are 'excellent+.'
Frog Handley Page Dart Herald Jersey Airlines, 1/72, 363P
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$225
Very rare model from the 1950s of this early British Prop-jet airliner in Jersey Airlines livery; Jersey was the first operator in the World to sue the Herald in scheduled service. Before entering passenger service, the Dart-Herald went on 6 world tours covering 250,000 miles and visited more than 60 countries. Heralds carried 56 passengers or 6.5 tons of freight at a range of 1000 miles and a cruising speed of 275 mph. The kit features separately molded rudder, ailerons and elevators, two position passenger and cargo doors, rotating propellers and wheels, boarding stairs, seated and standing pilots and stewardess. The kit even includes a cork-stopped glass container of gray or silver paint which is still good. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, extensive decals with all stripes and instructions. Decals are the best I have seen and are 'Near Mint+', almost factory new. The instructions are 'near mint' with typical yellowing only. Postal insurance is required for this kit.
Revell US Army Hawk Surface-to-Air Guided Missile, 1/40, H548-129
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$185
Very rare 1963 kit which is the second and last issue. The artwork is the same as the 'S' kit but the box artwork on the sides is different. Features 3 removable Hawk missiles, 4 man crew, elevating and swiveling launcher, rotating rubber tires, control panel with opening hatches, separate radar scope equipment and more. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The box has excellent color and gloss but has the price tag pull shown at the upper right. The pull extends down a very small amount (1/2" x 1/4") on the right short side as well.
KVZ Tupolev Tu-144 Supersonic Transport, 1/100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$120
Classic Cold War Airliner kit from the late 1960s or very early 1970s. Very large 1/100 scale kit of the world's first SST is molded in gloss ivory, clear, black & silver and with colorful Aeroflot decals. This impressive model that features optional position nose for visibility at high angle of attack approaches, clear cabin and cockpit windows, detailed landing gear and more. Includes a display stand and comprehensive & colorful decals. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Although the USSR manufacture Yunyj Tyechinik issued their own 1/100 Tu-144, KVZ created an entirely different set of (superior) molds for their release.
Jo-Han Olds 442 Super Funny Car - 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 / Stock / Custom / Funny Car, 1/25, C2368-200
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$750
Incredibly rare one-and-only original issue and ever rarer in never started and complete condition. Features a huge number of optional parts for stock, custom or funny car versions. Funny car version builds up a full tube frame just like the real thing; all versions have detailed engines, full drivelines and complete interiors. Molded in white, clear, red-tinted clear, chrome and with rubber tires. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Decals are flat, intact and in amazing 'near mint' condition and the instructions are also 'near mint'. The chrome plating is in exceptional 'near mint' condition. Clear parts are like new. I did not see any tire burns; so if there are any, they were so small that I missed them. The box is graded as 'good'. It is 100% intact and has four solid corners and no repairs. There is no fading, no rips, tears or missing litho. There are no price tags or tape and no marks from either. Imperfections include edge and corner wear as shown, a slightly concave vertical section on the far left side, scuffs near the middle top, light scuffs on the right short side and lighter general wear as shown. NOTE: this kit will only be shipped double-boxed and insured.
Revell US Army Hawk Surface-to-Air Guided Missile, 1/40, H548-129
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$145
Very rare 1963 kit which is the second and last issue. The artwork is the same as the 'S' kit but the box artwork on the sides is different. Features 3 removable Hawk missiles, 4 man crew, elevating and swiveling launcher, rotating rubber tires, control panel with opening hatches, separate radar scope equipment and more. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Atlantis Jim And Betty Green The Green Elephant Chevy Vega Funny Car - (ex Revell Jungle Jim Vega), 1/16, H1494
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$129
Still factory sealed. This is a modern reissue of the famous Revell 1/16 scale Vega Funny Car made famous by Jungle Jim. Features over 100 pieces, new tires designed by Jeff Faris, positionable front wheels, highly detailed engine, engine ignition wiring, parachute release line, super detailed chassis & race cockpit, tilt up body and more.
Aurora Convair B-36 Giant Bomber, 1/333, 492-49
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$125
Rare early issue copyright dated 1956; please note the Northern Lights rectangular logo at the lower right. The box art is by the famous Jo Kotula. Inside, this kit is 100% correct with the early West Hempstead rectangular-base display stand, early decal sheet and even the instructions have this early stand illustrated. However, the instructions also have the Famous Fighters oval! That would make this kit late 1956/early 1957 right when Aurora was transitioning to the FF logo and just about to blot out the rectangle 'Northern Lights' logo. Molded in correct silver and clear plastic. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The box might grade slightly higher than 'excellent' but it rated as such because there is a factory tape pull about 3/4 x 1/4 inch on the long lower side.
Special Hobby Lockheed TR-1A, 1/72, SH 72024
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$110
Rare and a very highly detailed kit. Features injection molded parts with fine recessed surface detail, dozens of resin details, very good cockpit and more. Includes decals for three aircraft. Never started and the parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Nichimo IJN Chokai Heavy Cruiser - Motorized, 1/500
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$119
Early issue from the 1960s before Nichimo used part numbers. It is part of a unique and very successful 1/500 scale warship series with rare glossy box art from the 'Golden Age' of Japanese model kit illustrations. The model can be built motorized for operation in water or static full hull or waterline versions. It is very well detailed and molded for that time. Includes all hardware for motorizing with metal gear box for duel-propeller drive, brass batter contacts and switch, wire, threaded steel propeller shafts, universal joints and more, one piece lower hull (molded in an excellent simulation of IJN Hull Red), one piece upper hull (molded in gray), detailed deck and superstructure, rotating main turrets and separately molded secondary battery and AA guns, catapults, some finer details in black plastic and more. Never started. The plastic parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags with the Nichimo paper headers. The hardware has been inventoried complete. Includes instructions and even the original silver and gold foil covered cardboard nameplate for display. Please note that Nichimo did not furnish decals or the electric motor with these early issues.
Revell XSL-01 Manned Space Ship - 'S' Issue, 1/96, H1800-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$1200
One of the 'Holy Grails' of 1950s Space Kits and in exceptional condition inside and out. This is the 1957 first and only issue 'S' Kit with fantastic box art. The molds were reportedly damaged beyond use, which makes reissues impossible. The spaceship was designed by the rocket scientist Ellwyn E. Angle of Systems Laboratories Inc. Features detailed manned top stage with full interior, removable top, opening hatch, spaceship and ground crew members and detailed working launch pad. The main stages and boosters snap apart to recreate all phases of the flight from Earth takeoff, Lunar Landing and Return to Earth. The included 'XSL-01 Operations Manual' outlines in words and illustrations each phase of the spaceship's trip. Molded in the correct gloss orange, silver, gloss metallic blue and clear. Never started. All internal factory cardboard presentation material is present and excellent. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Instructions and Operations manual booklet are both in 'excellent' condition. The decals perfectly flat, 100% intact and graded 'excellent' with age yellowing as the only flaw. The box is graded 'excellent+' and features factory-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no repairs, no rips, fading or stains, no creases, no price tags or marks from tags and no tape or tape marks (other than the factory sealing tape). The only flaws are very minor wear as shown, some corner wear and a small sliver of litho damage measuring 1/2" long by 1/16" wide on the right long side. Shipping insurance is required on this kit.