Continental Model Airplane Co Messerschmitt Bf-109 (Me-109) - 'Super Flyer' 21 Inch Wingspan Balsa Wood Flying Model
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Poor
$24
1940s flying model kit from the Golden Age of model aviation. Kit consists of stick and tissue construction and is intended to be rubber powered. Includes printwood sheets, strip wood in two sizes, completely carved main gear wheels, rough-cut balsa prop, balsa blocks, tissue, clear canopy material and metal stock for the landing gear and hardware. NOTE: one rib has been cut from the printwood sheet. No other parts have been cut out. Quality of the cut is excellent. There is no assembly. Inventoried complete with all parts and plans. NOTE: box is missing one set of end panels (inner and out flaps). The rest is there, but it suffers from age damaged, hence the 'poor' grade. The plans/instructions also suffer from age and have numerous cracks and splits. They are 95% complete, but many small chips are missing. They are certainly complete enough to build the kit.
Woodcrafter Kits Air Fleet Biplane - Bagged, 401
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed
$12
Still factory sealed. Dated 1983. Highly prefabricated all hardwood model. The fuselage is cut and sanded in all three dimensions while all other parts are cut to profile (2D). Scale is unknown, but the wingspan is exactly 6 inches (15.24cm). With full instructions.
Strombecker Piper Cub Super Sea Scout - Float Plane - Solid Wood Aircraft Model, C-37
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$145
Rare version of the Super Sea Scout floatplane. In the 1950s StromBecker was famous for this line of precarved hardwood kits. The wood is quality western pine hardwood - not balsa. The carving is all done to the final shape and when completed it makes an impressive desk top display. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Sterling Hal Krier's Great Lakes Special - 24 Inch Wingspan, A24
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$79
Impressive scale kit for RC, free flight or control line. Features large, full color decal sheet, high-grade die cut balsa, die cut plywood, vacuform plastic cowl with engine detail plus wheel pants and pilot, clear canopy material, carved and painted wood main and tail wheels, finished wire landing gear, rubber motor and plastic propeller, carved wooden thrust button, firewall, elevator horn platform, metal hardware and pushrod wire, full size plans with instruction details and full instructions for conversion to RC or control line. The model has not been started. The small parts are still factory sealed; the parts that were never sealed have been inventoried complete and includes plans and decals. Sterling was a famous manufacturer dating back to the 1930/40s flying model craze. Although they continued to produce kits for decades after the flying model slump following World War II, they eventually fell victim to the general lack of interest in modeling that occurred in the early 1980s. I personally considered Sterlings to be 'deluxe' kits.
Maircraft Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, 1/48, H-8
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$24
From the 1940s. Features 3D cut fuselage, nicely 2D cut wings and tail feathers, stock wood, printwood, fully formed turned wheels and engine nacelle, full color decals (which are water stained) and excellent full-sized plans. Never started and complete. Maircraft was originally founded in the early or mid 1930s by Gordon Christoph and went by the name Aircraft Model Company. The company produced a typical line of solid 'profile cut' kits that required the usual high talent levels for carving and finishing. A former Comet Model Airplane & Supply Co. salesman, Jack Mair, bought the company in the early 1940s and renamed it Maircraft. This company was one of the handful of solid kit producers who issued models in a consistent 1/48 scale during the 1930s and 1940s (others included Hawk and Dyna-Model). This lead to one of the most desirable and rare model kits ever produced in the USA - the wood/plastic 1/48 United DC-3 model issued immediately after World War 2. Other than the P-61 and a few other Maircraft offerings, most were simple kits that sold for the low price of about 35 cents and gave the owners many hours of pleasurable work.
Comet US Army Observation Y10-43 - 22 Inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft - (Y10 43)
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$75
Very rare kit from 1934. Stick and tissue kit almost never turn up from this early. This is a very nice model with excellent and highly detailed plans showing numerous drawings, parts layout and full-size templates, numerous detailing tips and excellent text instructions. They even have an actual photo of the fuselage being built. In addition there is a full size sheet of separate text instructions. The parts feature four sheets of printwood, strip wood in different sizes, original two colors of tissue paper, very large, colorful and comprehensive insignia sheet, fully carved wood prop, fully carved spinner and wheels, two sheets of sandpaper, a paper envelope of metal detail parts, clear canopy material with the window frames printed on, metal stock, quality strip balsa and balsa blocks and rigging cord. NOTE: the following fuselage bulkheads have been cut out and are missing but are full-size on the plans: #1, #2, #3 and #4. Otherwise inventoried with all other parts and plans present. Three other parts are neatly cut out and present. No other parts are cut. The box top is complete with all four sides and top but is tattered on and along the lower long side; there is also general wear and damage as shown. It does display better than the grade, but is rated as such due to the damage on the box sides The tray (bottom box) is 'very good-' with some wear to the edges. Inside, the superb plans are 'very good++.' They were never 'pinned down' for assembly, have no writing on them and the folds are solid (not fragile.) Flaws are a 3" closed tear and the normal yellowing.
Comet Aeronca K Floatplane - 25 Inch Wingspan Flying Balsa Airplane Model, 3208
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$40
Early to mid 1970s reissue of the original 1945 kit. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality printwood sheets, pre-cut balsa stringers and spars, plastic propeller, wooden propeller, rubber motor, fully formed wooden thrust button, formed metal rubber/prop shaft, clear window material, covering tissue and detailed full size plans with building notes. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Sterling Waco SRE and Interstate Cadet - Peanut Scale Flying Model Airplanes, Peanut, P-3
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$42
Kit contains both aircraft. The model features parts printed on high quality balsa wood, strip wood, colored tissue, decals, wheels, propellers, fittings, rubber, lightweight plastic parts, step by step instructions and full size plans. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Sterling Boeing P-26A Peashooter - 28 inch Wingspan for RC, E10
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$125
28 inch wingspan kit for RC, CO2, free flight, control line or non-flying detailed scale kit. Sterling was a famous manufacturer dating back to the 1930/40s flying model craze. Although they continued to produce kits for decades after the flying model slump following World War II, they eventually fell victim to the general lack of interest in modeling that occurred in the early 1980s. I always considered Sterling kits to be deluxe kits as they featured color decals, high-grade die cut balsa, vacuform plastic detail parts, plastic wheels (if required), finished wire landing gear, rubber motor and plastic prop, full size plans with instruction details and full instructions for conversion to RC or control line. The model has not been started. The parts are either in factory sealed bag(s) or inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
StromBecker American Airlines Convair Flagship - 10 Inch Wingspan Solid Wood Kit, C-38
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$129
Superb kit from the 1950s and makes a very impressive display when built. This highly prefabricated model made from solid Western Pine - not balsa wood. Features completely precarved fuselage, wings, engine nacelles & tail feathers, ready to install propellers, full landing gear and even wood filler, glue, and sandpaper. With detailed instructions and drawings with aircraft history and a large, colorful American Airlines decal sheet in amazing "Near Mint" condition. Never started and complete with all parts and plans. Before plastic kits were introduced, Strombecker was famous as the premier hardwood preshaped model manufacturer. In the 1940s and 1950s, Strombecker kits were flawlessly engineered but not inexpensive. All wooden parts are hardwood and are precarved to shape - usually only a quick sanding would finish them.
Guillows Piper Super Cub 95 - 20 inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft, 602
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$18
Newer issue (probably late 1970s or 80s) of this popular flyer. Features quality, die cut balsa wood, covering tissue, prop, bushing, wheels and hardware, rubber motor, color decals and full instructions. There is no assembly but NOTE: five pieces have been punched out; there are glue on the end of them either to reinforce them or to repair the tips of these parts. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions.
Eagle Model Aircraft Co Culver Cadet - Light Aircraft, 1/48
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$44
Rare 1/48 scale kit from the early 1950s. Solid wood, scale display model has about a 7 inch wingspan when built. Features profile cut fuselage and wings, round metal stock for main gear struts, printwood horizontal and vertical stabilizers, tail wheel and main gear wheels and metal propeller. It includes a fantastic set of full-size three view plans with step-by-step, beautifully illustrated instructions with fuselage and wing templates. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Other kits in this light plane 1/48 line included the Ercoupe, Taylorcraft 15, Aeronca Champion, Piper Cub Coupe and Stinson 150. Eagle Model Aircraft Company was located in Brooklyn, NY.
Universal Thunderbolt P-47, 1/43, A3
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair+
$29
Very rare model from about about 1942/3. It is a completely pre-fabricated multi-media kit; No painting is required and all parts are formed to final shape. It features fully carved and painted hardwood fuselage, carved and painted main gear wheels and struts, heavy, die-cut red and black cardstock wings, tail feathers, gear doors and other details, and cylindrical hardwood dowels for machine guns and gear door actuators. The cardstock wings have top and bottom halves and when placed over the main spar they are 3D with an airfoil. Never started. The kit has been inventoried and NOTE: missing one piece of die-cut cardstock, the main wing spare. Easily made since there is a perfect pattern: the sheet is present where it was neatly die-cut from. Otherwise includes all other parts and instructions. NOTE: the instructions have bug damage, but not enough to interfere with assembly. Also note: while a historical bit of modeling, this is not a scale model. It is in the middle-ground between being a toy and a model. Universal Toy and Novelty Company was located at 1225 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago Illinois. Although they were around for decades and had extensive production, little is known about the company. When model kits became popular in the 1920s during the early aviation craze, they were quick to jump on the bandwagon. In the 1920s they are also know for a fine series of baseball cards. Other model kits were of ships, tanks, etc. and some had incredibly colorful box designs like the Cruiser Chicago and some landing craft.
Guillows Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe - 16 Inch Wingspan Flying Balsa Wood Aircraft, 507
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Good+
$22
Still factory sealed. This stick-and-tissue flying model is dated 1976 and features die-cut quality balsa wood parts, spar and strip stock, light vacuform plastic parts such as nose cowl, clear bubble canopy and other details, rubber band motor, plastic thrust bearing, plastic propeller, wire propeller shaft, covering tissue, accurate scale plans, illustrated step-by-step model building booklet and color decals.
Marvel Ryan STM-2 - Combat Planes Of America Series - Solid Wood Aircraft, 1/32
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$38
Rare, large 1/32 scale solid model from 1942. At that time, their were 'fliers' and 'solids.' 'Fliers' were notoriously off-scale and lacked detail so they would fly well. 'Solids' were true scale models that were solid wood and designed only to be scale miniatures (they did not fly). This kit has a worn and clear taped box but inside everything is factory mint because all parts and the plans are still wrapped in the factory tissue. They have never been unwrapped, so you will be the first to open them up. Features a 12 inch wingspan and from what I know about these kits it has balsa blocks and wood stock, printwood and quality plans with construction notes, cross section templates as well as a painting guide. Marvel Mfg. Company was located in Seaford, Long Island, New York and had an extensive line of solid aircraft, wooden ships, army tanks and more. Just as a small example, the following are advertised on the back of this larger-scale solid kit: Grumman JRF-2, Mariner PBM-1, Bell YFM-1, P-38, P-40, Baltimore, Ryan STM-2, Curtiss AT-9, Douglas A-20A, Republic Guardsman, Grumman Skyrocket and Douglas 8A-5.
Dyna-Model North American F-82 Twin Mustang - Wood and Metal Model Aircraft, 1/48
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$115
In the 'Golden Age of Aviation Modeling' (1930s and '40s), most modelers built the flying 'stick and tissue' type kits with rubber, CO2 or gas power. But there were a small but measurable percent that built solid aircraft display models of great detail. This required great skill worthy of the shipbuilders of old, especially considering the limited technology. Many manufacturer's kits consisted of blocks of wood and a plan - the famous (or infamous) 'Make Wood Look Like Plane' kits. A few, like Dyna-Model Products Company, attempted to provide true-scale static models with a high level of detail. Today Dyna-Models are legendary and sought after collectibles. When you first open the kit, you see a black and white cardstock display with all the needed jigs and templates for assembly. Underneath, the twin fuselages are rough carved to ~95% of final shape (not just profile cut) and all other parts are either profile (2D) or die cut. Includes color decals, full size high-quality plans and the crowning jewel, a box of finished metal castings for super detailing your aircraft. The model has been inventoried complete with all parts and plans present. NOTE: one vertical stabilizer has been neatly assembled (to "professional" quality) on one fuselage. There is no other assembly.
Dyna-Model Lockheed P-38 Lightning - Wood and Metal Model Aircraft, 1/48
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$115
In the 'Golden Age of Aviation Modeling' (1930s and '40s), most modelers built the flying 'stick and tissue' type kits with rubber, CO2 or gas power. But there were a small but measurable percent that built solid aircraft display models of great detail. This required great skill worthy of the shipbuilders of old, especially considering the limited technology. Many manufacturer's kits consisted of blocks of wood and a plan - the famous (or infamous) 'Make Wood Look Like Plane' kits. A few, like Dyna-Model Products Company, attempted to provide true-scale static models with a high level of detail. Today Dyna-Models are legendary and sought after collectibles. When you first open the kit, you see a black and white cardstock display with all the needed jigs and templates for assembly. Underneath, the fuselage and twin booms are rough carved to ~95% of final shape (not just profile cut) and all other parts are either profile (2D) or die cut. Includes color decals, full size high-quality plans and the crowning jewel, two boxes of finished metal castings (48 fittings in all) for super detailing your aircraft. Never started and complete.
Hawk RE-8 - Solid Wood Aircraft Model, 1/48, 56
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$42
Rare model from 1946 for the advanced Hawk collector. Hawk was one of the few manufacturers making wooden kits to a constant scale of 1/48. However, the company was innovative as it quickly included injection molded accessories. This model features profile (2D) cut wooden fuselage, wings and tail feathers, injection molded wheels, propeller and 2 machine guns, wooden stock as needed, metal seat, full color decals and high quality, full-size plans. Never started and complete. The decals are intact but have typical age micro-cracking.
Hawk Aeronca Champ - Solid Wood Aircraft Model, 1/48, 28
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$44
Rare model for the advanced collector. Hawk was one of the few manufacturers making wooden kits to a constant scale of 1/48 in the 1930s. Hawk kits were considered high quality and very complete for the time. This model dates from 1946 but still has the green style wartime box. It features a profile (2D) carved wooden fuselage, wings, rudder and elevator, wooden stock for struts, etc, fully formed wheels, metal propeller, sandpaper, a sheet with wing registration numbers and quality, full-size plans with wing and fuselage templates. The model has not been started and is complete.
Maircraft Heinkel He-51 - Solid Wood Model Airplane, 1/48, S-9
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$25
Maircraft was originally founded in the early or mid 1930s by Gordon Christoph and went by the name Aircraft Model Company. The company produced a typical line of solid 'profile cut' kits that required the usual high talent levels for carving and finishing. A former Comet Model Airplane & Supply Co. salesman, Jack Mair, bought the company in the early 1940s and renamed it Maircraft. This company was one of the handful of solid kit producers who issued models in a consistent 1/48 scale during the 1930s and 1940s (others included Hawk and Dyna-Model). This lead to one of the most desirable and rare model kits ever produced in the USA - the wood/plastic 1/48 United DC-3 model issued immediately after World War 2. Other than the P-61 and a few other Maircraft offerings, most were simple kits that sold for the low price of about 35 cents and gave the owners many hours of pleasurable work. This kit features a full size plan with instructions steps, fuselage, wings and tail that are 2D profile cut, clear material for the windshield, fully formed wheels and insignia on the plans. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions.