Aurora P-38 Lightning Brooklyn - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 99-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$425
First issue early 1950s from the Aurora Brooklyn factory. Molded with correct light gloss blue and clear plastic with correct Brooklyn stand, decals and instructions. Even has original packing tissue paper. Decals are in beautiful condition and are still flat. Box is excellent with light scuffing as the only flaws. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The Aurora issues of the 1/48 scale P-38 are interesting to say the least. The first issue is the Brooklyn kit with the P-38/B-24 box artwork. Inside, the plastic is light blue with minimal surface detail and a clear canopy and rectangular stand that says 'Aurora Plastic Corp. Brooklyn, 4, N.Y.'. There are no landing gear, gear doors or mass balances. The second issue has identical box art, plastic color, decals and rectangular stand, but the box and instructions says 'West Hempstead' instead of Brooklyn. The clear stand mold has had 'Brooklyn' milled out, and there is no location on the stand. The third issue has the same artwork, but the full color 'Aurora Line' logo is used - but the big changes were on the inside. Aurora modified the molds, adding a pitot tube, elevator mass balances and landing gear struts, wheels and doors. The decals and stand remain the same, but the new instructions reflect the changes to the molds. This time the kit is molded in an attractive metallic blue. The fourth issue dropped the Jim Cox artwork in favor of a new P-38 flying from right to left across a threatening sky. The plastic still metallic light blue and the decals and stand remain unchanged. The new details were retained. The fifth issue was 1959. The oval 'Famous Fighters' logo was used with Jo Kotula artwork of two P-38s. The detail level of the kit remained the same, but it was molded in olive drab and clear. The newer 'Triangle' base was added at this time. Further issues kept this box artwork, but the oval logo changed as well as the price extensions.
Aurora Jap Zero Brooklyn - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 88-59
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$725
Rare very first issue from Aurora's first factory in Brooklyn. This early kit, as with the other Brooklyn's, was issued without landing gear, bombs and has very little rivet detail. All parts correct for this kit molded in high-gloss yellow and clear including Brooklyn Base, Brooklyn Instructions and correct early Tatem Decals - even the original tissue packing paper is present. The box is solid and displays nicely. Gloss and colors are like new. On the top, there is light surface wear at the lower left. On the sides there is a 1" thin tape tear on one long side and a 1/2" thin tape tear on the other long side from the original tape seal. There is no other tape, price stickers or other defects. Never started. Factory sealed bag or inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.