Aurora Sopwith Camel, 1/48, 102-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM+
$34
Early 1960s John Steel box art issue exceptional in 'near mint+' condition. This is only the second box artwork used for this kit, as Steel replaced Cox for the Aurora's 'new look'. NOTE: this kit has minor and 'professional' quality assembly to two parts: engine to cowl. There is no other assembly. 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 Sopwith Camel, 1/47, 102-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$48
Rare early 1960s issue. This release has turned up less than any of the other issues and was only made for a year or two at the most before the new artwork release. This is the only issue with the full, original artwork due to the 'transparent' new simplified oval logo at the lower right. The side logos do not have 'Famous Fighters' in the border. One side has the original printed '102-79' part number while the other end has a factory-applied '100' sticker over the 79. Molded in the correct gloss olive drab and black plastic and with the chock ground base and pilot & mechanic figures. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts decals and instructions. Please NOTE that the box displays much closer to 'Excellent++' but is graded lower because there is a small tape pull on the lower long side and some missing litho at the right short side.
Aurora Sopwith Camel, 1/48, 102-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$56
From about 1959. Rare and seldom seen true third issue, numbered 102-69. Aurora blotted out the rectangular Northern Lights logo with yellow and applied the 'new'(for 1957) 'Famous Fighters' sunburst oval logo and no '69' price circle and no Parents' Magazine seal. Aurora retained the colorful Jim Cox box art from the original 1956 issue. (Mr. Cox was Aurora's first box artist; please read his biograpny on this website) This model is part of a very successful WWI aircraft line in 1/48 scale that Aurora introduced in '56. The line sold so well that kits were added to it into the 1960s. Molded in the glossy olive drab green and black. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora German Albatross D-3 In Red Plastic - (Albatros DIII), 1/48, 104-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$38
1960s issue hardbox issue that has a rare feature: the kit is molded in a stunning bright red plastic to match the box art. I always wondered why Aurora did not do this; but they did at least one run. The small parts are still black as they were from a different mold. 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 SE-5 Scout, 1/48, 103-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$55
First issue from 1956 with Northern Lights logo. This logo only appeared for one year. In 1957 it was replaced with the famous oval 'Famous Fighters' Sunburst logo. The artwork is by Jim Cox. Molded in glossy olive green and black. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. This kit was one of a very famous line of 1/48 scale WWI aircraft kits introduced by Aurora at this time. Due to the popularity, subjects were still being released into the 1960s.
Aurora Sopwith Triplane Black Maria, 1/48, 100-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$65
True first issue dated 1963 and with a 79 cent price extension to the kit number. Jo Kotula did the amazing artwork. This early issue has 'Famous Fighters' in the four logos on the box sides. Nicely done model for that time with fair cockpit and engine detail, ground base, pilot figure and mechanic. Molded in gloss black. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora DeHavilland DH-4 - (DH4), 1/48, 112-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$54
First issue dated 1957 with classic Jo Kotula artwork. Part of the famous WWI 1/48 scale series of aircraft that Aurora issued starting in 1956. Molded in the correct gloss olive drab and black plastic, including figures and the ground base with chocks. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Besides it's distinguished career in WWI, the DH-4 saw extensive post war service in numerable ways. One of the most interesting was as a United States Post Office air mail service aircraft. The aircraft's likeness even graced an airmail stamp of the time. In about 1925, the Post Office decided to upgrade. The prototype was the Douglas M-1 and an improved version, the M-2, became the next mail carrier. The M-2 is also an Aurora kit in the same scale.
Aurora Douglas M-2 Mailplane - Western Air Express CAM Route, 1/48, 111-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$72
First issue dated 1957 with classic Jo Kotula artwork. Molded in deep gloss burgundy and black plastic. Never started and 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 Albatross CIII - (Albatros C-III), 1/48, 142-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$69
First issue dated 1963. Has 98 cent price extension and 'Famous Fighters' in the border of the oval logos on the four sides. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
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.
Heller Potez 63-II - (63II / 6311), 1/72
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$12
Early to mid 1960s issue with high-gloss, wrap around box art and before Heller kits carried kit numbers. The 63.II was a further development of the successful Potez 631 and was used in the scouting and observation role. Four squadrons were equipped with this type. They saw heavy action and 63.11 losses were the greatest of all Armee de l'Air combat aircraft during the Invasion of France. NOTE: this kit has minor, 'professional' quality subassembly as follows: elevator and wing halves; gear doors to lower wing; clear side windows; nacelles and engine fronts; cockpit tub. There is also minor interior-only paint. The aircraft has been inventoried with all parts present and includes decals and instructions, however NOTE: the display stand is missing.
Revell IL-38 Bison Bomber - Master Modelers Club / Picture Plane Issue, 1/169, H182-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$139
1960 Picture Plane hardbox issue with Master Modelers Club logo in the upper right. This is a reissue of the famous 'S' kit from the late 1950s with fantastic Jack Leynnwood box art. Molded in dark gloss green and clear. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all plastic parts and includes 'excellent' condition decals and instructions.
Revell IL-38 Bison Russian Bomber 'S' Issue, 1/169, H235-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$210
First issue in "Excellent++" condition. "S" hardbox is dated 1956 and has factory-new gloss and color, four solid corners, no price tags or marks from them, no tape or tape marks (at all - this box even escaped the factory sealing machine!), no fading or creases, no torn litho and no stains. The flaws are light edge wear and tiny chips and corner wear. Molded in the correct gloss dark green and clear with clear Revelving Globe stand. The kit has never been started. Inside, all the small parts are still in the factory sealed bag. The larger parts that were never factory sealed have been inventoried complete. The decals and instructions are 'near mint+' condition with typical light yellowing as the only flaw.
Tamiya British Centurion MkIII Motorized, 1/35, MT130-698
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$66
Rare 1/35 scale motorized model with a completely metal gear box, the Mabuchi RE-26 electric motor and all hardware included. Very nicely detailed and an excellent operating model when completed. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Air Lines Airspeed Oxford Trainer - (ex Frog), 1/72, 7906
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$22
Well molded kit features separate ailerons, rudder and elevators. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. Box art is by the famous Jo Kotula who did 1930s covers for the magazine 'Model Airplane News' and later the Aurora box art of the late 1950s. Air Lines kits are all Frog molds that the Lines Brothers imported to the USA between 1964-1966. The kits, decals and instructions were made in England, then imported to the USA where Testors created the boxes with the colorful trading cards on the back. There are two trading cards on each box which show the boxart but not the advertising/logo. Some kits contain a Testors color painting guide also, but it is not specific to any model.
Revell Messerschmitt Bf-109E, 1/72, H612
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$24
Two piece box Revell of Great Britain issue dated 1963. Great box art by Brian Knight. The British issue is unique in that it has a three piece canopy that opens and more extensive decals. Please note that is box has significant wear as shown and although artwork-copyright dated 1963 on the box, is is more likely from the early 1970s.
Aurora Boeing B-52 Stratofortress - (ex Comet), 1/317, 2494-60
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$129
Very rare issue dated 1964. This is the seldom seen Aurora reissue of the Comet kit for the Canadian market only. Several small-scale Comet molds were never reissued for the USA market and for decades I have wondered what happened to them. Aurora had no need for them, as they had already cut their own (superior) small-scale molds for most of those subjects, including the B-52 and B-47. Well, the ex-Comet molds went to Aurora Canada! The small, less detailed Comet kits were issued there using the same box art as their slightly larger and more detailed Aurora counterparts in the USA. Simply looking at the box top, you could not tell the difference. However, the four digit part number gives it away as do the contents. Molded in silver and clear and still retains the original Comet 'teardrop' shaped two-piece stand. Naturally the instructions are completely unique since this is a different kit from the Aurora USA B-52. This kit is 100% correct and has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Frog Junkers Ju-88A-4 - Green Series, 1/72, F160
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$34
1960s issue with a desperate box art scene. Ground crew flee for their lives as Typhoons lob rockets into an airfield of gassed and about-to-be armed bombers. Well detailed and molded. Features 74 parts and separately molded ailerons, elevators and rudder. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions. Frog is considered the father of injection molded model kits. The Lines Brothers opened Frog in 1932, capitalizing on the fever caused by Lindberg's solo transatlantic flight. Almost overnight the western populations became 'Air-Minded', and anything aviation was in high demand. Frog created a quality line of stick and tissue rubber powered aircraft and gliders as well as innovative ready-to-fly rubber powered aircraft that required no assembly. The box even contained a built-in rubber motor winder and fuselage holder. Model airplane flight competitions were popular in Great Britain, and one category was 'Rise Off the Ground', or ROG. By changing this to 'Flies Right Off the Ground', the FROG name was born. In 1936 Frog created a line of injection molded plastic models, the first such kit line in the world (Hawk sold a line of injection molded aircraft models in 1934 but they were factory assembled and painted). Named 'Penguin' after the bird that does not fly, the kits were innovative beyond the means of production. At a time when models were simply built by wingspan, the Penguin line was a constant 1/72 scale. Furthermore, a large 1/72 Short S.30 Empire class flying boat contained a full interior and lights! A line of accessories such as AA guns, tractors, hanger, ambulance, sound locator, searchlights and lighting kits were quickly added to the line. WWII caused a pause in production. After the war the box color changed from silver to green, and Penguin kits were also marketed in the USA. Production ended in 1950. Frog quickly expanded and released the Red, Orange, Black, Green, Gold Token, Spin and Comet series as well as Trail Blazers and several others. It is noteworthy that while most manufacturers in the 1940s/50 were making toy-like models, Frog attempted to make very realistic models. For example, 'detailing' kits with excessively large rivets was once very popular. Frog ignored this trend and continued to mold aircraft with fine panel lines and no rivets. As a result, Frog kits can be built into very realistic replicas. Production ended in the late 1970s, but Frog molds are still in use around the world.
Air Lines Westland Wallace - (ex Frog), 1/72, 7903
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$24
Very finely molded in silver and with the large, clear round-based Frog stand. Features separately molded ailerons, elevators and rudder. This kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Box art is by the famous Jo Kotula who did 1930s covers for the magazine 'Model Airplane News' and later the Aurora box art of the late 1950s. Air Lines kits are all Frog molds that the Lines Brothers imported to the USA between 1964-1966. The kits, decals and instructions were made in England, then imported to the USA where Testors created the boxes with the colorful trading cards on the back. There are one or two trading cards on each box which show the boxart but not the advertising/logo. Some kits contain a Testors color painting guide also, but it is not specific to any model.
Airfix Super Mystere B.2 Japan Issue - French 10-RF or 12-ZQ / Israeli Air Force 325 or 708, 1/72, X301-450
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$24
1980 Airfix Japan issue. Nicely molded kit with optional position landing gear, some cockpit detail, underwing stores and optional position speed brakes. Includes painting guide and decals for all four aircraft listed. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.