Aurora M8 Munitions Carrier and 8 Inch Howitzer, 1/48, 333-350
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$169
Hard-to-find 1/48 scale issue includes both well detailed kits. The M8 features movable tracks and bogie wheels, movable bulldozer blade and ammunition loader, drivers compartment, driver and much more. The Howitzer has a movable breech, recoil mechanism, limber, gun trails & wheels, 7 figures and more. The kits have never been started. Both have been inventoried 100% complete with all parts including decals and instructions. Aurora did not issue a terrain base with this kit.
Aurora 1913 Mercer Raceabout - Old Timers Issue, 1/16, 572-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$125
Still factory sealed with a very short split at the top right long side. Dated 1961. This big 1/16 scale model, along with the other 'Old Timers' represented a significant leap forward in quality for Aurora. It features a rolling chassis build like actual automobile, full suspension, transaxle and driveline, complete exhaust, detailed interior and more. Usually molded in gloss ivory, gloss black and with brass plated parts and real rubber tires. Aurora was renowned for turning a profit and for keeping expenses down. In researching new kit subjects, they came upon a forgotten jewel - the Hudson Miniatures line of 1/16 scale wooden kits. Hudson had discontinued this line due to lack of sales of wooden kits. But the Hudson models were second to none in quality, research and documentation. Aurora was quick to realize this and used the research and layout from these kits to create the subjects for this 'Old Timers' series. It is fortunate for us that they did, because in most cases this is the only injection molded kit of these rare and classic early automobiles.
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.
OldModelKits SS Normandie Ocean Liner - 1935, 1/350
Resin Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$850
Finally! A museum-quality 1/350 scale model kit of the SS Normandie - The World's Most Beautiful Ocean Liner. This nine-year project is a 100% new kit. Seven of those years were spent accurately modeling the ship from scratch in TurboCAD. All design work was done in CAD by Ken Friend, a master modeler and engineer who specialized in CAD/CAM/CAE Systems Management and Implementation. This limited-run kit represents the Normandie from her 1935 maiden voyage to New York and has over 1,000 individual parts. The hull and larger parts are pressure-cast resin from de-aired molds. There is one very large photoetched brass sheet for railings, ladders & fine details, a set of ultra-high resolution 3D printed davits, three sheets of real wood printed decking (laser printed so they are colorfast; not ink that can run), decals, flag sheet and a DVD with detailed, highly illustrated instructions including painting guide, step-by-step rigging instructions and research material. This is a previously owned kit; I sold this model years back and then purchased the buyers entire estate. The kit has never been started. This model has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions included. NOTE: this kit must be shipped insured.
Varney US Navy Fleet Submarine, 1/240
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$1100
This model is a landmark in the history of Plastic Kits. The Varney Fleet Sub is the primary candidate for the first all-plastic ship kit made in the USA. The famous HO/O train manufacture, Varney, branched out into other scale model kits at the end of WWII. In late 1945, they introduced what are thought to be the first USA produced plastic model kits - the Fleet Sub and the PT-17 Stearman. Both kits were excellent scale models given the state of modeling at that time. However, Varney was 6 years too early. The Fleet Sub and PT-17 met a cool reception when it was introduced to retailers. Hobby Shops were not sure if it would sell, and did not know how to sell it. Consequently, most retailers would not order it and those who did put them where they were not seen by the public. Distributors stopped carry the kits due to a lack of reporders. The result was inevitable - they did not sell, and Varney pulled both kits from production very quickly. Varney was committed to cutting the molds on the LST and it was released in 1946 with the same result. That marked the end of Varney's venture into non-train scale plastic models. Varney dedicated all production to HO trains and in the late 1940s they sold the molds for the Fleet Sub, the LST and the PT-17 to O-Lin. The molds underwent modification (the hull was divided into two parts instead of one) and were released by O-Lin and Lindberg. This kit is a superb, investment-grade "excellent++" example. The box top has like-new color and gloss, four solid corners with no repairs, no tape or price tags, no marks from tape or tags and no tears or other litho damage. Flaws include very light and even edge wear (as shown), very slight 'dishing' inward and very light foxing on two box sides. Inside, the kit is still as it came from the factory. The yellow parts display is 'very good++' and the only flaw is the scuffing as shown. The small parts bag is still factory sealed and factory stapled to the yellow display. The glass display stand arm is tucked into its holder. The heavy one-piece molded hull is beautiful and in rare crack-free condition and cradled into the holder. The base was factory glued to the yellow display but has come loose. It also includes the unused factory tube of Testors cement in its own holder. Very large instruction sheet is near mint and folds out to illustrate construction and offers numerous display ideas for this new medium in hobby kits. Decals were not provided with the kit. This kit was made with gray injection molded details, glass stand arm and black injection molded stand and sub hull. I have seen versions with no paint on the base and hull; however, this one has the base and hull factory painted gray. The paint is in 'near mint' condition on the hull and 'excellent' on the stand base. A rare example of a classic kit. Shipped with insurance only.
Mamoli Halifax English Colonial Schooner 1774, 1/54, MV37
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$165
Very highly detailed plank-on-frame model that measures 59cm when built. This is a superb kit featuring numerous factory cut wooden parts, numerous die-cut hard and plywood parts, high quality stripwood, a large and very complete fittings pack, sailcloth, printed cloth flags, full size plan sheet with complete rigging details and more. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes plans/instructions. The Halifax was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1768 and transformed at Portsmouth into a typical colonial schooner of that time. She saw service along the American coasts in a rather complex period the history of this country.
Monogram Douglas DC-3 TWA, 1/90, PA9-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$145
Still factory sealed but the seal has drawn the box top slightly concave. This is the second issue dated 1955; the first issue has same art but kit #P9-98. The box has as-new color and gloss. Features optional position cabin door, rotating propellers & wheels, pilot, copilot, hostess and passenger figures and colorful TWA decals.
Aurora Atomic Submarine Nautilus SS571, 1/242, 500-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$179
Rare, Brooklyn-produced, early 1950s U-Ma-Kit. This was Aurora's first naval model. Molded in the correct glossy very dark gray plastic and includes a display stand and decals to match the box art. Never started and complete with all parts, 'very good++' condition decals and 'near mint' instructions. The box has excellent color, four solid corners with no repairs, no fading and no price tags. The only tape is the factory sealing tape on the long sides. There is a light grease pencil price at the top center as shown and general shelf/edge wear.
Aurora USS Skipjack Submarine Phota-Scope Issue, 1/228, 614-180
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$125
Rare. 1970 issue featuring the Phota-Scope. In place of the nuclear reactor, Aurora put a tube that has a magnifying lens at the top and a film transparency of a submarine interior at the bottom. So when you lift the hatch, you looked through the magnifier to see the inside of the sub. It was an interesting idea, and Aurora extended Phota-scope to some tank kits around the same time. The kit has never been started. Inventoried with all parts, magnifying lens and tube, phota-scope picture, decals and correct instructions present. The box looks much better than the 'good' rating but is graded as such because there is a closed tear in the box top at the sail of the sub.
Lindberg US Fleet Submarine - (ex Varney), 1/240, 703-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$125
Rare kit with a fascinating history. These molds are believed to be the oldest production plastic ship model in US modeling history. The kit started as the Varney Fleet Sub in the mid 1940s. It is widely regarded as the very first USA all-plastic construction kit of a military vessel. Varney produced an all plastic aircraft kit at the same time, the PT-17. It is the #1 candidate for the first plastic airplane kit in the USA. Varney was a famous manufacture of model trains, first O then a leader in HO models. The two new additions did not sell very well - remember, the Gowland/Revell 'Highway Pioneers' had yet to be issued, so the boom in modeling had not occurred. Varney soon sold the molds for the Fleet Sub and the PT-17 to O-Lin (along with the molds for a fantastic multi-media kit with a wooden hull and plastic fittings, the Varney PT Boat). O-Lin was a joint venture by Paul Lindberg and Mr. Olsen. O-Lin successfully reissued the PT Boat with an injection molded hull and deck, PT-17 Stearman and Fleet Sub but modified the molds for the Sub. The original Varney kit had a solid, one-piece black hull and gray fittings. O-Lin engineers created a two-piece hull that provided a hollow hull and made from the same shot of plastic as the fittings. The 'Lin' in O-Lin, Paul Lindberg, was already well known for his publication of articles and plans for flying model aircraft in some of the leading aviation publications in the 1940/50s. Mr. Lindberg soon bought out Mr. Olsen and began marketing the same O-Lin kits under 'The Lindberg Line.' One immediate change was the box art. O-Lin box art was usually two or three color and not very exciting. Near the end of O-Lin, the partners asked Ray Gaedke to provide some box art. The bright colors and vivid action were an immediate hit, and Paul Lindberg took this lesson and Mr. Gaedke with him to the new 'Lindberg Line.' Lindberg continued to issue the old Varney kits with the O-Lin modifications. The kit has been issued by a resurgent Lindberg as late at 2009, likely making it the longest running plastic ship kit in US history. This model is in superb condition. The Ray Gaedke box art has perfect color and gloss, four solid corners and only the light wear shown. Inside, the model has not been started. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes 'excellent+' condition decals and 'near mint' condition instructions.
Shizukyo Leopard 105MM Cannon West German New Type Tank, 1/50, TS-203-300
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$145
Very, very rare and an excellent investment. Shizukyo started in the 1960s but was out of business before the end of the decade. This kit is likely from 1965 and is well detailed for that time and features motorized operation on the rear drive wheels. Features Tkk Mabuchi RE15 motor that is still in the original old-style TKK box, complete with printed plastic wrapper and sealed accessory bag, all metal gear box, a sealed bag with numerous pieces of metal hardware for motorized operation, wire and more. The actual kit is molded in a black or very, very dark green plastic. Inside, the kit has never been touched. All the smaller parts are still in the factory sealed bags with color headers. All parts but the upper and lower hull halves, motor and treads are still factory sealed, and the biggest bag has a nice paper header. The sealed gear box metal is shiny like brand new. Amazingly, the treads are in perfect condition and still 100% flexible. They are held together by the factory rubber bands! The instructions are in 'near mint' condition and the decals are 'near mint' also. NOTE: this kit must be shipped insured.
Shizukyo German 75mm Assault Gun III Motorized With Light Up Gun Barrel, 1/50, TS-202-300
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$185
Very, very rare and a very nice investment. Shizukyo started in the 1960s but was out of business before the end of the decade. This kit is probably from about 1963/64 and is well molded and detailed for that time and features motorized operation on the rear drive wheels to move the treads and a large flashing red bulb at the end of the barrel that 'fires' the gun. Features TKK Mabuchi RE15 motor that is still in the original old-style TKK box, complete with printed plastic wrapper and sealed accessory bag, all metal gear box, wire and sealed bag with motorizing hardware, the red electric light bulb, glue and decals. The actual kit is molded in a black or very, very dark green plastic. Inside, the kit has never been touched. All the smaller parts are still in the factory sealed bags and the big one has a paper header. However, one of the two bags had a 2" tear, so I inventoried the bag - it is complete with all parts. The only parts that were not sealed are the upper and lower hull, upper and lower turret and gear box/gears/drive shaft. The instructions are in 'excellent' condition and the decals are still in the sealed bag and 'very good' with moderate yellowing being the only flaw. Amazingly, the treads are in 'near mint' condition and completely intact - they are still very flexible! NOTE: this kit must be shipped insured.
Aurora 12 O'Clock High P-38 Lightning, 1/48, 346-130
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$185
Very rare first and only hardbox issue from the tie-in promotion with Twentieth Century Fox Televisions smash hit "12 O'Clock High." Dated 1965. Some of the most valuable models are linked to TV or movie promotions and the "12 O'Clock High" series from Aurora is no exception. This example has like-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no tape, tags or tears and zero fading. The only flaws are very slight foxing and very slight general corner wear. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Other kits in the series included the B-17, P-51, Me-109 and FW-190.
Collect-Aire Lockheed F-90 - Penetration Fighter XF-90 - USAF or Blackhawks, 1/48, 4851
Resin Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$299
Very, very rare, out of production limited edition model and the only accurate XF-90 in 1/48 scale. Never started. All of the small parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags; the two large parts (wing and fuselage) are inventoried complete. Includes decals and instructions.
AMT 1970 Chevrolet Fleetside Truck Stock or Beast of Baja, 1/25, Y733-200
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$200
Very rare and even rarer in factory-sealed condition. First and only Best of Baja issue and a well detailed model that can be built one of two ways. Features optional parts, full engine and compartment, opening hood, detailed underside, full interior and more.
Aurora 12 O'Clock High P-51 Mustang, 1/48, 345-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$145
Rare limited issue. Hardbox is dated 1965. Issued as a promotion with the famous TV show "12 O'Clock High," which centered on the exploits of USAAF B-17s flying over Hitler's Germany. Has many working features: detailed engine with removable cowling, full cockpit and retractable landing gear. Molded in gloss olive drab and clear. The kit has no assembly, but NOTE: the interior parts are painted with one thin coat of zinc chromate green. There is no other painting. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Other kits in this rare series include the B-17 Bomber Formation (3 kits with a special stand and battle-damaged decals), P-38 Lighting, ME-109 (Bf-109), P-47, B-25, B-26 and Fw-190.
Artesania Latina Hellen R/C English Coastal Fishing Boat - 33 3/4 Inch Long With ABS Hull For R/C Or Display, 1/20, 20203
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$134
Very large scale and well detailed. Features a beautiful one-piece plastic hull, die-cut plywood and wood parts, complete metal and wood fittings set, illustrated instructions, full size plans and more. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes instructions. The few parts that were never sealed have been inventoried complete. NOTE: this kit came from the factory in a very sturdy box. Unless you otherwise specify, it will be shipped wrapped in only in heavy brown shipping paper. If you wish to have it placed inside another box, we can do that but additional shipping will apply.
Varney US Navy Fleet Submarine - The First Plastic US Ship Model, 1/240
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$795
This model is a landmark in the history of Plastic Kits. The Varney Fleet Sub is the primary candidate for the first all-plastic ship kit made in the USA. The famous HO/O train manufacture, Varney, branched out into other scale model kits at the end of WWII. In late 1945, they introduced what are thought to be the first USA produced plastic model kits - the Fleet Sub and the PT-17 Stearman. Both kits were excellent scale models given the state of modeling at that time. However, Varney was 6 years too early. The Fleet Sub and PT-17 met a cool reception when it was introduced to retailers. Hobby Shops were not sure if it would sell, and did not know how to sell it. Consequently, most retailers would not order it and those who did put them where they were not seen by the public. Distributors stopped carrying the kits due to a lack of re-orders. The result was inevitable - they did not sell, and Varney pulled both kits from production very quickly. Varney was committed to cutting the molds on the LST and it was released in 1946 with the same result. That marked the end of Varney's venture into "non-train" scale plastic models. Varney dedicated all production to HO trains and in the late 1940s they sold the molds for the Fleet Sub, the LST and the PT-17 to O-Lin. The molds underwent modification (the hull was divided into two parts instead of one) and it was released by O-Lin and later Lindberg. This kit is a a very nice, never started and complete example. The box top grades 'good+' and has nice color as shown, general light stains and wear, three solid corners and one closed split corner. Three sides are as nice as the top, with one small piece of clear tape on both long sides. The right short side does have a 3/4" x 1/2" tape tear but is fine beside that . Inside, it is complete. The yellow parts display is intact and in 'good-' condition. The original krinkle small parts bag is present but split open; I have included the bag and all parts are inventoried complete. The original glue is present but the tube shattered; I have put it in a zip lock. The stand was glued to the yellow at the factory; the glue has come off. The factory glass rectangle for the stand arm is still present and in it's holder. The heavy one-piece molded hull is in rare crack-free condition and cradled into the holder. The base is in very good condition also. Very large instruction sheet is 'very good++' and folds out to illustrate construction and offers numerous display ideas for this new medium in hobby kits. Decals were not provided with the kit. This kit was made with gray injection molded details, glass stand arm and black injection molded stand and sub hull. I have seen versions with no paint on the base and hull; however, this one has the base and hull factory painted gray. The paint is in 'very good' condition on the hull and 'excellent' on the stand base. A rare example of a classic kit. Shipped with insurance only.
Fujimi Nissan Fairlady 280ZR Racing Motorized, 1/20, RC6
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair+
$135
Rare, early Mokei issue of this large scale and very well molded model. It is designed to be motorized with a RE-14 or similar sized electric motor and includes all hardware; but please note that Fujimi did not furnish the motor with the kit. Features switchable rear wheel drive, steerable front wheels, nicely detailed interior, opening doors, a huge decal sheet with all the colorful stripes and markings of the box art car and more. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions. The box is complete but worn and clear tape is holding most corners together.
Revell German Submarine U-boat Type IXC U505 Late, 1/72, 05114
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$145
Hard-to-find issue that is still factory 'round tape' sealed. Very large and highly detailed 1/72 submarine kit that can be built for static display or converted to radio control (parts for conversion are not included).