Plastic Model Kits
Life-Like Santa-Maria Columbus' Ship, B314-75
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$29
Still factory sealed. From ex-Pyro molds. From the August, 1492 expedition from Spain. With sails, ratlines and good molded detail for that time. Full hull kit is about 5 inches long and includes display stand.
KVZ Mil Mi-4 - Civil DDR / USSR / Polish / Czech, 1/100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$22
KVZ was the logo used by this East German kit manufacturer from 1969 to 1973. During this time, some fantastic Cold War kits were produced of Russian Aeroflot Airliners and Military Helicopters and Aircraft. Comes with colorful markings for DDR, Polish, Russian and Czech versions. Molded in silver, black and clear and with original clay nose weight and factory glue. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
KVZ Mil Mi-1 'Hare' Helicopter - Poland / USSR / DDR / USSR, 1/100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$22
KVZ was the logo used by this East German kit manufacturer from 1969 to 1973. During this time, some fantastic Cold War kits were produced of Russian Aeroflot Airliners and Military Helicopters and Aircraft. Never started. This kit is molded in dark green and clear and features raised details, antenna material and has cockpit detail with a crew of two. It includes decals for all countries listed. Never started. NOTE: missing small clear panel under nose. Otherwise inventoried with all other parts, decals and instructions.
Arii Mitsubishi Ki-15-I Type 97 Mk.1 'Babs' - Japanese Army Scout Airplane, 1/72, 10
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$26
Still factory sealed. I cannot verify it since the kit is sealed, but I feel these molds are from LS or Mania.
Revell Lockheed F-94C Starfire Interceptor - With One Piece Stand Arm - Pre 'S' Kit, 1/56, H210-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$175
1954 Pre-S issue. This is the rare second issue. The first issue was in the simple one-piece box and Revell quickly converted to this two-piece box as it was much more durable and a full-color lithographed 'slick' could be used. For the second issue, Revell added rivet and raised panel line detail as well as landing gear, a two piece box and H210-79 kit number. The famous 'Globe' clear stand was added, but this kit has the rare one piece stand arm and the instructions reflecting that. Revell quickly realized that the one-piece arm was not strong enough, and quickly modified it to the familiar three piece arm for the 3rd issue. The box is in very good++ condition with four solid corners, nice color and gloss and minimal wear with minor insect damage on the corners of one short side. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. Decals and instructions are in near mint condition. The original small parts 'krinkle' bag is present as well.
Aurora AT-6 Texan, 1/48, 70-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$135
From 1956. Rare first issue of this classic kit. Has early rectangular logo "Aurora Line" logo. Molded in silver and clear plastic. Includes the correct early rectangular clear base Aurora stand, the correct instructions showing this base, and the correct early Tatem decals which Aurora issued without a stand decal. (Aurora issued stand decals with kits with the introduction of the triangular 'world' base style clear stand. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora Cutty Sark Clipper Ship, 1/260, 432-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$79
Still factory sealed. Nicely molded smaller scale full hull kit. Kit features molded rat lines, detailed deck and fittings, display stand and rigging instructions.
Aurora Martin B-26 Marauder, 1/46, 371-259
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$325
Very rare first issue from the early 1950s. When Aurora moved to the West Hempstead plant, they planned a series of very large scale bombers. All kits released up to this time had been small. Aurora's instincts were correct, and the B-26, B-25 and B-29 were a big sales success. This box art was done by Jim Cox and was only used for about one year, making it very rare. The kit has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with the original tissue paper, all parts, large clear stand, instructions and decals. The box has very good color, four solid corners (no repairs), no fading, stains or tears and no price tags or tape (other than the factory sealing tape). It does have moderate general wear as shown, a small (3/4" x 3/8") price tag tear on the left short side, edge wear (more on the on the left than the right) and litho chips on the top long side along the edge.
Aurora Curtiss Hawk P-6E, 1/43, 116-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$110
Still factory sealed. The kit is dated 1958, but this is obviously a later issue as the Aurora logo does not say 'Famous Fighters' in the border and has no sunburst. Due to the 100 price extension, it is most likely from 1960 or '61.
Revell Douglas DC-9 - KLM Dutch Royal Airlines- Japan Issue, 1/120, H718-350
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$79
Rare Revell of Japan issue with colorful KLM markings. The kit has never been started. Internal factory sealed bag including decals and instructions.
IM Lockheed F-94C Starfire - Bagged, 1/56, 1
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed
$36
Still factory sealed. Includes color decals and instructions. This kit was initially a puzzle to me. First, the kit is not listed in any of my guides. On first inspection, it appears to be the rare Revell first mold F-94 from the one piece box with no landing gear and one-piece wings. However, it could not be - it has the rivet detail of the 2nd Revell issue- but not the split upper & lower wings and added landing gear. It has come to light that Lincoln, from Hong Kong copied the 2nd edition Revell F-94 and left off the 'details' and changed the base to the typical Lincoln base. Plastic kit production was a sideline for Lincoln, and when production ended, the molds moved to Kader, also in Hong Kong. Kader reissued the entire Lincoln line in the mid 1970s. When Kader discontinued production in the late 1970s, ATP Inc in the USA bought the remaining kits and perhaps some molds. Eventually IM obtained many Kader molds - perhaps from ATP - and this issue was made.
O-Lin Republic Seabee Amphibian, 1/48, 503
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++++
$145
Very rare kit for the advanced collector. The Seabee was produced as a high performance sport amphibian. This is a very hard-to-fine original O-lin kit in the small box and advertisement for O-lin cement on the top. Produced in 1949 or just before. O-Lin (Olin) was founded by Paul Lindberg and a Mr. Olsen - hence the company name. Although a producer of flying models in the 1930s, O-lin produced some of the earliest American injection molded kits in the late 1940s. In 1950 the partnership may have ended, because all branding was changed to Lindberg and Paul Lindberg. Inside, the kit is as new. It is molded in high gloss light gray and has the correct decals and instructions. The kit has never been started and is inventoried complete with all parts, instructions and decals.
AMT Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 - King of the Hill Option, 1/25, 6277
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$38
Very nicely detailed kit. Features 80 parts, detailed engine and compartment, underside and suspension and interior. Has opening hood, real rubber tires and optional ZR-1 decals. Molded in white, chrome, clear, red-tinted clear and with rubber tires. 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.
Aurora Wall Bracket Display Stand
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$55
Factory Sealed Aurora Line logo from about 1954.
Precise McDonnell Douglas Spartan ABM
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$1275
Very rare promotional model of the 'Safeguard' ABM Missile Spartan. The Sprint and Spartan pair made up the missiles of this Anti-Ballistic Missile system with Spartan handling the longer ranges. The system was made operational on October 1 1975 and Congress voted to shut it down less than 24 hours later on October 2 1975. Condition is exceptional. Missile is NM with a tiny chip out of one fin and very slight wear. The base is NM also. Missile measures 17 inches long. There are no touch ups/repair and no cracks. Decal is near mint also on base. Base says 'Spartan - McDonnell Douglas - McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company'. Insurance required on shipping. NOTE: This model was issued with two bases. One had two pins to hold the missile. The other is the cradle pictured. This missile has the two pin holes - so it was either left over stock and put on the new base or found it's way to the newer base over the years.
Precise Martin Marietta Sprint ABM
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$1100
Very rare promotional model of the 'Safeguard' ABM Missile Sprint. The Sprint and Spartan pair made up the missiles of this Anti-Ballistic Missile system with Sprint designed for short range interceptions. The system was made operational on October 1 1975 and Congress voted to shut it down less than 24 hours later on October 2 1975. Condition is excellent. Missile measures 14.75 inches high and is made of plastic. The missile body is mint with no broken parts - no scratches - no wear. The decals are 'very good.' There is some black missing on the roll pattern at the top (see photo) and the same amount missing on the back base roll pattern. The red 'US ARMY' is mint on the back but part of the 'R' is missing on the front as shown. The base is 'excellent' and has a metal plate that reads 'US Army Sprint Antimissile Missile - Martin Marietta.' There are no touch ups or repairs and no cracks. Please note that shipping insurance is required.
Precise Trident SLBM - Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$325
Rare promotional item. Missile measures 10 inches high. Wooden base with no name plate. Missile paint is NM+ and decals are NM. Base is original and near mint. The missile is missing a small nozzle adjuster arm. The other three arms are present. There has been no restoration or touch up on this model. Insurance is required for shipping.
Topping Martin SM-68 Titan ICBM - Factory Model, 1/68
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$1400
Rare factory model from about 1957 or 1958. Missile measures 18 inches high. Includes original box in excellent condition with inside packing materials. The model is mint and original. No restoration has been done and there are no flaws. The original base in in the same condition. The rocket separates into 'stages' as the actual missile did. Titan I was the first USA multi-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Designed in 1955, it was originally a back-up for the Atlas program. Titan was larger than Atlas and was also seen as an early space launch vehicle. Titan was stored in hardened underground silos. The arrival of solid fuel Titan II and Minuteman I missiles in 1963 made Titan I obsolete. The follow-on, Titan II became a major workhorse in the space program and served well as a heavy lift ICBM.
Aurora Aurora ATLANTIS Merchant Raider Factory Model, 1/456
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: No Box
$1400
In the 1950s and early 1960s the major model manufacturers would create factory-built and painted display models. These were intended for hobby shops to help stimulate sales. These were disposable items that were produced in very low numbers, so they are very rare today. Here is one of the rarest of the rare: The 'Rattlesnake of the Ocean' Merchant Sea Raider Atlantis factory build up by Aurora. The unbuilt kit is among the most valuable and rare Aurora single kits, making the factory built display much more so. This one is in excellent original condition. The painting is 1950s professional quality as is the gluing. The glue has held up well and all parts of the ship are very solid. The ship is very clean. The original paint is almost flawless with some light scratches on the port side. The 'ATLANTIS' decals are perfect. The stack 'K' starboard decal is mint; the port one is missing 2mm of the white top on one leg of the 'K'. The factory cardboard wood-tone base is 100% intact with typical corner splits on the bends and edge wear. The removable covers display is mint with all 10 gun/hanger covers present. The kit is now 100% complete. It was missing 4 small parts which I am providing. I took them from an original Atlantis kit, so they are 100% correct. (they are the propeller, 'Y' rear crane, rear flag and rudder) Overall, this is an excellent and rare investment piece for the advanced Aurora collector. Shipping insurance required. From modeler Stephen Payne: Recommend that the builder or collector of this kit add the following books to their collection-The German Raider Atlantis by Captain Bernhard Rogge & Wolfgang Frank & Sea Raider Atlantis, Story of a German Surface Raider by Ulrich Mohr & A.V. Sellwood. The first book is by the ATLANTIS commander, Kapitan zur See Bernhard Rogge. He oversaw the transformation and outfitting in Bremen and captained the ship during her 602 day operational voyager which sank or captured 22 ships totaling 144,384 t (142,104 long tons). Rogge also was one of the few German officers of flag rank who was not arrested by the Allies after the war due to the way he had exercised his command of Atlantis. Captain J. Armstrong White, captain of the British CITY OF BAGHDAD, which Atlantis sank in July 1941, stated, "His treatment of prisoners left respect, instead of hatred."The second book is by the ATLANTIS First Officer, Ulrich Moher. Both books read much the same as the events related are the same, but it is interesting to see these events from the two perspectives. Captain White (see above) wrote the foreword to Atlantis, the Story of a German Surface Raider, written by U. Mohr & A. V. Sellwood.The German auxiliary cruiser Atlantis (HSK 2), known to the Kriegsmarine as Schiff 16 (SHIP 16) and to the Royal Navy as Raider-C, was a converted merchant vessel to German Hilfskreuzer (auxiliary cruiser) used for commerce raiding. Commerce raiders did not seek to engage warships, but rather attack enemy merchant shipping; the measures of success are tonnage destroyed (or captured) and time spent "at large" holding up enemy resources. Atlantis had the longest raiding career of any German commerce raider in either world war.
Sunbeam Bristol Britannia (ex-Frog) - Soviet Military Transport, 1/96
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$79
Many Frog molds made their way to the ex-Soviet Union, probably in the 1960s. Of them, this one is perhaps the most interesting. This kit represented quite a research problem, but Mark Zandy has provided information from his Soviet kit collection. The manufacture is Jaroslavl Chemical Plant "Lutch" (Jaroslavl is a town on Volga river). "Lutch" can be translated as "Ray", but "Sunbeam" is a better interpretation. Rovex sent this mold to the USSR in 1977 in an agreement between Dunbee-Combex-Marx and Novoexport, but the Bristol Britannia didn't receive the Novo kit number and this kit had been produced only for the Russian market. The price was 2 rubles, which I am told was expensive at the time. The number on the box OCT 17-296-75 refers to the number of an industrial standard for plastic toys production that was established in 1975. The box states "assembly kit of a transport plane" and it is clearly in USSR military markings. The scale is stated as 1/72, which is incorrect. Inside the box is the Frog model of the Britannia, which is 1/96. What the Soviets were doing with a model of the Britannia in Soviet military markings is unknown to me. There are no instructions or decals, but it was easy to determine that the kit is missing one propeller retainer (easy to make or can be left out as it does not show) and is missing four propeller blades. The kit also has a clear windshield and full landing gear, gear doors, etc. The kit has never been started. "Lutch" received 4 ex-Frog molds. For the domestic market kits were numbered: No. 196 -- Hawker Tempest V (bagged), No. 197 -- P-47D-25 Thunderbolt (bagged), No. ??? -- Bleriot XI (bagged) , No. 214 -- Bristol Britannia (you can see this number on the box: Article Jr 085 -- 1 -- 214). At least two different boxes were issued for the Britannia. Dusty Rhodes may have an answer as to how a Britannia could even come close to wearing a Soviet Star insignia - "...you pose a very good question about why anyone would have thought of issuing the kit with Soviet markings. From Woodley, Bristol Britannia (2002), and some online sources, I now think there may be a vaguely sensible reason. Bristol sold four Britannia transportsto Cuba in 1959, under an exception to the US embargo. The state airline Cubana ran these until around 1975, including leases to Czechoslovakia. Some of the aircraft were used to transport Cuban troops and Soviet equipment to communist insurgents in Africa. Castro apparently thought the use of British a/c was a big to do; Woodley (p. 90) describes an instance in which Fidel flew around Cuba in one of the ships and making a radio broadcast. I found no evidence that Soviet military or other markings were even temporarily applied, but as a result of all this, it might not have seemed unreasonable to someone to use red stars on the box art for this kit."