Old Plastic Model Kits

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Varney Varney Elco P.T. Boat (PT Boat), 1/64

Wood and Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Exc++

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A rare kit from 1944 for the advanced collector. This model has a fascinating history. During the 1930s the Varney Company was in innovator in hobbies. In the earlier days of model railroading, Varney produced some of the first train models in "O" scale. In the late 1930s, this was revolutionary. Serious scale model railroaders never bought kits - they built from scratch and 'kitbashed' from tin plate trains. Traditional craftsman builders rejected Varney's kits, but they began to sell and sold well. They opened the market to growth of model railroading and the building of the American hobby industry in general. (Please see the article on this site called the "HO Scale Model Railroading Revolution of the 1940s"). Well before HO (1/87 or "Half O") was the favorite scale, Varney made the bold move of selling all of it's O scale tooling in the late 1940s and exclusively taking on HO kit and train production. Inspired by the public reaction to the train kits, Varney made what was perhaps the very first American all-plastic model kit in the early or mid 1940s - the PT-17 Stearman. At the same time they released what may have been the very first all plastic American ship models, the Fleet Submarine, LST and PT Boat. But in 1944, before these Varney plastic kits were issued, they made what was the finest ship model of the day - the Elco PT Boat. With this kit, Varney set out to make a highly detailed kit that would almost 'fall together' - like the plastic models of the future. The result was this completely prefabricated model. The hull, stand, stand arm and superstructure is of 100% precarved hardwood. The hull is 15 inches long. Other precarved hardwood is included, as well as die cut main deck parts and a very extensive variety of metal and injection molded details. In all there were 130 precision parts! The kit was ground-breaking in that you could built a fantastic display model even if you had no wood-working skills. The kit is very rare today for two reasons - the original high price of $3.95 and the fact that hobby dealers simply did not know what to do with these highly prefabricated kits. Many would not carry them or would 'high shelf' them out of sight. Since the kits were not marketed well, they did not sell and Varney soon abandoned kit production outside HO trains. The kit has never been started and has been inventoried 100% complete with all pre-finished wood, plastic and metal parts parts, full size plans, detailed instructions and flag sheet.

Ideal Aeroplane & Supply RMS Queen Mary 'Super Detail' Wood and Metal Model - 32 inches long, 1/380

Wood and Metal Model Kit,   Box Condition: Fair-

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Ideal was a famous producer of early model kits. In 1911 they released their first aircraft kit, which put them among the first USA model companies. Ideal was unique also in that they released large ocean liners in a 'Super Detail' series - giving us the only large scale Normandie, SS America, Rex and RMS Queen Mary models ever made. This model is from 1938. The Queen Mary measures almost 32 inches long when assembled. It has a solid wood hull that is pre-carved, cast metal fittings (stairs, winches, lifeboats), pre-cut davits, assorted wooden stock, many printwood sheets and printed cardstock. The plans are full size and very good. The assembly procedure is detailed in writing and with the drawings. Sectional profiles are included as well as detail views. Please note that three wooden parts have been cut out. Quality of the work is excellent. There has been no assembly or other cut parts. The kit is complete with all wooden parts and rigging material - the metal parts are still sealed as well as the davits. The plans and cardstock have the typical yellow tint but are otherwise excellent.

Monogram Curtiss Hawk P-6E, 1/72, 6794

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Sealed Mint

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Still mint in the factory seal. 1970 "White Box" issue. Finely detailed kit of the classic US Biplane fighter of the 1930s. P-6 variants were in production for 10 years, a remarkable feat in a time when airframe/power plant technology was changing rapidly. Markings from the 17th Pursuit Squadron, early 1930s, Selfridge Field, Michigan.

Revell Lockheed F-104C and F-104G Starfighter - USAF or Luftwaffe, 1/48, H236

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: VG+++

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1977 issue. Has all parts and decals for both versions. Includes highly detailed cockpit with 3-D instrument panel, M-61 Vulcan cannon with optional position hatch, optional position landing gear, and more. This kit has never been started. It is either still in the internally sealed factory bag or has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

Airfix Consolidated B-24J Liberator - USAAF 445th BG or 90th BG, 1/72, 05006-3

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Sealed Mint

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Still factory sealed. Has markings for 445th BG and 90th Bomb Group aircraft with green or natural finish. Well detailed kit. Features elevating guns and rotating turrets, movable control surfaces, retractable landing gear, rotating propellers, optional position crew entry door and ladder and more.

Frog DH-20 Beaver, 1/82, 384P

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: VG-

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Older issue with the early logo. Very nicely done with recessed panel detail. Molded in the correct light blue and clear. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

Revell German Heavy Cruiser Blucher (Hipper Class) WWII, 1/720, H480

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good++

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1973 issue. Kit is waterline or full hull. Features movable turrets, full primary and secondary armaments, ships boats and Ar-196 floatplane. This kit has never been started. It is either still in the internally sealed factory bag or has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The Blucher was the only German capital ship to be sunk during the Norway invasion of April 1940, repeating the history of the previous Armored Cruiser Blucher which was the only capital ship lost at the Battle of Dogger Bank in WWI. The WWII Blucher was surprised by Norwegian coastal torpedo batteries and guns from the fortress of Oscarsborg while sailing up the fjord towards Oslo. This is the only capital ship lost to shore based torpedo batteries.

UPC Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk (ex-Nitto), 1/72, 8012-49

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Exc+++

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From older Nitto molds probably from the early 1960s. Good quality for the time. Features separately molded ailerons and rudder, full landing gear and Flying Tigers decals. The model as never been started. The parts are either still in the factory sealed bag or have been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. UPC stood for Universal Powermaster Corporation which was based out of New York City, NY. UPC did not cut their own molds, but bought kits already molded from other manufacturers and re-boxed the kits in the USA. Scott Eidson, the famous artist best known for his artwork with Revell, also did UPC box art in the 1960s. All UPC production ended in the 1970s.

Hasegawa US Willys MB Jeep - Trailer - 37mm Gun and Three Soldiers, 1/72, 701

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Exc+

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Very highly detailed kit contains all items listed plus accessories. Perfect for 1/72 scale dioramas. Never started. Factory sealed bag or inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

Revell Lockheed WV-2 Early Warning Radar Picket 'S' Kit, 1/128, H279-98

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good-

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First issue from 1957. Great artwork. Ideal builder as the box has significant wear. Never started. 100% inventoried complete with all parts/decals and instructions present.

Revell Starburst Mobile for 15 Aircraft Models, S-8180

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: VG++

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Rare. You have seen this item on the old Revell instructions and box side advertisements. This is the Starburst Model-Holding Mobile made from plastic and metal, the ultimate display accessory for your built up Revell kits. The mobile has not been started and is complete center ball, eye-screw and all arms.

Revell B-36 Jet-Prop Bomber Air Power Series, 1/184, H139-100

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: VG++

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Hardbox issue dated 1961. Molds are the same as used in the classic 1950s Pre-S kit. Ideal builder. Never started. Factory sealed bag or inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

MPC Shelby Cobra 427, 1/16, 1-3082

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: VG+

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1981 issue. Large 1/16 scale kit. Very nicely detailed model of the classic and valuable American Sports Car. Features highly detailed suspension and chassis, engine with optional carb set-ups, full interior, opening doors and trunk, opening hood, optional rims and removable soft top. Includes Ford 427 engine, optional Tonneau cover, side pipes, optional roll bar, wide Blue Streak Tires, Steerable front wheels and more. Molded in blue, black, clear and chrome plated plastic. Never started. The parts are still in the factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.

Revell Haven Hospital Ship - 'S' Issue Bagged, 1/500, H320-169

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: No Box

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Bagged kit - no box. The box is shown for reference only. 1955 original 'S' issue molded in gloss white plastic. Very nicely molded full hull kit. Features railing detail, full superstructure and all cargo booms, helicopter landing pad with helicopter, davits, lifeboats and more. Never started. Inventoried with all parts and instructions. NOTE: missing decals and flags. The parts are dirty. Instructions are photocopies.

Airfix Messerschmitt Me-262A Bagged, 1/72, 110

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Exc

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1960s Type Three logo bagged issue with colorful header. Header in in very good condition with no rips. The model has not been started. Factory sealed bag or inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

Frog Arado Ar-234C-2 Four Engine Bomber with V-1/ Ar-234B-2 Twin Engine Bomber / AR-234C-3 Four Engine Blitz Bomber, 1/72, F417

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Sealed Exc++

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Still in the factory seal, but the seal has split. Includes parts and decals to make all three versions - Ar-234C-2 with Fi-103 Flying Bomb, Ar-234B-2 Blitz 9 Staffel, III/KG 76 Achmer 1945 (the first aircraft to be shot down and captured by the Allies for evaluation at RAE Farnborough) or Ar-234C-3 Production Machine early 145 (the war ended before it could be used operationally). 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, Blue, 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.

Ace Whitman Ryan Fireball FR-1 - Solid Wood Kit, 1/53, 2253

Wood Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good++

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Dated 1946. The 'Ace Whitman' name was used by Joe Ott for some of his marketed kits. Joe Ott had a very popular line of wooden flying and non-flying kits in the Golden Age of flying models. This is a solid wood display model featuring excellent condition full size plans, extensive templates, all wood and wheels. The kit has never been started. NOTE: the cardboard die cut propeller is missing but the original sheet is present for use as a template. Otherwise inventoried with all other parts and plans.

Lindberg Sea Raider (Q-Ship - Decoy Ship), 1/390, 731-69

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good-

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Very rare. From the late 1950s. Classic kit with Ray Gaedke artwork. This is the Lindberg Q Ship, which has an unknown prototype but is suppose to be a WWI style Q-Ship submarine trap. The ship appears to be a WWI British Q Ship by the title, yet looks a little modern and has US numbers of 171 (which apparently mean nothing). The Lindberg model actually has the layout of the AK-101 USS ATIK, which was formerly the SS-CAROLYN, built in 1912. The CAROLYN was recommissioned as the USS ATIK and at the start of WWI which was a real US Q-ship. This kit has never been started. It has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.

Lindberg US Navy Tanker (Fleet Oilier AO-47 USS Neches - Mattaponi Class) - Bagged, 1/520, 750

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: No Box

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Bagged kit - no box. The box is shown for reference only. Rare original kit from the late 1950s. Smaller scale but very nicely detailed kit of the famous and very active WWII Fleet oilier. The kit has never been started. NOTE: Inventoried with all parts but missing decals. Instructions are photocopies.

Glencoe TWA Moonliner Disney Rocket to the Moon (Mars Liner) Ex-Strombecker, 1/144, 05914

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Exc

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Re-issue of the classic Strombecker kits from the original molds. Kit has not been started. Complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The original decals issued with this kit are of poor quality, so I have replaced them with a reproduction set on quality Bel Decals Paper from the original Strombecker kit.