Aurora Model Kits
Aurora Focke-Wulf Fw-190 Famous Fighters Of All Nations - First Issue, 1/48, 30-59
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$325
Very rare and 100% correct first issue from 1954 with the proper swastika box art and swastika decals. This one is even rarer as it is never started and complete. The model is molded in the correct gloss black and clear, with the rectangle-based clear stand, matching instructions, decals and even the original factory tissue packing paper. The decals are in stunning 'near mint' condition, flat and have only the slightest touch of yellowing. The instructions are 'excellent' with slight yellowing, light wear and a 3/4" long closed split on one fold crease. The box has excellent color and gloss, four solid original corners (no repairs), no price tags or tag marks, no tape or tape marks (other than the thin factory sealing tape of course), no fading, stains or torn/missing litho. Flaws include general even wear, especially to the left corners and edge as shown. This kit has a fascinating history. The FW-190 was among the first (or was the first) kit made at the new West Hempstead factory in 1954. It immediately followed the famous "Brooklyn 8" (Aurora's first 8 aircraft kits). It was Aurora's first WWII aircraft kit to be originally issues with landing gear and bombs but still retains the small clear rectangle stand which was also shown on the instructions. This first issue shows the swastika on the box art and decals; however, Aurora quickly realized that they could not sell the kit in Europe. So they used an ink stamp to black out the offensive mark on the box top and initially cut it out of the decal sheet; however, they were quick to make a completely new decal sheet with the 'iron cross' replacing the swastika. These alterations are often called the 'second issue' although it carried the same part number and everything else was the same. The third issue came out in 1957; the same box art was used, but there were many other changes. The left-hand international insignia panel was eliminated; the yellow rectangle 'blotted out' the old logo and the oval 'Famous Fighters' logo was used instead; the swastika on the tail was neatly painted out and a small iron cross added; 'Famous Fighters of All Nations' was moved to the upper right with much smaller font; "Focke-Wulf 190" was placed at the upper left; the text below the tail feathers was changed to "1/4 Scale Model All Plastic Assembly Kit." The instruction sheet was also changed to reflect the new 'triangle' base stand, iron cross tail decal and logo change; the decal sheet was the same as the second issue but with a triangle-shaped stand decal added.
Aurora Russian Mig-19, 1/48, 66-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$129
Dated 1958 with fantastic Jo Kotula artwork; however, the lack of 'Famous Fighters' in the oval boarder logo means that this kit is from the early 1960s. Molded in a stunning gloss dark green and clear plastic and includes the Aurora two-piece clear 'triangle' base display stand. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Instructions and decals are both in remarkable 'excellent+++' condition. Please note that the box top displays as 'near mint' but is graded only 'very good' because there are tape residue (not tears, residue) at the center of the two long sides.
Aurora P-38 Lightning Brooklyn - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 99-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$325
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 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, 1/74, 374-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$125
1962 issue with colorful pre-war high-visibility paint in the artwork. Please note that this is the first issue of this box art because of the 'Famous Fighters' in the border of the Aurora logo. Box is in 'very good++' condition with nice color and gloss, four solid corners and no sign of price tags or tape. There is light general wear as shown. Kit features retracting pontoons and rotating props. This version has the desirable large clear two-piece 'World' triangle-base stand. Molded in gloss silver and clear. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora Cutty Sark Clipper Ship, 1/260, 432-198
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$42
Excellent builder kit. Nicely molded, smaller scale full-hull kit. Kit features molded rat lines, detailed deck and fittings, display stand and rigging instructions. Molded in green, wood tan and black. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts including flag sheet and instructions. NOTE: the smallest yard has 1/3 of the tip broken off and that tip is missing.
Aurora Piasecki H-21 Work Horse, 1/49, 504-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$119
Rare first issue from 1956 with the one-year only rectangular Northern Lights logo. Earlier in the 1950s a company called 'Helicopters for Industry' created a line of large-scale early helicopter kits. In 1956 Aurora bought the molds and quickly reissued these models with new box artwork. This model features cockpit, spinning rotors, rotating wheels and opening doors. Molded in the correct gloss silver and clear plastic. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Aurora United States Marine, 1/8, 412-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair+
$125
Rare kit dated 1956. Please note that is an unusual box art variation that still has the 'Famous Fighters' oval starburst logo. Very nicely detailed kit with 1/8 scale Marine figure with sword and scabbard, optional rifle, detailed cap, display base and US Marines Insignia. Decals are included for rank. Molded in the correct dark blue. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Please note that the box is graded only 'fair+' due to light fading, light stains, general wear and a closed 1.5" tape tear on the left long side.
Aurora German Pfalz D-3 - (D-III DIII), 1/48, 109-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$62
Jo Kotula artwork is in exceptional condition. This is the second issue of this kit - please note 79 cent price extension and 'Famous Fighters' in the sunburst logo. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora Grumman S2F Hunter Killer - Tracker, 1/111, 288-39
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$34
Hardbox issue from 1964 and from quality ex-Comet molds. Features fine recessed surface detail, rotating propellers, clear windows and a display stand. Comet has two S2F models; this is the smaller of them. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora USS Guadalcanal Helicopter Carrier, 1/600, 718-200
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Near Mint
$245
Rare. The 1966 dated hardbox in outstanding, investment-grade 'Near Mint' condition; color and gloss are as new, the four corners are solid and original (no repairs), there are no price tags, no tag marks, no fading, cuts, tears or creases and no missing litho. The only flaws include very light marks from tape near the centers of the two long sides (no tape; just marks) and very slight shelf wear. This is one of Aurora's later kits with improved mold quality. It features full hull, detailed flight deck, complete interior hangar deck, opening and closing hangar deck doors, 6 Sea Knight and 6 Sea King helicopters, AA guns and more. Includes a display stand, name plate (with name decal) and full color ship decals with hull & deck markings and flag. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Aurora Albatross D-3 - (Albatros D-III), 1/48, 104-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$65
Fourth or fifth issue of this kit and much rarer than the first (1956) issue. Box is dated 1956 but this issue is from about 1962/3 because it has the oval starburst logo and no 'Famous Fighters,' a 79 cent price extension and no Parents' Magazine Seal. This is a true 79 cent box - there is no 'stamp out' of the old 69. Molded in gloss green and black. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Aurora Convair F-102 Dart - (YF-102 Delta Dagger), 1/121, 290-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM+
$56
This model is in an amazing, investment-grade 'Near Mint+' box. It is dated 1957, but from the mid 1960s due to the oval logo with the blue outline. This small scale kit with dramatic Jo Kotula box artwork is nicely molded with clear canopy, full landing gear and a display stand. This is a model of the very early YF-102 prototype with the straight (non-area rule) fuselage. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. Around this time, Aurora issued a series of inexpensive (usually 29 cent) small scale kits that were designed to sell at almost any type of retail location. The line was very successful and quickly expanded. When Aurora purchased the Comet molds, those kits fit in nicely with this established line.
Aurora German Albatross D-3 - (Albatros DIII), 1/48, 104-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$38
1960s issue hardbox issue that is molded in dark green with the small parts in black plastic. This issue includes the ground mechanic and small ground base with chocks. 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 Bristol F2B Brisfit - (F-2B), 1/48, 113-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$44
1957 first issue with dramatic Jo Kotula artwork. Molded in the correct gloss olive green and black. Inside, the kit has never been started. It has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Aurora Grumman F9F Panther Jet, 1/49, 22-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$69
Excellent condition box and kit dated 1960, but from a later date than that due to the logo variation. Molded in a brilliant gloss deep blue and clear with the clear triangle 'World' stand. These molds are from one of Aurora's first two kits - the F9F and F-90. Aurora simply went out and purchased the early Hawk F9F and F-90 kits and copied them almost exactly. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Instructions and decals are both in 'excellent+' condition. Please note that the box would grade better but it is not because there is tape residue on the two long box sides.
Aurora Japanese Zero - Great Britain Playcraft Issue, 1/48, 88
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$299
A Very Rare piece for the advanced Aurora Collector. This is a 1959 hardbox issue from Aurora's Great Britain distributor, Playcraft Toys Ltd. of London. Please note the sunburst logo with 'Playcraft Hobby Kits' in the border. The box is in exceptional condition with like-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no repairs, no creases, fading stains, tears, price tags or missing litho. The only flaws are very light general wear (mainly at the edges) and discoloration from clear tape on both long sides. Inside, the kit is factory new. It has never been started. The parts are molded in bright yellow and clear and it even has the correct Playcraft Stand (which used the modified molds of Aurora's 1954/1955 clear rectangle-based stand. I has been inventoried and is 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The decals are in amazing 'Near Mint++' condition and the instructions are 'Near Mint.'
Aurora Lockheed C-141A Starlifter, 1/108, 376-250
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+++
$129
First release hardbox dated 1969 and in 'excellent+++' condition. This is still the largest injection molded Starlifter model ever made. It is molded in silver and clear plastic and includes the early issue clear, two piece 'triangle map' based stand. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Aurora General Dynamics TFX F-111A - USAF, 1/48, 368-250
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$95
1969 issue hardbox issue of this classic kit. Aurora put forth an excellent effort for that time on this big F-111 and it features good detail, swing wings, correctly retracting landing gear, good cockpit detail, pilot and radar navigator figures and more. With USAF markings. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora F7U Cutlass Navy Jet Fighter, 1/70, 496-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$49
1961 hardbox issue with fantastic box art by jo Kotula. Includes decals for F7U-1 NATC aircraft. Molded in gloss medium gray and clear, with full landing gear and a display stand. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora German Pfalz D-3 - (D-III), 1/48, 109-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$52
Dated 1957 with classic Jo Kotula artwork. This is the second issue; please note 69 cent price extension, 'Famous Fighters' logo border and the Parents' Magazine Seal at the right. 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.