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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$54
Early issued dated 1959. Please note that the logo is the 'Famous Fighters' in the border with the sunburst inside, which is the earliest oval Aurora logo. From the amazing Jo Kotula artwork you can see why these kits are so famous and so collectible today. Never started. Inventoried complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$52
Second issue 'Famous Fighters' hardbox is dated 1957 with great Jo Kotula artwork. 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 olive drab and black plastic. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$49
This is the 1974 issue which includes the comic book with the base and backdrop mural to create a 3-D Action Display. Superboy, Krypto and the monster are all molded in medium blue plastic. The comic book is in 'very good' condition. This kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$289
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 packing tissue paper. The decals are flat and in stunning 'excellent++' condition with the only flaw being slight age yellowing to the backing paper only. The instructions are 'near mint.' The box has very good 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 missing litho. Flaws include general wear & scuffing as shown and light corner wear. 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.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$200
Very rare first issue Brooklyn kit from the early 1950. Molded in the correct light blue with little surface detail and no mass balances, pitot tube or landing gear struts, wheels and doors. Includes the correct rectangular clear stand for this issue. Decals and instructions are in excellent condition. 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.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$42
This hardbox issue is dated 1963 and is from ex-Comet molds; it includes the modified ex-Comet 'teardrop' stand as well. This is a fine early kit with recessed panel lines, clear canopy, very good profile and a display stand for 'in flight' configuration only. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The decal have very light age spots on the backing paper only; the actual transfers have no spots. The box display better than the 'very good' grade, but it is rated as such because there is a factory tape pull tear on the upper long box side.
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.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$52
Dated 1961 with the great Jim Cox artwork that makes these early Aurora kits so collectible & popular. This issue has a slightly larger box than earlier ones. This is a very good kit for that time, molded in a beautiful gloss silver & clear, with full landing gear and the clear 'Triangle World Map' stand. Never started. Inventoried complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Please note, this is not a reissue of the Comet model. Aurora cut these molds years before acquiring Comet's F-100.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$325
1958 release of this kit featuring classic Jo Kotula boxart. The large 1/48 scale missile comes with a fully operational scale launcher. The hardbox has very good color and gloss, four solid corners, no price tag or tape tears and no torn or missing litho. Flaws include the scratch at the top and general wear and edge & corner wear as shown. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts. Includes decals and instructions in 'very good+' condition. This kit must be shipped insured. The Aurora "Missile Line" is legendary. In the late 1950s, the first missile model kits sold briskly, so Aurora and Revell both planned extensive lines. However, the missile modeling craze disappeared as quickly as it started. Models that were in the works were canceled or completed if they were far enough along. Those that were completed were fine efforts but sold poorly and had very short lives, making them rare collector items today.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$110
Still factory sealed and in investment-grade 'Near Mint' condition. This is the rare first issue hardbox is dated 1968. Features full landing gear, clear cockpit windows, a clear display stand and colorful United decals.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$375
Dated 1958. Very rare dual kit that contains both models. Very well detailed for that time with 276 parts. Each has many operating features including movable tracks, gun, bulldozer blade, ammunition loader and more. Includes crew members. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Please note that the box looks slightly better than the 'good+' grade but is graded as such because there 1.25" x .7" section of litho missing on the left short side where a price tag was torn off. there is also other general wear and edge wear as shown.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$125
Rare, first issue from about 1956. This was a fine effort by Aurora for that time and an impressive model when assembled. Features retracting pontoons and rotating propellers. Includes correct early logo instructions which show the clear 'Triangle World' stand. This correct stand is included. This must be one of the first instances of the 'Triangle' stand being used as it is normally associated with oval 'Famous Fighter' logo kits. Molded in gloss silver and clear. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. It is interesting to note that the early Aurora PBY issue has at least three small variations to the box top. The very first issue says '1/4 SCALE MODEL' at the top right. Clearly, this kit is not 1/48 scale and someone at Aurora corrected it. Following that, there are two known corrections: early and late. On the early version, the '1/4' was blotted out with a dark blue oval or circle and '5/32' was added after the word 'SCALE.' It was now correct, but the appearance was not completely professional. This box is the later version - on the next box order, they kept the '1/4' blotted out but added a proper looking '5/32' in front of the blot.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$225
Very rare first issue dated 1958. Inside, the kit is like new and even includes the original tissue paper. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Decals and instructions are box in 'excellent' condition with typical age yellowing as the only flaw. Please NOTE that this kit came molded in white & clear and also later in black & clear. This one is molded in black and clear.
