Author: alan

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By Alan Bussie

I would like to thank John Burns and numerous KCCers. Without them, it would have been impossible to compile this information.

This article was updated on 27 May 2025. –ab

In the early 1940s, Lou Glaser, an entrepreneur from California, established an injection molding company called Precision Specialties, which provided contract services to other manufacturers. In the early 1950s, the design firm Gowland and Gowland created the well-known 1/32 scale “Highway Pioneers” line, consisting of 30 cars that were the first mass-produced plastic automotive kits. Glaser marketed these kits for 69 cents at Woolworth Dime Stores, and they sold successfully. This success led Glaser to conclude that Revell should focus on selling children’s toys, particularly plastic model kits.

The first mold created by Revell was the 1953 USS Missouri, which was initially released in a narrow box.

 

The first three aircraft kits were released quickly in one-piece boxes. The F-94C, F7U-1, and F9F-6 were molded Continue reading “A Brief History of Revell Plastic Model Kits”

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By Bill Campbell -Edited by Alan Bussie Google+ profile

When he provided me the information for his biography and Hawk Model Company, Bill was kind enough to write a history of the phenomenal Weird-Ohs model kits that he developed. – AB

After reviewing some of the dangling questions voiced on the internet by people wanting to close the circle of the Weird-Ohs, I decided to write this article. I will do my best to finally resolve the Who, What and Why questions that you have articulated on your electronic cyber queries.

“Daddy”, one of the original Weird-Oh figures (Hawk Reissue)

The Weird-Ohs were produced from 1963 forward by the Hawk Model Company in Chicago, IL. Hawk is perhaps the oldest model company in the USA, dating back to 1928. My relationship with Hawk was a close one, as I was usually busy producing box artwork for them. For more information on how I met up with Hawk, please read the biography located on this website. Now I’ll head into what you really wanted to know – about the Weird-Ohs. Continue reading “History of the Hawk “Weird-Ohs” Plastic Model Kits”

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By Alan Bussie Google+ profile

Many thanks to John Burns, Tom Graham and the innumerable number of collectors who have helped to compile this information over the years. Without your tireless attention to detail, this would be impossible.

Aurora was one of the most prolific names in American Modeling from 1952 to 1977. The line was very diverse and included military and civil aircraft, ships, tanks, missiles, figures (monster and many others), science fiction, automotive, animals, guns, totem poles, HO train items, electronic kits, “Coppersmith” sets, prehistoric scenes and more.

The Early Years – The Brooklyn Era
In 1950, Abe Shikes and Joseph Giammarino created Aurora as an injection molding job-shop. Injection molding was booming in post-war American and business went well. In 1952, they hired a salesman named John Cuomo. The three produced many toys but quickly realized that plastic model kits were the wave of the future, so they banked Aurora’s future on it.

Kit production started in the Brooklyn Plant in late 1952. These kits were in one-piece flip-top boxes and carried the circular logo and the “U-Ma-Kit” slogan. The first two kits were the 1/48 F9F Panther Jet (kit #22) and 1/48 Lockheed F-90A (kit #33).  These first two kits carried no landing gear or missiles and had minimal rivet and panel line detail. Box art was simple and used two colors. There was no price extension after the kit number.

Issues exist with the instructions printed on the inside of the box and with the instructions printed on a separate piece of paper.

If you have the early Hawk releases of the F9F or F-90, Continue reading “Aurora Plastic Model Kits – A Brief History”