Bill Bishop founded the Comet Model Airplane and Supply Company in Chicago in 1929 to fund a full-scale glider, not anticipating its future success. Soon after, Sam Goldberg and Louis Kapp joined him. The first catalog was released in 1931, featuring models designed by Bishop, with Goldberg cutting parts and Kapp handling sales. They even created their own glue from old celluloid windows and acetone. That year, Comet acquired inventory from the defunct Silver Ace Company, including a glue tube-filling machine. Comet thrived throughout the 1930s, launching the American Modelcraft Company (AMCO) to sell similar models. A notable kit, the Grumman Gulfhawk, was introduced in 1937. By 1941, Comet was contracted by the U.S. government to create warplane kits for military identification. After the war, declining demand led to the company's sale in January 1948. By 1983, it had become Comet Model Hobbycraft and later Comet Industries Corporation, with reduced production levels.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$54
Mid to late 1960s stick-and-tissue large-scale flying model. Can be built as static, free flight or converted to electric R/C with modern light-weight components. I fondly remember building this kit and it looked excellent. Features several sheets of printwood, three sizes of strip wood, scale wooden propellers and hubs, plastic flying props, balsa blocks are required, fully carved and finished main & nose wheels and thrust buttons, metal propeller/rubber shafts, dowels as required, clear window material, full size stabilizer and nacelle to fuselage fillet patterns, window cutting patterns, insignia sheet, full size plans, instructions and tissue. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and plans.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$36
1970s issue. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality balsa print and stripwood, formed wheels, rubber motor, prop and thrust button, hardware, clear canopy material, tissue covering and detailed full size plans/building instructions. The model has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$29
1980s issue of this classic model. Features traditional stick and tissue construction, die-cut balsa printwood sheets, factory-cut stringers and spars, fully formed wire landing gear struts, rubber motor, metal propeller shaft/rubber hook, clear material, fully formed wheel, thrust button & propeller, tissue and full size plans. The model has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$32
1970s reissue of the older and still very popular kit. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality printwood, stripwood, nose block & dowels, fully finished wood wheels and thrust button, clear canopy material, rubber, tissue, propeller and detailed full size plans with building instructions. The model has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$44
SALE!! Includes the following aftermarket items, all of which are in scale and correct appearance with this SBD kit: detailed three blade propeller (lightweight plastic), full engine, scale main wheels & tail wheel (all of lightweight plastic) and custom decal sheets with national insignia for wings and fuselage, tail fin and instrument panel. The decals are in 'excellent+++' condition and 2.5 sheets are incluced The actual kit is from the 1970s and an all-time favorite. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality printwood, factory-cut spars & stringers, blocks/wood stock as required, detailed full size plans, building instructions, separate covering instructions, formed metal propeller/rubber hook, fully formed wood wheels & thrust button, plastic propeller, rubber motor and blue & white covering tissue. The model has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$34
The late 1960s issue of this classic flyer features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality printwood, factory cut stringers & spars, wood stock as required, completed wheels, factory-formed spring wire landing gear struts, thrust button, propeller, metal prop shaft/rubber band hook, rubber motor, covering tissue, full color fuselage, rudder and wing stripes & numbers and more. Includes detailed full size plans with building instructions. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts and paperwork present. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$48
Still factory sealed and rare in this condition. 1970s large scale issue for rubber or gas free flight or easily converted to R/C using today's minidature & light weight receivers and servos. This kit features traditional 'stick & tissue' construction, quality print wood, factory-cut spars and stringers, insignia, fully formed wheels, hardware as required, propeller, covering tissue and detailed full size plans with building instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$44
1970s issue for rubber or 1/4 to 1/2A gas power. Could be made RC with today's small and light servos and receivers. Kit features traditional wood/tissue construction, detailed full size plans, building instructions, hardware, wheels and canopy material, rubber, insignia, tissue and propeller. The kit has not been started and has been inventoried complete with all parts and plans. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$34
1970s issue of the old 1940-50s kit. Kit features traditional wood/tissue construction, detailed full size plans, building instructions, hardware, wheels and canopy material (if required), tissue and propeller. The model has not been started. Inventoried complete with all parts and instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$39
Early to mid 1970s reissue of the original 1945 kit. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality printwood sheets, pre-cut balsa stringers and spars, plastic propeller, wooden propeller, rubber motor, fully formed wooden thrust button, formed metal rubber/prop shaft, clear window material, covering tissue and detailed full size plans with building notes. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$34
Large 26" wingspan flying kit can be powered by rubber, electric and made into RC with today's tiny and lightweight servos and receivers. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998. Kit features traditional wood/tissue construction, detailed full size plans, building instructions, hardware, wheels and canopy material (if required), tissue and propeller. The model has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$28
1960s/early1970s stick and tissue flying model that features quality balsa printwood, balsa strip stock for stringers & spars, completely shaped wooden wheels, block & dowel stock as required, rubber motor, plastic propeller, clear material for canopy, covering tissue and full size plans. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$34
From the early to mid 1960s. This stick and tissue kit can be powered by rubber as designed, converted to electric or built for static display. Features traditional construction techniques with quality, die-cut balsa sheet parts, stripwood, fully formed wheels and thrust button, wood stock as required, fully formed wire landing gear, rubber motor, plastic prop, wood thrust button, clear material for windscreens, a sheet of full color insignia, covering tissue and detailed, full-size plans and building instructions. Complete and never started. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$85
Rare model injection molded plastic model from the late 1950s. Comet, the famous manufacture of wooden flying model kits, cut molds in the '50s for several aircraft. They made two different Hustlers; this is the larger of the two Comet issues and is housed in a two piece hardbox. Very nicely molded and detailed for that time. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. Please note that the box displays slightly better than 'very good++' but is rated as such because each long side has small, 1/2" x 1/2" tape tears from the factory sealing tape. In the mid 1950s Comet, then known for it's line of stick and tissue flying model aircraft, branched out into plastic model kits. By 1963, Comet sold all production molds to Aurora, and Aurora reissued the kits. This lead to Aurora having three different scale B-58 kits in stock - their own near 1/72 and the two from Comet.
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair++
$39
1950s issue flying model with the box art showing a Coke next to the young builders snack plate and finished product. Kit features traditional wood/tissue construction with 3 big sheets of high quality printwood, factory-cut stripwood & spars, wood stock as required, fully formed wheels, covering tissue, fully formed metal propeller shaft/rubber hook, fully formed hardwood thrust button, rubber motor, factory-carved balsa wood propeller (needs final sanding) and detailed full size plans that include building instructions, canopy frames and templates for fairings, insignia, etc. The model has not been started. Inventoried complete. The box is complete and has great color, but it is graded 'fair++' because it has heavy wear and a short closed tear. Comet was a famous manufacturer of stick and tissue flying and static models. In the 1930s Great Depression, they lead the low-priced kit revolution with the "Dime Scale" kits and famous advertisements in Model Airplane News magazine and others. Comet reached it's peak in the 1930s when they acquired the services of Carl Goldberg. Goldberg was a highly accomplished modeler with articles in Model Airplane News and famous designs that won him several National level competitions in the 1930s and beyond. (Carl Goldberg went on to found his own company and produced well designed and popular free-flight and RC aircraft). Comet survived the post World War economic slump and continued kit production until they were bought out by long-time competitor Guillow's in 1998.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$95
Late 1950s or early 1950s issue with great box artwork in remarkable 'Near Mint' condition. This very well molded, small-scale kit features all recessed panel lines, rear gun turret station, clear cockpit canopy, auxiliary gas tanks on the outboard wings and more. Includes the famous Comet 'Teardrop' based display stand. Molded in silver and clear. The kit has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The instructions are on the bottom of the box top and the decals are in amazing 'near mint' condition. People often think that this is the Aurora kit; it is not. The Aurora kit is significantly larger (1/270 scale) that the Comet issue and varies in fair number of important details.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$55
Rare late 1950s issue with great box artwork. Nicely molded small scale kit with all recessed panel lines, rear gun turret, clear cockpit canopy and aux. gas tanks on the outboard wings. Molded in silver and clear with the traditional Comet 'Teardrop' stand. The kit has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. It is interesting to note that this kit was not reissued by Aurora in the United States...however, it was reissued as an Aurora of Canada Issue using the USA 1956 box artwork. Although Aurora purchased the Comet molds, they had already cut their own molds for a small scale B-52. The Aurora kit is significantly larger (1/270 scale) that the Comet issue and varies in many details.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$50
Rare kit from the mid to late 1950s. Comet made two plastic P-47 models and this is the larger of the two. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Comet was an early wooden flying and scale model kit manufacturer that branched out into plastic kits in the 1950s with a large line of small and mid-scale civil and military kits. The plastic line was sold to Aurora around 1960. Aurora had no P-47 in it's lineup, so when it purchased the Comet molds, Aurora reissued this this near-1/48 scale P-47 and the smaller one too.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$44
Rare 1905s model in excellent condition inside and out. As with most Comet kits, this one is very nicely molded with all recessed panel detail and no unsightly rivets. Features rotating propellers, sonar dome, extensive clear windows, wing search light with clear cover and includes the Comet 'Teardrop' shaped display stand. Molded in gloss gray and clear. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$42
Early 1950s issue in the one-piece 'flip-top' box. This is likely the second issue, since it has the more colorful box artwork. The kit is molded in glossy deep blue and clear plastic. Has correct clear teardrop display stand base and arm. Never started. Inventoried with all parts and instructions present. NOTE: missing decals. The instructions are in 'near mint++' condition and even the famous Comet 'yellow envelope' is present for you to send away for a catalog. Comet originally began model production in 1929 with a line of balsa flying models. In the mid-1950s Comet made a beautiful line of small and medium scale aircraft and missile models with colorful boxes. The early issues were in one-piece 'flip-top' boxes, and the later issues and releases were in standard two-piece 'hardboxes' with a lithograph slick glued to the top box. In 1963 Comet sold the plastic kit molds to Aurora, who reissued some but not all of the kits.
