Comet Kits for sale
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.
Comet Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, 1/317, PL11-29
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.
Comet Taylorcraft - 54 inch Wingspan For R/C or Free Flight, 3505
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$72
This is a very large scale kit from the late 1960s. It has a 54 inch wingspan and can be built for rubber or gas free flight or R/C (radio control). This is a reissue of a much older Comet kit and features traditional wood/tissue construction, high-quality balsa pre-cut stringers, balsa printwood, detailed full size plans, building instructions, wheels, tissue and propeller. 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.
Comet Republic P-47D Thunderbolt - 24 Inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft, 3502
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$52
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.
Comet Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, 1/317, PL21
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.
Comet Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, 1/53, PL501-69
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.
Comet Grumman S2F Hunter Killer - ASW Aircraft - Small Scale Issue, 1/111, PL26-39
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.
Comet Douglas Skyknight F3D, 1/99, PL-4
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.
Comet Republic Thunderstreak F-84F, 1/82, PL-6-29
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$48
Rare kit from the 1950s. This is the two-piece box with an early 29 cent price extension and is the third issue. It is molded in glossy silver and clear plastic and includes the silver two-piece 'teardrop' base display stand. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions (both in 'Near Mint' condition) and even the famous Comet yellow envelope that you could send in 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.
Comet North American P-51D Mustang - 22 inch Wingspan Gas or Rubber Powered Wooden Aircraft Kit, 1624
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$40
1970s large scale issue for rubber or gas free flight, or easily converted to RC using today's tiny and light servos and receivers. Box art is by Locher, who did a great deal of the Monogram box artwork also. Kit features traditional wood/tissue construction with all die cut parts, 'Tube-O-Matic' fuselage construction and 'Rugged Super X Simplified Non-Warping Wing' construction, colorful insignia, detailed full size plans, building instructions, wheels, hardware, tissue and propeller. The model has not been started. The small parts that were factory sealed are still in the factory sealed bag; the parts that were never factory sealed have been inventoried complete and includes insignia 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.
Comet Lockheed F-104A Starfighter - (F-104), 1/62, PL500-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$44
Rare 1950s issue. Shortly after this release, Comet sold all their model molds to Aurora. Comet had made two F-104 kits - this is the larger scale one. Inside, the kit is like new and molded in gloss silver and clear. Includes the Comet Model Hobbycraft catalog mailer. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals in amazing 'near mint' condition and 'excellent' instructions. This is the second issue with one instruction sheet. The first issue actually had two instructions sheets - the standard one, and the Supplement. The first draft of the instructions left out the stand ball retainer, and the supplement includes that omission.
Comet Douglas B-66, 1/130, PL-20
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$58
Rare 1950s one-piece color box issue in 'very good+' condition with four solid corners and no repairs. Very neatly molded and features fine recessed panel detail, clear windshield & display stand. Never started. Inventoried with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Comet Grumman Cougar F9F-6 - Near HO Scale, 1/83, PL1
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$38
Very rare 29 cent first issue from the mid 1950s; note the one-piece flip-up type box. This high-quality model features recessed panel detail, clear anopy with in-flight configuration. Molded in gloss dark Navy Blue and clear & with a clear Comet-branded Display Stand. Never started. Inventoried with all plastic parts present and instructions. NOTE: missing decals. In the 1950s Comet made a beautiful line of small scale aircraft and missile models with colorful boxes. When Comet went out of business in 1963, these molds saw action for years with Aurora.
Comet Grumman S2F Hunter Killer - ASW Aircraft - Large Scale Issue, 1/54, PL801-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$50
Rare early 1950s USA plastic model kit. This is the larger of the two Comet S2Fs in near 1/48 scale. As with most Comet kits, this one is well molded with all recessed panel detail and no unsightly rivets. Features retractable sonar dome and MAD boom, extensive clear windows, wing search light with clear cover, rocket under-wing load out, rotating propellers and display stand. Molded in gloss light gray and clear. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Comet North American NA-35 (Vega 35) - 17 1/8 inch Wingspan For Free Flight, 3301-198
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.
Comet US Army Observation Y10-43 - 22 Inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft - (Y10 43)
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$56
Very rare kit from 1934. Stick and tissue kit almost never turn up from this early. This is a very nice model with excellent and highly detailed plans showing numerous drawings, parts layout and full-size templates, numerous detailing tips and excellent text instructions. They even have an actual photo of the fuselage being built. In addition there is a full size sheet of separate text instructions. The parts feature four sheets of printwood, strip wood in different sizes, original two colors of tissue paper, very large, colorful and comprehensive insignia sheet, fully carved wood prop, fully carved spinner and wheels, two sheets of sandpaper, a paper envelope of metal detail parts, clear canopy material with the window frames printed on, metal stock, quality strip balsa and balsa blocks and rigging cord. NOTE: the following fuselage bulkheads have been cut out and are missing but are full-size on the plans: #1, #2, #3 and #4. Otherwise inventoried with all other parts and plans present. Three other parts are neatly cut out and present. No other parts are cut. The box top is complete with all four sides and top but is tattered on and along the lower long side; there is also general wear and damage as shown. It does display better than the grade, but is rated as such due to the damage on the box sides The tray (bottom box) is 'very good-' with some wear to the edges. Inside, the superb plans are 'very good++.' They were never 'pinned down' for assembly, have no writing on them and the folds are solid (not fragile.) Flaws are a 3" closed tear and the normal yellowing.
Comet Supermarine Spitfire IX - 20 inch Wingspan Flying Balsa Airplane Model, 3402
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$34
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.
Comet Grumman F6F Hellcat - 24 inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft, 3503
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$48
From the early 1970s Large scale issue for rubber or gas free flight, or easily converted to RC using today's tiny and light servos and receivers. The kit features traditional wood/tissue construction, quality balsa printwood, stripwood and spars, balsa stock as required, fully formed wood main and tail wheels, rubber motor, plastic prop and scale (you-build-it) balsa three-blade wooden prop, wood thrust button, clear canopy material, template/details cardstock sheet, insignia, white covering tissue and detailed full size plans with building instructions. Never started and 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.
Comet Vought F4U-1 Corsair - 20 Inch Wingspan Flying Balsa Model Airplane - (F4U1), 3404-150
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG
$39
Still factory sealed but there is a split on the right short side. This kit is probably from the late 1970s/1980s and is a reissue of the original 1950s model. Features traditional wood/tissue construction, printwood sheets, factory cut spars and stringers, fully formed and finished wheels, wood stock as required, propeller, rubber motor, thrust button, clear canopy material, full size plans, building instructions and covering tissue. These are the usual contents, but since the kit is still factory sealed it is impossible to determine. 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.
Comet Messerschmitt Bf-109E - 18 inch Wingspan Flying Balsa Model Airplane - With Vacuform Canopy And Spinner, 3306-198
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$29
From the 1960s and features traditional wood/tissue construction with a rare vacuformed clear plastic canopy and spinner (still in mint condition and not yellowed) quality, die-cut balsa sheet parts, stripwood, fully finished main and tail wheels, wood stock as required, fully formed wire landing gear, rubber motor, metal propeller shaft/rubber hook, plastic propeller, wood thrust button, a big sheet of color insignia, template sheet with many details, covering tissue and detailed, full-size plans with building instructions. The kit has never beens started and has been inventoried 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.
Comet British SE-5 Scout Super Stars Series - 26.25 Inch Wingspan Flying Aircraft, 2601
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$44
This deluxe issue dates from the early 1970s. It is a large scale, robust design for rubber or gas free flight, or easily converted to RC using modern tiny and light servos and receivers. Box art is by Locher, who also did a great deal of the Monogram box artwork. Features traditional wood/tissue construction with all die cut parts, 'Tube-O-Matic' fuselage construction and 'Rugged Super X Simplified Non-Warping Wing' construction, a very large and colorful insignia sheet, detailed full size plans, building instructions, wheels, hardware, tissue and propeller. Never started. The small parts are still in the factory sealed bag; the parts that were never factory sealed have been inventoried complete. Includes color insignia and all paperwork. 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.