The Hawk Model Company, founded in 1928 by brothers Dick and Phil Mates in Chicago, was a pioneer in producing scale model airplanes, ships, and figures, including injection-molded plastic kits. Marketed as America's Oldest Model Company, Hawk initially created solid-wood models and showcased plastic models at the 1934 Chicago World's Fair. They launched one of the first all-plastic kits, the Curtiss R3C-1 racer, in 1946, transitioning to polystyrene in 1949 and offering a variety of realistic scale models by the 1970s. One of Hawk's best selling kit lines was the Weird Ohs, featuring dragsters and hot rods created by Bill Campbell.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$245
Very rare first issue dated 1959 with Bill Campbell artwork. All four box corners are solid with no repairs, there are no price tags or tape, no tag or tape marks, no litho tears and nice color and gloss. Flaws include general wear, a crease at the center top and a much harder-to-see one at the center bottom, edge wear and corner wear as shown. The model is based on the proposed atomic bomber that was to be powered by the engines that were in the prototype stage. Features operating landing gear and flaps, removable nuclear engines, two parasite fighters and cool 'jet flame' exhaust in clear red plastic. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Decals are perfectly flat and 100% intact with moderate film yellowing as the only flaw. Instructions are 'near mint.' NOTE: this model has minor and very neat assembly as noted: intake and exhaust glued to each fuselage half. Three assemblies were done to 'near mint' standards while the right intake, while fitting perfectly, has a very light amount of glue on the immediately surrounding surface. This is easily eliminated with some 400 grit wet-sand paper and any good plastic polish. There is no other assembly. This kit must be shipped insured.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$275
Very rare and for the advanced collector. The large Hawk Hawaiian Catamaran was issued only once in 1956 and cost $4.95 at a time when most model kits cost between 29 and 79 cents. The model is based on an actual Waikiki Beach sailing ship. The scale is not given, but the kit measures 16 inches long and about 20 inches tall when assembled. It is a true scale model with excellent detail for that time. Features one piece catamaran hulls, twin rudders with left and right tillers and connecting bar, cabin, life preservers, stanchions, metal hand rails, full vacuform billowing sails, rigging blocks, full rigging instructions, rigging material and color decals. The hulls, life preservers and rudders are molded in gloss pink, the cabin and hull decking are gloss baby blue and the masts, blocks, cleats and numerous other parts are molded in a realistic 'swirl' wood tan. The sails are still in mint condition thanks to the special packing from the Hawk factory. The kit has never been started. When you open it up, it is very close to being as it left the factory. The large parts that were wrapped in factory tissue are still wrapped; the white vac sails are still wrapped also. The baby blue small parts are still in the factory sealed bag and the tan parts are still factory-sealed in the colorful HAWK bag. The small pink krinkle bag has split; it is present and those parts have been inventoried complete. All interior factory cardboard display pieces are intact and in 'very good+' or better condition. The instructions are one large sheet and are in 'near mint' condition. The box top has excellent color and gloss but has general wear as shown. Also, there is closed split on the upper left-hand corner that has been correctly repaired from the inside with cardstock and book binding glue. The decals are flat, 100% intact and in 'excellent++' condition with very slight yellowing as the only significant flaw.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$34
1965 hardbox issue with great Tom Morgan boxart. Features parts for float or land versions, unique water base for displaying the seaplane and decals for the US and Dutch Military versions. Hawk's instructions show photos of the civil ST version but they did not provide decals for that one. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$169
Rare motorized version from 1961 with Bill Campbell artwork. This is a well detailed, large-scale model featuring full cockpit & interior, working rear clamshell doors and side entry doors, motorized dual rotating-phased-intermeshing rotor blades and much more. Never started. Inventoried and NOTE: missing #20, a flat rectangular strip that holds wires. This part can be easily made. Otherwise inventoried complete with all other parts, decals and instructions present. Decals and instructions are 'excellent' with the only flaw being the typical yellowing.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG++
$48
Still factory sealed; sections of the seal are starting to have age deterioration. This is the large, 1/48 scale chrome plated issue which features realistic metal panel variations, excellent fit and finish, full interior including floor, seats, instrument panel & yokes, rotating propellers & wheels and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM+
$68
Still factory sealed and in investment-grade 'Near Mint+' box condition. From a one-owner collection. This is the 1968 issue of Hawk's popular 1/48 scale fully chrome-plated Thunderjet. Features realistic panel-to-panel plating variations, pilot figure, long range tanks, detailed landing gear and more. Includes a large, colorful decal sheet for the box top aircraft.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$32
Early 1960s release with classic box art by Bill Campbell. If you look closely, Bill painted one of Hawk's founders, Richard (Dick) Mates in the cockpit of the nearest fighter. This is a very well molded model with excellent fit and all recessed panel lines. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Thanks to Jean-Claude who told me that the boxart shows a standard F-84F but in reality the model inside is of prototype YF-96A, (aka YF-84F), s/n 49-2430. this aircraft was later modified to become the YRF-84F parasite fighter in combination with GRB-36F.It is on display at the USAF Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Excellent+++
$225
Very rare early injection molded kit and the only civil release of this famous model. This kit was first issued in 1952, so it was made at the same time that the Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' were released. It was produced in this box up until the late 1950s. This model is molded in the correct glossy gray plastic with a unique early clear stand with 'CONVAIR' on the base. The box is in amazing 'Excellent+++' condition. These boxes were very fragile and the only reason this one survived is that I purchased it from the original owner, who has been a long-time collector. The kit has never been started. All parts have been inventoried 100% complete and includes the 'Convair-Liner' decals and instructions. This is a one-owner kit from a recent collection, and he was given this kit as a gift in early 1950s. Hawk was a producer of wooden kits (with metal or plastic details) before and after WWII, and was one of the handful of manufacturers to produce such kits (known as 'solids') in a consistent 1/48 scale. Hawk made aircraft, ship and train models in this fashion. The very first injection molded aircraft kits in the United States may have been made by Varney in 1946, but Hawk was always an innovative and quality-driven company, and they took a gamble on injection molded kits well before they were popular. As early as 1946 they may have issued the 1/48 Curtiss R3C-1 with wheels and in 1948 the 'Evolution of the Jet' gift set. In 1949, they issued several kits - the Supermarine S6B, Gee-Bee, Howard Ike, F-84G and the Constellation. In 1952, the Mig-15, Convair-Liner & others were released in plastic. As with the previous kits, this is in the Hawk two-tone one-piece flip box. These boxes were notoriously fragile and Hawk quickly discontinued their use, going to the cardboard 'hardbox' with a colorful, glued on lithograph sheet, known to the trade as a 'slick.'
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$65
Unusual and rare 1960 hardbox gift set with unique artwork by Bill Campbell. Never started. Each aircraft has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, correct Marine decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG
$49
Still factory sealed but the seal has drawn the box top concave as shown. Dated 1968 and an excellent, large-scale kit for that time. Features complete interior detail, rotating wheels & propellers and full color decals (including all stripes) for the center aircraft on the box art. Usually molded in white and clear.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$28
Dated 1962 and most likely the very first issue because it is a hardbox and has the price prefix on the kit number. This model is from the mid 1960s and the artwork is by Bill Campbell. Features a 22 inch wingspan, fine raised panel lines, 'good' cockpit with pilot, two piece canopy that can be displayed opened or closed, full landing gear and outriggers, standing pilot, optional position air brakes, optional antenna and 'sniffer' pod and more. This kit is actually the basis for the Testors U-2 variants in this same scale. Molded in a very dark blue and clear with a large gold plastic stand. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. The box is only graded 'good' because it has slight crushing and heavy creases on the right side.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$135
Rare and from 1956. This is the true first issue due to the 98 cent price extension on the part number. This gift set featured all four aircraft in the originally-molded vivid colors as well the R3C-1 with landing gear (shortly after this, the molds were modified to make it a floatplane). The Gee Bee is molded in bright gloss red, the Laird Solution in a gloss antique gold, the Ike in bright white and the R3C-1 in brilliant yellow. Inside, everything is just like it left the factory. The kits have not been started. All four are still sealed in the original stapled bags. Includes special one-piece instruction sheet and correct one-piece decal sheet.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$54
From 1966. This well detailed model of the early Jupiter launch vehicle features 360 degree rotating launch stand and base, working aerodynamic fin surfaces, Explorer satellite payload, ground crew and more. Includes full decals and lapel pin. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$32
Still factory sealed; the seal has shrunk and drawn the box top slightly concave. Mid to late 1960s softbox issue with Bill Campbell artwork. Big scale model with twenty-inch wingspan is neatly molded and features cockpit, optional position canopy (2 piece), standing and sitting pilots, optional outrigger wing-tip landing gear, high-altitude air sniffer and more
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$54
Still factory sealed and in investment-grade 'Near Mint' box condition. A one-owner kit fresh from a very particular collector. This is the 1968 Chrome Plated version with John Andrews artwork and a well detailed model for that time. Features realistic panel variations in metal plating, superb fit and finish, very good cockpit for pilot and observer, rear gun with spare ammo casings, opening canopy, detailed engine, optional bomb load and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$48
Still factory sealed and the 1967 chrome plated version with John Andrews box artwork. Features excellent fit and finish like most all Hawk kits, realistic metal panel variations throughout the aicraft, gun packs, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, bomb load, good cockpit, optional position canopy and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+++
$65
Still factory sealed and from a one-ower collection. Dated 1967 and an excellent, completely metal plated model of the early 'A' variant Starfighter. Features realistic metal-plated panels with variations, pilot and basic cockpit, wing tip tanks, detailed landing gear, optional position dive/speed brakes, crew boarding ladder and more. Includes a large decal sheet with markings for all three nationalities.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$125
Rare first issue hardbox dated 1958 with Bill Campbell artwork. Very well molded in two colors of plastic and features launcher, detailed missile, radar unit, control center with starting boom, cable and crew. Includes full decals. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$32
Hardbox issue of this very popular model dated 1966. This very cleanly molded 'A' variant of the famous F-5 Tiger features good cockpit, hinged canopy, pilot figure, optional opened or closed speed brake, optional position landing gear, two AIM-9 Sidewinders, (2) 750 lb bombs, two Bullpup Missiles and more. Includes a detailed three-view camo painting guide and USAF decals. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$79
Very rare and for the advanced model collector. This is the true first issue of the Mister Mulligan. It has a fascinating history for it is among the earliest injection molded kits produced in the United States. The Hawk model company was the most innovative in America and had been making constant 1/48 scale models in wood with metal accessories since the late 1920s. During the re-run of the World's Fair in 1933, Hawk may have made the world's first injection molded airplanes models - but they were not kits. The models were completely finished and were on display for the then-large sum of $25 each. The Mates brothers, who founded and ran Hawk, were quick to incorporate this new technology by replacing the metal detail parts with injection molded details to the wooden kits in the late 1930s. During the war, Hawk put it's injection molding knowledge to work making ID models for the US Armed Forces. Originally there was a nation-wide program to have children and adults make these from wood, but consistency was an issue - injection molded solved this problem. Immediately after WWII in 1946, Hawk made the Curtiss Racer model injection molded in black tenite. The box was a simple one-color affair. This may have been the first injection molded airplane kit produced in the USA; another contender is the Varney's PT-17. Both met a very cool reception at hobby shops. Hawk quickly changed the Curtiss box to two colors and added box artwork while molding the kit is bright yellow acetate. In 1947 Hawk approached toy stores since hobby shops were giving the kit poor promotion. The toy stores did much better. Spurred on by toy store sales in '47, Hawk added four classic racers in '48, all molded in acetate - the Gee Bee, Howard Ike, Laird Solution and the Supermarine S6B. In 1949 Hawk molded them in a much more stable polystyrene and additional Thompson Trophy Races were introduced to the line; this Mister Mulligan kit is one of those. It is molded in high-gloss white plastic, clear and with a dark brown pilot figure. Inside, the kit is factory-new. The small parts are still sealed in the factory 'krinkle' clear bag. The fuselage halves and wing were never factory sealed and inventoried complete. Includes the correct instructions with the '703' part number and advises the use of "...carbon tetracholoride" as a cement because plastic model glue was still not widely available. The instructions are also a detailed painting guide because at this point Hawk did not furnish decals with their plastic kits. The box is in very good condition with great colors. The box has not been crushed, bent or flattened, which is unusual since this type of box is not very strong. The instructions are in 'excellent' condition.
