Hawk Model Kits for sale
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.
Hawk Chrome Plated P-51D Mustang, 1/48, 208-200
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Good+
$56
Still factory sealed but the seal has shrunk and drawn the box top concave as shown. This is the 1967 release with John Andrews artwork. The model is completely metal plated and features realistic matte and gloss panel variations. This is a well detailed kit for that time and it features excellent fit & finish, drop tanks, under-wing 5" rockets, pilot figure, optional position canopy and more.
Hawk Mister Mulligan - 1935 Thompson Trophy Winner - One-Piece Box Issue, 1/48, 703
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$85
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.
Hawk Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat - Marines - (F8F), 1/48, 562-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair++
$24
Hardbox first issue dated 1967. This kit features over 40 parts with pilot, 4 HVAR rockets, (2) 1000 lb bombs, detailed landing gear and engine and drop tanks. Molded in Dark Navy Blue and clear plastic. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Hawk Jupiter-C Explorer Satellite Launch Vehicle, 1/48, 552-130
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$65
Rare 1966 hardbox issue with Tom Morgan artwork. 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. The box displays 'near mint' but is graded 'excellent' because there is some creasing on the left long box side.
Hawk Mister Mulligan - 1935 Thompson Trophy Winner - One-Piece Box Issue, 1/48, 703
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$125
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 in 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. All parts are inventoried 100% complete and includes the correct instructions. The factory 'krinkle' bag is present but has split open as they often do. 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 very fragile and Hawk made a point of replacing them shortly after this kit came out. The box displays 'Near Mint' but is graded 'Excellent++' because there is some edge wear on one edge and some isolated, very light general shelf wear as shown. The instructions are in 'excellent' condition.
Hawk Convair 240 / Convair 340 - Convair-Liner Civil Transport, 1/126, 704
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.'
Hawk McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee - (F2H2), 1/48, 501-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$69
Still factory sealed and rare in this condition. This late 1950s issue has great box art by Bill Campbell and features raised and recessed surface detail, pilot figure, complete landing gear that can be built extended or retracted, tip tanks, fully enclosed wheel wells, optional bomb & rocket payload and more. Includes a large, colorful and very complete decal sheet for the box art aircraft; even the tail flash and tip tank decorations are included. The seal has some separation on the two short sides but is complete and otherwise intact.
Hawk Gloster Javelin Picture Gallery, 1/72, 502-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$54
Rare 1955 issue in the 'Picture Gallery' series. The dramatic scene shows Javelins intercepting IL-38 Bison bombers. Some of the Sparrow-like missiles are going ballistic (ground clutter perhaps?) while another blows the port wing forward (yes- forward) on the uppermost Bison. This series was done before Bill Campbell started doing the artwork for Hawk. As Bill told me, the Picture Gallery artist fell ill and Bill took over - that's how he got in with Hawk and why the PG issues were so short lived and rare today. This is an excellent kit for that time with Hawk's famous fit & finish, very fine raised & recessed surface detail, full landing gear, pilot figure, 6 air-to-air missiles and green-tinted clear canopy & 'teardrop' based display stand & arm. Even includes a 'near mint' condition capsule of factory glue and the special small, illustrated instruction sheet that is only about how to use the glue. The parts are the correct light silver plastic light green clear. Inside, the kit is exactly as it left the factory. All of the small parts are still sealed in the original factory 'krinkle' bags. Includes decals, assembly instructions and glue instructions. In the mid 1950s Hawk experimented with some interesting box shapes; this Javelin and the triangle-box F4D Skyray are the two best known. However, they were not the size of most other kits so stacking them was difficult. Hawk discontinued the practice fairly quickly and went back to standard size, rectangular model boxes.
Hawk Kaman H-43B Huskie, 1/32, 206
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$62
Still factory sealed. Dated 1967 but actually a later issue due to the lack of a price suffix on the part number. This well detailed, large 1/32 scale kit features full cockpit & cabin interior, working rear clamshell doors & side entry doors, rotating-phased-intermeshing rotor blades and more.
Hawk Jupiter-C Rocket - With Explorer Satellite / Launch Pad And Figures, 1/48, 150
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$89
Rare 1958 first issue and a well detailed model of this classic early launch vehicle. Features 360 degree rotating launch stand and base, moving fin aerodynamic surfaces, Explorer satellite, ground crew, full decal and lapel pin. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Hawk Lockheed U-2 Spyplane, 1/48, 209
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
Hawk North American OV-10A Bronco Chrome Plated, 1/48, 214
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$48
Still factory sealed. 1967 Chrome plated version with John Andrews box artwork. This model is still the only 1/48 injection molded kit of the short-wing 'A' Variant. It features gun packs, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, bomb load, good cockpit, optional position canopy and more.
Hawk Republic F-84G Thunderjet, 1/48, 505-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$35
Late 1950s hardbox issue with great Bill Campbell artwork. The kit features perfect fit and finish, raised & recessed surface detail, pilot figure, full landing gear, drop tanks and more. Includes very colorful decals for the plane shown on the box. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Hawk Triangle Box F4D Skyray, 1/72, 402
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$69
Very rare 'Triangle Box' issue from the late 1950s. Hawk tested this novel and colorful box only with the Skyray. Dealers found it difficult to stack with other kits and it was discontinued. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. This box is 'very good.' Fortunately, this one even missed the factory tape sealing machine. There are no price tags and no other tape. The box has not been repaired. There is edge wear, some creasing and a short tear on the bottom but no litho or cardboard is missing.
Hawk Continental Air Lines Jet Prop Viscount - With Continental Air Lines Advertising Sheet, 1/96, 506-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$68
Rare late 1950s hardbox issue in 'Excellent+' box condition. The Viscount was the first commercial 'Jet Prop' (or Turbo-Prop) airliner. This model kit features all very fine raised surface detail & recessed control surface outlines, clear windows for the cabin and cockpit, optional position cabin doors, portable boarding stairs and more. This one even includes a rare Continental advertising sheet for the Viscount which includes interior photos, engine cut-away drawing and more. Inside, the kit has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Hawk Ben Howard Ike Air Racer With Race Pylon, 1/48, 629-60
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$27
1962 60 cent issue with classic Bill Campbell box art. Inside is a fine kit with excellent fit and fine recessed & raised panel lines. Includes pylon display stand which is excellent for use in a 1930s Air Racing Diorama. Never started and complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The Ike was built by Ben Howard near the Old Chicago Airport (now Midway) and first flew in competition during the Thompson Trophy Race in 1932. It finished 7th with William Ong at the controls. In 1933 she finished 3rd with Roy Minor as pilot at an average speed 8 mph above 1932. In 1934, she finished yet another 8 mph above '33 with Harold Neumann as pilot and finished 4th in the Thompson.
Hawk Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Marines - (F8F), 1/48, 562
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG-
$22
1967 hardbox issue with John Andrews boxart. This fine model features superb fit & finish, over 40 pieces, very fine raised panel lines & recessed control surface outlines, pilot, 4 HVAR rockets, two 1000 lb bombs, detailed landing gear and engine front, drop tanks, rotating propeller and more. Includes US Marine decals. Never started. It has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts present and includes decals and instructions.
Hawk Spirit of St. Louis - Ryan NYP -, 1/72, 608-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$35
Rare, 1950s earlier hardbox issue with Bill Campbell artworok showing the Ryan over the coast. Very nicely molded kit with all recessed panel lines and excellent fit. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Hawk Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, 1/48, 560-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$30
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.
Hawk Chrome Plated P-51D Mustang - USAF / Canadian / Philippine Air Forces, 1/48, 208-200
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair
$29
This kit was factory sealed but the seal had shrunk and split so bad that I removed it. The shrinking is why the box is so concave. This is the 1967 release with John Andrews artwork. This kit is completely metal plated and includes realistic matte and gloss panel variations. On two trees the plating is in 'near mint' condition; however on the 3rd three, they did not leave it in the chamber very long so there are 'light' areas where you can see the plastic through the chrome. The parts of this tree are in the following condition: (2) wing top halves (near mint and excellent), left fuselage half (very good; light near the bottom of the fuselage), (2) horizontal stabilizers (good+, thin) and all other parts 'near mint'. The parts have been protected for shipment. This is a well detailed model for that time with very fine raised and recessed surface detail, pilot figure, good basic cockpit, optional position canopy, drop tanks, rocket launchers and more. Includes paint guide and markings for all three aircraft listed. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.