1/240 Varney US Navy Fleet Submarine
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
This model is a landmark in the history of Plastic Kits. The Varney Fleet Sub is the primary candidate for the first all-plastic ship kit made in the USA. The famous HO/O train manufacture, Varney, branched out into other scale model kits at the end of WWII. In late 1945, they introduced what are thought to be the first USA produced plastic model kits - the Fleet Sub and the PT-17 Stearman. Both kits were excellent scale models, especially given the state of modeling at that time. However, Varney was 6 years too early. The Fleet Sub and PT-17 met a cool reception when it was introduced to retailers. They were not sure if it would sell, and did not know how to sell it. Consequently, most retailers would not order it and those who did put them where they were not seen by the public. The result was inevitable - they did not sell, and Varney pulled both kits from production very quickly. Varney was committed to cutting the molds on the LST and it was released in t 1946 to the same result. That marked the end of Varney's venture into non-train scale models. Varney went to HO trains only and in the late 1940s they sold the molds for the Fleet Sub, the LST and the PT-17 to O-Lin. The molds underwent modification (the hull was divided into two parts instead of one) and were released by O-Lin and Lindberg. This kit is the best example that I have ever seen, and is in near mint investment-grade condition. It is almost as if it just came out of the shipping box. Very light wear is the only flaw. Colors and bright and as new. There are no stains, no tape or tape residue and no price tags. All four corners are perfect and solid. Inside, the kit is still factory-new. The yellow parts display is mint. The small parts bag is still factory sealed and factory stapled to the yellow display. The glass stand is tucked into it's holder. The heavy one-piece molded hull is crack free and cradled into the holder. The base was factory glued to the yellow display but has come loose. It also includes the unused factory tube of Testors cement in it's own holder. Very large instruction sheet is mint and folds out to illustrate construction and offers numerous display ideas for this new medium. Decals were not provided with the kit. This kit was made with gray injection molded details, glass stand arm and black injection molded stand and sub hull. I have seen versions with no paint on the base and hull; however, this one has the base and hull factory painted gray. The paint is in excellent condition on both parts. A rare example of a classic kit. Shipped with insurance only.
This item has been sold.
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