1/72 109 Sanwa Sikorsky S-55 Helicopter
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair++
Very Rare. Early, colorful issue from the late 1950s. The kit is dated by the 'Sanwa Plastic' logo, which was normally used in the late 1950s up to 1960. it appears that Sanwa may have had access to Revell's "S" Issue 1/48 scale S-55 and that is possible given the marketing relationship between the two companies. This kit may simply be a scaled-down version of the Revell model. Molded in green, black and clear. Inside, the model is factory new - all the parts and decals are still in the factory sealed clear bags. Includes instructions. The box is 100% intact but has writing and discoloration as shown. Sanwa was one of Japan's earliest post-WWII kit producers, making model kits in the 1950s; some sources say 1955. Kits were marketed under Sanwa and Tokyo Plamo, with the general consensus being the the later logo came out around 1960 or later. Production ended in 1964, making all Sanwa kits rare and collectible. The entire line was extensive. It included very small scale tanks (some that were motorized), battleships in three scales with the larger ones motorized with dual prop drive, slot cars, civil sport boats and an electric outboard, a full line of hand gun models that actually shot plastic bullets, two fighter groups and bomber groups (probably Monogram), several different lines of scale aircraft, missile kits, scale (static) car models of early Japanese automobiles, at least 7 flying model aircraft that had electric and rubber motors, a 'Super Control Stand' P-51 that moved with a joystick and had an electric propeller and sound unit, two different lighthouses and a windmill, an air cushion boat, motor cycles, a diving submarine (electric) and a working (rubber band) George Washington Class SSBN and even a garden tractor with an electric motor. Just before going out of business, Sanwa issued some kits in conjunction with the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games - these kits even included a copy of an Olympic medal. The back of this box shows "Flying Foam Plastic Airplane Constructions Kits" which included the 'Thunderbird' with an 18" wingspan and a Cessna Skylan(e) with a 21 inch wingspan. These may have been among some of the first flying 'foamies.'
This item has been sold.
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