1/43 A3 Universal Thunderbolt P-47
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Fair+
Very rare model from about about 1942/3. It is a completely pre-fabricated multi-media kit; No painting is required and all parts are formed to final shape. It features fully carved and painted hardwood fuselage, carved and painted main gear wheels and struts, heavy, die-cut red and black cardstock wings, tail feathers, gear doors and other details, and cylindrical hardwood dowels for machine guns and gear door actuators. The cardstock wings have top and bottom halves and when placed over the main spar they are 3D with an airfoil. Never started. The kit has been inventoried and NOTE: missing one piece of die-cut cardstock, the main wing spare. Easily made since there is a perfect pattern: the sheet is present where it was neatly die-cut from. Otherwise includes all other parts and instructions. NOTE: the instructions have bug damage, but not enough to interfere with assembly. Also note: while a historical bit of modeling, this is not a scale model. It is in the middle-ground between being a toy and a model. Universal Toy and Novelty Company was located at 1225 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago Illinois. Although they were around for decades and had extensive production, little is known about the company. When model kits became popular in the 1920s during the early aviation craze, they were quick to jump on the bandwagon. In the 1920s they are also know for a fine series of baseball cards. Other model kits were of ships, tanks, etc. and some had incredibly colorful box designs like the Cruiser Chicago and some landing craft.
$29.00