1/48 99-98 Aurora P-38 Lightning - Famous Fighters of All Nations
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
Rare. This is the third issue from about 1954 with the rectangular 'Aurora Line' logo and Famous Fighters of All Nations slogan. Molded in correct gloss medium blue and clear plastic, full rivet detail, complete landing gear, correct rectangle-based clear stand and Tatem Company decals. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions prseent. The decals are almost flat and in 'excellent++' condition with sligh yellowing as the only notable flaw; the instructions are in amazing 'near mint+' condition. Even the original factory tissue packing paper is present. The Aurora issues of the 1/48 scale P-38 are interesting to say the least. The first issue is the Brooklyn kit with the P-38/B-24 box artwork. Inside, the plastic is light blue with minimal surface detail and a clear canopy and rectangular stand that says 'Aurora Plastic Corp. Brooklyn, 4, N.Y.'. There are no landing gear, gear doors or mass balances. The second issue has identical box art, plastic color, decals and rectangular stand, but the box and instructions says 'West Hempstead' instead of Brooklyn. The clear stand mold has had 'Brooklyn' milled out, and there is no location on the stand. The third issue has the all-new artwork shown in this photo and the full color 'Aurora Line' logo is used - but the big changes were on the inside. Aurora modified the molds, adding a pitot tube, elevator mass balances and landing gear struts, wheels and doors. The decals and stand remain the same, but the new instructions reflect the changes to the molds. This time the kit is molded in an attractive metallic blue. For the fourth issue, the plastic still metallic light blue and the decals and stand remain unchanged. The new details were retained. The fifth issue was 1959. The oval 'Famous Fighters' logo was used with Jo Kotula artwork of two P-38s. The detail level of the kit remained the same, but it was molded in olive drab and clear. The newer 'Triangle' base was added at this time. Further issues kept this box artwork, but the oval logo changed as well as the price extensions.
$159.00