Model ship and boat kits for adults
Varney US Navy Fleet Submarine - The First Plastic US Ship Model, 1/240
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$795
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 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. Hobby Shops 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. Distributors stopped carrying the kits due to a lack of re-orders. 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 1946 with the same result. That marked the end of Varney's venture into "non-train" scale plastic models. Varney dedicated all production to HO trains 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 it was released by O-Lin and later Lindberg. This kit is a a very nice, never started and complete example. The box top grades 'good+' and has nice color as shown, general light stains and wear, three solid corners and one closed split corner. Three sides are as nice as the top, with one small piece of clear tape on both long sides. The right short side does have a 3/4" x 1/2" tape tear but is fine beside that . Inside, it is complete. The yellow parts display is intact and in 'good-' condition. The original krinkle small parts bag is present but split open; I have included the bag and all parts are inventoried complete. The original glue is present but the tube shattered; I have put it in a zip lock. The stand was glued to the yellow at the factory; the glue has come off. The factory glass rectangle for the stand arm is still present and in it's holder. The heavy one-piece molded hull is in rare crack-free condition and cradled into the holder. The base is in very good condition also. Very large instruction sheet is 'very good++' and folds out to illustrate construction and offers numerous display ideas for this new medium in hobby kits. 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 'very good' condition on the hull and 'excellent' on the stand base. A rare example of a classic kit. Shipped with insurance only.
Airfix The Great Western Ocean Liner Bagged - Type One Logo, 1397
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$72
Still factory sealed. This is the very rare 1950s first issue with the original Airfix logo. The factory header is in 'very good' condition and is still factory stapled shut to the original plastic parts bag. Like most small scale Airfix ships, this one is very nicely molded and features a full hull, display stand, ratlines and more. Measures just over 6 inches in length when built. The Great Western was the first ship specifically built for the Atlantic Ferry Service and was designed by I.K. Brunel (who designed the Great Eastern). When launched in 1837, she carried 120 first class, 20 second class, and beds could be set up for an additional 100 if needed. The crew was 60 men. The first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean was in April of 1838 and took just over 15 days. After crossing the Atlantic 64 times, she ran for 10 years between Southampton and the West Indies before being broken up in 1857.
Tamiya IJN Junyo Aircraft Carrier, 1/700, 76
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$24
Waterline model that is very highly detailed and finely molded and includes and airwing of Zeros, Vals & Kates (and perhaps a few Judys). Never started. The kit has been inventoried and the actual ship is complete; but NOTE: missing the flag decal and the name plate (for a display base). Otherwise complete and includes all other parts and instructions.
Tamiya IJN Yamato Japanese Battleship Motorized, 1/350, 7302
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$95
Large-scale, highly detailed model designed for scale four-propeller drive in water; ideal for remote control (R/C) conversion. This motorized version is long out of production. The kit is very highly detailed and includes the gear box, all hardware, drive propellers, switch and more. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes flags and instructions. Please note that Tamiya did not include a motor in this issue.
Sealsmodel Mikasa Pre-Dreadnought Battleship, 1/700, SMP0013800
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$34
Very highly detailed and finely molded waterline model. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Mikasa was the only ship of her class and took part in the Russo-Japanese war. In the late 1890s the Japanese shipyards were not quite yet ready for such a project, so the Navy contracted with Vickers in Great Britain to build this ship, which is actually a highly modified Formidable class. Mikasa saw a great amount of action at Port Arthur and the Battle of the Yellow Sea. She was preserved as a museum ship in 1923. Mikasa suffered from neglect during and after WWII, but was restored to her former glory in the 1950s after a campaign led by the Japan Times and Admiral Chester Nimitz. The Mikasa is the only surviving pre-dreadnought in the world.
Novo Techna Soviet Type D Series I Submarine, 1/400, K4004
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$10
Ex-Soviet Union kit that is very well molded for that time with very fine detail and hull drain holes. Full hull model measures 7.5 inches long when assembled and includes display stand and decals. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags, which is attached to cardstock that is folded in two. At times the factory workers had to get pretty creative because of a shortage of staples. Beyond staples, I have seen the bag of parts attached with tape, a clothing snap, a rivet or even sewn on with thread!
Arii USS Nautilus SSN571 Nuclear Submarine, AR116-D100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$69
Very rare; not even listed in John Burn's guide. Small scale kit that measures about 6.6 inches long when assembled. The kit is basic, featuring only 10 plastic parts. It is also designed for motorized operation, and comes with a big slow-rpm prop, rubber motor and torpedo-shaped weight holder and weight that hang from the bottom when you wish to operate it. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes instructions. The instructions are on the bottom of the box top.
Marusan Nautilus SSN571 Nuclear Submarine Commemorative Issue - (ex-Revell), 1/305
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$69
Very rare. This is a special issue by Marusan commemorating their very first kit - the Revell Nautilus. The contents are worthy of some detail. First, there is a 'Commemorative Booklet' which tells a fairly long story across many pages (in Japanese). The final page shows illustrations of the first Marusan print advertisements to promote the Nautilus, as well as a Marusan catalog page and a Revell/Marusan catalog page. The actual kit contains a copy of the original instruction sheet with "Marusan Plastic Model Kit" inside the Revell logo design, the older "SAN" logo and the special stand. The model parts are beautifully presented against white cardboard and factory sealed in clear bags. The special stand is included as well as the gold and black stand sticker. Complete and never started, with all paperwork and parts bags in mint condition.
Hasegawa Submarine I-370 and I-68 IJN With Kaiten, 1/700, WLS073
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$14
Very highly detailed waterline small scale (1/700) model. Contains both submarines and separately molded Kaitens. This kit has never been started. Inventoried with all plastic parts, decals and instructions present. NOTE: missing metal weights.
AGA Sokol Polish Navy (U-Class) Submarine, 1/400, 1403
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG
$14
Still factory sealed, but the seal has drawn the box top concave. Solol and her sister Dzik were the first submarines delivered to the Polish Navy once WWII began. By Feburary of 1941 Sokol was patrolling the Bay of Biscay. The Dzik was delivered on October 11, 1942 and entered service very quickly. Both of these ships achieved significant success in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, where they destroyed several enemy ships. Both subs outlasted the war and were returned to England. The Sokol was broken up in 1949 and the Dzik was lent to the Danish Navy in 1946. Her active service ended in 1957 and she was broken up in 1958. Very nicely molded and detailed but certainly not a 'state of the art' Tamiya style kit. Features full hull with propellers and rudder, display stand, color paint guide for two different paint schemes on the back of the box with rigging diagram and full decals for either scheme with flags.
Skywave TWO Gato Class Submarines TWO Japanese Sub Chasers TWO B-24 Bomber, 1/700, 18
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$24
Hard-to-find model from excellent molds with all recessed panel lines. Features Two full-hull or waterline Gato subs, two Japanese Sub Chasers (waterline), two B-24 Liberator Bombers and an extensive decal sheet for all models. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Skywave German Navy U-Boat Bunker U-Boat S-Boat Base, 1/700, 5
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$39
Well detailed and molded 1/700 scale kit features two bunkers with interior detail, roof top with AA battery and decals. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions (on the back of the box).
Aurora Atomic Submarine Nautilus SS571, 1/242, 500-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$179
Rare, Brooklyn-produced, early 1950s U-Ma-Kit. This was Aurora's first naval model. Molded in the correct glossy very dark gray plastic and includes a display stand and decals to match the box art. Never started and complete with all parts, 'very good++' condition decals and 'near mint' instructions. The box has excellent color, four solid corners with no repairs, no fading and no price tags. The only tape is the factory sealing tape on the long sides. There is a light grease pencil price at the top center as shown and general shelf/edge wear.
Aurora Atomic Submarine Nautilus SS571, 1/242, 500-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Poor
$58
NOTE: builder or parts kit only, please read carefully. Rare, Brooklyn-produced early 1950s U-Ma-Kit. This was Aurora's first naval model. Molded in the correct glossy very dark gray plastic. The kit has never been started. NOTE: missing parts. Both bow dive planes and one prop are missing. NOTE: decals have been cut out and are missing (2) eyeballs and one shark's mouth. Otherwise inventoried with all other parts, decals (separated) and instructions. NOTE: instructions are present but completely split in two down one fold seam. The box looks better than the 'poor' rating but is graded as such because there is extensive clear tape holding the top together, stains and missing litho as shown at the bottom and on the bottom long side. The tray (lower box) is present but split along most seams.
DML USS Ohio / Soviet Alfa / Tu-95 Bear D / (2) Ka-25B Hormones, 1/700, 7002
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$24
Contains all 5 models. Very finely molded and detailed. Submarines can be built waterline or full hull and include display stands. Aircraft can be 'in-flight' or 'ground' configuration and include extensive decals and display stands. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Revell USS Growler SS215 Pacific Fleet Submarine, 1/220, 5205
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$34
1982 issue from the original 1970s molds. Large 21 inch long kit that is well detailed for that time. Features detailed conning tower and periscopes, swiveling anti-aircraft guns, detailed torpedo tubes, rudder and screws and a display stand. The kit has never been assembled but NOTE: the propellers and stand bases are very neatly airbrushed bronze (props) and black (stands). It has been inventoried and the actual submarine is complete but NOTE: missing (2) parts, the front of the stand and the name plate. Otherwise complete with all other parts and includes decals and instructions. USS Growler was captained by Commander Howard W. Gilmore. On February 7, 1943, Growler was patrolling on the surface in the Pacific when an enemy vessel was spotted close aboard. The enemy changed course to ram and succeeded, leaving Growler and the Hayasaki crippled. However, Hayasaki opened fire with .60 caliber machine gun fire from close range, mortally wounding Commander Gilmore. His dying words were 'Take her down.' He remained on the bridge while the sub crash-dove to safety. Gilmore received the Navy Cross, Gold Star and a posthumous Medal of Honor.
Varney US Navy Fleet Submarine, 1/240
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$1100
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 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. Hobby Shops 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. Distributors stopped carry the kits due to a lack of reporders. 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 1946 with the same result. That marked the end of Varney's venture into non-train scale plastic models. Varney dedicated all production to HO trains 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 a superb, investment-grade "excellent++" example. The box top has like-new color and gloss, four solid corners with no repairs, no tape or price tags, no marks from tape or tags and no tears or other litho damage. Flaws include very light and even edge wear (as shown), very slight 'dishing' inward and very light foxing on two box sides. Inside, the kit is still as it came from the factory. The yellow parts display is 'very good++' and the only flaw is the scuffing as shown. The small parts bag is still factory sealed and factory stapled to the yellow display. The glass display stand arm is tucked into its holder. The heavy one-piece molded hull is beautiful and in rare crack-free condition 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 its own holder. Very large instruction sheet is near mint and folds out to illustrate construction and offers numerous display ideas for this new medium in hobby kits. 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 'near mint' condition on the hull and 'excellent' on the stand base. A rare example of a classic kit. Shipped with insurance only.
Skywave Iwo Jima Diorama / Fletcher DD / LST with vehicles / LSM / LCI / LCT (2 types) / With Base, 1/700, SW-1000
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$75
Rare. Includes all of the follow waterline ships and accessories - vacuform display base with water, beach and inland zones, a superb Fletcher class destroyer with a choice of hull numbers, Landing Ship Tank Mk2 with M4 Sherman and LVT tanks, GMT trucks, jeeps, LCVP and barrage balloons, LSM, LCI, LCT(3) and LCT(R) craft. There are extensive decals for all ships and most all have different hull number options. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Lindberg IJN I-53 Type C-3 Submarine With Kaitens - 58.5 Inches Long, 1/72, 70818
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$175
NOTE: in the USA, email me for a UPS GROUND shipping quote. I can run it manually and the savings over USPS is usually 50%. Rare and still factory sealed. Long out of production. This giant kit features over 300 parts. Many people have converted it to remote control (R/C parts not furnished). NOTE: this is such a large kit that it can only be shipped alone (not with other kits). This very large box can be mailed within the USA and some overseas countries; however it cannot ship to certain countries with smaller postal size restrictions.
Trumpeter German Zerstorer Z-25 1944, 1/350, 05321
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$34
A state-of-the art kit from new molds. It includes photoetched details, a one-piece full hull and is extensively detailed with 379+ parts. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.