Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM+
$64
Ross Abare issue Gotha in amazing investment-grade, 'Near Mint' condition. Mr. Abare, a rare kits dealer in the earliest days of the hobby, contracted with Aurora to produce a copy of the original 1958 kit. However, Aurora had the printers use the mid 1960s oval logo without the 'Famous Fighters' in the border- thus forever separating the Abare issue from the original issue. Mr. Abare was reportedly quite upset, as he wanted exact copies. Molded in deep burgundy and black plastic. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$49
This is the hard-to-find third issue of this kit. It retains the original 1956 box art, but the square Aurora 'Northern Lights' logo is gone, replace by the famous sunburst 'Famous Fighters' oval. The price extension is 79 cents. The second issue is identical except for a 69 cent extension. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$44
1957 hardbox issue with the Parents' Magazine seal. Please note that this is an earlier issue with 'Famous Fighters' in the oval border of the Aurora logo and is has the '.29' cent price extension. This small scale kit has dramatic Jo Kotula box artwork and is nicely molded kit with clear canopy, full landing gear and display stand. This is a model of the very early YF-102 prototype with the straight (non-area rule) fuselage. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions. Around this time, Aurora issued a series of inexpensive (usually 29 cent) small scale kits that were designed to sell at almost any type of retail location. The line was successful and further expanded - when Aurora purchased the Comet molds, they fit in nicely with this established line.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$69
Still factory sealed and rare. The box is in investment-grade 'Near Mint' condition. Dated 1972 and part of Aurora's Animal Series which included the Black Bear & Cubs, American Buffalo White Tail Deer, White Stallion, Wild Horse Black Beauty and Thoroughbred Race Horse.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$38
Smaller scale model from ex-Comet molds. This is the Aurora of Canada issue dated 1964 in the 'smaller, shorter' box. Features all fine recessed panel lines, clear cockpit and fuselage windows, rotating propellers and a display stand. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$275
Rare first issue hardbox dated 1964 is 100% correct and complete. Not a modern reissue. This famous Aurora Monster kit shows Dr. Jekyll trying to reverse the overwhelming effect of Mr. Hyde. Features large-scale figure with lab coat and flask, laboratory base, lab table and stool, test tubes and base, beaker with spilled liquid, chemical decanter, flask with tube and stand, bunson burner, spider web, rat and name plate. Molded in the correct ivory plastic. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions in 'excellent' condition. The box has excellent color and gloss, four solid corners, no repairs, no fading stains or price tags, no tape or tape marks and no tears or missing litho but is only graded 'good+' because the long sides are bowed out as shown, there is a crease at the lower right and there is light general wear. Please note that this kit must be shipped insured.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$145
Rare 1960s issue retaining the same artwork as the 1956 issue. The hardbox is in amazing 'Excellent++' condition which is rare. This kit has arguably the most dramatic and fanciful B-29 artwork from the 'Golden Era' of modeling. Never started. Inventoried an the actual aircraft is complete with the decals and instructions but NOTE: missing the display stand. Responding to market information that boys wanted larger kits, Aurora introduced the B-26 followed by the B-29 and B-25, all of which sold well for many years. This is likely the 4th issue. I believe the 3rd issue is almost identical but has "Famous Fighters" in the oval logo. That would date this kit as 1963 and up till the 'Big A' box issue. Note the square 'Northern Lights' logo has been replaced with the Aurora sunburst oval logo.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$79
Rare first issue dated 1955; please note early rectangular 'Aurora Line' Logo and 'Famous Fighters of All Nations' script. Features movable control surfaces, very good cockpit, two crew members, bomb load, detailed twin-row engine, rotating propeller, working arresting hook and more. This early issue has the correct 'rectangle-base' clear stand. The instructions are correct and reflect as well, as does the decal sheet which is correct in not having a stand decal. The instructions are 'excellent' and the decals are almost flat (the the slighest curl on one end), 100% intact and also graded 'excellent' with light age yellowing. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM+
$80
Dated 1962 with beautiful john Steel hardbox artwork. Very rare in this condition with the box in investment-grade 'Near Mint+' condition. Color and gloss are like new, all corners are solid, no repairs, no tape or tape marks (other than the marks from the original narrow factory packing tape, no stains, fading, tears or rips and no creases. There is the original K-Mark price tag for 41 cents on the left short side and very, very light general wear as shown. Molded in a beautiful gloss dark blue and clear plastic. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions (both in 'excellent' condition).
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$75
1967 issue with a superb 'excellent' condition box with factory-new gloss & color and four solid corners. After the sales slow down in the mid 1960s, Aurora realized that it must put out higher quality models to compete; this AH-1G is one of those highly improved kits. Features very fine raised surface detail, very good dual cockpits, crew of two, external ordnance, rotating main and tail rotors and more. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$62
1968 issue of the famous tandem light aircraft that saw civil and military service. After Aurora purchased the Comet molds, they reissued the Comet civil light aircraft line. It appears that Aurora may have been inspired by the Comet kits or sales of the reissues, and they produced several more new molds to add to the line. This Skymaster is one of those kits. Since the model was designed new, it has significantly more detail than the older Comet kits. Features all recessed panel lines, full interior with front and back bulkheads, four bucket seats and instrument panel, clear windows and rotating propellers. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$115
Hardbox issue of this classic Aurora kit dated 1960. Notice the 79 cent extension, 'Sunburst' logo with no 'Famous Fighters' which makes this issue closer to about 1963/4. Molded in black and clear with the clear triangular 'globe' display stand. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$60
1963 issue in fantastic condition with perfect gloss & color and Jo Kotula artwork. The box top has the blue outline oval logo and the four box sides have the solid yellow outlined logo. Features cockpit, pilot figure, detailed engine, ground officer and ground panel with built-in chocks. With rigging instructions. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$52
1958 issue with fantastic Jo Kotula artwork. This is a nice kit for that time with cockpit floor, seats, control sticks and instrument panels, clear windscreens, pilot figure, display stand, jigs to ensure correct wing angle and more. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$79
1964 issue of Aurora's 'Super Detailed Museum Model with Plated Parts.' Done in a big 1/16 scale, this kit and the other 'Old Timers' in the series represented a significant leap forward in quality for Aurora. This kit features full engine, transaxle and driveline detail, complete interior, suspension and steering linkage, exhaust and more. Molded in red, black and with brass plated parts and real white rubber tires. Never started. The parts have been inventoried 100% complete and includes instructions. Aurora was renowned for turning a profit and for keeping expenses down. In researching new kit subjects, they came upon a forgotten jewel - the Hudson Miniatures line of 1/16 scale wooden kits. Hudson had discontinued this line due to lack of sales of wooden kits. But the Hudson models were second to none in quality, research and documentation. Aurora was quick to realize this and used the research and layout from these kits to create the subjects for this 'Old Timers' series. It is fortunate for us that they did, because in most cases this is the only injection molded kit of these rare and classic early automobiles.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$169
Hard-to-find 1/48 scale issue includes both well detailed kits. The M8 features movable tracks and bogie wheels, movable bulldozer blade and ammunition loader, drivers compartment, driver and much more. The Howitzer has a movable breech, recoil mechanism, limber, gun trails & wheels, 7 figures and more. The kits have never been started. Both have been inventoried 100% complete with all parts including decals and instructions. Aurora did not issue a terrain base with this kit.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$75
The I-19 is famous for firing history's most successful torpedo spread off Guadalcanal. On September 14, 1942, the I-19 was patrolling of the Solomons when she fired a 6 torpedo spread. Three hit and sank the US Carrier CV-7 WASP, and the remaining three exploded against the BB North Carolina and the destroyer O'Brien. The destroyer sank and the North Carolina had to be repaired at Pearl till November 16, 1942. The I-19's Glen seaplane also flew night reconnaissance on February 23, 1942 over Pearl Harbor for the planned second attack by Emily flying boats on that base. This is the 1969 hardbox issue with the 'Big A' logo. This large scale and well detailed kit is almost 16 inches long when assembled. It is from Aurora's efforts of the late 1960s/early 1970s to make better models. Aurora knew that the 1950s kits were outclassed by the mid 60s and cut a new series of molds including several ships, helos and subs. The result was very good mold quality and detail. Includes large display stand molded in wood brown, decals, periscope and cranes, detailed Glen Seaplane, conning tower and deck guns. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$52
Rare early 1960s issue and harder to find than the original 1956 release. This was only made for a year or two before the new artwork release. Please note the full, original artwork (the only issue with such) due to the 'transparent' new simplified oval logo at the lower right. The side logos still have the old 'Famous Fighters' in the border. Molded in the correct gloss olive drab and black plastic and with the chock ground base and pilot & mechanic figures. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$325
Very rare and 100% correct first issue from 1954 with the proper swastika box art and swastika decals. This one is even rarer as it is never started and complete. The model is molded in the correct gloss black and clear, with the rectangle-based clear stand, matching instructions, decals and even the original factory tissue packing paper. The decals are in stunning 'near mint' condition, flat and have only the slightest touch of yellowing. The instructions are 'excellent' with slight yellowing, light wear and a 3/4" long closed split on one fold crease. The box has excellent color and gloss, four solid original corners (no repairs), no price tags or tag marks, no tape or tape marks (other than the thin factory sealing tape of course), no fading, stains or torn/missing litho. Flaws include general even wear, especially to the left corners and edge as shown. This kit has a fascinating history. The FW-190 was among the first (or was the first) kit made at the new West Hempstead factory in 1954. It immediately followed the famous "Brooklyn 8" (Aurora's first 8 aircraft kits). It was Aurora's first WWII aircraft kit to be originally issues with landing gear and bombs but still retains the small clear rectangle stand which was also shown on the instructions. This first issue shows the swastika on the box art and decals; however, Aurora quickly realized that they could not sell the kit in Europe. So they used an ink stamp to black out the offensive mark on the box top and initially cut it out of the decal sheet; however, they were quick to make a completely new decal sheet with the 'iron cross' replacing the swastika. These alterations are often called the 'second issue' although it carried the same part number and everything else was the same. The third issue came out in 1957; the same box art was used, but there were many other changes. The left-hand international insignia panel was eliminated; the yellow rectangle 'blotted out' the old logo and the oval 'Famous Fighters' logo was used instead; the swastika on the tail was neatly painted out and a small iron cross added; 'Famous Fighters of All Nations' was moved to the upper right with much smaller font; "Focke-Wulf 190" was placed at the upper left; the text below the tail feathers was changed to "1/4 Scale Model All Plastic Assembly Kit." The instruction sheet was also changed to reflect the new 'triangle' base stand, iron cross tail decal and logo change; the decal sheet was the same as the second issue but with a triangle-shaped stand decal added.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$129
Dated 1958 with fantastic Jo Kotula artwork; however, the lack of 'Famous Fighters' in the oval boarder logo means that this kit is from the early 1960s. Molded in a stunning gloss dark green and clear plastic and includes the Aurora two-piece clear 'triangle' base display stand. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Instructions and decals are both in remarkable 'excellent+++' condition. Please note that the box top displays as 'near mint' but is graded only 'very good' because there are tape residue (not tears, residue) at the center of the two long sides.