Plastic Model Kits
Sanwa Lockheed C-130B Hercules, 1/205, PA1102-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$95
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. Very nicely detailed for that time with fine surface detail, optional 'closed' or 'open' rear dual cargo doors, moving ailerons, rotating props, optional opened or closed crew boarding stairs/door and colorful decals. Molded in gloss silver, black and clear. includes factory glue tube. Inside, the model is factory new - all the parts and decals are still in the factory sealed clear bags. The decals are flat and 'excellent' with slight yellowing as the only flaw and the instructions in 'near mint' condition. 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.
Sanwa B-26D Invader Bomber - (A-26 / A/B-26), 1/110, 514
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$39
Dates from the early 1960s and very hard to find. The scale is approximate. The kit is dated by the 'Tokyo Plamo' logo, which was used between 1960 and 1964. Inside, the model is factory new - all the parts and decals are still in the factory sealed clear bag. With instructions in 'excellent' condition. 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. There was even a cut away 727 in big 1/96 scale and an Airport Set with a Cessna 180 and Bell 47D Helicotoper. 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.
Lindberg North American F-86 Sabre Jet - First Issue, 1/48, 505
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$48
Very rare first issue with the Lindberg 'Script Cirle' logo, the early 'small box' and no price extension. From the mid 1950s. The side says "Formerly O-Lin Products." Features dramatic Ray Gaedke box art, pilot and ejection seat, two piece canopy, full landing gear, two wing drop tanks, 8 wing-mounted rockets, teardrop-based display stand and decals for the very colorful box art aircraft (including all stripes). Molded in silver and clear. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The decals also have the 'Script Circle' logo and the instructions have the script and rectangle logos. Please note that the instructions show a two piece pilot figure and a sub-floor under the seat; this issue of this model never had a two piece pilot (just a one piece) and the sub-floor was never part of the model. The earlier O-lin issue and the FJ had the two piece pilot, and Lindberg did eventually correct the instructions for the F-86. These kind of errors were very common on early Lindberg kits. Lindberg is a company with a fascinating history The original 'Lindberg Line' stretches back to the 1930s when Paul Lindberg drew plans for famous modeling magazines and marketed his balsa wood 'stick and tissue' by urging dealers to carry the '...Complete Lindberg Line'. After the war, Lindberg and Olsen had a strong hand in early United States injection molded kit development. Please see the article located on this website about early USA plastic kit manufacturers.
Airfix North American B-25C/D Mitchell - B-25D Lady Jane 23rd Antisubmarine Sq Tampa FL July 1943 / B-25C Desert Warrior 8st Bomb Sq (Medium) 12th Group Bolling Field Washington DC July 1943, 1/72, A06015
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$36
Still factory 'rectangle tape' sealed. Modern issue from completely new molds. Features 166 pieces, all recessed surface detail, excellent cockpit and crew stations, detailed bomb bay with optional position bomb bay doors, bomb load, working rudders and elevators, 'good' engine detail, optional position landing gear, separately molded split trailing edge wing flaps, rotating turret with elevating guns, pilot figure, optional parts for different variants and more.
Academy Hughes 500D ASW, 1/48, 1645
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$18
Naval variant of the famous Hughes 500 light helicopter features smoke markers, sonobuoys, torpedo, detailed cockpit, crew members, optional position cabin doors and more. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes instructions. NOTE: missing decals.
Hawk Jupiter-C Rocket - With Explorer Satellite / Launch Pad And Figures, 1/48, 150
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$119
Rare 1958 first issue and a well detailed model of this classic early launch vehicle. Features 360 degree rotating launch stand and base, moving fin aerodynamic surfaces, Explorer satellite, ground crew, full decal and lapel pin. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Hawk Skykray F4-D Picture Gallery, 1/72, 708-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$36
Rare issue from the 1950s from the 'Picture Gallery' series. Includes the correctly early decals and the green tinted canopy. Bill Campbell explained to me that the artist producing the Picture Gallery series artwork had a heart attack and could not finish the assignment. Hawk had to switch artist in a hurry, and that is how Bill found his way to Hawk. Bill did the art from that point forward, making the limited issue PG boxes very desirable for collectors. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. NOTE: the instruction sheet is a quality photocopy of the original. NOTE: the box is only graded 'good' because there is significant bug damage on the side panels. The bugs ate away some of the litho but left the heavy cardboard behind it.
Aurora Convair VR XFY-1 Pogo, 1/48, 60-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$89
First issue from the early 1950s. Rare, big 1/48 scale kit. Please note the early Aurora rectangular logo, which was used from about 1953 to 1955. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including 'excellent' condition, flat decals and instructions and even includes the original factory tissue paper. NOTE: although the kit is complete, 1/8 inch (.31cm) of one-half of a tip tank is gone - it either broke off or was short shot.
Staggerwings Unlimited Beechcraft D17S or G17S Staggerwing - (YC-43 - UC-43 - GB-1 and Traveller I) - (ex ITC), 1/32
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$225
From ex-ITC molds. This is the only large-scale model every made of the one of the most famous and beautiful light planes of all time. Very limited reissue. Includes a large decal sheet with the Staggerwing logo and stripes in black, red, blue and white, along with enough "N" number in large and small sizes for almost any aircraft - also in black, red, blue and white. In addition there are US Stars and Bars for the WWII Military version and a full color, high quality copy of the original 1938 Beechcraft sales brochure. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The decal sheet is in amazing 'near mint' condition.
Pavla Kawasaki Ki-102 Randy - High Altitude Interceptor, 1/72, 72008
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$34
Still factory sealed. The B-29 raids on the Japanese home islands caught the Army and Navy Air Forces unprepared. The S1A1 Denko and Ki-108 were far from successful at this role, so Kawasaki tried using the Ki-102 ground attack variant (derived from the Ki-96 and Ki-108) in a high altitude role. The aircraft were converted and saw service against B-29s at the end of the war, but only 238 were built. This is a well detailed model with many photoetched details.
Ventura Australian Spitfire Mk VIII - RAAF 'ZP-G' or 'UP-B', 1/72, VN0203
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$22
Nicely molded and detailed limited run model. Features main injection molded main parts, cast metal details and decals for two Australian aircraft. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Monogram US Army Armored Half Track Multiple Gun Carriage - Four Star Issue, 1/35, PM23-149
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$94
Rare original issue from 1957. This classic 'Four Star' kit has many operating features and excellent detail. It features flexible tracks, revolving multiple machine gun turret and elevating machine guns, operating doors, full interior, rubber tires and 5 Army soldiers with equipment. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including all parts, decals and instructions. NOTE: decals are only 'good'. The instructions are from the 1960s 'Green Box' issue; the original instructions are missing.
Monogram Grumman F8F Bearcat - Mini Masterpieces, 1/72, 5013
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$26
1989 Mini Masterpieces issue. Older but superb kit made from the original 1960s Blue Box molds. There is no assembly but NOTE: the missiles have been painted silver. There is no other painting. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Monogram Panzer IV with Battle Damaged Parts, 1/32, 6859
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$65
1969 'Green Box' release and a great kit with optional battle damaged parts, flexible treads and decals for three versions. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Airfix Bristol Blenheim IV - Free French or RAF Versions, 1/72, 02027-1
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$24
1975 Type 4 logo issue with very colorful artwork of a trio of Free French planes bombing a target that appears to be North Africa. Features good cockpit and interior, crew members, rotating gun turret and more. Includes decals for both aircraft. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions.
Dragon Mistel 5 He-162A-2 With Arado E-377a - Volksjager Salamander, 1/72, 5002
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$28
Still factory sealed. Dated 1991 and a very highly detailed model. Superbly molded with all very fine recessed panel lines. Features both aircraft, super detailed '162 cockpit, complete turbojet engine, detailed gear wells, photoetched parts, optional position canopy and more.
Aurora Nike Hercules Missile - With Launching Platform MIM-14, 1/48, 379-129
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$325
1958 first and only release. Large 1/48 scale missile includes an elevating launcher, many moving parts and a crew of four. Molded in the correct white and olive drab. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The decals are in amazing 'near mint' condition and the instructions are 'excellent++.' The Aurora "Missile Line" is legendary. In the late 1950s, the first missile model kits sold briskly, so Aurora and Revell both planned extensive lines. However, the missile modeling craze disappeared as quickly as it started. Models that were in the works were canceled or completed if they were far enough along. Those that were completed, like the Nike Hercules, were fine efforts but sold poorly and had very short lives, making them rare collector items today.
FM Bloch MB-155 C-1 - French Air Force Groupe de Chasse I/8 / Groupe de Chasse II/B 4e Escadrille 1941 / Captured Luftwaffe Evaluation Aircraft 1941/42, 1/48, 6002
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$38
Well molded and features fine recessed surface detail, high-definition cast resin pieces, many photoetched brass details, cast metal parts, excellent cockpit, detailed engine, tail wheel ground dolly and more. Includes decals and paint guide for the three aircraft listed. The canopy is still perfectly clear and not yellowed. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Lindberg Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk - (A-4), 1/48, 529-79
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$52
Rare early issue of the Prototype Skyhawk from the mid 1950s. This is the smallest box that anyone has dared place a 1/48 scale A-4 in and the classic box art is by Ray Gaedeck Box. For some reason, this issue is rarer than the other Lindberg kits of that time. This model represents the very early Skyhawk, which is no surprise; Lindberg, like Aurora, often tried to be 'first to market' and did not hesitate to use prototypes for kits. Features detailed jet engine, opening inspection panel, pilot and ejection seat, opening canopy, full landing gear, centerline drop tank, wing rockets and display stand. Never started and inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The box is graded 'good+' because you can just see a very light stain on and below the drop tank.
Lindberg Messerschmitt Me-262, 1/48, 538-100
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$42
Late 1950/early 1960s issue with dramatic Gaekdke artwork. This popular model was the first accurate '262 ever released and features detailed jet engines with removable cowls, retractable landing gear, detailed gun bay with removable cover, hinged cockpit canopy and more. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.