2502-89 Ideal Aeroplane & Supply Sloop-Of-War Ferret 1812 - With Prefabricated Rat Lines
Wood Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
Very rare. This early plastic model kit is dated 1955. It also may be the first all-plastic ship kit ever issued by Ideal Aeroplane & Supply Company, which was simply known as 'Ideal' at this time. Under both names Ideal was famous for their extensive line of military and civil ships made with wood and metal. Although the exact story of how this kit came to will probably never be known, we can take an accurate guess. Since ideal was a manufacturer of model kits, they certainly noticed the Gowland & Gowland Highway Pioneers and how they had launched a new sector of the Hobby Industry. After seeing Varney, early Revel or Gowland & Gowland's small ship models (likely the latter), Ideal decided to make plastic kit of their own. A subject was chosen - most likely based on their successful wood and metal kit of the Sloop-of-War Ferret, which was a 23.5 inch long model. Scaling this down, Ideal designed and had molds cut to what was a high standard for that time. The model measures 8.5" long when assembled. Credit also goes to Ideal's market research who realized this model had a different audience than all their other kits; instead of the boring two or one color boxes, this one features full color illustration and even the instructions are a work of sketch art with pirates assembling the ship and much more. This is far superior to the Pyro kits of this size which were produced in the later 1950s. The Ideal Ferret features over 40 pieces (many of them quite small), a realistically mold and scale one-piece full hull, almost all deck fittings separately molded, a display stand, completely factory made fabric rat lines (a real plus and nicely done) as well as vividly illustrated instructions and an excellent painting guide. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions in 'excellent' condition.
This item has been sold.
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