Revell 1893 Duryea Highway Pioneers - US Antique Series, 1/32, H61-69
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$40
1954 'US Antique' series issue molded in black plastic. This kit has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with all parts and instructions present. This is from the issues produced with Gowland & Gowland as it carrier their 'balloon' logo only on the box top. Not long after this, the Gowland logo would disappear completely, leaving only the Revell logo. It is also worth noting that this is one of the first non-generic Highway Pioneers boxes. Earlier boxes were all the same, with the kit number and car stamped on the side, usually with a red or black rubber stamp. This box is completely dedicated to the Duryea kit, and even has advertisements for the early Revell 1954 ship and aircraft kits on the long sides. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
Revell 1904 Nash Rambler Highway Pioneers - US Antique Series, 1/32, H47-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$38
This is the 1954 issue, which is the second release. This one shows up much less frequently than the first issue from 1953, which had a generic box. The 2nd issue "US Antique Series" had dedicated artwork on each box representing the kit inside. The artwork on the side of the box is an excellent cross-section of the Revell lineup for 1954 and shows Pre-S ships and aircraft as well as the Chuck Wagon and Firefighter Steamer. This kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internally sealed factory 'krinkle' bag. Includes instructions. These kits have a fascinating history. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream and never made the top 10 list of boys activities. Spurred on by the nation-wide aviation craze in the 1920s, many became modelers and built flying or static wooden models of airplanes, ships, trains, automotive and other subjects. Basic kits existed, but many of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s when the Gowland & Gowland/Revell Highway Pioneers became the sales sensation of the year. Demand was so great that the factories could not keep up and almost overnight 'model building' was mainstream. The phenomenon of the 'Highway Pioneers' kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles fit the bill: they could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real cars. The success of the Highway Pioneers lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the late 1950s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys...and many adult males too!
Revell 1907 Renault Limousine - Highway Pioneers Series Four, 1/32, H53-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$39
1953 early issue molded in peach-colored plastic. This is from the issues produced with Gowland & Gowland as it carrier their 'balloon' logo on the side. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
Revell 1910 International Auto Wagon - Highway Pioneers US Antique Series, 1/32, H62-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$42
1954 early issue molded in bright yellow plastic. The parts are still factory sealed in the original 'krinkle' bag and includes instructions. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
AMT Bell 222 - California Highway Patrol, 1/48, 8681
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$54
Still factory sealed and from 1991. AMT's quarter-scale '222 has become even more popular and hard-to-find. It features over 70 pieces, detailed cockpit and cabin interior, optional position landing gear, movable rotor blades, CHIPs decals and more.
Trumpeter YF-23 / F-7 II / F-8 II / LS Panavia Tornado / LS Panavia MRCA Tornado / DML A-10A Kuwait Highway Patrol, 1/144, WP01332
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc to Sealed Exc+
$18
SALE!! Includes all six well molded kits. The DML A-10 is still factory sealed. All of the Trumpeter kits are never started and still factory sealed inside; includes decals and instructions. The two LS kits are never started and inventoried complete. Includes decals and instructions.
Hawk 1909 Hupmobile - Highway Classics, 1/24, 635-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$85
Rare hardbox issue dated 1964. The box is in amazing 'Near Mint' condition. Hawk did not issue many automobile kits, but when they did they chose interesting subjects. This one is 1/24 scale and molded in yellow plastic with black wheels. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including instructions. The 1909 Hupmobile was among the first cars to look 'long, low and lovely' with a racy appearance. Rarely seen now, the Hupmobile was very popular in that day due to good performance, looking a bit like a Mercer or Stutz but sporting a much lower price tag. And this kit has a very interesting history also! The molds were originally cut by Kaysun in Japan @ 1954. The kits were a huge advance over the 'Highway Miniatures' and if put side to side put the Revell offerings to shame. I do not know of other kits from Kaysun beyond the two cars. Later in the 1950s Strombecker purchased these molds and issued them in very colorful boxes. However, Strombecker discontinued all plastic kit production in the late 1950s. In 1964 Hawk somehow located these molds. Always with an eye to quality, the Mates brothers knew these were perfect kits for their expanding line of models. The called the Rambler and Hupmobile 'Highway Classics' and issued them in full color boxes that sported photos of the actual built models. There were at least three issues; one at 50 cents, one at 60 cents and one with a special case. However good the kit, the subject matter simply did not catch on and eventually the kits were withdrawn from the line. Polks Hobby Modelcraft found and purchased the molds in 1982 but did not issue the kits. In 1988 Mandrill Manufacturing purchased the Strombecker molds and it is possible these two Kaysun kits is among them.