Aurora Aurora ATLANTIS Merchant Raider Factory Model, 1/456
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: No Box
$1400
In the 1950s and early 1960s the major model manufacturers would create factory-built and painted display models. These were intended for hobby shops to help stimulate sales. These were disposable items that were produced in very low numbers, so they are very rare today. Here is one of the rarest of the rare: The 'Rattlesnake of the Ocean' Merchant Sea Raider Atlantis factory build up by Aurora. The unbuilt kit is among the most valuable and rare Aurora single kits, making the factory built display much more so. This one is in excellent original condition. The painting is 1950s professional quality as is the gluing. The glue has held up well and all parts of the ship are very solid. The ship is very clean. The original paint is almost flawless with some light scratches on the port side. The 'ATLANTIS' decals are perfect. The stack 'K' starboard decal is mint; the port one is missing 2mm of the white top on one leg of the 'K'. The factory cardboard wood-tone base is 100% intact with typical corner splits on the bends and edge wear. The removable covers display is mint with all 10 gun/hanger covers present. The kit is now 100% complete. It was missing 4 small parts which I am providing. I took them from an original Atlantis kit, so they are 100% correct. (they are the propeller, 'Y' rear crane, rear flag and rudder) Overall, this is an excellent and rare investment piece for the advanced Aurora collector. Shipping insurance required. From modeler Stephen Payne: Recommend that the builder or collector of this kit add the following books to their collection-The German Raider Atlantis by Captain Bernhard Rogge & Wolfgang Frank & Sea Raider Atlantis, Story of a German Surface Raider by Ulrich Mohr & A.V. Sellwood. The first book is by the ATLANTIS commander, Kapitan zur See Bernhard Rogge. He oversaw the transformation and outfitting in Bremen and captained the ship during her 602 day operational voyager which sank or captured 22 ships totaling 144,384 t (142,104 long tons). Rogge also was one of the few German officers of flag rank who was not arrested by the Allies after the war due to the way he had exercised his command of Atlantis. Captain J. Armstrong White, captain of the British CITY OF BAGHDAD, which Atlantis sank in July 1941, stated, "His treatment of prisoners left respect, instead of hatred."The second book is by the ATLANTIS First Officer, Ulrich Moher. Both books read much the same as the events related are the same, but it is interesting to see these events from the two perspectives. Captain White (see above) wrote the foreword to Atlantis, the Story of a German Surface Raider, written by U. Mohr & A. V. Sellwood.The German auxiliary cruiser Atlantis (HSK 2), known to the Kriegsmarine as Schiff 16 (SHIP 16) and to the Royal Navy as Raider-C, was a converted merchant vessel to German Hilfskreuzer (auxiliary cruiser) used for commerce raiding. Commerce raiders did not seek to engage warships, but rather attack enemy merchant shipping; the measures of success are tonnage destroyed (or captured) and time spent "at large" holding up enemy resources. Atlantis had the longest raiding career of any German commerce raider in either world war.
Minicraft Lockheed L-188 Electra - Eastern Airlines or KLM, 1/144, 14444
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$22
Still factory sealed. Features recessed surface detail, detailed landing gear, enclose gear bays, rotating propellers and more. Includes very colorful markings for either airline.
Hawk Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback or Bubble Top Versions USAAF or RAF, 1/48, 500-130
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$36
This great 1965 kit has very good detail and excellent fit and finish. Features parts to build the Razorback or Bubble Top versions, very fine raised panel lnes & recessed control surface outlines, good basic cockpit, opened or closed canopies, pilot figure, clear wingtip lights, wing-mounted drop tanks, centerline external bomb load and more. Includes USAAF markings for ace Robert S. Johnson with the 56th FG and 28 confirmed kills. The other markings are for an RAF aircraft seen at Newark, NJ on Feb. 16, 1945. Molded in silver, black and clear plastic. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Testors Lockheed C-130E/H - C-130E Or C-130H Hercules - (C-130), 1/48, 594
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$165
Very large 33 inch wingspan model with excellent detail inside and out, full flight deck and cargo hold, opening cargo doors, optional position forward crew stairs and much more. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Please note that Testors placed this large kit in a larger box than necessary, so shipping will not be inexpensive.
Hasegawa HMS Vanguard Royal Navy Battleship Motorized, 1/450, 6
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$124
Rare, motorized larger-scale kit of the last British Battleship. Nicely molded with 145 parts and includes propellers, shaft & all hardware for operation in water. Easily converted to R/C (radio parts not included). Includes an excellent, full color painting guide on the box side. Never started. All parts are still in factory sealed bags with instructions. Please note that Haseagawa did not furnish the motor with this issue. The common RE-26 is specified.
Revell USS Ward DD139 Detroyer - Wickes Class Four Stacker, 1/240, 5023
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$125
Still factory sealed. Well detailed, large scale full-hull model measures 15.75 inches long when assembled. The Ward was a Wickes-class 1247-ton destroyer launched in 1918 . After serving as a station ship during the first trans-Atlantic flights of NC-1, NC-3 and NC-4 in 1919, she came back to the Pacific and was decommissioned there in July 1921. In 1920 the ship received the hull number DD-139. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Ward was on patrol just outside Pearl Harbor. She spotted and sank Japanese Midget Submarine and fired the first US shots of WWII. The Ward saw extensive activity through the war as a transport in most of the major battle areas of the Pacific as a fast transport. During the Leyte operations she took a Kamikaze hit amidship and the crew had to abandon her. The destroyer USS O'Brien had to sink the Ward with gunfire. The Commanding Officer of the O'Brien was William W. Outerbridge, who had been in command of Ward off Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. The date that she was sunk was December 7th, 1944, three years to the day of her opening shots.
Aurora Lightning P-38 - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 99-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$125
Rare. Third issue with rectangular 'Aurora Line' logo and Famous Fighters of All Nations on the box top. The box has four solid and original corners, no repairs, tags, tag marks or tape (other than the factory sealing tape) but has moderate wear and very light age foxing as shown, hence the grade of 'good.' Inside, this model is molded in a stunning and beautiful correct gloss medium blue plastic and clear. It includes the correct early rectangular clear stand and stand arm. The model has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. Even the original factory tissue packing paper is present. NOTE: the decal were previously stuck to the instructions in several small areas. The actual transfers are in 'excellent' condition; the damage is to the backing paper only.
Aurora P-38 Lightning Brooklyn - Famous Fighters of All Nations, 1/48, 99-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$325
First issue early 1950s from the Aurora Brooklyn factory. Molded with correct light gloss blue and clear plastic with correct Brooklyn stand, decals and instructions. Even has original packing tissue paper. Decals are in beautiful condition and are still flat. Box is excellent with light scuffing as the only flaws. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. The Aurora issues of the 1/48 scale P-38 are interesting to say the least. The first issue is the Brooklyn kit with the P-38/B-24 box artwork. Inside, the plastic is light blue with minimal surface detail and a clear canopy and rectangular stand that says 'Aurora Plastic Corp. Brooklyn, 4, N.Y.'. There are no landing gear, gear doors or mass balances. The second issue has identical box art, plastic color, decals and rectangular stand, but the box and instructions says 'West Hempstead' instead of Brooklyn. The clear stand mold has had 'Brooklyn' milled out, and there is no location on the stand. The third issue has the same artwork, but the full color 'Aurora Line' logo is used - but the big changes were on the inside. Aurora modified the molds, adding a pitot tube, elevator mass balances and landing gear struts, wheels and doors. The decals and stand remain the same, but the new instructions reflect the changes to the molds. This time the kit is molded in an attractive metallic blue. The fourth issue dropped the Jim Cox artwork in favor of a new P-38 flying from right to left across a threatening sky. The plastic still metallic light blue and the decals and stand remain unchanged. The new details were retained. The fifth issue was 1959. The oval 'Famous Fighters' logo was used with Jo Kotula artwork of two P-38s. The detail level of the kit remained the same, but it was molded in olive drab and clear. The newer 'Triangle' base was added at this time. Further issues kept this box artwork, but the oval logo changed as well as the price extensions.
Tauro Model R.N. Gorizia Italian Heavy Cruiser - With Photoetched Railings, 1/350, 203
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$38
Large and highly detailed kit with 229 pieces, a full set of photoetch railings, metal anchor chain and more. Of the Zara class, the Gorizia was lucky to not take part in the disaster of Cape Matapan, where her three sisters, Zara, Pola and Fiume were sunk at very close range by the Warspite. Gorizia did not survive the war, however. When German forces took her over, she was sunk by an attack from British and Italian frogmen. These ships were very fast at 32 knots and well armed with 8 x 8" guns. The kit has never been started. Most parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags; one bag is open and that one tree has been inventoried complete. Includes decals and instructions.
Revell Corporal Missile - Firestone Surface-to-Surface Missile - 'S' Issue, 1/40, H1820-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$130
Very rare first-and-only issue with only the missile and launcher. This S kit is from 1958 and has the great box art that has made these models so popular and collectible. It is a fine model of the early US Army surface-to-surface ballistic missile and features a removable, detailed missile, crew of three, remote control station with radar, working launcher which can be configured for towing or set up for launch and more. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. The box has factory-new gloss and color, four solid corners, no fading, stains or tears, but it does have moderate to heavy creasing as shown at the top.
Revell Whip-Fly Russian Yak-25 Flashlight - Sound and Streamers, 1/50, H158-129
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$125
Rare. Based on the 1950s Yak-25 "S" kit, the Flashlight Whip Fly comes with USSR decals, flight ballast, handle, 12 feet of control line, control ring, colorful streamers for the jet engines and a underside pod which is a in-flight whistle! Never started. All parts and all paperwork are still in the factory sealed bag. The long side of the box shows the complete Whip-Fly series with the action box art, which includes H151 F9F-8 Cougar, H152 F-84F, H153 F-89D Scorpion, H154 F8U-1 Crusader, H155 F-39 Airacobra and H156 F-101A Voodoo. Although not listed yet, there was also a Whip-Fly Canberra, F-106 and Yak-25 Flashlight. The Whip-Fly series seemed like a good idea...at first. Revell quickly realized that spinning heavily-ballasted, sharp objects at dizzying speeds in or outside the home near groups of children was not the best idea. The series was quickly discontinued.
Aurora Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1/76, 372-249
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.
Monogram TWA Airliner Set DC-3 and Super G Constellation, MGP5
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$419
1957 first and only issue of this rare Monogram Gift set. While Revell was very prolific with gift sets in the 1950s, Monogram was very restrained, issuing very few and then only once. This hardbox is in very solid condition with no fading, stains or split corners. There is edge wear that account for the 'VG' box rating. Inside, the kit has the correct cardboard divider. The DC-3 is 1/90 scale and features optional position cabin door, rotating propellers and wheels, pilot, copilot, hostess and passenger figures and colorful TWA decals. The Super G Constellation is 1/131 scale and features two hostesses, two loading ramps, tip tanks, battery truck and full TWA decals. The models have not been started. Both models are inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
O-Lin Republic Seabee Amphibian, 1/48, 503
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++++
$145
Very rare kit for the advanced collector. The Seabee was produced as a high performance sport amphibian. This is a very hard-to-fine original O-lin kit in the small box and advertisement for O-lin cement on the top. Produced in 1949 or just before. O-Lin (Olin) was founded by Paul Lindberg and a Mr. Olsen - hence the company name. Although a producer of flying models in the 1930s, O-lin produced some of the earliest American injection molded kits in the late 1940s. In 1950 the partnership may have ended, because all branding was changed to Lindberg and Paul Lindberg. Inside, the kit is as new. It is molded in high gloss light gray and has the correct decals and instructions. The kit has never been started and is inventoried complete with all parts, instructions and decals.
AMT-Hasegawa Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty Type 1 MkII - (Hasegawa Molds), 1/72, A-681
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$22
From the 1970s. In an effort to boost their quality and sales, AMT formed a marketing agreement with Hasegawa to sell their kits in AMT packages in the USA. This venture was short-lived as Hasegawa soon penetrated the US market without AMT assistance. The model features movable propellers and wheels, optional position landing gear, cockpit with a crew of three and more. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. Please note that three propeller blades are neatly snapped off at the hub; they are all present so you can repair them.
Entex McDonnell Douglas DC-10 - United Air Lines Friend Ship, 1/100, 8456
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$169
Rare and very large scale model from the early/mid 1970s that is about 22 inches long when assembled. Well detailed with a colorful, big decal sheet for United Airlines. The kit has never been started. Internal factory sealed bags including decals and instructions. The box has a stain at the left but the decals and instructions are both in amazing 'near mint' condition.
Aoshima IJN Amatsukaze Japanese Destroyer, 1/700, 62
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$14
Very highly detailed and finely molded waterline model. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Aurora Albatross CIII (Albatros C-III), 1/48, 142-98
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Mint
$115
Still factory sealed and in amazing investment-grade 'Mint' condition. The seal is intact. Second issue dated 1963 that does not have 'Famous Fighters' on the four box side logos. The first issue did have FF in the box side logo borders.
Monogram Eagle Lunar Explorer - Space Patrol and Exploration Landing Vehicle / NASA Space Shuttle With Transport Carrier - Young Astronauts Issue, 1/48, 5906
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+++
$135
Still factory sealed and rare. This 1985 science fiction space craft is very well molded and highly detailed. The unique design is convertible from 1/48 to 1/144 scale and has two versions - one with the US NASA Space Shuttle where the Eagle functions as a shuttle carrier. Features complete cargo interior, cockpit, crew and much more.
Kitty Hawk Su-35 Fullback - 4 Different Markings Options, 1/48, KH80141
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$145
This rare model is a superb kit from all new molds. Features excellent detail inside and out, all fine recessed panel lines, photoetched details, excellent cockpit & gear wells and much more. Includes full color paint guide and decals sheets for different aircraft. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.