Questions about some old airplane kits.

[iamsuperdan]

I appeal to the aircraft experts here!

I know very little about airplanes, and almost nothing about airplane kits. A couple of years ago, we started going through my late father in law's garage. THe attic was packed full of old magazines, comics, and old books. Hidden amongst those were a few model kits. There were a couple of auto kits, and several airplanes.

I'm not looking to get rid of these, but I do have questions , as per below.

 

 

Revell Messerschmitt Bf109G - I think as it sits, these are somewhat rare, in that the decal sheet includes swastikas. Kit makers have stopped provided period correct decals now, right? THis one even had an extra set of decals in it, along with some period correct sandpaper and glue. I'm sure the glue is just fine to use now. lolz

 

 

Hawk P47D Thunderbolt - all molded in chrome, 1/4 inch scale. What does that translate to?

 

Life Like Hobby Kits - Laird-Turner Pesco Special - any idea what scale this thing is?

 

[Jim B]

Pretty cool kits.  1/4" scale is the same a 1/48 scale.

[Ace-Garageguy]

The LifeLike racing plane kit scales were all over the board, and when they were noted on the box, they weren't always correct anyway.

Their Gee Bee, originally a Pyro kit, was labeled 1/32, when in fact it was actually about 1/26.

The trick to determine the model's scale is to dry assemble the kit's wings and fuselage and measure the wingspan (or just measure the wing lengths and the fuselage width where they attach) and divide this into the wingspan dimension of the real airplane (in this case, the real one was modified during its career, and when raced as the Pesco Special, it had a wingspan of about 25 feet, or 300 inches).

It's an important plane in air-racing history, having won the Thompson Trophy twice...once in Pesco and once in Champion livery.

http://www.air-racing-history.com/aircraft/Laird Turner Meteor.htm

 

Edited January 16, 2018 by Ace-Garageguy

[Snake45]

Hello? Is this thing on?

ETA: Apparently it is. The mystery deepens....

ETA: Is it STILL on? 

Edited January 16, 2018 by Snake45

[Renegade]

Don't blame you. I would keep them too even though I'm not into planes. Amazing condition for being stored in the attic.

[Snake45]

Many kits no longer include [tail] decals, and they're especially missing from box art. But aftermarket [tail] decals are commonly available, and many kits have "work-around" decals where the thing is divided into two pieces or something. The Revell 1/32 109G isn't particularly rare, and much better kits of the subject in the scale have been issued since then, but that boxing might be of interest to someone for nostalgia purposes. (I have one in my own stash.)

The Hawk P-47, circa 1964, is 1/48 scale. With its plating and "convertible" building variations, it was something of a "superkit" in its day (Retail $2, about twice what comparable airplane models sold for). What you have here is either the first or second boxing of the kit, again, of interest to modelers with a nostalgic bent. 

I believe the Laird racer is 1/32. I also believe it's been reissued by Lindberg. You might find out more about it by googling it under that label.

Edited January 17, 2018 by Snake45

[iamsuperdan]

Cool.

 

Thanks everyone!

Edited January 21, 2018 by iamsuperdan

[Roadrunner]

On 1/16/2018 at 7:07 PM, Snake45 said:

Many kits no longer include [tail] decals, and they're especially missing from box art. But aftermarket [tail] decals are commonly available, and many kits have "work-around" decals where the thing is divided into two pieces or something. The Revell 1/32 109G isn't particularly rare, and much better kits of the subject in the scale have been issued since then, but that boxing might be of interest to someone for nostalgia purposes. (I have one in my own stash.)

Revell never really had a problem with swastika decals (that I'm aware of), but Revell of Germany is another story. And yes, the Hasegawa and new Revell '109G's (possibly even the Trumpeter kits), are much better than this old kit, Hasegawa being the best of the three, in my opinion.

[vintagerpm]

Won't get swastika decals in any kit from Germany. Rest of the world still includes them (except in the kits they sell in Germany).

[Dragline]

My question is what comics were in the stash. If you have any questions about them I'm your guy.

[iamsuperdan]

On 3/18/2018 at 9:46 AM, Dragline said:

My question is what comics were in the stash. If you have any questions about them I'm your guy.

Hi Bob,

 

I'll shoot you a PM about those. Other than Judge Dredd, I know nothing about comics. Doing some online research, but I'm no expert.

It's mainly old Conans, Kull, Red Sonja. There's a few Batman, some Thor and other Marvel stuff. Mostly 70s vintage.

[Dragline]

Sounds OK. if you have a question ask. Take some pics and I can quickly give you some info. I am quite literally a walking encyclopedia of comics and comic history.