Collecting Vintage Plastic Model Airplane Kits
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Craig Kodera
Publisher: Specialty Press
ISBN: 978-1-58007-223-6
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 126
While most modelers buy kits with intent to build them (eventually), some kits have more value in an unbuilt state, as a collector's item. This book from Specialty Press takes a look at these kits, ranging in age from the 1940s through to the 1960s. All of the well-known companies are presented, like Revell, Monogram, Aurora, and Lindbergh, as well as some of the lesser-known ones like Renwal, Allyn, and Comet.
The book looks at aircraft kit collecting from several angles, starting with a discussion on those kit manufacturers. Many of these are still around today, but some have disappeared into history. The book then delves into the question of why people collect kits and how these historical kits were marketed. This is where we see all of that amazing box artwork that was designed to grab the eye on the shelf. Stories of hobby shops follows that, and then the book goes into detail on some of the many collectible kits.
Throughout the book there are lots of images of colorful boxtops, engaging advertising, and photos of the original kit pieces. Rarities such as the ITC F-108 Rapier and Thor Missile Base are shown alongside the Revell X-17 Research Missile, Aurora Gotha Bomber, Frog C-119, and Sanwa C-124. With many of these kits valued at hundreds of dollars, these photos are likely the only way we'll see them, so having this broad a collection in the pages of this book is welcome indeed.
For those interested in classic kits and the kit collector world, this is a great title to pick up. My thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy.