discussion Old kits found

[flyjoe180]

Hi everyone. I recently went through my stash of model kits and found these three among them. I think I bought them around 18 years ago as part of an estate sale. I have a rough idea from the internet that the kits date from the 1960s. I would like to ask if they may be worth something to a collector? It would be a shame to build them if they are gold to someone as non assembled kits.

Here they are:

1. Lindberg Ju-88. I'm unsure of the scale, it looks something a little larger than 1:72 but definitely smaller than 1:48. Lots of nice smaller details, such as an engine/bomb trolley, detailed instrument panel and engine details, among others. The landing gear is retractable, and the control surfaces are movable. A really nice kit by the looks of it for its age.

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2. Airfix Douglas C47 Dakota. Again, nice kit for its age and I suspect, a classic. Opening loading doors, retractable landing gear, and movable control surfaces. Options for a civil airline scheme, or a drab US military scheme. The decals are a little yellow but in good condition otherwise. Here is the C47:

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3. The last in my rediscovered treasure trove. Airfix Dornier 217-E2. Again, typical features include retractable landing gear, a rotating gun turret and movable control surfaces. Molded in light blue, and the decals are there but look rather yellow again. To be expected I suppose after 40+ years. Here she is:

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So there you have them. Among 30 or so kits these were lingering. They have been stored in a dry place since I have owned them.

Does anyone have any idea what they may be worth, if anything? As I said I would rather they went to a collector than be built. Look forward to your thoughts.

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[Guest]

Looks like you have some classics there; I'd try ebay!

 

[aaron]

This post makes me feel guilty, i scored a heap of classics all in 1:32 but for the pure purpose to build. In fact my bench hack test model is an oldie.

Some kid had them in the "antique" section instead of "model" section. Six 1:32 hasegawa and revell kits for $30

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

If they were mine I would build them and place them in a nice glass display case with the boxeswhich in some cases could be more than the value of the contents. I have never seen the point of collecting unmade models but I know alot of collectors of this type of product will disagree. I dont know that these things have any real tangible value. It all boils down to what someone is prepared to pay.

 

[flyjoe180]

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I never thought other than that they would be worth only as much as someone is prepared to pay for them, as is so often the case for such items. I don't need the cash, I don't really want to sell them, but if they had some value to a collector I would probably part with them. The builds with the original boxes is a nice idea though.

I did some more research and found that the Lindberg Ju88 dates back to the late 1950s or early 1960s and features Ray Gaedke artwork. Apparently it is in fact 3:16 scale per the box. Made in England. The Airfix C47 is kit 483 and had a price in pencil on it (pre decimal currency system in NZ) of 6/-. What that is I don't actually know, I am too young. The Dornier 217-E2 is kit number 383 and had an original price of 4/6. More nostalgia! What that confirms though is the kits were sold prior to 1967.

 

[Ian M]

If you don't want to build them, then sell them. Bung 'em on e-bay and let them ride for a month. Don't forget to set a minimum price though. It would be a pity if someone stole them for a couple of quid.

It all boils down to if you want to speculate in plastic or not. Certain types could put them in with a high reserve just to awaken a bit of interest and get unsuspecting bidders to think they are worth much more.

If my old brain can still dig that deep 6/- or six shillings is what the today call 30 pence, although the value is not the same these days....

20shillings = one pound.

Ian M

 

[flyjoe180]

Thanks Ian. So one shilling = 5 pence. I'll see if anyone has listed any of these kits on ebay or the local trading site and see what happens to them. If anyone here might be interested just PM me. Like I said I'm not desperate to sell them, I just didn't want to make a 40+ year old kit if it is worth more to a collector who will continue to store them for future generations. As intimated by HAWKERHUNTER, I suspect the boxes might be worth more than the contents. They are in great condition for their age and the artwork is fantastic compared to today's computer generated box art.