Revell ships

Grimreaper - I remember that little Aurora B-17, all right. For a long time, if I'm not mistaken, it was the only B-17 on the market - though the big Lindberg one must have come along about that same time. I also recall an Aurora kit that was released in conjunction with the TV show "Twelve O'Clock High." (There's one I'd like to see rerun on cable!) It consisted of three little B-17s in formation, mounted on clear plastic stands with decals on them representing falling bombs. Ah, the things we did with our money in those days.

Schulerwb24 - somewhere on the web there's got to be a site that deals with old merchant ships, but I have no idea what it is. My recollection from those days is that such freighters' masts were usually painted a rather bright yellow ochre (the Cunard steamship line called it "mast color"). Decks were often painted with a dark, red lead primer. That's about the best I can offer.

Got my confirmation on the Aurora B-17, should have in hand by the end of the week.
The "Twelve O'Clock High." series (early/mid 60's?) of re-releases did include the rebox of the B-17 and several of the fighters(ME-109, etc). I saw that B-17 group advertised somewhere in the $800-$1000 range for mint. ( wouldn't you like to have 5 or 6 of those in your closet!) Your description of the freighter paint scheme matches the Hawaiian Pilot box art to the "T".
I'm still searching and if I find any solid info I'll post the location.

Hey guys, Just remember:

Inside every man over 50, there's a 22 year old saying "What the hell happened?"

QUOTE: Originally posted by qmiester Hey guys, Just remember: Inside every man over 50, there's a 22 year old saying "What the hell happened?"

I'm only 42. but "Amen!"

Hey John & Ron,
Well the little kid in me has been on the loose again.
Just won a vintage mint 1955 Monogram 1/100th scale PBY on eBay.
The old box scale "Dumbo" in navy blue plastic.
That was the last of the three old kits from the fifties I was trying to obtain.
Now I need to decide whether to build the PBY and B-17 along with the Hawaiian Pilot or just display the boxes along side?
In any event, I don't have to search any more.
As soon as the PE gets here I'm starting on the Pilot. The box art scheme wih the red lead primer deck, bright yellow-ochre cargo booms, white super structure and black hull should make a colorful display. Might even capture a trophy or two if I'm lucky!
Best regards,
Gary

Let's see...I have only a vague recollection of the Mongram PBY. Does it have vinyl tires, and a nose gear molded integrally with one fuselage half - and instructions to slice it off if you want the landing gear retracted?

Two old Monogram kits I remember a little more clearly were the B-25 and the B-26. I remember being a little disappointed and confused by the B-25. It was an H model, with the solid nose, rather than the cool transparent one the Revell kit had. (Dig that nose gunner - looking to port with a perpetually open mouth.) On the other hand, as I remember, the turret on top of the Monogram one actually had a person inside it - as oppose to the stumps of gun barrels Revell provided.

I understand Thomas Graham is working on a book about the history of Monogram, to accompany the one's he's already published about Aurora and Revell. I'll be among the first purchasers.

You're dead on about the nose gear, and I believe the tires are rubber. Not familiar with either of the Monogram B-25 or B26 kits.
I have the old Revell B-26, Airfix B-26, and Matchbox B-26 kits along with the Revell-Mono 1/48 B-26. Have built the Revell 1/144th B-26 converted to a JM-1 that was my Dad's plane from his days with Utility Squadron 9 in the Pacific 1945. Plane to build the 1/48th kit as a JM-1 also. Big Yellow bird with dorsal turret faired over and gun blisters removed. Almost forgot about the Monogram B-26 snap-tite kit which according to some is very accurate for an early B-26.

if anyone is interested, i found a source for the book "remembering revell" you can get through squadron mailorder. these are the same folks who make the putty etc.thought i would pass it along. thanks for all the info on "bounty"

Hey guys,
I got my 1956 issue Aurora B-17 kit last night.
What a treat. It was as if I had traveled back 50 years. The box is mint and the first thing you see when you open the box is the tissue they used to pack inside to protect the parts.
The plastic is still as shiny as the day it was boxed 54 years ago. Instructions look as if they were printed yesterday. I was originally planning to build it and I still may but for now I'm just to to keep it as is and enjoy feeling like a kid again each time I open it.
Later, "Bombs Away!"
Gary

Man that is awesome! Welcome back to the fifties!