Airplane and Rocket Models

by David S.

Website visitor David S., who wrote a while back to let me know about the line of Atlantis Models* re−manufactured vintage plastic kits, recently sent these photos of his amazing collection of model airplanes and rockets. As you can seem, most of the airplanes are rubber-powered free-flight. A few electric-powered R/C models are hangared in the garage over the door (a good use of the space). Let's see, for airplanes I spy a P−47 Thunderbolt, an L−4 Grasshopper, a J−3 (or maybe a J−5) Cub, a couple P−51 Mustangs, A Focke-Wulf, a Beechcraft Bonanza, a Supermarine Spitfire (or two), a Sopwith Camel, a Fairchild something-or-other, a P−40 Warhawk, and a Stearman PT−17. In the rocket category is an Estes Mars Lander, an Alpha (of course), a Gyroc, an Honest John, an Aerobee, a Big Bertha, and an Avenger. How many can you identify? David didn't mention whether he flies the free-flight models and rockets or if they're primarily hangar queens. If my models looked that good, I'd be reluctant to fly them!

*  From the Atlantis Models website:

"Atlantis Model Co., manufacturer of plastic models and toys has purchased the tooling for many plastic model kits from the new owners of Revell, Revell Inc. USA-Blitz Partners. These molds were from the tooling banks of Monogram, Revell, Aurora and Renwal, some dating back to the early 1950's. They were stored in Revell's Elk Grove facility in the great state of Illinois and represent Automotive, Aircraft, Ships, Military, Figures, Space and many other interesting subjects. Peter Vetri, President of Atlantis, states, 'It's a lifelong dream to own this historic tooling and archive material related to these molds; to be able to preserve the tooling is a real honor. We look forward to reissuing many classics that have not been available in quite some time. All of the model kits will be made here in the USA and all the tooling and the Archive have been moved from Elk Grove to our facilities in Deer Park, NY."

I ordered the Snoopy and his Sopwith Camel with Motor kit. The injection molds for it are date 1971, when I was a mere 13 years old! Some of the prime condition originals in their boxes on eBay are selling for over $200.

Posted February 6, 2021