Nostalgia hit in a big way after a couple months watching Max K on YouTube, and I took the plunge and bought 16 of the 20 WWI aircraft that Aurora issued between 1956 and 1964. These were some of the fist planes I built while in grade school, a half dozen or so, each an acquisiton using my allowance and making the trip to the small drugstore in our little town (no hobby store, dime store or toy store in that town). I hadn’t built a static plastic model in 35 or so years, but it was time to begin again, and I figured it would be fun to start with some of the simple models from my childhood.
I began this project in August and I’ve completed 7 of the 16 planes. All parts are original Aurora except, in some cases, aftermarket resin pilot figures and, in all cases, aftermarket decals. Here the first 3 in the order in which I completed the models:
I considered rigging for perhaps a minute or two when I began the project and prudently opted for ‘virtual rigging’ on all of the planes. I know my limitations
Thacts a very fine way to get back into this hobby! Very nice work on all these classic kits! They sure do bring back some memories. I can’t wait to see the next batch of your builds from this project.
My day as well. [:)] The price for vintage kits in mint condition certainly kept up with inflation, but I don’t mind. The joy factor is worth it for me. Cheers.
Thanks! Yes, I supplemented my allowance by age 10 with lawn mowing, car washing and then a year or two later a paper route. I needed a bit more in funds when I was able to ‘move up’ to Revell and Monogram kits, but I always have had fond memories of the Aurora line. Cheers.
Thank you. Next up are the Sopwith Triplane and Albatros DIII. As I recall, and my memory isn’t the best, the Albatros was either the first or second of the kits I bought back in the early 60s… it was either that or the Fokker Eindekker (which is also in my stash now). Cheers.
For reference purposes (and perhaps with the thought that I’d move up to some more detaied kits once I got the hang of this) I’ve also assembled a squadron of 1/48 warbirds from Eduard, Roden and Revell (Germany). My goodness, these kits are gorgeous although the PEP (especially in the Eduard kits look intimidating…probably best left on the sprue.
I’ve already lifted decals from each of these kits for my Aurora planes, but most of these other kits have multiple liveries, so that won’t be a problem when I start on them (2021!). I will rig those planes…or at least attempt to. Cheers.
I appreciate the support and feedback from all who have commented. Thank you. Rather than add a lot of reptitive pictures, here’s the link to my gallery as of this morning. The planes featured above are already in this gallery of course, as WIP shots and some pictures of the vintage boxes as they arrived at my place. Cheers.
