My club is looking at different options for our annual group build. One of the topics we’re considering is “Birthday Year”-- build a model of a subject in markings from your birthday year, or a model (in any markings) that was first released in that year.
In my case, that means 1959. I don’t have access to any of the plastic model company history books that people sometimes refer to here on this forum when talking about the origination of various kits-- so I don’t know what was “new” back then.
I’m hoping someone can tell me which kits were first released in that year… I’m looking for a ship as my first choice…
To be clear- I’m not looking for all kits that were available in 1959-- I’m only looking for ones that were new releases in 1959.
1959 wasn’t a big year for new ship releases. One I found was Monogram 1/35 scale Frogman and LCP (R) boat. Revell had USS George Washington “S” kit number H-365,N/S Savanna “S” kit H-366,USS Olympia “S” kit H-367, Cutty Sark “S” kit H-364 the 30" model, and The HMS Victory with sails kit H-363. hope that helps you.
I’ve got Thomas Graham’s history of Revell and Arthur Ward’s history of Airfix in front of me. Dr. Graham’s books on Monogram and Aurora are elsewhere in the house; if you’re interested in those, I’ll dig them out too.
Since this thread is in the “Ships” forum, I’m assuming all you’re interested in are the ship kits. (If we throw in the aircraft, cars, and armor, the list will be a lot longer.)
Here are the Revell ship kits that Dr. Graham lists as having appeared in the company catalog for the first time in 1959:
U.S.S. George Washington (the notorious cutaway submarine)
N.S Savannah
U.S.S. Olympia
H.M.S. Victory
Cutty Sark (1/96)
In other words - the same five kits Millard already mentioned. I have to admit I did a double-take when I saw how short that list was. I think the company was devoting most of its time to airplanes and cars that year.
Airfix, according to Mr. Ward’s book, only released two ships in 1959: H.M.S. Cossack and H.M.S. Victorious, both on 1/600 scale.
Proffessor TILLEY ! Hello ! I sure am glad that those books are out there . You know why ? If I ever had to do a model from my birth year I would be in big trouble as my birthdate is in 1943 ! I would have to excersize the option of building a model from that period but released in model form years later right ? I think the only ship I can remember from way back then is the U.S.S. KIDD and it was wood !! I got that one when I was seven !! tankerbuilder
Does anyone know if the Revell NS Savannah from 1959 is a rebrand of the Adams kit from 1958?I have seen the Adams kit going for $185 on collector sites and wonder if the Revell kit is the same and cheaper.