This was a British doll maker that branched out very briefly in to model railway kits - locomotives and rolling stock - from 1959 to 1962.
They only did two non-railway kits, a motorcycle and the Lyons Maid Fireball XL5 spaceship which is usually listed as an Airfix kit - Airfix did buy all the Kitmaster moulds in late 1962, but only re-issued a few of them.
This is the XL5 page. The model was a true-to-life 12" model, and came with 50 parts, glue, transfers & stand. Also, a button hole badge. The kit was moulded in silver-grey plastic, with transparent parts, and there was a detailed cockpit and two crew figures.
The kit was yours for only 4/6 (22 1/2 New Pence in modern money) plus two ZOOM ice lolly wrappers. The photos show the model, the assembly instructions, the badge, ice lolly wrapper, and advertising.
The rest of the site is also worth a look.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
The Fireball kit was really good, as I remember. I think you had to send a couple of Zoom ice lolly wrappers with your money, as I recall?
ReplyDeleteOh, and the Kitmaster trains are still being marketed by Dapol. Currently building The City of Truro, which stands up well considering the kit's age.
ReplyDeletei do have a kitmaster fireball which is stripped and ready for rebuild !!
ReplyDeletei would like a set of kitmaster fireball decals , does anyone do a reproduction sheet ???
ReplyDelete