Plastic kit companies are not as well served with company histories as the firms making die-cast models, but there are a few good volumes out there, at least on the bigger companies.
Finding much information on the smaller kit makers is more of a problem, so I recently decided to order myself a copy of a book on the Weird-Ohs kits by Hawk, mainly in the hope it would contain some background information on Hawk.
Having now received the book, and read most of it, my verdict is - Wow!
As you mentioned being a fan of these kits, I thought you would be interested. It is a great book. Remember, Christmas is coming up, so treat yourself to an early present.
The Weird-Ohs were a range of bizarre monsters with big heads, bloodshot eyes, and sharp teeth, designed by commercial artist Bill Campbell, who had been doing box art for various Hawk kits since 1956.
The Weird-Ohs were launched in 1963, and have been re-issued several times, under various company names. There were even glow in the dark versions at one stage. Most were driving various vehicles, a boat, and a jet plane, as well as several sports figures.
The Weird-Ohs were followed by the Silly Surfers and Frantics, which were not designed by Bill Campbell, although he did do the box art. These were more human caricatures, based on surfers and the 1960s music scene. These kits have been mentioned and illustrated a number of times on Moonbase Central.
The book starts off with the early life of Bill Campbell (born 1920), his service in the US Army in WW2, and art career. His work for Hawk, including many box tops and instruction sheets. For the Weird-Ohs there are concept drawings and paintings, final art, and box tops, showing how the designs evolved.
Then the models themselves from various angles, the re-issues, and in a later chapter such items as the one-piece plastic figures by Marx, toys, and other items. There was even a set of Weird-Ohs model paints by Pactra in Crazy Cool Colors. According to the caption, one of these rare sets was sold by Hake's Americana & Collectibles for $554.40 in 2013.
There is a vast amount of information, artwork, and prototype models for Weird-Ohs and other models that were planned, but never produced. There are chapters on other aspects of Bill Campbell's career. There is some good material on the Hawk company.
The Weird-Ohs were too way out for me, but even I loved this book. It is certainly a very useful addition to any collection of kit company histories, and covers a part of the 1960s monster craze that tends to be over shadowed by the Aurora movie monster kits.
For a Weird-Ohs fan it would be an essential purchase. I certainly recommend it if this is your subject. I bought mine from the Book Depository, which I find gives very good service. The photos should give some idea of the contents.
A Weird-Oh World - The Art of Bill Campbell, by Mark Cantrell, Schiffer Publishing, 2014. Large paperback, 192 pages, printed on heavy gloss paper to ensure excellent reproduction of the artwork.
Paul Adams
NZ
Great stuff Paul. My fave model is Frantic Cats in this range. So cool its untrue. I could collect them all if I had the cash.
ReplyDeleteI love these kits, there's a model shop 5 doors from the barbershop and tucked away among 50+ years of collecting is a sprinkle of Wierd-oh's, I once asked the price and far too rich for my pocket!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, Paul. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is an excellent book, and well worth having. These kits have been re-issued from time to time, so it may be possible to pick up some of the later issues for considerably less than a 1960s Hawk original. About the only thing not covered in the book is the British release of two Weird-Ohs by Airfix in the late 1960s.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul. I wrote the book because I went looking for a book about Bill and couldn't find one. It was a labor of love for sure. Glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteMark Cantrell
Thank you, Mr Cantrell. I really did enjoy it, even though I was originally just looking for information on Hawk.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you can not find the book you want, write it yourself !