HAWK'S GRASSHOPPER KIT

The US company Hawk, of Chicago 31, Illinois, produced some odd kits, including a small line of giant insects - called the Science Series. For some reason Hawk decided to personalise these models, by giving each one a name (Revell did the same thing with their 1950s animal kits).

Firstly, I must declare that I know nothing about Grasshoppers, so I am on shaky ground here. Pancho is a male name of Spanish origin, but I think the kit depicts a female Grasshopper. At least judging from these drawings:

How to Determine Male vs Female (lucidcentral.org)

The kit is described on the box top as

Hawk Science Series: "Pancho" The Grasshopper (American)

12 Inches in Length

Molded in Natural Colors

Authentic to the Smallest Detail

Faithfully Reproduced From Actual Specimens Supplied by a Leading Museum

The side of the box says 'Watch for these other Hawk Science Series Insect Models'. Illustrated are the Dragonfly, Stag Beetle, and Carpenter Ant. Of these, it seems only the Beetle was ever released.

The kit contains more than 50 parts, and is mainly moulded in green plastic, with clear tinted plastic for the wings and eyes. Unlike the ITC Bumble Bee, these are injection moulded, not vac-formed. The three-piece stand is gold coloured. 

There is an extensive decal sheet with a label for the stand describing the subject, and black stripes and patches for the various body markings. According to a vintage advertising poster, the model is 12 1/2 inches long, and 5 inches high. 

It is '4 1/2 Times Actual Life Size' - a picture on the decal sheet shows the size of a real American Grasshopper.

However, I am not too sure about the claim on the poster that this is 'THE MOST EXCITING plastic kit advancement in years'. That might be an exaggeration.

Hawk 151 Pancho the Grasshopper kit original Hobby Shop Advertising Poster 1960 | #1794472604 (worthpoint.com)

The kit carries a copyright date of 1959. Model number 151, retail price $1.50.

Instructions and copyright date.

vintage 1959 Hawk Pancho Grasshopper plastic model kit - parts | #3757771660 (worthpoint.com)

Decal sheet.

Hawk no.151 - "Pancho" the Grasshopper - 1959 Release - Hard Box - MINT | #2007676990 (worthpoint.com)

General views of the kit box and parts.

Hawk Plastic Model Kits Pancho the Grasshopper Science Series Complete with Box | #3861560540 (worthpoint.com)

HAWK "PANCHO" THE GRASSHOPPER PLASTIC MODEL KIT SCIENCE SERIES | #335227745 (worthpoint.com)

MODEL KIT HAWK GRASSHOPPER 1959 MINT UNBUILT AURORA | #1788215521 (worthpoint.com)

1959 HAWK "Pancho" The Grasshopper Plastic Model | #1806145329 (worthpoint.com)

This Hawk Catalogue from Worthpoint, stated to be 1958, illustrates the Carpenter Ant kit. Model number 620, price 50 cents. The accompanying text also mentions a Dragonfly, but this is not shown.

1958 Hawk Plastic Model Kit Catalog, Atomic Airplane, Spaceship, Missile | #1797991538 (worthpoint.com)

All photographs from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand