Woodsy,
As an experiment this summer, I decided to go to a nearby Hobby Lobby store and purchase my next model kit “off the shelf,” like we used to do in the old days!
As I expected, there was very little of interest. The vast majority of the kits were 1/25 scale motor vehicles by AMT, a company of no interest to me. Also, a small selection of Bandai Star Wars kits - again, of no interest to me.
I had almost given up, when I noticed one small box on the very bottom shelf, kind of squished in the back. It was an Atlantis model of a Sinclair Gas Truck, and I immediately snapped it up.
Originally produced in 1956 by Revell, this is a classic kit in 1/48 scale, probably originally designed to be used by model railroaders on their “O” scale train layouts.
Being a very old kit, the molds are a little rough and the fit imperfect - especially with the driver cab - but all in all a fun build, straight “off the shelf.”
Rob C
USA
Very Nice kit!
ReplyDeleteFor those of you outside the States, Sinclair Gasoline used to be around in the 1960s, but now it looks like they're only operating in California.
I remember we used to have a big green inflatable Sinclair Dinosaur toy.
Their logo was a green brontosaurus because "Fossil Fuel." ;)
Thanks for the info Scott. I like the dino logo. The UK has some fading fuel brands. National is one. The last time I saw it's Hermes head and winged cap logo was about ten years ago on the Isle of Wight.
DeleteYes, we had Sinclair gas stations in New Jersey where I grew up - very nostalgic! SFZ
DeleteBeautiful Rob. It looks great in that optimistic retro-appealing way we associate with the post-war boom of Fifties America. What a find. Lucky you persevered in that shop. Was it green plastic or have you painted it?
ReplyDeleteThe kit came in a nice green plastic, but I painted it nonetheless - always trying to work on my airbrushing skills! SFZ
DeleteA great model. I love these older kits. Each build is a piece of modelling history, from the earliest days of the plastic modelling hobby.
ReplyDeleteYes! I really enjoyed building something that I could have built way back when. It is like revisiting history. I’m really getting interested in building more “old/new” kits. SFZ
DeleteGood choice and making of this kit.
ReplyDeleteIt really evokes the period, especially the colour.
Thank you kindly, this was a blast of nostalgia for me! SFZ
DeleteA super looking kit, and very nice build..
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the kind words, especially from the master builder! SFZ
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