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Here is an interesting kit, which I have only recently discovered. A version of the Airfix Boeing 707 produced for the US market, with different markings to the normal, British release.
In 1963 Airfix released a 1/144th scale kit of the Boeing 707, SK600, in the new Sky King range of large civil airliners. It was listed in the News From Airfix pages of Airfix Magazine, for October 1963. The kit normally came with markings for the British Overseas Airways Corporation.
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The Airfix Corporation of America launched a different version of the 707 for the US market. This was the Boeing 707 Airforce 1, and came with markings for the aircraft that carried the President of the United States. Note that the box top said Airforce 1 (one word), rather than Air Force 1 (two words).
According to the Scalemates site, this kit was also a 1963 release. Kit number 5-129, which appeared on the ends of the box.
The kit was moulded in the standard Airfix silver-grey plastic used for silver coloured aircraft. There were a large number of tiny clear plastic windows. Along with the complex undercarriage, this raised the parts count to 73 (54 in silver-grey, and 19 clear). There was also a two-piece clear plastic display stand. The decal sheet was new, and included all the complex markings required for the aircraft.
The box art showed the aircraft taking off, against a yellow sky, with plenty of black smoke pouring from all four turbojet engines.
The US releases of Airfix kits are seldom mentioned, yet many of the kits had completely new box art, and different markings, making them significantly different to the standard British releases.
Scalemates entry for the Airforce 1 kit.
Instructions from a later issue of the kit.
Four photographs, all from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
That's an unusual and very cool kit, Woodsy. Totally new to me. Love the kit and box art.
ReplyDeleteAll down to Paul from New Zealand Tone. It is nice for sure.
DeleteNew and interesting information, thanks Paul for compiling & sharing.
ReplyDeleteAirliners are one of the backbones of the model kit industry, and this version certainly was unusual - I never saw it! Before I discovered SF models circa 1967, I built so many commercial airliners, it wasnt even funny. My favorites were the Hawk model of the Vickers Viscount, and the Revell model of the French Caravelle. Commercial Airliner kits might make a good article... SFZ
ReplyDeleteA lovely find, Paul
ReplyDeleteAnother fond memory is building (with my father) the Monogram kit of the magnificent Constellation airliner, TWA markings. A stunner. SFZ
ReplyDelete