I thought this interesting set in this post deserved a closer look.
The kit was made at a time when the educational value of plastic modelling was being heavily promoted by model companies. Doubtless in an effort to convince parents that modelling was not a waste of time and pocket money.
Renwal was a US company, based in Mineola, New York. This set contained six plastic model insects, mounted on a display stand that stood an impressive 16 inches high. There was a large cut-away model of a Field Cricket, showing the internal organs of the creature, and smaller models of the Blue Bottle Fly, Malaria Mosquito, Red Admiral Butterfly, Giant Water Bug, and Polistes Wasp.
The set came with an illustrated Handbook on insects. The set was Created in Consultation with, John C. Pallister, Entomologist, Dept. of Insects and Spiders, The American Museum of Natural History, New York City. The kit was moulded in several colours, including brown, turquoise, and clear plastic for the insect wings. Kit number 801:298; the suffix means it had a US retail price of $2.98. Scalemates give the release date as 1960.
Other firms have also done insect kits. Due to the small size of insects, most of these have been several times life size. Given the rarity of these kits, and the lack of re-issues, I would assume they were not big sellers.
Here is a detailed look at an assembled set, and its box. From a site called Time Passages Nostalgia.
An entry on Old Model Kits.
The entry on this kit from the Scalemates site.
From Sturgis Antiques and Collectables, a look at the kit parts in their box.
From Max at maxsmodels, a history of the Renwal company.
Two photos, both from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
