Metalmaster

[Aeronaut]

Recently bought a Metalmaster die cast metal model kit of a Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star made by Gilmour Engineering of Los Angeles, CA. This model #1001.

It came mint in its original box with instructions and decals (quite yellowed ). The kit consists of a main casting, that is basically the complete aircraft, and two castings for the wingtip fuel tanks (all of this metal die cast). There is a basic single piece insert for the cokpit, that includes a pilot, some sort of instrument panel and seat, made of transparent plastic, and a nicely made transparency for the canopy. The kit also includes two paint botles that have gone bad after so many years. The instructions are copywrited 1945.

Scale is 1:59th based on the legth an 1:57th based on the wing span.

I had never read of heard of this manufacturer before. Has any of you? Where there any other models on this range? A Google search turned out nothing...

Cristian

[grwebster]

Cristian, I have one of these Shooting Stars unassembled, too, but I haven't ever seen another aircraft made by the company. The Sy Merrall collection has the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star from this maker for sale that Sy asked Doug Emmons, a master model maker to finish for him. Beautiful model if anyone is looking for one.
If any of you guys on the forum have not seen the files of the items from Sy's collection for sale, ask me and I'll send them. They have only been given out to a limited group so far and will be posted on all the other forums shortly.

[Aeronaut]

Thanks for the info GR!

I'll post some pictures when possible. What kind of money are these things worth?

[grwebster]

I have no idea on prices, only seen mine and Sy's in 20 years.
Did you check Sy's price? It should be fair and he kept the original box as I recall.

[Aeronaut]

Finally had some time for picture taking. Here they are:
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... P-80br.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imagese ... 80boxr.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... P-80br.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... P-80cr.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... ecalsr.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... P-80dr.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cr/ ... P-80er.jpg

Cristian

[grwebster]

are you going to finish it?
when all polished up it is quite a good model as I recall.
If you want your photo to appear without having to click on the web address, copy the [IMG] codes from your imagehost.vendio.com album and just paste them in your post.

[Aeronaut]

What does the membership think? Should I finish the kit or should I keep it as is?

Cristian

[ramseyd]

Which is more rare? The unfinished kits or the finished products? I would suspect the finished products are more common, but will have to differ to "real" experts. I tend towards keeping any model as close to its original state as possible, as long as that does not cause it to deteriorate more. Dennis

[Artco]

I also have a P-80 Shooting Star by Metalmaster. This is a kit my older brother bought in Jan.24,1962. He paid $1.75 plus six cents tax. The kit is complete with all parts including decals, sandpaper and paint, which still looks good, as it is still liquid. The original box has a price of $3.75 stamped. I have never seen one for sale, so I don't know what the price would be. If one of you bought one on e-Bay , would you say what you paid?I don't want to sell mine, but I don't think I would build it out either. I'll try to find the web page that shows a finished model. Thanks all, Art

[grwebster]

I have one, too and decided not to build it. I have seen one built in polished finish, not paint, and it is a nice model. I have no idea of value for it in either state.