Need Help to Id the maker of this B-58 Japanese Tin Plane

[MichaelB]

Auction ended at $667.88...that's a new high!
I used to sell them for $250...I will continue to hang on to what I have left!

[dwestb]

I'd appreciate if anyone on this board send me a PM when and IF they have a reasonably priced "Monogram Air Power" or "Monogram Bomber Group" clean complete kits for sale. People need to bear in mind, auctions create artificial highs only because there are those dealers out there who buy only to re-sell and not only those of us who are truly interested in the kits as a collector's item or to actually build! The main reason I'd like these kits is
due to the fact that they feature mini versions of the B-58 Hustler. Thanks very much...

[MichaelB]

Another complete Air Power kit just sold for $467 on eBay...that's more like it, though hardly a bargain...

[dwestb]

Michael,

Ebay's selling price is hardly an indication of true value. It is an artificial market. To be sure, it is a great collectible, but bidding against a worldwide audience of who knows what type of buyers (dealers, etc, etc) certainly will drive up the price. Too bad local Model Kit Shows are no longer orevalent as they once were! I remember getting things for much more reasonable prices at such conventions. I also know that buyers in Japan in particular sometimes work for a consignee arrangement and many times have "deep pockets" on their client's behalf and typically kits purchased in the States sell for 3-4 times the value in Japan.

Once again, anyone in this Forum offering either Monogram Kit (Air Power and Bomber Group) for bit more reasonable and "down to earth" prices, please
let me know...

Still looking for a Japanese manufactured plastic kit (Crown) of B-58 Hustler, if in fact they made it.

[MichaelB]

My references (the CVG and PAK-20) don't show a Crown B-58. As a matter of fact it would be out of place with their other issues: WWII planes and modern military jets.
What's with your interest in a possible Crown edition?
I see only the various Comet/Aurora/Addar issues, the two Monograms, the Italeri/Testors, the two Lindbergs, the recent HobbyCraft kit and the Combat models vac. That's about it.
As for Air Power prices...ah, to be the lucky one to find a cheap set at a model show! It's much harder to do that these days, as many folks now price their items at "eBay prices". ...and frankly, to find such a seller one runs the chance of making a chump of him, and hence, an enemy.
I think I got my first set back in 1992 or so and was appalled even then at the $100 price. I've been lucky since then and have fleshed them out.

[dwestb]

I have just just one Crown kit, it's the B-52. It is magnificent and highly detailed. I couldn't be sure, but didn't want to miss out IF in fact they ever did the B-58.
One never knows about the Monogram mini-sets. It is highly unlikely to find one at a swap meet but I've seen stranger things! Better to buy from a fellow-collector
who cared well for a kit in storage. My offer still holds - anyone who has a reasonably-priced complete kit(s) Airpower and Bomber Group...let me know.
Until that happens, I'll concentrate on the several die-casts that I do not yet own of the B-58. Any help there would be appreciated!

Revell had two kits as well, including the 1957 issue with beautiful artwork. They re-released that kit all over the world (England, Japan, Mexico, etc).

On the tin types for the B-58, I've been seeing several with Plastic Pitot tubes missing. The Murutoku tin has a metal Pitot Tube,the Line-Mar and Marx I believe
have plastic ones. Did someone mention another Japanese maker of Tin B-58's??

[Tone]

Koji Yanagisawa sent me a photo of a Yonezawa brand B-58 years ago ... the plane has a triangular tail fin and a "window" in the rear fuselage, four tin engines and "FG 8517" on the side. He identifies the plane as an F-102 but it clearly has the four jet pods below the wings. Colors are light blue/silver/red.

[dwestb]

Tone,

Perhaps you can post a picture as soon as you have the chance! Thanks...

[Tone]

Here are images of the photos that Koji Yanagisawa sent me, twenty years ago, of the "Convair F-102" with four jet pods to look like a B-58. The Yonezawa logo is clearly visible near the tail fin.

Now, we can discuss this further. I think Yonezawa should've invested in a more realistic tail fin for this plane, but it's rare and if you can find one, consider yourself fortunate!

[MichaelB]

Fabulous stuff! I love the Japanese short-cuts!