Air Force Models

[Finescalejunkie]

Back when my grandfather got out of the Air Force (1970) he had a aircraft display set. It was aircraft from the 50's or 60's, don't know which, and they were on a solid base with metal wires holding them in place.
Does anyone know of anything like that? Or possibly know where to get it?

[Tomtom]

That sounds like the Monogram Airpower Set plastic model kit. They were 18 small scale 1/240 scale set of planes that were wired onto a display base. Kit was issued in 1959 I believe and had the latest Air Force planes from that era.
Was the set of planes plastic kits that glued together?,If so this model should be what you remember,unfortunaetly this kit is long discontinued and hard to find.Very nice model kit.

[grwebster]

I agree, and that kit is very very expensive. Some models were solid and didn't need to be glueded together

[craviola990]

Wait 'till Michael Bludworth chimes in...this is his all time favourite kit!

We have high quality prints available of the box art, contact me if interested:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =3&theater

Best, Christian

[Finescalejunkie]

I am friends with him, so I can just shoot me out a line and ask.
Thanks

[MichaelB]

Indeed, as described.
Here's a pic of an extraordinarily well built set at the recent IPMS nationals.

[chrsn]

Wow! I hadn't seen that before! That's one sweet model. I sure wish it were part of a "series" and Monogram had continued to make updated sets--along with sets from the World Wars.

[grwebster]

The idea of a series exists and was created by Ron Crawford with his HBM series of resin 1/200 model in basic kit format

http://www.luft46.com/hbm/hbm.html

[chrsn]

Ron is a great guy and I love his models, but when I last inquired on a bunch of WWII aircraft I was interested in, I believe he only had a small handful in stock. That said, the list of the aircraft he has produced is amazing.

[MichaelB]

Ron's collection at HBM is impressive and in the right scale! There are a lot of 1/200 collectors both ancient and modern. Fans of the scale call it TOTS...for "The One True Scale" so there is a bit of fanaticism involved! Let's hope they don't assume jihadist designs in the advancement of their agenda!
That said, there are a lot of 1/200 issues in places where you might not expect it, like Postage Stamp and Corgi Showcase, that scale in. Air Power is in 1/240 scale and it's a shame that it didn't scale to a better scale for sharing.
That said, the AP kit is a remarkable achievement in itself, executed to a level that is impressive for Monogram at the time. The models are very accurate, scaled and all feature nicely recessed panel lines; mainstream Monogram was filled with raised lines! The larger models are indeed true kits: the B-52 has 13 parts. That B-52 is the only kitted model of an "E" version and it's been molded in the "flying" position with upturned wing tips! ...most impressive!
As noted before some of the smaller aircraft - like the T-33 - are one piece solid casts. That makes this set wallow on the line between being simply another plastic model kit and a collectible series. As it is, the entire kit is an extreme collectible.
Over the decades I have come up with an assortment of additional aircraft in 1/240, like the DynaFlite CH-54 SkyCrane, and continue to look for more. I think I have found a C-5 and B-1 that I can successfully lie about in scale that will fit. Personally, I can accept anything from 1/215 to 1/260 to be "in scale" with this set.
This set still occupies my dreams...