Lone Star a superb line of die cast aircraft. UK, 1950s

[grwebster]

Lone Star issued a series of 5 1:250 scale aircraft as a easy kit requiring just painting and decal/transfer placings.
They also issued separately factory finished ones.
Here are the 5 aircraft










Each toy had full performance data on the underside of the wings, like the Revell die casts {Connie, YB-52 +?, anyone have pics of these?}

[MichaelB]

Another display of awesome collectivness GR!
An excellent line that only had a short shelf life. So many tried...
On your last comment you mention the underwing details "like the Revell die casts"...surely you mean the Renwal die casts from that same time period. Revell would eventually end up with the Renwal plastic model kits, but they never re-issued those old die cast toys.
Michael

[fliegerii]

I have a severely damaged Renwal XB-47 in my cellar. They used friction drives from Germany............
I'll ry to post a picture tomorrow.

[grwebster]

OOOPS, a senor moment Michael, you are right. Renwal it is!

[angelreader]

A friend of mine once visited the Lone Star factory,they showed hin their museum of products,all of a dozen items in a metal filing cabinet !did you know that if those aeroplanes had been successful others were planned-Handley Page Herald,Vickers Vanguard,Avro 748.
Their sales outlets were poor relying on corner nerwsagent type stores rather than toyshops,also a lack of advertising,I agree they were really good castings but not so sure about the idea of offering unfinished silver models to add decals and paint up ? the factory finished examples speak for themselves,excellent paintwork.
Thats a nice collection of them you have there GR.
Barry.

[Punks]

GR, as usual you have a seriously fine and definitive collection of these wonderful diecasts. Thanks for sharing them with us. Needless to say they will not be of the quality of your mint in box ones. Seeing your pictures is for me like a six year old walking though Disneyworld, one fascinating treat after another. Keep 'em coming.

Many thanks.

[grwebster]

I have been collecting since 1972 so have had the opportunity to obtain a good collection over the years. I lived for many years in france {weekend visits to the Paris flea markets over 20 years or so presents a lot of buying opportunties. Also twice monthly visits to london and those markets and stores offered many more....and I traveled all over the world for years, still do, but less now with a big family and being retired. You guys would not believe what an Indian flea market in Bombay or New Delhi is like.}
Back then there were many knowledgeable collectors and dealers who shared info openly. Then we started TPN MAQ and that helped share info. Today it is different.But perhaps this site will encourage the same open collecting fellowship.
Happy Holidays to all
GR

[MichaelB]

I can only dream of those exotic flea markets...with plenty of true fleas, of course!
In this day and age we have the new flea market: Ebay and similar! Things that didn't exist in the '70s. Now it's easy to share.
Although ebay doesn't cater (and actually discourages) real flea market sales, but it still does the job for more expensive items.

And Happy Holidays to all out there as well...any Christmas memories of "toy" airplanes under the tree?
Michael
Houston (where it's going to be 75 today, but a cool down on Christmas to the '50s expected...brrrrr....

[grwebster]

I am with my family in the swiss alps, lots of snow, temps can go down to -21 C. Big difference from last week in central florida.

[angelreader]

Michael yes memories,plenty of them at Christmas time,I remember the distinctive smell of anything that came out of the Meccano factory,wonderful memories of pristine silver Shooting Stars wrapped in tissue paper,what a squadron ! I had a model airfield that my father had made for me from hardboard panels,in anticipation of runway lighting he had drilled scores of holes alongside the runways,as there were no liliput bulbs available back then what I did was to raise the edges with balsa strips and place one large bulb underneath that shon through those holes,approaches in a darkened room were then a reality ! what fun was had,every additional diecast model aeroplane was gratefully received,one uncle assisted with some Mercury offerings,a Fiat G.212 in white with red cross markings,I loved that model and still do,since then it has been joined with other Fiat transports.
Those Christmas times of yesteryear consisted of stockings filled with nuts,fruit and small toys of all descriptions,yes mostly aeroplanes what else ?
I hope that Santa continues to send the desireable items that you want,the world may have changed a lot but times olde are filled with memories that we can pass on to do to our own children and grandchildren,fun times for all !
Barry.