[Ara1]

I was at the Franklin Mint P-39 thread and didn't want to derail it with a discussion of some favorite models of the past. I've started this thread to share some memories of 1975-79, when I first got acquainted with the planes and tanks of WWII.

The first model tank I built was this Snap Tite Tiger I. With a one-piece wheels/track part, it was easy to get up and running in the back yard.



When it was time to move into the more detailed models, Monogram's 1/32 Armor line had the gorgeous StuG IV, still one of my favorite SPGs.



The Brummbar was also one of my favorites, and was part of my first diorama at age 12.



Of course, I was a big Allied fan as well. This welded-hull Sherman led me to many a library book on the Normandy invasion, and a long-standing love affair with history books.



My fondest armor memory of all has the be the M3 Grant. I loved this model, I didn't realize it then but building that articulating gun assembly gave me my first taste of understanding engineering drawings.



I built nearly every kit in the line and loved it. I also ventured into the 1/35th Renwal and Aurora kits.

Next thread posting: airplanes.

[Ara1]

I loved the Monogram line of aircraft even more than their tank line. There were more planes, more nationalities and more workable features. My favorite sub-segment was US Navy aircraft.

The Avenger was neat with its folding wings and retracting landing gear. Also, there was a bomb bay with a torpedo. I learned to build the wings tight so I never had the sagging wing problem.



The Devastator was a real treat for modelers because the TBD was a rarity in the model world till Monogram produced this beauty. There was so much detail in the cockpit and sighting bay. This model led me to research Miday and got me into the writings of Walter Lord.



The Zero was cool because it was my only option to model a Japanese plane (The Tamiya kits we cost-prohibitive to me). I loved the Zero and discovered Rene Francillion's excellent and comprehensive reference work on JAAF/JNAF planes.



The Corsair, one of my top-five aircraft, looked great in dark blue and had the most difficult retracting gear of any plane available. It looked great on the shelf.



I was also interested in the Flying Tigers, after watching the movie with my dad (a WWII USN vet). Again, one of my fave planes of all time. To my eyes, the P-40 was one of the very few planes that "looked right" in every livery which it flew.



My next post will continue the showcase.

[Ara1]

The Fw 190A was appealing becuase Monogram offered so many versions of it; not just varied decals but tropical filters, underwing guns, and bombs. The Fw looked great compared to my Zero, too; they exemplified the small-plane radial engine look.



The Do 335 was one huge hunk of plastic compared to the Fw. Again, Monogram went out on a limb making this one. By 1987 this kit was so scarce, the going rate was $128.00 per kit! Luckily, in my day (1978) it was about $5.00.



I loved the Spitfire, one of my top-five planes of all time. I built more Spits than any other single type.



Back to the USN, the Dauntless had working dive brakes and a droppable bomb. The Dauntless was a real beauty.



The Kingfisher could be built with the floats or without; a wonderful plane that would make a great diecast in 1/48.

[Raven]

I remember building some of those models myself - never could get the paint jobs to look anything like the box! I remember bulding a Hellcat with folding wings - I think that was also a Monogram. That was a cool plane!

[Cruver Collecter]

It is nice to see there are other folks out there still holding on to some of the old kits. Here are some of the ones I have been hanging onto. I liked the old Airfix kits and still have a few in original shrink wrap.

[flyXwire]

I have ALL the Monogram A/C kits you posted and a couple of the tanks! Thanks for the memories...as Bob Hope used to sang.

Btw, a lot of the Monogram kits came with some awesome diorama brochures done by Sheperd Paine. I still have the 1/48th B-17G that he did called "Pretty
in Pink"...talk about the good 'ol days of modeling!

[Cruver Collecter]

Worst part I is still have a couple of boxes of kits I have not opened in a couple of years. Really need to open them up and see if there are any more older kits.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Talk about a trip back down memory lane....I built all those Monogram warbirds you have on there and my favorites were the Corsair and Devastator...
I also built a P-51D Mustang made by Monogram as well.
Never got into the tanks much when i was a kid other then Pattons Sherman tank.
JP

[Cruver Collecter]

Couple more kits.

[Hurriup!]

Whoa talk about flashbacks! Never built the tanks but alot of those aircraft are oh so familiar and I still have the P-40 and it has held up pretty well though my painting skills could never duplicate the box covers, Thanks for posting this it was fun to remeber these kits.