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Topic starter
20/09/2025 6:56 pm
Going through some storage containers the other day produced this series of old WWI airplane models by Aurora that I had built in the late 50s. The biplanes' upper wings were tricky and finnicky to get properly in place. The decals on the British DeHavilland DeH-4 have suffered terribly. But the original paint work has had remarkable staying power as well as the plastic glues. Airplanes were my models of choice before I got hooked on modifying model cars and trucks. My recent weak repair of the SPAD's rear tailskid gave way during the photo shoot! It's back on the bench for a permanent fix. Aurora included the figurines in each model which I thought was a cool touch.
Thanks for looking...
Curtiss Jenny JN-4 (USA) yellow
Fokker DVII (Germany) green
Nieuport 11 BeBe (France) olive drab
Sopwith SE5 Scout (Great Britian) olive drab
SPAD S.XIII (France) olive drab
DeHavilland DeH-4 (Great Britian) olive drab
20/09/2025 7:08 pm
I am amazed you still have these models and in such good condition. I also made Aurora airplanes, both WW1 and WW2, in late 1950’s. I remember building the DH-4 and SE-5. I also made plastic model planes from other companies at that time, along with cars from AMT, Johan, and Revell. Today, I only have one plane made from a kit. It is a 1/48 scale B-25 made by Revell. The model was originally released in the 1960’s. I found one in early 1990’s and built it then.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Tony Perrone and David Green reacted
20/09/2025 8:00 pm
Wow! This sure brings back memories. I built most of the Aurora kits back then. Spent a lot of paper route money. While I kept some later models, unfortunately I passed these on to two younger brothers who liked to play with fireworks.
Love yours. I did not use figures with mine but I believe that they came with the kits. They sure look good in context.
Tony Perrone and Ed Davis reacted
Topic starter
20/09/2025 9:43 pm
Today, I only have one plane made from a kit. It is a 1/48 scale B-25 made by Revell. The model was originally released in the 1960’s. I found one in early 1990’s and built it then.
That B-25 by Revell I still have. It is one of my favorites. I'll post up some WWII survivor planes after I dig them out of storage.
And David, I had a paper route also and spent my earnings on models. The only model I destroyed was a spare, three stage white rocket that I just didn't like that much. It appeared too toy-like, so I filled each stage with gasoline , lit it and ran for cover. LOL
20/09/2025 10:26 pm
Those look wonderful and Aurora made many fine kits. As a kid, in World War I airplanes, I also had one of the Aurora SPAD flighters and DeHavilland DH-4. Very cool and a delight for a kid (or anyone !).
21/09/2025 3:27 am
great work, loved looking at those. We had Airfix kits here in Australia and I built many of them. Thanks for the memories!
21/09/2025 2:28 pm
Early '50's it was Lionel 027 gauge trains 4' x 8' layout.
Mid '50's HO gauge trains 2 - 4'x 8' L shaped layout
Late'50's WWII & Korean era plastic kit planes & ships, too many to remember.
'59 - '63 AMT & Johan 3 in 1 kits 50+ of them.
1963 to 2000 no models
2000 to 2022 450+ 1:18 die cast, 15 1:24
2021 to 2024 45 1:43
2018 to 2022 35 1:64
2025 0
Ed Davis reacted