More good stuff this year! See here.

These WW I or earlier planes always look so beautiful, but also very fragile and difficult .

By the way, I have never seen a model of a Wright flyer.

Hasn't any manufacturer ever thought of making the first successful "heavier than air" propelled flying thing as a model??

I would love trying one in 1/48. it would be tiny but...

Monogram did release the Wright flyer I think it came out 15 - 20 years ago if not longer it came with the track, tools and the figures of the Wright's. (there was one in LHS till about 3 years ago in the Monogram box that came with a patch as a special run that had been in the shop for years and years) I think Revell may have released it for an anniversary? I think it was around 1/40ish? could be wrong though.

Edit here we go off Revell's site thanks to google:

http://www.revell.com/model-kits/aircraft/85-5243.html

The Monogram Wright Flyer dates from 1958
It was box scale; most authorities quote it as 1/39 scale, but it has been marketed as 1/40 and 1/48 in the past. Ragardless of what's printed on the box the plastic is identical with the first release in 1958.

Aircraft in Miniature offer a 1/72 Flyer in etched brass similar to the Eduard "strip down" kits of yore. The modeller builds up the skeleton of the aircraft then covers it in tissue paper. Here's a link to a build in progress.

And just for fun, here's my Monogram kit that I completed just in time for the 100th anniversary.



The Flyer was larger than many people first think. In 1/40 it's fairly massive. Here it is next to my Eduard Albatros.

The Albatros is proportionately smaller than it should be compared to the Flyer, but it's fairly obvious that the Flyer was not exactly a small aircraft.

Revell often makes somethign in those bizarre scales instead of just following the standard

Let's hope someone makes a flyer in 1/48 one day.

We have to remember that at the time Revell put those kits out there was no standard scale. Kits were made to fit a standard box size. It was a huge deal when Revell switched to "Standard 1/72 scale!" in the early '60s. Once could call it revolutionary.

The problem arises because Revell refuses to retire their old moulds, and so perpetuates box scale long after it should have been allowed to die.

Here is a bit of fun. What company did Revell purchase many of its early molds from? Hint: this company produced the Wright Flyer, some Helicopters and several Battleships.

Hello Stephen:

I know that Monogram and Revell merged in the late 80's early 90's and their kits are marketed as both Revell and Monogram. I am not sure if the Monogram name even exists any more. I know that Revell had it's first kits molded by Adams tool and die, which later became Adams model company.

Best

Mark

But it was Renwal they purchased existing molds from! Revell refused to offer anything for the Renwal Aeroskin 1:72 WWI series.

Good point. I knew they had bought the Renwal molds as the Renwal stuff has been re-boxed by Revell several times. The left a lot of Renwal stuff go, some of their ships, their Essex class Carriers to name one, I know there are others as well. Too bad Royle Glaser got side tracked and ventured into the educational side of the hobby rather than stay with what the modeler wanted.
Thanks Stephen, I like those bits of trivia.

Best

Mark

According to my Wright Flyer blueprint (Smithsonian circa 1960; first time I was there, It hung in the main hall of the Castle) with a drawing date of sept.1950 on it

40 ft 4 in Overall Width
21 ft 1 in Overall Length
8 ft 1 in Height Over Wings

I have it in my folder in my desk, it is the oldest reference material I have.
Any Questions?
Captn Tommy