Best Christmas Airplane Model As A Kid?

[JohnB]

Rauhbatz...

It seems Hobby Lobby is the only nationwide "variety store" (to use an old name...that still carries kits. Wal-Mart seems to be seasonal.

Yes, their model selection has quite a few reissues of cars and aircraft from both Revell and Atlantis.
Most of their Revell cars are reissues are late '60s early '70s "pony" and muscle cars.
Ships too are reissued...they ALWAYS have the Ancient Revell USS Arizona and USS Missouri.

Their Missouri dates to the mid-50s and has constantly remained in production. A friend recently reviewed the kit for his website and found the tooling is well worn. As an example, I built one as a kid and there were windows etched on the forward superstructure. Now they're almost invisible due to wear.
Oddly, Revell made another set of molds for a motorized version, you could set the rudder to make it circle. That kit was withdrawn after a few years. However, it was sold to Atlantis along with other old kits and has been reissued. If one wants an inexpensive small scale Missouri, it would be worth your while to find an Atlantis kit.

Hobby Lobby usually carries the old (1963) Revell 1:48 Corsair and P-40...both are old Monogram kits.
I discussed the F4U kit a few months back in my "Old Kits Reissued" thread where I noted that it's really not a reissue since it has always been on sale...just a change from Monogram to Revell.
So, for someone who is looking for an old kit from their past, check Hobby Lobby...you might find one without resorting to expensive online dealers.
Happy holidays.
PS. don't get glue or spill paint on mom's carpet.

[Rauhbatz]

John B...thanks for the insights. Yes it was a surprise to me to see any sort of model kits in a general retail store.

Our daughter came back home to the USA for Christmas and gave me a nice Japan issue Hasegawa 1/48 scale Ki-43 Oscar...not going to be a builder as I going to keep it on my shelf with my other Japan issue kits (2 LS Rufes :0 )

A cold holiday here in the Midwest...perhaps I stray out and find a builder somewhere

Happy holidays!