Lindberg Models

Jschmus · August 03, 2008, 07:38:30 AM

I went into a local hobby store yesterday, and found the shelves crowded with aircraft kits from Lindberg Models. There were several in 1/48 and a few in 1/72. I ended up coming home with an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant. I took it upon myself to check out their website. There are a few items of interest there.

1/245 USS Los Angeles Airship
http://www.lindberg-models.com/air_model70821.html
(complete with really dinky Sparrowhawk fighters)

They also have a range of 1/48 fighters, including this odd-looking F11F Tiger
http://www.lindberg-models.com/air_model70504.html
(I'm not sure why, but the nose looks funny.)

On the main page, there's a link saying that they're looking for experienced modelers to send in photos of completed kits. They can certainly do better than the build-ups shown on the boxes.

http://www.lindberg-models.com/

The Rat · August 03, 2008, 08:19:05 AM

Quote from: Jschmus on August 03, 2008, 07:38:30 AMOn the main page, there's a link saying that they're looking for experienced modelers to send in photos of completed kits.

They need experienced modelers because some of their products need all the skills you can muster, with the odd one being good only for an aerial which can be added to a scratch-built example. Others were great however, and in my experience as a kid, when they were very common and inexpensive, they usually went together easily and quickly. They are another of those companies we need more of, easy builds at a reasonable price, just the thing to give a kid to get them started in this hobby.

famvburg · August 03, 2008, 11:30:08 AM

IIRC, the F11F is based on the prototype. Back in the day, manufacturers like Lindberg & Aurora wanted to be the first on the shelves with models of new a/c, so many times their kits were based on the prototype or in some cases, even just mock-ups. Rather than issue new kits of updated, production a/c, many times they just added new decals. I think Monogram's first F-14 from the early '70s was based on the mock-up.

Quote from: Jschmus on August 03, 2008, 07:38:30 AM
I went into a local hobby store yesterday, and found the shelves crowded with aircraft kits from Lindberg Models. There were several in 1/48 and a few in 1/72. I ended up coming home with an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant. I took it upon myself to check out their website. There are a few items of interest there.

1/245 USS Los Angeles Airship
http://www.lindberg-models.com/air_model70821.html
(complete with really dinky Sparrowhawk fighters)

They also have a range of 1/48 fighters, including this odd-looking F11F Tiger
http://www.lindberg-models.com/air_model70504.html
(I'm not sure why, but the nose looks funny.)

On the main page, there's a link saying that they're looking for experienced modelers to send in photos of completed kits. They can certainly do better than the build-ups shown on the boxes.

http://www.lindberg-models.com/

Jschmus · August 03, 2008, 12:08:51 PM

Quote from: famvburg on August 03, 2008, 11:30:08 AM

IIRC, the F11F is based on the prototype. Back in the day, manufacturers like Lindberg & Aurora wanted to be the first on the shelves with models of new a/c, so many times their kits were based on the prototype or in some cases, even just mock-ups. Rather than issue new kits of updated, production a/c, many times they just added new decals. I think Monogram's first F-14 from the early '70s was based on the mock-up.

It all makes sense to me now. In the store, they had a 1/48 kit labeled "AH-1S Cobra" that looked more like the original "G" Cobra, complete with Nord SS.11 missiles. All of the kits were priced $12-14, which is pretty good compared to the limited selection of Hasegawa stuff the store also stocks. I think I'll go back tomorrow and see if they still have the SH-3 kit I saw, so I'll have both variants.

Jeffry Fontaine · August 03, 2008, 12:31:36 PM

It would really be swell if Lindberg reintroduced their 1/32nd scale Chevrolet truck model. It was a cross between a snap together and a normal model kit with some assembly and glue required to complete it. The truck was a ~1979-1980 period 3/4 ton pick-up truck with step side fenders and a cover over the cargo bed. I had this kit for a couple of years until I was convinced to part with it for the "greater good of all mankind" or something along those lines. The truck would have been perfect for modification to replicate the fleet of Chevrolet CUCV trucks then in use by the U.S. Military and Canadian Armed Forces. I had intentions to try and modify the trucks but the other guy proved to have more convincing story so off they went to another modeler's stash and I have yet to see any 1/32nd scale resin multi-media kits surface anywhere that resemble anything based on the Lindberg kit.

The Lindberg SM-62 Snark kit was quite ahead of its time when it was first offered. The kit had some yellow gear such as a step ladder platform on wheels which is perfect formaintenance scenes with other aircraft models. The kit also contains a very detailed M2 Medium High-Speed Tractor ''CLETRAC'' (CLEveland TRACtor (Company)) which beats the previous CLETRAC offered by Monogram (in the B-24 kit). I picked up the Snark kit when it was first available only for the CLETRAC and other yellow gear. Eddie, if you wondered where those red fuel tanks with integral pylons were from, now you know.

Brian "Crash" Perri (Brian da Basher) is currently waiting anxiously for the Lindberg USS Los Angeles kit to show up on his doorstep. I guess we will get an in-box review from Brian as soon as he gets over that "new kit in the box smell" and finds a spot on his work bench to sort through the parts.

I see that Lindberg has once again made the 1/60th scale Shrimp Boat kit available. Can you say "Bubba Gump?"

The "Battle Damaged" series of 1/72nd scale aircraft models was originally produced by IMC if memory serves me correctly. There appear to be other models that were produced under other brand names prior to Lindberg acquiring the molds such as the Roswell UFO kits which were originally from Testors.

The Rat · August 03, 2008, 01:00:13 PM

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on August 03, 2008, 12:31:36 PMBrian "Crash" Perri (Brian da Basher) is currently waiting anxiously for the Lindberg USS Los Angeles kit to show up on his doorstep.

Take a look at the detail pic of the fighter aircraft here. Either they hired BIG pilots or he's flying a Pitts Special.

K5054NZ · August 03, 2008, 02:22:46 PM

I for one am VERY glad this resurgence in Lindberg has come about - I have their 1:48 Stearman in the stash as I type! I NEVER thought I'd be able to get one. The length of piano wire they included for rigging - no instruictions about it tho

- is maybe a tad overscale....

LHS had a A4D and P-47 kits, I was amazed! Hopefully more of the range comes our way, as I don't really want to have to order from the states everytime I want one.

Just had a look at their site: Pogo, Jenny and P-6E for me!

Jeffry Fontaine · August 03, 2008, 02:44:28 PM

Quote from: K5054NZ on August 03, 2008, 02:22:46 PM... ... ... ... I have their 1:48 Stearman in the stash as I type!... ... ...no instruictions...

Zac,

There was a link to a PDF file containing the instructions for the 1/48th scale Stearman kit under the image for that kit. You can download and print the file or save it to your hard drive for further reference.

Daryl J. · August 03, 2008, 09:36:09 PM

Since my biggest ever model building regret is blowing up my old Curtiss Jenny with a bunch of Black Cat fire crackers decades ago, the re release of these kits was no small cause for Joy in my home. A P-6E and a SE5a came along too with a happy new owner.

Don't these guys do a dirigible?

Daryl J.

Jeffry Fontaine · August 03, 2008, 10:24:33 PM

Are you referring to the 1/245th scale model of the USS Los Angeles (kit #No. 70821)?

Leigh · August 03, 2008, 10:55:37 PM

I got a bunch of those Lindberg kits off E-Bay before they were re-issued and I'd liken them to some of the old Monogram stuff, with strange working features like panels that open to reveal the engine inside kinda neat. Their F-11 Tiger always reminded me of the early Supermarine jets and I had plans to put the wings off the old Fujimi Mirage on it and do it in R.N. colours.
Also the wings on the Thunderceptor kit fit perfectly in the slots if you wan't to do them the wrong way round and have them forward swept.

jcf · August 03, 2008, 11:49:44 PM

The Los Angeles aint.
Its the same plastic as the Graf Zeppelin kit resold as the Los Angeles, duplicating exactly what Hawk did with the original vacuform version of the kit nigh on to fifty years ago.

Go over to the new Hawk Models page (also owned by J. Lloyd) and you'll find the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin version:
http://www.hawkmodels.com/zeppelin70816.html also stated as 1/245 scale and with a kit length of slightly over 38 inches that is roughly correct.

So one kit in two versions, both supposedly 1/245th, but here is the big problem: the Los Angeles (LZ 126) was over 100 feet shorter than the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin and smaller in diameter.

LZ 126
LOA: 656.2 ft (200m)
DIA: 90.68 ft

LZ 127
LOA: 776.0 ft (236.53m)
DIA: 100 ft

A Los Angeles model with a hull 38.5" long is actually around 1/204 scale, which is good news for folks with 1/200th scale models.

1/245th ZR-3 USS Los Angeles? Not really.

Loads of Whiffing potential? Hell Ya

Jon

K5054NZ · August 04, 2008, 01:13:08 AM

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on August 03, 2008, 02:44:28 PM
Quote from: K5054NZ on August 03, 2008, 02:22:46 PM... ... ... ... I have their 1:48 Stearman in the stash as I type!... ... ...no instruictions...

Zac,

There was a link to a PDF file containing the instructions for the 1/48th scale Stearman kit under the image for that kit. You can download and print the file or save it to your hard drive for further reference.

Haha thanks J - I meant the kit instructions contain nil about rigging! Luckily I have TONS of pics of Model 75s so I should be ok.

The Rat · August 04, 2008, 07:21:52 AM

Had this one when I were a lad, but they were motorized then. Dad built the motor for me (Yep, we didn't have 'em pre-made!), and I spent many happy hours zipping it around ponds and puddles. Don't know what happened to it but if another came up on ebay I would be very tempted.

famvburg · August 04, 2008, 01:51:29 PM

I think the Cobra was originally sold as a 'G'.

Quote from: Jschmus on August 03, 2008, 12:08:51 PM
Quote from: famvburg on August 03, 2008, 11:30:08 AM

IIRC, the F11F is based on the prototype. Back in the day, manufacturers like Lindberg & Aurora wanted to be the first on the shelves with models of new a/c, so many times their kits were based on the prototype or in some cases, even just mock-ups. Rather than issue new kits of updated, production a/c, many times they just added new decals. I think Monogram's first F-14 from the early '70s was based on the mock-up.

It all makes sense to me now. In the store, they had a 1/48 kit labeled "AH-1S Cobra" that looked more like the original "G" Cobra, complete with Nord SS.11 missiles. All of the kits were priced $12-14, which is pretty good compared to the limited selection of Hasegawa stuff the store also stocks. I think I'll go back tomorrow and see if they still have the SH-3 kit I saw, so I'll have both variants.