One-Off Wyandotte XB-24 Liberator Toy Airplane

Toys rarely lead a charmed existence, they are toys, Right? A toy in nice original condition gets acquired and pampered. The rest just suffer their fate. This particular Wyandotte "Super Mainliner" was heavily damaged and literally pulled off the pile of steel heading to a smelter. It was a close call but a friend snagged it and got to me. Could it be salvaged with its nose bashed in and only the bent wings and fuselage left?

Wyandotte did consider producing a 4-engine bomber but WW2 started and they converted over to war production. The natural choice would have been to convert the Super Mainliner into the B-24 Liberator. The full-scale prototype had an Art Deco Flair with Utilitarian Purpose that was attractive to toy marketers.

Note: The last picture shows the airplane with a twin sibling with the same parts missing for comparison.

I simply allowed this particular beat-up toy to continue with its "transformation" that probably began in the 1950's. It received a longer handcrafted steel nose that was grafted into place, the wing was straightened, tapered then relocated, new engines with props were crafted, new landing gear manufactured, a new steel dorsal panel was crafted, a new "belly pan" was formed then fitted where the wing was originally located and finally a new complete tail assembly was hand-crafted and installed. Paint and markings were made to replicate the typical processes used in the 1930's. So, in this case, this battered old toy airplane has been re-purposed and rejuvenated for a relaxing yet glamourous retirement.