Posted 6 years ago
Toyrebel
(215 items)
I just picked up this Hubley Flying Circus aircraft. This plane was made as a Navy Fighter in different color combos from 1956-65. I had one in the early sixties in dk blue/lt blue/red colors. It was a rugged toy(a Hubley trademark) that survived many crashlandings on dirt, floor and even concrete "flat tops". I loved WW II naval aircraft, the Monogram 1/48 navy series were some of my favorite models. Ftapache shared a Kingfisher from this group.
I know of no actual aircraft that it was based on, it kind of looks like a bubble top p-47 with stubby wings and rounded wingtips. The 10,000 lb Thunderbolt would have made an impractical carrier fighter IMO. If you were ever actually able to launch it, you'd have to repair the flight deck after each landing!
There is no info on this Flying Circus version in my Hubley book which is pretty good at listing things. I've seen a #467 with the same markings/colors before, so maybe it came in a set not listed. The #467 loosely resembles a Brewster Buffalo and was offered as a naval aircraft with folding wings also. The Buffalo(aptly named) was a lousy ground based fighter and probably couldn't make it off a carrier to crash land on recovery. Both of these Flying Circus aircraft were armed, must of been a tough crowd!
It has folding wings, a sliding canopy and retractable landing gear. I got a good deal on it and plan to put in a #500 series painted blue and silver. It didn't come with a prop, but I got such a great deal on the plane that I was able to pick up a replacement prop and correct decal set for my project and come out relatively unscathed.
If anybody knows anything about the Hubley Flying Circus planes, please comment on dates, sets etc.
Thanks for stopping by,
Toyrebel over and out
Superb!
Your Hubley #495 plane is part of the Flying Circus Stunt plane set nº 21216, came along with a P40 Warhawk in an open carboard box, i have no idea about the date but maybe this extra info can lead you to it, amazing piece!
Great info Lata, many thanks. I remember seeing the P-40 also.
You´re welcome :) by the way your plane in 100% original, it came only with that Flying Circus sticker in the right wing, the left wind had no sticker, i think the original propeler only has 2 blades. the P40 only has one round sticker in the left wing. sadly, its really rare to find any Hubley models here in Portugal or even Europe.
Thanks, I figured it had 2 stickers. It was one of my favorite toys. I appreciated the toughness of Hubley stuff, even as a kid. Good old days, good old toys.
Fantastic airplane & great pix
Not real sure about that air(?) scoop right in front of the windscreen ? Those radials were up-draft carb. & not a convenient place to put a scoop for an oil cooler. Toy makers license I guess.
I really like the Hubley planes. The folding wings are a nice touch.
Thanks everyone.
Blunder: It has scoops all over it in impractical places. The prop tip barely clears the bottom of the cowling.
Apache: The folding wings made transporting it in the Flying Circus Wagon from town to town easier. Hubley made some fairly accurate aircraft along with the kiddie planes like this. Their P-38 was a nice rendition of the Lightning.
Lata, I'm guessing late 50's-early 60's, it has the post Hubley Kiddie Toy logo. The latest I can verify the Kiddie Toy era is '57.
Golden age for cast, now you need to hunt his smaller partner, the P40 :), ive seen a few scattered on e-bay.