Posted 6 years ago
Toyrebel
(215 items)
Got 2 More Hubley #495 airplanes like the Air Circus one I posted last week. The dk. blue/lt. blue/red is exactly like the one I had around '62-'63. I related in the last post how much I loved this plane as a kid. It's got a good heavy feel, an 11" wingspan, cool WW II'ish colors, folding wings and retractable landing gear. I was really into WW II naval planes back then(still am) and this had to be my favorite childhood toy plane. I loved models also but as a true toy plane this was the best. Don't get me wrong I had some other nice planes, a cool battery operated Japan tin plate 4 engine prop plane, a wind up Ohio Art stamped metal seaplane etc., but they weren't like this tough Hubley. It was made rugged like the navy plane it represented. This color combo was offered at least in '61-'62 maybe later with another blue/yel/red plane until '65. I put the prop and canopy on it from the Circus plane for the pics and to play with it. It's fun having one in my hands again after 56 years.
The junker shown with it is the early version in what's left of the aluminum/red combo offered from '56-'60. It's missing, cockpit, canopy, cowling and prop. However I need this style upper fuselage for another Hubley 500 series sets tractor trailer sets, one of the rarest and coolest in fact. I got it cheap too.
If you'll look at the third picture you can see the difference in the upper cowling mounts in the pre'61(right) and the later(left). The early rivet type mount was replaced with a "scoop" to allow the new cowling's longerml tabs to held by the fuselage halves by this recess when connected. Blunderbuss2 noted last time it must "poetic toy maker license" to have a top mounted scoop behind the cowling, because radials have up-draft carbs. I think it's amazing he spotted this. It turns out, sly Blunderbuss2, that the original 495 didn't have this scoop! Evidently there was a problem with the first upper cowling mount letting the cowl to fall off under heavy playing(meaning me as a kid). So Blunderbuss2 it seems this "scoop" is a deeper recess for the tabs on the new style cowling to make it more secure. BB2, I am amazed you noticed this from a technical aspect and it turns out to be a Hubley redesign. I would have put the wrong version on my project, your sharp eye caused me research this. Kudos!
The canopies and props by themselves are costly. I've got two more planes with both I'm watching. Hopefully I can get them cheap enough, I'll have enough parts to make 3 different complete 495's and a bonus Flying Circus P-40 for just a little more than the cost of canopy/prop replacent parts.
Thanks,
Bill
A fine fleet of planes.
When you strap a pilot to those massive engines, it's hard enough to see over the cowling, then tail-dragger is added to the formula. Da sho ain't go'n to put no scoop there. They had to crab back & forth to taxi & see where they're going. Worked on a lot of those radials in your town.
Do/did you know Ralph Wilds ? He lived in Montgomery & flew for the AL Forestry. He was a carrier fighter pilot in the Pacific and had loads of stories.
Don't know him. I was in a model club that named after a MOH winner that flew B-17's. He would speak at some meetings. I would have loved hearing Mr. Wilds storues.
He was a limited edition for sure. Hilarious ! Judging from his stories, there are probably islands that he left his personal mark on and wondering if they still hold a grudge. Wish I had listened more carefully about which battles he was in. Tried to find him some yrs back with that in mind.
Thanks all. Thomas, it's great to be able to reconnect with a fave toy. Montgomery had a lot of retired military, BB2. There was a guy named Folmar that retired here that shot down a Mig 15 in a F4U in Korea! Turns out it was a seasoned Russian pilot too, not a Red Chinese rookie
The Wright bros. had a Flying School on the grounds that are Maxwell in 1910. It is true Air Force/Corps. hallowed ground. Half the kids I knew in Montgomery were Air Force brats from there or had retired parents living here. My cousin married a guy that flew B-17's in WW II. His son flew B-52's. All of them were great friends.
To be honest, it's been decades & I thought the Wright Aviation School was a bit further west & on the S. side of the river. For that time, it was a fairly large school. Gunther field was busy in WWII. I really don't think the Federalist ever really trusted us after that little Civil War. A French sailing buddy of mine was a pilot under the Vichy Gov.'t and was captured by the Allies as they landed in Morocco. He trained pilots at Gunter & all his requests to be put in combat in Europe were turned down. He had been Vichy, so he just wasn't fully trusted. Great at the hem of a 30 footer.