I have an old kit that I just bought from the LHS. It's been hanging sround in the shop for a while, I think it's one he bought from a friend and just plonked it on a shelf at the back of the shop.

It's a HOB 1/12 scale P-51D Mustang from around 1976, when HOB were in their original factory. As these kits are still in prduction, is this early production version actually worth anything or should I just ****etaboutit and build it?

Its worth nothing!! Send it to me!! Just kidding.

tiggerinva,

I think there is a new version for electric out, or coming out. I am not sure why, since I have seen the standard one converted to electric fly very well. Other than that, I don't think that kit has changed over the years.

If you build it, decide on your engine before you glue in the firewall. That kit was designed around some older engines that were shorter from the thrust washer to the backplate than modern engines.

Some old kits are worth more than you think, some are not. You can search places like the classifieds here and ebay completed items to get an idea of what something is worth.

Here's a link to a price guide for older kits.
http://members.aol.com/Skylane42a/price.html
Key word being "Guide".
It's actually rather interesting.

Its a great starting place, but a couple years old now. Some prices are out dated now.

Build it and enjoy, they are great little stangs, and produce a very nice simi scale project. I think the fun will out weigh the prices you could draw at least for the next 5+ years IMO

Did you actually look at the site and the date that it was last updated?

Been using the site for years. Most of the pricing is good as I said, some are not.

Do a search here at RCU and on Ebay to see what people are getting for the exact kit in question. Maybe check some swapmeets. Those book values are only good if you can find someone to give you that much. I hope they're worth a mint!

old kits or kits out of production have lots of vakue and nostalgia..I just bought a lou andrews aeromaster and can't wait to build it.It's not giant scale for sure but its still one of the best bipes ever made..with a four stokre 90 its a lot of fun..I also bought a bridi sunfli....and yes I have modern planes with ys four strokes and plenty of power.

unfortnuately the old kits are pricey although this one came from an estate so it was reasonable..I feel on ebay the seller tries to grab asmuch as they can and there are collectors willing to pay the price..

I have mt my dad's old rc stuff and among the planes both ucontrol and rc is a pappy debolt circa 1952 ..and several testor kits .I will never part as they remind me of funtimes with my father going to the field and flying.the engines scared me to death back then now its nothing to start a gasser lol..

anyway hang on and yes old is good.guess its in the eyes of the beholder....

I've had several HOB T-6 Texans which is very similar to the Mustang. They sell new at Hobby People for $54. and online for $45. I've seen the older box with the same exact plane on E-Bay for $30-45. The kit hasn't changed as far as I know.

I would assume the Mustang is worth the same as the T-6. Overpower it with a .25 engine and enjoy it.

Thanks guys for all your input; the kit isn't listed in that price guide, maybe because it's still in production. BTW I looked into the current prices: cheapest is TH @37.99, Quantum has it at 46.99 and HOB list all the 1/12 kits at 59.99.
I would tend to agree that this particular kit has not appreciated in value as it is still available new and therefore not in damand.

Here's the story: I was in my favourite LHS (with the wife and sproggs in tow) and while I was there I thought I'd ask about a simple little kit project to keep me occupied till I get back to work in November. There's not a lot in the shop in the way of kits, all ARF's. Anyway, I was offered a Pica 1/12 scale FW190 that the owner said he hadn't gotten around to. Not really my cup to tea as he wanted $72 for it, and I was still thinking about the 4*40 on the shelf at the time.

Just then, my wife appeared from the back of the shop with this old tatty box with the Mustang in it, which she said she had tried to pursuade me to buy before. I also had the choice of two engines, a TT GP07 or a Norvel .074. With the wife's influence, I chose the TT GP07. I was persuaded to buy the kit and engine on the basis that they both added up to less than the cost of the 4*40 kit.

As you might've guessed, usually a Mustang wouldn't be my first choice, I would've preferred something like a Spitfire. But, as you can see the purchase was circumstancial, so I wouldn't have ordered a new one.

In line with the box picture, I also bought some blue and silver Ultracote.

After some research on here last night, I discovered that my choice of engine was off, so I went back this afternoon and swapped it for the Norvel.

So, I have decided to go ahead and build. After a couple of hours of surfing I have settled on an RAF version. No 19 squadron appears to use the blue / silver colour scheme and Major decals have 1/12 scale decal sheets for the British roundels.

As for overpowering it, the original was designed for a Tee-Dee .049 and 2 channel radio; so I think a .25 is a bit of overkill. I even have the original Tatone metal Tee-Dee engine mount that someone must've plonked in there when they first got this kit.

As it turns out, the fuse doublers for the engine bay are missing which gives me the opportunity to make my own and make the engine bay bigger. The Norvel is a bit longer than the old .049. I think a .15 or .25 would just be too big and heavy...

I went back and checked, your right about the engine. I thought you were talking about the 43" span Mustang. The 12th scale is smaller and you seem to have the right engine for it.

don't forget to make a template of all the parts. ahh kit bashing
just saw this... Royal A6M5 Zero $101.00 -$260.00, i paid 25 quid for mine brand new from the shop LOL

Philly,
I hear you about the Royal kits. I paid $65.00 new for my .60 Corsair. Now, under the Manatura (Spelling?) brand, it's on sale at $200.00. Old Royal kits on ebay are all starting well over $100.00 now.

It's funny on how much a collector pays for just a box. I saw a 1958 box for what I think was a Ringmaster go for $40.00. Just the box and the instruction sheet, no plans. Wow.

I once bought a 6 pack of Freedom gliders for 10 bucks apiece. What a steal. I often find great deals and sell them later. Thats probably why I still have 55 planes laying around. Always look for a deal and snap it up when you find it.