Scale modelers, check it out.

[gofaster]

http://www.ModelExpo-online.com/ema068

Do a search on Airfix, Heller, and Revell.  Some good deals to be made on some unusual subjects.  Of particular interest are:

Airfix:


1/72 Westland Gazell for 81 cents.  Good surface detail, fit is good, includes decals for 2 military versions, 2 pilot figures, molded in grey plastic with clear for the windows.  With some scratchbuilding you can turn it into a civilian chopper, like a medical ambulance or news chopper.  The blades can be built as set for flight or stowed.  I bought 3 of these babies.  One of them is going to get some spare WW2 Luftwaffe rockets I have lying around from a Bf109G kit I built, hehehehe.


1/72 scale astronauts for 68 cents, with 2 lunar rovers and some fictitious gear.  Molded in soft plastic, like toy soldiers, they aren't the best figures out there, but they're the only astronaut figures I can find.  They clean up ok and can be detailed well with a fine-point brush.


HMS Mauretania for $4.40 is a steal.  Most shops sell it for around $16.  You can get photoetched brass details for it if you're a hard-core modeler.

"2001 A Space Odyssey" the Orion space shuttle for $2.80, molded in white and includes decals for both the version seen on the box and the Pan-Am version used in the movie.  Detail is ok, fit is ok, but it could use a scratchbuilt interior (it doesn't come with any at all) and a better forward view window.  Mounts on a black display base (no landing gear).

Heller:






1/43 Mercedes C9, Jaguar XJR9, and Porsche 962 race cars (sold separately for $1.43 each).  Molded in white with vinyl tires, no driver figures (boo!), fairly basic interiors, easy assembly.  I bought a 1/48 flight crew set that I'm going to convert to race drivers and track crews.


Ariane V rocket for $2.70.  One of the bright spots in the European space contingency and one of the better models out there.

I picked up the three Heller F1 race car kits (Williams, Lotus, Beneton) for 81 cents apiece and the best things about those kits is that they're cheap and include driver figures.  Decals seem ok but the cars themselves could use some better suspension detailing.  If you're a scratchbuilder you could probably cobble together the proper suspensions, but I'm not much of a F1 fan so what comes out of the box is almost good enough for me.

[gofaster]

Revell of Germany

Gunther Prien's U-47 for $6.80, molded in grey with decals.  Interior doesn't show nearly enough pipes and conduits to be realistic, but if you have the patience to do the research you could probably cobble up a decent example.  Or you could build it as designed and be just as happy.  Comes with crew figures that are pretty well done, too.  I like it when manufacturers give you figures that can bring a boat to life.


German coastal submarine for $4.40.  I paid $12 for mine last Summer.   Good kit at that price and a great kit at the new price, good detailing, good fit, sharply done.  Molded in dark grey, comes with display stand and decals.  Conning tower access door can be modeled as open if you wish. My box is in the garage awaiting assembly.

Revell Monogram

USS North Carolina for $4.00 is a bargain you shouldn't pass up.  I built this kit as a kid and now I'm looking forward to my box arriving so I can build it as an adult and do it up right.


Airfix:

Queen Elizabeth for $3.00 is a steal. They normally run between $18 and $25 depending on vendor.  You can get photoetched details for this one, too.  Fit is ok, nothing that can't be sanded out.  Fairly large when complete.

[gofaster]

I almost bought this Heller kit:

for $4.13 after seeing what some people can do for a rally diorama in this 1/24 scale by adding some mud, a tree, some shrubs and a lot of weathering.