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T**S
Nice model, for a promotional item
Just bought one of these, new in box, on an auction site. It's a nice model for what it is, a promotional item for an oil company. It was probably ten bucks with a fill-up. For what it's worth, at the time of this model, Amoco was the current incarnation of Standard Oil, whose "Red Crown" gasoline was chosen by Lindbergh because it gave him a "a little more range to the gallon". Amoco has since been absorbed into BP.The model's proportions and dimensions are basically correct. It is all metal, except for the wheels and the window above the pilot, which are black poly plastic. Held together by three pins peened over; two in the fuselage and one holding the wing on. Four more peened pins hold struts to wing.I like the model, in spite of some shortcomings that could have been easily avoided. With a little more thought to paint color and markings, this could have been a very reasonable representation of the actual Spirit Of St. Louis. Wing and wheel struts are painted black, when the actual plane's were silver. The engine cylinders should be black, but are silver, being painted along with most of the other parts. The propeller turns, but not freely or smoothly. Wheels turn. Many small details are absent, but then this is not a museum model. Markings are mostly incorrect. There should be only one "N-X-211" number on the top of the wing, on the right. There should be another "N" number under the left wing, but not here. The "Amoco Gas" on the wing, and the "New York To Paris - 3610 Miles" on the sides of the fuselage, were naturally not on the actual plane.The oil barrel stand doesn't make a lot of sense, but I don't know of another design that would do any better. Doesn't matter, as the model will not balance on the stand. The hole in the plane is too far back, and the plane sits on the stand in a nose-dive. It barely stays put on the stand's short pin, and a few firm steps through the room would likely make it fall. I don't plan to utilize the stand. Other versions of this model do not include any stand, so it may have been a hurried afterthought for this version.I bought this model simply because it is the largest one made in recent years, besides the very expensive mahogany ones. I've always been fascinated with Lindbergh's accomplishment, and the plane's design. The best diecast "Spirit Of St. Louis" is the Hallmark "Legends Of Flight" version, issued about 15 years ago, but it is a small 1/72 scale.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago
