FAAMAN Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 What a simply superb topic for a thread, great memories too!! Frog kits were available here in Oz for ever, my elder brother had a lot of 'em. No problems with availability, I had one of the best hobby shops in Sydney nearby Mum's (Berg's Hobbies has been in Parramatta for 50+ years) and they kept a superb range of kits, Airfix, Revell, Frog, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Heller, etc etc, a lot of my existing models were purchased there, I took my Christmas money from the wife and kids last year and splurged on Airfix kits at Berg's. I even bought Frog kits in other state capitals, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brizzy, never knew they were hard to get. I was still able to buy Frog kits in shops years after the closure, last ones I think were the Kawanishi Emily and a Beaufighter at Hobbyco in Sydney CBD around 1983/4. Frog kits were different, odd subjects, nicely moulded, great decals and colour box-art. Some kits had . . . . issues, the worst horrors being the Ju 88 and the awful He 219 that Revell re-released in 2010 instead of their own superior 1966 H-112/H-160 mould. I've built a few Frog kits both for myself and for mates, went and had a dig around and I've come up with a list of Frog models I've owned. The Built List- My first Frog kit (that I know of) is F.268 F-104 Starfighter in 1970, then in no particular order with photos if possible, F.167 Westland Wallace - 1970, F.390 Thunderbolt P-47 Fighter Bomber (P-47D-20) - 1976, F.198 Westland Wyvern - 1977, F.154 Sea Fury X - 1975, F.170 Northrop Black Widow P-61 - 1975, F.173 Bleriot XI - 1974, F.172 Avro Shackelton - 1975 - full of short shot bits, my Dad showed me how to use balsa to correct the faults, F.203 Canberra Mk.8/12 Low Level Bomber - 1977, F.171 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc - 1978 - to be repaired, F.126 HMS Undine Anti-Submarine Frigate 1/500 scale NOVO - 1978 - very badly damaged along with F.125 HMS Torquay NOVO, rebuilt as a WHIFF and still in the collection, DSC04890 3. F141s by Neil, on Flickr DSC04899 12. F141s by Neil, on Flickr F.124 HMS Hero Destroyer 1/500 scale NOVO - 1978, F-125 HMS Torquay Anti-Submarine Frigate 1/500 scale NOVO - 1978 - donated bits to Undine, F.228 Fairey Gannet A.S.1/14 - 1974, F.161 Fairey Barracuda Mk.II - 1977, F.228 Fairey Gannet A.S.1/14 - 1978 - to be repaired, F.420 Westland Lysander Mk.1 or Mk.3 "Spy Plane" - 1978, F.170 Northrop Black Widow P-61 - 1978 - to be repaired, F.359 Avro Lancaster Heavy bomber 1/96 scale NOVO - 1979 - a blow-up of a photie from a newspaper article my collection and I was in, Frog-Novo Lancaster by Neil, on Flickr F.169 DH60G Gipsy Moth Biplane NOVO - 1979, F.163 Vickers Vimy Mk.IV - 1979, F.175 Fokker - Southern Cross NOVO - 1979, F.328 Hawker Sea Hawk F.Mk.1 NOVO - 1980 - still in the collection, DSC06277 11. WF163s by Neil, on Flickr DSC06205 6. WF163s by Neil, on Flickr F.330 Supermarine Attacker F.Mk.1 NOVO - 1980 - still in the collection, DSC05050 1. 101Js by Neil, on Flickr DSC05065 16. 101Js by Neil, on Flickr F.223F Fokker D.21 - 1972, F-236F Ta 152H - 1979 - to be repaired, F-202 Messerschmitt Me 110G - 1979 - still in the collection, DSC06835s by Neil, on Flickr DSC06843s by Neil, on Flickr In the Stash and Started; F.142 HMS Tiger 1/415 scale NOVO - Started 24Feb1982, almost unbuildable, badly miss aligned parts the main gun turrets the worst, not sure I can go back to it, F.273 Hawker Harrier Mk.1 NOVO, F.229 Bristol Beaufort Mk.II Frogspawn in a plastic bag witha photocopied header, translucent green plastic, F.161 Fariey Barracuda Mk.II NOVO, F.247 Westland Wessex Mk.1 or Mk.31 NOVO, F257 Fairey Firefly F.Mk.1, F.295 DeHavilland Sea Venom FAW Mk.21/53, F.227 B-47E Stratojet, F.198 Westland Wyvern, F.203 Canberra Mk.8/12 Low Level Bomber. I'm proud to say I'm a bit of a Frogaholic, gotta track down the models I had that are no longer with us, Regards all Neil 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdriaN (MLT) Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 im thinking of buying this kit, just for the grand harbour background (i am maltese) 16 hours ago, Aardvark said: It is ingenious! As I haven't guessed at once! It is NOVO released already pre-painted the Vampire models in camouflages RAF pink and RAF PRU blue! B.R. Serge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SledDawg Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Here's a Frog Spitfire kit. I can still remember the little appliance store where I bought this. As you can see, I started painting it it with some unknown enamel 50 years ago... What year would this boxing be from? Dave G. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 On 19/01/2018 at 11:27 PM, Chillidragon said: then moved again as Antics. I don't know where exactly; I don't go home anymore. Last time I was in Cardiff they were on the street (don't know its name) that runs parallel to the front of Central Station and the site of the old bus station, now redeveloped into flats or somesuch. On 19/01/2018 at 11:27 PM, Chillidragon said: Before 1980 Swansea Models and Hobbies was a more frequent source, also long gone. And sadly missed. John Matthews, the owner, was a founder member of what is now IPMS West Glamorgan, and for a while we had our meetings in the rooms above the shop. Could be very painful on the wallet as he 'opened for business' a half hour or so before the meeting! He did provide tea & choccie biscuits as recompense though...!! I worked in the shop for a short while in the early 90's when between IT jobs. Much preferred working in a model shop than IT...!! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 1 hour ago, SledDawg said: As you can see, I started painting it it with some unknown enamel 50 years ago... That even beats my 34 year long Airfix Vulcan 'work in progress' .... Keith 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, keefr22 said: That even beats my 34 year long Airfix Vulcan 'work in progress' .... Keith I recently finished a 40 year old Boeing Clipper "work in progress" delighted to be beaten with a 50 year one ! cheers Pat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAMAN Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 That makes me feel better SledDawg, my earliest build started and still to be finished is the Airfix Dennis Fire Engine that I started in 1975, 43years ago 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil.C Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 18 hours ago, SledDawg said: Here's a Frog Spitfire kit. I can still remember the little appliance store where I bought this. As you can see, I started painting it it with some unknown enamel 50 years ago... What year would this boxing be from? Dave G. Love the art and design of that box top. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 On 21/01/2018 at 9:51 PM, SledDawg said: Here's a Frog Spitfire kit. I can still remember the little appliance store where I bought this. As you can see, I started painting it it with some unknown enamel 50 years ago... What year would this boxing be from? Dave G. I bet the decals still work perfectly unlike the Novo one half their age Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil.C Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 15 hours ago, JOCKNEY said: I bet the decals still work perfectly unlike the Novo one half their age As a Novo kit owner whose decals disintegrated within about a second of touching water I wholeheartedly agree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Blimey Neil, a whole second, you must have had a set of the posh ones ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aardvark Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I photographed http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic_t_4453_start_1280.html these is NOVO/FROG models in our localhobby shop: ...and private house collection: all models made in late 80, mixed modellers and painting not modelers paint. B.R. Serge 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Those are brilliant, thanks Serge. Plain to see good modelling has been around for a long time. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Good grief Faaman - Bergs Hobbies , and it is still going! Wow - I remember visiting it when Ross Davis worked there, and what a great list of kits , many of which I remember building, and some which I still have!! Ah , memories, thanks for revising them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAMAN Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Great collection Serge, well done The Fortress is my fave but it's funny how most everyone gets the over wing staining incorrect Horatio you really should come down from the Western Slopes and go and have a visit at Berg's, Peter and the other gents still love a chin wag. Look up their new address in the Queensland Arcade Church St. Parramatta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aardvark Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 1 hour ago, FAAMAN said: but it's funny how most everyone gets the over wing staining incorrect Naturally, we then in the eighties had no idea of coloring shades. Model enamels were rare therefore models were painted proceeding from names of enamel, stirring a color from automobile enamels, and sometimes even the real aviation enamels with which painted real planes. Nevertheless it didn't prevent to do models as on those photos that I have placed. B.R. Serge 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey m Posted January 24, 2018 Author Share Posted January 24, 2018 (edited) On 21/01/2018 at 21:51, SledDawg said: Here's a Frog Spitfire kit. I can still remember the little appliance store where I bought this. As you can see, I started painting it it with some unknown enamel 50 years ago... What year would this boxing be from? Dave G. Hi Dave, your FROG Spitfire Mk II artwork is from the first issue of this kit which dates from the period 1959 - 1964. The next artwork depicted pilots running to their Spitfires during a scramble. This was packaged in their Black Series box. In 1968 FROG started calling it a Mk 1A/ Mk V and the artwork changed again to show a Spitfire shooting down an enemy aircraft ( as on Page 8 of this thread ). These were packaged in a clear plastic bag with a card header. cheers, Adrian Edited January 26, 2018 by adey m 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephLalor Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 (edited) On 1/21/2018 at 10:54 PM, keefr22 said: Last time I was in Cardiff they were on the street (don't know its name) that runs parallel to the front of Central Station and the site of the old bus station, now redeveloped into flats or somesuch. And sadly missed. John Matthews, the owner, was a founder member of what is now IPMS West Glamorgan, and for a while we had our meetings in the rooms above the shop. Could be very painful on the wallet as he 'opened for business' a half hour or so before the meeting! He did provide tea & choccie biscuits as recompense though...!! I worked in the shop for a short while in the early 90's when between IT jobs. Much preferred working in a model shop than IT...!! Keith I shopped in that Antics myself up to about 4 years ago. The location's Wood Street. They moved there from St Mary Street. Edited January 24, 2018 by JosephLalor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aardvark Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Sorry, but I have found out some more the old photos! It is SB-2 from a hobby shop, them was two. One was FROG/NOVO and the secondthere was MPM. I don't remember which of them who therefore I place both models. There was an Ar-2 from Pavla, but his photo doesn't enter a framework of it a topic. Still NOVO/FROG photo from a private house collection, which subject "Pacific war" The black Lightning is Revell and a number of NOVO/FROG. I also don't remember whether B-25 conversion FROG/NOVO is; or it is the modelItaleri. By the way, pay attention on Devostator! It is not Airfix, it is his the copy, in the eighties such did a vacuform in the USSR. These photos I made nearly three years ago. Since then models from a hobby shop have moved to an interior of local military and historical club, serving surroundings for modern models which are exposed on local model hobbies shows. https://s10.postimg.cc/8dclc3qbt/20170909_142935.jpg Happens that they meet the same NOVO/FROG models made by modern children, as these the Vampire and the Hunter made children at the age of about 12 years. https://s10.postimg.cc/prwtkcd61/20170909_142425.jpg The Vampire and Hunter I have made photos on a local model hobby show in September, 2017. In general, despite specialized group building which pass on model Russian websites, quantity of the constructed modelsFROG/NOVO is very insignificant, but at the same time very high-quality buildings of FROG/NOVO as this Lightning F.6: http://scalemodels.ru/articles/8409-novo-FROG-1-72-BAC-Lightning-F-6.html B.R. Serge 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Hello, I have been very surprised to see (photo 10) an SBD Dauntless with folded wings ! How is this possible ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 On 23/01/2018 at 10:50 PM, Aardvark said: I photographed http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic_t_4453_start_1280.html these is NOVO/FROG models in our localhobby shop: ...and private house collection: all models made in late 80, mixed modellers and painting not modelers paint. B.R. Serge Hmm they show their age but the lighting looks good ...not sure about the RN serial no thoughh😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aardvark Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 2 hours ago, polo1112 said: Hello, I have been very surprised to see (photo 10) an SBD Dauntless with folded wings ! How is this possible ? I have become interested in it too. There was very rough and primitive mechanism from the ingate having actually nothing in common neither with the copy, nor with reality. But nevertheless it works still, 30 years later! B.R. Serge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil.C Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Great to see these old models, thanks for posting Serge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey m Posted January 25, 2018 Author Share Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) Thanks for posting those photos Serge. There are some wonderful FROG/NOVO conversions amongst them. Cheers, Adrian Edited January 28, 2018 by adey m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aardvark Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 10 minutes ago, adey m said: Some of them are not FROG/NOVO though. I am not a claim on comprehensive knowledge because a subject of my collection are "The jet fighter in 72", of them I can speak much and long. But to have still knowledge the expert on the propeller aircraft? You too want from me!However, I have also constructed many of the FROG/NOVO models at children's age being a child and in spite of the fact that for me they then were no more than toys, but the Shark from Swordfish I can distinguish! 11 minutes ago, adey m said: The P-61 is not the FROG one as it is too detailed and has a gun turret which the FROG one did not have. No, you are mistaken! It is conversion of NOVO/FROG! First. Models in this collection became to order, that is the owner of a collection didn't collect them, and paid their work! Then the owner of this collection was the student of the medical university, and students aren't always able to afford a lot of things! He was able to afford to pay work on assembly of this P-61, but to here allow buy P-61 from Dragon he couldn't any more! Secondly.Here work of the same author, DB-2. DB-2 is a military option of the record plane ANT-37 "RODINA" (Homeland). The model of this plane in the world is done by nobody! Before you deep conversion of single-motor ANT-25 (which has made flight from Moscow to the USA, through the North Pole) not just in two-engined ANT-37 and in his military DB-2 option!!!! Really you think that the modeller who has made it, won't be able to finish so FROG/NOVO P-61 as the fact that he is presented on a photo made me? B.R. Serge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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