What are your favourite Hawk Weird-Ohs model kits?

[Tom_Hering]

I believe you are. MPC wasn't around in 1960 ...

Every return (and there were a lot) in a Google search for the Tall T kit listed it as "1960." So that must be the internet lazily repeating an error. Which makes sense, since the Surf Rod is usually listed as "1965," and I would think both McGurk kits came out around the same time - not five years apart.

[Hepcat]

I recall being surprised by the appearance of car model kits by this unknown new manufacturer MPC at my neighbourhood outlets, Ken's Variety and Tuckey Hardware, in late 1965. Prior to that AMT was completely dominant in car models. But because I was already in high school by the time MPC kits caught my eye, I've always regarded MPC as a johnny-come-lately company in the kit business.

[jimm]

I have that tall T... Mid sixties sounds about right

[Tom_Hering]

So, with the Tall T established as a mid-60s kit, it looks like we can say Bill Campbell led the way when it came to turning non-automotive objects (coffin, outhouse, baby carriage) into cars for the model kit market. Or am I overlooking work done by someone else prior to 1962-63? (Though it was produced in '63, Campbell first conceived Daddy in '62.)

[Hepcat]

Here are a couple of Bill Campbell's sketches that Hawk didn't get around to turning into model kits:

[Tom_Hering]

Here are a couple of Bill Campbell's sketches that Hawk didn't get around to turning into model kits:

Are those from the book A Weird-Oh World? I really have to get a copy! The only concept art I've seen before is here: http://www.treswright.vervehosting.com/Campbell/Prints.html

Daddy is on the bench now, getting the same treatment I gave Huey.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LY_IA6TPrIc3NQbXRMcjYwU1U/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LY_IA6TPrIRTkwb0NDYlh2UTg/view?usp=sharing

[Hepcat]

Are those from the book A Weird-Oh World?

Yes, I suspect so.

[Tom_Hering]

I really would have liked to have seen Bill Campbell's Astronuts series produced as styrene kits.

[Hepcat]

I really would have liked to have seen Bill Campbell's Astronuts series produced as styrene kits.

Given the interest in the space race back in the sixties, it's really tough to understand how Hawk could not have picked up on the opportunity. My guess is that an Astro series would have had a far broader market appeal than did their Silly Surfers. Witness that Scuz-Fink appears to easily be "Big Daddy" Roth's second most popular creation:

http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=17103.0

[The Batman]

'Love seeing these old kits, many of which I haven't seen on a friend's shelf since the 70's.

'Didn't know they were part of a family with the surfers!    Great topic.

[skippy]

Does any one know which of the latest reissues include the decals?

[Tom_Hering]

I ran across this photo today of a period dragster that I'm pretty darn sure must have been the inspiration for Endsville Eddie.

[Hepcat]

That's not a dragster though. That's an Indy or a Formula 1 type car from the mid-sixties. Here's another:



This is a top fuel dragster from 1963:



The Digger kit would have been inspired by a dragster.

[Tom_Hering]

That's not a dragster though. That's an Indy or a Formula 1 car from the mid-sixties.

I must respectfully disagree. I got the photo from a vintage dragster site. They say there were more dragster types around in the early '60s than young people realize, and even many old people remember. One was the streamliner. It was a popular type, and the photo is an example of such. (I don't deny it resembles an Indy or Formula 1 car.) Digger's ride is a T-bucket dragster.

Anyhow, I've asked Mr. Campbell - on his Facebook page -  if this particular dragster was the basis for Endsville Eddie's ride. No answer from him yet, just a "like." (Might we have the start of a Weird-ohs controversy? Whee!)

[Tom_Hering]

I just found the history of this particular streamliner.

http://www.memphisrodders.com/files/f9aeae71d131274b84811e8b63eb24c0-68.html