Aug 192019
 

There is currently an item on ebay that the *title* of had me very interested, but the actual photos fire off my BS alarms:

North American XF-108 Rapier Aircraft Contractor Model / Topping Precise / Allyn

A vintage F-108 display model made by the NAA model shop or by an official contractor for NAA would be a very interesting item. But… that’s not what we’ve got here. Observe:

This is not a North American Aviation design. It is, in fact, copied from the 1960 ITC “F-108 Rapier” model kit. This was designed before the F-108 design was revealed to the public, and was basically a fictional concept based on the North American “Navaho” intercontinental cruise missile.

The model is not actually an assembled ITC Rapier kit. It looks like one of the Asian specially-made “genuine Philippine mahogany” models that you can have made. Which is fine if that’s what you want, but that’s not what the ebay listing says it is. Quote: “For sale is a rare XF-108 Rapier contractor style model. I am unsure of the manufacturer -possibly Topping/Precise. ” Note: “style.”

As of this writing there are 15 bids, up to $140. This seems a bit much for a meh-quality modern replica of a meh-quality model kit. If this is something you’re interested in bidding on, keep in mind that this is *not* a North American Aviation design, but a design by a short-lived (1957-64) model kit company that had no special insight.

 Posted by at 8:48 am