Express & Star

2,000 model aircraft kits that never launched going under hammer at Lichfield auction

A huge collection of model aircraft kits painstakingly amassed by an enthusiast over 50 years – but never put together – is coming up for auction.

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Some of the model aircraft kits

The collection of unmade 2,000-plus kits is set across 65 lots in the toy sale, which takes place on August 13.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers in Lichfield is marketing the sale of the lot, which have been amassed over five decades by a Birmingham collector.

“It’s the largest collection we’ve ever seen,” said Jon Price, toys and railwayana valuer at The Lichfield Auction Centre.

“We’ve purposely put no estimate on it – it is the life’s collection of an enthusiast who devoted at least five decades to it.

Some of the model aircraft kits

“It arrived here in several van loads and I was staggered when I saw it – it’s the biggest single such collection we’ve seen by a long way.”

The collection ranges in date from the 1950s to the 2000s and there are between 60 and 100 kits in each lot.

Brands include Airfix, Matchbox, Novo and Italeri.

Other items coming up in August’s Toy Sale include a big collection of Meccano, Dinky toys, Western Models, Mamod steam models including a beautiful fire engine and a remote control helicopter almost two metres in length.

Some of the model aircraft kits

Richard Winterton’s Toy Sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, starts at noon on August 13.

Viewing for the sale is taking place from 9.30am to noon on August 11, and on the day of sale from 8.30am.

Jon Price carries out free valuations of toys, dolls and railwayana on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 4pm.