Partialy assembled plastic Model kit in open box
( missing one of the 4 big drive wheels )
Written in blue ink on box is :
To Ricky with Love from "Aunty C"
This model kit was produced in 1959
ROSEBUD Kitmaster
Plastic Scale Models
Kit # 3
Made in England
Authentic Model with Moving Parts
Can be used on OO & HO Gauge Tracks
EARLY AMERICAN GENERAL
Rosebud Kitmaster kits of predominately British and European prototypes were, and still are, esteemed by countless model railroaders.
Kitmaster was the model railroad line of Rosebud Dolls Ltd, of England’s Nene Plastics.
In 1959 they released their first dozen Kitmaster models.
All but one was OO scale (1/76), the standard scale in England.
All were locomotives, representing nine British types, and one American, Italian, and Swiss engine.
These spanned locomotive development from the first 'modern' locomotive, Stephenson's Rocket of 1829, to the modern “Deltic” diesel-electric then under development in England.
Nine were steam locos, two were diesels, and an electric Swiss engine.
Kitmaster's box art was quite stunning.
Well-rendered subjects caught the eye with colorful dynamic depictions of the trains in action.
Colorful brochures in each box advertised the other models available.
Another color pamphlet showed Humbrol railroad paints.
Over the next three years Kitmaster was very busy.
Twenty-two kits of locomotives and passenger cars were engineered and issued.
Though most were OO scale, the "Royal Scot" series was another departure from continuity, prepared in TT scale.
Even this was a double departure from continuity as TT is 1/120 scale (2.5mm/ scale foot) almost everywhere in the world except the UK.
There it is actually TT3, or 3mm/scale foot, 1:101 scale!
“Kitmaster came late to the conclusion that non-British prototypes should be in 3.5mm (HO scale, 1/87) rather than 4.0mm (OO scale), but they did concede this with their final locomotive release – the New York Central Hudson.
Their earlier mistaken idea had been that “collectors” would want to build a complete collection of models all to a constant scale of 4mm to the foot.
Of course, the “Collectors” were far out-numbered by the modelers who wanted their Continental prototypes modeled in the universally-accepted HO scale.
Whilst the first Kitmaster US loco was indeed HO (The General) this was only because Rosebud had shamelessly ripped off an existing kit by US-based Advanced Molding Corporation in their 1957 Trailblazers series.
After that, they returned to a “constant scale” of 1/76th.
Ironically, it was Airfix Products Ltd who pioneered “Constant Scale” with their 1/72nd scale aircraft line.
In trying to adopt the techniques of their main competitor, Rosebud sowed the seeds of their own destruction – the OO continental kits failed to sell, clogged the warehouse and never recovered their tooling costs, ultimately contributing to the financial meltdown that demanded a sell off to – none other than Messrs. Airfix!
Rosebud Kitmaster Ltd. was liquidated during 1962, and Airfix bought up the remains of the company.”*
Tragically, most of the Kitmaster plans, blueprints, original artwork, archives and marketing material were trashed--literally.
Some was rescued by employees.
Artifacts have been preserved in a museum, and by Kitmaster enthusiasts.
I collect & build 1/72 scale model airplane kits
Want to trade my General Steam Locomotive kit for your model airplane kit
I buy model airplane kits
Any scale
Unbuilt
Open box kits ok
You can contact Roland Dressler
Email: rolanddressler@gmail.com
Cell: 409.750.3688
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