Berkeley B-25 Mitchell model

We have a Berkeley 1956 B-25 Mitchell controliner. It says General Jimmy Doolittle's "Tokyo Raider", .
This model is complete in the box & not punched out. It says for .09 to .19 engines, 5/8 scale, 42" wingspan, 33" overall.
We cannot find any information on this model & thought maybe you could help. Is it rare & what is it worth?
Thank you in advance for any info you can provide.

In my area in the 50's, Berkeley had a reputation for excellent plans and terrible kits. The parts didn't fit, the dies were used until VERY dull which resulted in die-crunching. That said, I built a few of their kits. We just expected to have to replace some of the parts.
I would make a copy of the plans then sell the kit to a collector. Some collect kits they never intend to build.
Good luck.

ONE SOLD ON EBAY SEVERAL WEEKS AGO FOR $265.00

PUT IT ON E BAY.

Berkley kits were indeed pretty terrible, but I also built a few. I don't remember the B-25, so it may be fairly rare. You could expect to easily get $100 to maybe $250 on eBay, IF the box is in very good condition and the contents complete and undisturbed. Then eBay gets a cut (10%?). Shipping and insurance would be extra. Steve

The B-25 (Along with the B-17, SBD, P-51 and couple others) was one of the last Berkeley kits to come out around 1958-59, just before they bought the farm.
It is worth FAR more to a "collector" than it is as a flying model. Put it on eBay and pocket the $s.
George Aldrich once told me that Berkeley had the most expensive sets of plans in the industry, because that was all that was all you could really use out of the kit...

John

Berkley was sold to Duke Fox in the late 1950's. He later sold the remains of the company to SIG. SIG sold the rest of the kits and equipment until it was all gone. Sig did sell some of the Berkley kits in SIG boxes.

I remember the "headline ads" from the mags of that era:

"Fox closes Berkeley plant, sells off all remaining stock!".

Thank goodness for that!

I am most pleased that today we have the 'net and eBay, so one can actually do something worthwile with a Berkeley/Fox/Sig Scale kit- like sell it for a profit.

BTW: last I checked a SIG catalog, they were still trying to unload the last of the stamped steel AT-6/Beaver and Goshawk cowlings...

J

Agree. This is one of the most desirable Berkeley CL kits. Search ebay on Berkeley kit at any time, and you will see some high prices. Remember to check Completed Items, especially.

This kit could bring $300 in mint shape, including the condition of the box. Currell

It went for $280.

A Berkeley Buccanneer FF kit, prewar, went for around $350.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-12-03 AT 07:13 PM (CST)
 
Hi,
I want to thank everyone that provided me with information on this topic.
I'd like to let everyone know that I listed this kit on e-bay.
If you are interested, the item # is 3155722112. It is listed as:
Vintage Berkely B-25 "Toyko Raider".
Again, thank you very much, Gayla:)

In the Pacific NW, we once knew a fellow who used just such a kit, or something very much like it, to relax the attention of his guards and then, when the time was right, to split from the Walla Walla, Washington, state prison.

After living in Canada for a number of years, marrying and getting along toward raising a family, he was caught and sent back.

If you get a query from Walla Walla, you might want to reconsider any offers from this source...

Ah that would be the "clipped wings MAC" I sent them some stuff 25 years ago and they sent back a photo of the group. Most you would NOT want mad at you! Still have the certificate that they sent me for the goodies.

I used to like painting with dope but now I can't remember why. _________Steve Fauble