1960 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6)
Revell, Inc., Venice, California, USA

Series Title: 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight
American Card Catalog Number: UM26-6
Issued by: Revell, Inc.
Packaged With: Revell Famous Aircraft Series of Model Airplane Kits
Country: USA
Number of Cards: 25 (includes #19 USS Saratoga error card)
Card Numbering: 1 to 24
Type of Card: Model kit insert card as part of 2-card panel
Card Dimensions (nominal measured): 3.89 × 2.58 inches (99.89 × 65.53 mm)
Circa: 1960
Checklist: Download

Background ^[2,3]

Revell is the brand name today of two famous manufacturers of scale plastic models. The original American company eventually merged with Monogram, but now trades only under the Revell name. In 2007, American Revell was purchased by Hobbico. European Revell Germany separated from the American company in 2006 until Hobbico purchased it, thus bringing the two back together again under the same company umbrella.

When collecting these series of U.S. Navy aircraft and warship cards, it is best to first understand the origin of the cards’ artwork. During the 1950s, the plastic model kit builder Revell, Inc., Venice, California, issued numerous aircraft and warship plastic model kits. Since the steel die-molds for the manufacture of the plastic kits were still good, several of these kits were later repackaged with new artwork on the box top covers and the supporting kit decals, instructions, etc., and updated.

During the early 1960s, Revell issued three series of U.S. Military Aircraft and Warship model kits that contained Historic Collectors’ Cards The first of these series was in 1960 and was titled Historic Collectors’ Cards - 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6). This series was based on Revell’s 1960 Famous Artist Series of plastic molded model U.S. Navy aircraft and warship kits and focused on U.S. Naval air power. Included with each plastic model kit, was a 2-fold panel insert, which included two side-by-side collector cards. There were a total of 24 cards in this series plus one error card (#19 U.S.S. Saratoga). The series included 14 U.S. Navy aircraft cards, and 10 U.S. Navy warships cards. However, Revell ran into a problem with this initial series since the model kit boxes included the individual artist’s signatures. Production of the Famous Artist Series lasted only one year because the Artist Guild sued Revell which resulted in the termination of the series.

Revell quickly turned lemons into lemonade by quickly changing the series name to Famous Aircraft Series and reissued the new set in 1961. The same box top artwork used in the 1960 set was used, however the artist’s names were removed. Like the initial series, the new series included 24 collector cards. The new series of cards were titled the Historic Collectors’ Cards - Development of Naval Flight (UM26-4). The #19 U.S.S. Saratoga error card was corrected and the set contained the same 24 cards and checklist that comprised the initial UM26-6 set. The backs of the cards were also the same except for the series title which was changed from 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight to Development of Naval Flight. As with the initial UM26-6 series, each plastic model kit included a 2-fold panel insert, which included two side-by-side collector cards. However, the format of the 2-fold panel inserts were changed which resulted in a slight change in the aspect ratio of the individual collector cards. The change in the card’s aspect ratio resulted in a slight change in the card’s dimensions, and minor cropping of the descriptive text area.

As mentioned earlier, the were three series of Historic Collectors’ Cards. The third set was also issued in 1961 and was titled Historic Collectors’ Cards - The Air Power Series (UM26-5) and featured twelve USAF aircraft cards. Again, the cards were issued as 2-fold 2-card panels included in Revell’s Air Power Series of USAF model aircraft kits.

Overview ^[1,2]

As noted above, Revell’s Historic Collectors’ Cards - 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6) series of 24 airplane cards that replaced Revell’s 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6) series. The artwork on the fronts of the cards were exactly the same as the Historic Collectors’ Cards - 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6) series. The backs of the cards were approximately the same as the initial card series. The phrase 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight in the UM26-6 second series replaced the phrase 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight in the initial (UM26-6) series. Minor differences include a slight change in the card dimensions, and minor cropping of the descriptive text area. Everything else was the same except for the format used in the two-card folder panels that the cards were torn from.

The following reference card shows the fronts and backs of a typical 1961 Historic Collectors’ Cards - 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight (UM26-6) card. Click on the card images to reveal full-size computer enhanced 600-dpi images of the card.

U.S.S. Saratoga - Error Card ^[2]

The original #19 USS Saratoga card reverse side contained the technical data for the USS Pine, rather than the USS Saratoga. This was obviously a gross proof-reading error. The card was then corrected with the USS Saratoga technical information highlighted within a silver box. The #19 USS Saratoga card was eventually normalized in the 1961 Historic Collectors’ Cards - Development of Naval Flight, UM26-4. All three of the #19 USS Saratoga cards are shown below.

#19 USS Saratoga Card with USS Pine Technical Data (UM26-4)



#19 USS Saratoga Corrected Card (UM26-4)



#19 USS Saratoga (UM26-6)

Image-Guide ^[2]

Checklist ²

References

1. James C. Watson, M.D.: Historic Collectors’ Cards - 50th Anniversary of Naval Flight. Non-Sports Bible (NSB). Vol. I. Chelsea, MI: Sheridan, 2007. 390. Print.
2. John A. Shupek: Card images via the Skytamer Archive Digital Image Database.
3. Jean Aker: Re: Revell Box Art. Messages to Skytamer Images. 19 January 2015 to 14 February 2015. Multiple E-mails.

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