Model Airplane News Cover for June, 1957
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This is lovely Carolyn Arnold modeling a model of the Lockheed P2V-5 "Neptune" built by Irwin Polk from a Eureka Kit. She is standing in front of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere.

About the Modeler:

Irwin S. Polk was a model airplane pioneer who built exceedingly fine scale craft. He organized competitions, opened a celebrated hobby store, and formed clubs.

Irwin Polk
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He was a tireless force in advancing model building. Click here to read a biography of Mr. Polk.

About the airplane:

The Lockheed P2 "Neptune" was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the P-3 Orion. Designed as a land-based aircraft, the Neptune never made a carrier landing, although a small number of aircraft were converted for carrier use and successfully launched. The type was successful in export, seeing service with several armed forces. The P2V-5 variant (subject of the model on the cover) had a nose turret.

  



Lockheed P2V-5 "Neptune"
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Click here for more information about the "Neptune".

About the Kit and Engines:

Here is an ad for the Eureka kit for the P2V-5 which cost $25.95 in 1957. In 2010 dollars, $26 then would have the same purchasing power as $400 today, so this was not a purchase that would be taken lightly.

  

It Started With a Kit
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About that Plymouth:

The lovely young lady is posed next to a Plymouth Belvedere, a bit of "product placement" as Plymouth sponsored a series of Model Airplane Contests. (See the October, 1949 issue writeup.

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