Comet Authenticast

Diecast spotter models from the 40's, 50's and 60's
manufactured by Comet Metal Products

Model Pictures
Overview
History
Packaging
Catalogs
Listing
Quality Castings Issues/Reissues
Authenticast Airplanes
Comet Metal Products page
Other WWII Recognition Models
 

Student Models, 1:108

USA

Authenticast Halftrack M3 5150	Authenticast M6 5151	Authenticast Sherman M4A3 5152	Authenicast M8 5153
Authenticast halftrack 5154	Authenticast Hellcat 5155	Authenticast Priest 5156	Authenticast Stuart 5158
Authenticast General Scott 5157	Authenticast Wolverine 5159	Weasal 5161	Weasal 5161
Weasal 5161	Weasal 5161	Weasal 5161
M3A1 Scout car 5162	M3A1 Scout car 5162	M3A1 Scout car 5162	Authenicast/Quality Castings Quack, 5163, a recent cast from Authenticast mold
Authenticast King Kong 5164	Authenticast Pershing M26 5165	Authenticast Chaffee 5166	Authenticast M36 Jackson 5167
Authenticast Slugger 5168	Authenticast Sherman 5169	Auth T98 E1 Airborne 5170	Authenticast T-17E1 Scout Car 5171
Authenticast T-17E2 5172	Authenticast DUKW 5173	Authenticast M32 5174	Authenticast LVT 4 5176
Authenticast M44 5177	Authenticast M45 5178	Authenticast Patton 5179	Authenticast Walker Bulldog 5180
Authenticast Truck 5181	Authenticast Troop Carrier 5183	Authenticast Troop Carrier 5183
Trailer 5184	Trailer 5184	Authenticast M47 Patton 5186	Authenticast Patton M48 5187
Authenticast Atomic Annie 5189 I don't own this, picture courtesy of Chuck P...Thanks!	Authenticast Atomic Annie 5189 I don't own this, picture courtesy of Chuck P...Thanks!	Authenticast Atomic Annie 5189 I don't own this, picture courtesy of Chuck P...Thanks!
Authenticast T-98 heavy tank 5190	. Authenticast T-99E-1 SPG 5191	Authenticast T-99E-1 SPG 5191	Authenticast T-99E-1 SPG 5191
Authenticast Lee 5192	Authenticast Lee 5192	Hawk AA missile launcher, 3 missiles, tractor transporter  with 3 additional missiles, mobile radar unit and four missile men Scan from catalog 5193 Thanks to Fred Dorris	Honest John AA rocket with 4 missile men Scan from catalog 5194 Thanks to Fred Dorris
Nike-Ajax AA missile, booster rocket, launch vehicle and 4 missile men Scan from catalog 5195 Thanks to Fred Dorris	M42 twin AA gun 40 mm 5196 Thanks Frank!	M42 twin AA gun 40 mm 5196 Thanks Frank!
Authenticast Ontos 5197 Thanks Bill C!	Authenticast Ontos 5197 Thanks Bill C!	Authenticast Ontos 5197 Thanks Bill C!	Authenticast Ontos 5197 Thanks Bill C!

Germany

Authenticast PZKW III C 5100	Authenticast Panzer I 5101	Authenticast Panzerjager 5102	Authenticast PZKW MKIV G 5103 also in Olive drab green
Authenticast 5103, green		Authenticast Panzer IV F 5104	Authenticast Panzer II 5105
Authenticast PZKW III H 5106 also in Olive drab green	Authenticast 5106, green	Authenticast Tiger 5107
Authenticast 8 wheel car SdKfz 234 5108	Authenticast Panther 5110	Authenticast Sturmgeschutz 5111	Authenticast troop carrier 5112

Britain

Authenticast Churchill Mark II 5001	Authenticast Bren Universal Carrier 5002	Authenticast Carden Loyd 5004	Authenticast Valentine 5005
Authenticast Matilda 5006	Authenticast Crusader 5007	Authenticast Daimler 5008	Authenticast Daimler 5008
Authenticast Cromwell MKIII 5009	Authenticast Churchill 5010	Authenticast Centurion 5012

Russia

Authenticast KV 1 5200	Authenticast KV 2 5201	Authenticast Stalin 5202	Authenticast T34 5203
Authenticast STZ 5205	Authenticast STZ 5205	Authenticast T34/85 5206	Authenticast JS III 5207

Scan from a flyer showing an Authenticast SU100, 5208

Japan

Authenticast Japanese Tankette 5052

Authenticast Japanese Medium Tank 5053

Authenticast Japanese Tankette 5055

Authenticast Japanese Heavy/medium tank 5057

Authenticast Japanese Medium tank 2597 turret ring broken 5054

Teachers models, 1:36

	Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model
Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model - rear	Authenticast Churchill MK II Teachers Model - base
Authenticast Cruiser Valentine Mk III Teachers Model	Authenticast Cruiser Valentine Mk III Teachers Model	Authenticast Cruiser Valentine Mk III Teachers Model	Authenticast Cruiser Valentine Mk III Teachers Model - base
Authenticast Japanese Amphibian Tankette 2589 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Amphibian Tankette 2589 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Amphibian Tankette 2589 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Amphibian Tankette 2589 Teachers Model - base
Authenticast Japanese medium tank 2594 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese medium tank 2594 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese medium tank 2594 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese medium tank 2594 Teachers Model - base
Authenticast Japanese Tankette 2597 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Tankette 2597 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Tankette 2597 Teachers Model	Authenticast Japanese Tankette 2597 Teachers Model
Authenticast Matilda MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Matilda MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Matilda MK II Teachers Model	Authenticast Matilda MK II Teachers Model

The larger scale models (1:36) were referred to as 'Teachers models'. Authenticast offered Teachers models for all the Japanese tanks and for all but two British tanks (the Cromwell and later model Churchill MK VII). Thanks to Ed for the pictures of these models!

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Overview

Authenticast tanks are heavy cast metal models manufactured by Comet Metal Products of Richmond Hills, NY in the 40's, 50's and 60's. They were originally used as identification models for the military. The 'typical' scale for the tanks is 1:108 (15 mm). Teachers models were also made at a larger scale, 1:36. One inch to nine feet (1:108) was chosen because the Navy (during WWII) decided a pilot in training looking at the model from 15 feet away (at a 45 degree angle) would be the same as a flying pilot viewing a tank from about a mile in the air. Teachers models (1" to 3 feet) fell out  of favor because 1) they cost 5 times as much to produce, and 2) the smaller models could be carried ashore in a "briefcase", making them easy to transport (New Yorker Magazine, August 19, 1950)

Unboxed models can be found for $10-$30. Boxed go for about $30 and up. The last release tend to be much more rare, and can go for several hundred dollars.

Tank and Soldier Sets: Authenticast also released Soldier and Tank sets:

Set	Description
PT-1	Parade tank unit: 1 tank with man in turret, colored guidon, marching soldiers
CR-1	Combat Recon tank group: 1 tank with man in turret, infantry with mine detectors,  riflemen, machine gunners, bazooka

In addition to tanks and other ground vehicles, Comet also made warship ID and some airplane ID models. They also manufactured soldiers and HO railroad figures and accessories. You can also find more information on my Comet Metal Products page

These models are very similar to the Denzil Skinner models released in the early 1980's. Got to my Denzil Skinner page for a one to one comparison!

An abbreviated history

 Abraham Slonim emigrated from Kiev Russia in the early 1900's, where he found work in the metal industry. In the 1930's Slonim started making metal soldiers, and attempted to interest the military in using diecast models as identification models. It was during this time that the name, Comet Metal Products, was first used. With the advent of WWII, Comet was commissioned by the US government to manufacture identification models for ships, planes, trucks. It is widely reported that from 1941-1945 Comet made more than 10,000,000 models of military items (Kurtz and Ehrlich, The Art of the Toy Soldier, Abbeville Press, 1987)...although later articles placed the number at about 3.5 million.  In 1945 Comet released these models to the public under the Authenticast name. The inaugural catalog (steelnavy.com) speaks the extreme accuracy of the models, and how details of the models had been classified by the government. Comet continued to produce the models until 1962, when the company was sold. According to S. Berliner III the molds eventually made their way into the hands of Chuck Cook at Quality Castings, and finally to 19th Century Miniatures.

For an annotated timeline, and much more on Comet, go to my Comet Metal Products page

For a nice discussion of ID models from the 1940s (Dale, Framberg, Comet) got to Jarek Skonieczny's WWII jeep recognition models page.
For more information on Dale ID models, go to the Jeeptoys website. For information on Airplane ID models, go to the Friend or Foe? Museum

A cool link to the 1945 Authenticast catalog can be found at steelnavy.com and a nice history can be found the Alnavco website. You can also find out more at S. Berliner III's Comet/Authenticast webpage , including pictures from his COMPLETE tank collection!

Finally, an excellent article on Comet can be purchased from the archives of the New York Times: Little Plant Is Turning Out a U.S. Arsenal, Alexander R. Hammer, The New York Times, September 13, 1959, page F1. The article can be purchased from the Times online archive.

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Packaging

One of the  planks found inside the box of spotter models.

Cruiser Tank, #5005 mounted on the plank 'insert'

Markings on the underside of the plank

Universal Carrier, #5002 mounted on the other end.

Markings on the underside of the plank

The models were shipped in boxes very similar to the Authenticast ships. These were wood boxes, light blue or gray, usually labeled for the branch of service to which they were sent. The tanks were screwed to wooden planks, inserted into the boxes. The tank type was printed on the underside of the plank.

Authenticast Box

Top of Box

End of Box

Post war, the models were individually packaged in the characteristic red and blue cardboard boxes. The tanks were wrapped in tissue paper.

Authenticast tanks also were sold in sets with soldiers. Pictured above is a Stuart tank with Figures. At least one other soldier and tank set was sold. The 1959 catalog (number 6) featured a M47 Patton and soldiers. Thanks to Tom C. for the photos!

Finally, some of the late models (usually the missiles), appear to have been packaged in the green and yellow Authenticast boxes.

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Catalogs

Volume 1 - 1945	Volume 2 - 1951	Volume 3 - 1953	Volume 4 - 1955
Volume 5 - 1955	Volume 6 -1958	Volume 7 -1960 Thanks to Fred Dorris

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Listing

Below is a listing of tanks from a various Comet catalogs. Original prices ran from $1.25 to $2.00

US Tanks/AFVs

US - Post 1945

German Tanks/AFVs

British Tanks/AFVs

Russian Tanks/AFVs

Japanese Tanks

Quality Castings Issues/Reissues

Quality Castings Inc. 15mm Miniatures

 

Quality Castings Inc. 15mm Miniatures	Quality Castings 8 wheel car. The wheels are cast as one part, unlike the Authenticast version. This version had the turret modified (removed), and had been repainted, I have refinished it, as shown	Base of the 8 wheel car with wheels molded onto chassis. Note the Comet Logo on the base
A comparison of the two 8 wheel cars. The Comet logo appears on both. On one, the wheels are attached to an axle and are free to move. On the other, the wheels are molded to the chassis.	Another comparison of the two 8 wheel cars. The one on the left has been modified, with the turret replaced, however chassis is original.	Quality Castings 8 wheel (the wheels are cast as one part) with the paint removed. The original had been repainted, it is shown here with the finish removed
Quality Castings Wespe This was hand painted over the original finish, so I removed the paint and refinished it. Shown refinished Number 4017	Quality Castings Wespe Another angle. Shown refinished Number 4017	Quality Castings Wespe. This was hand painted over the original finish. Finished removed in this picture. I also wanted to verify that this was not a different model with the shielding and gun added by the old owner. All appears to be "original equipment"
Quality Castings Wespe. Finished removed in this picture. Another angle.	Quality Castings Wespe Refinished Note the Comet logo on the base Number 4017	Quality Castings Wespe Finished removed in this picture. Note the Comet logo on the base

Quality Castings continued making models from the original casts, but with time, modifications started to creep in. Most characteristic were the treads (or wheels) and hull being cast as a single piece. Typically (but not in all cases), Authenticast treads were cast separately from the hull, and then attached to the hull (a tack weld(?) can typically be seen). The wheels on Authenticast wheeled vehicles are typically attached with an axle. Re-issues are cast as part of the vehicle (see the 8 wheeled car, above).

 Quality Castings not only reissued many of the models, but it also issued new models, such as the Wespe seen above. These models utilized some of the original Authenticast moulds, and thus have the Comet name on the bottom.

Below is a partial listing of Quality Castings Vehicles (from Dan Johnson, Toy Car Collectors Guide, Collector Books, 2002, pg 54)

Model	Number		Model	Number
Wespe	4017		5 cm PAK	4051
7.5 cm PAK	4018		222 Armoured Car	4052
Opel Blitz	4023		Brummbar	4054
88 Flak	4026		234 armoured car	4055
2 cm FLAF	4027		King Tiger, Porsche turret	4058
7.5 INF gun	4035		halftrack with 3/7 FLAK	4061
Kubelwagen	4036		2 cm QUAD and trailer	4062
BMW motorcycle	4038		3.7 cm FLAK on trailer	4063
Pz38(t) tank	4041		88 PAK	4064
Wirbelwind	4042		105 Howitzer	4065
Hetzer	4044		Ferdinand	4066
Marder III	4045		Elefant	4067
halftrack	4046		Mortar-halftrack	4068
Hummell	4049

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For an annotated timeline, and more on Comet, go to my Comet Metal Products page or to my Authenticast airplanes page

For more on Denzil-Skinner models, got to my Denzil Skinner page

Finally, for more on WWII Recognition models, go to:
WWW.WWIIRECOGNITIONMODELS.COM

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