Vintage Aurora L-19 Bird Dog Ready-to-Fly Gas Powered Model Airplane

This is a vintage Aurora Plastics Corp. L-19 Bird Dog 'Ready-to-Fly' model airplane kit, likely dating from the 1960s. The model is constructed primarily of olive drab injection-molded plastic and features authentic U.S. Army decals, including a white star with red bar and bold yellow 'U.S. ARMY' lettering on the wing. It includes a small internal combustion engine (often a .049 glow engine) and a two-blade plastic propeller. The airplane is housed in its original red and yellow cardboard display box with a partial cellophane window. The packaging contains marketing text like 'The fastest starting model plane engine in the world.' Notable physical features include the high-wing monoplane configuration and fixed landing gear. Regarding condition, the box shows significant shelf wear, including corner dings, creases, and some tearing of the cardboard and cellophane. The plane itself appears mostly intact within the packaging, though there is visible dust and potential light surface scratches consistent with age. These Aurora gas-powered models were mid-century hobbyist staples known for their 'Ready-to-Fly' convenience compared to balsa wood kits, representing a specific era of American toy manufacturing and recreational aviation interest.