Box top showing 124PK
HMS HERO
As part of Frogs 1964 releases the 1/500 scale Warship HMS HERO is unique in that on the box front it carries the catalogue number 124 PK but on the box ends F 124. (the only Frog kit ever to use the PK suffix) but stocks lasted for five years until 1969.
Box end showing F124
Between 1964 and 1974 220,00 kits were produced both in Merton and later in Margate. Other interesting points to note are that the early International Model Aircraft logo appears on the box end as well as the words: A TRI-ANG Product.
From the box top:
“H.M.S. HERO DESTROYER
The H.M.S. Hero, a Destroyer of 1,340 tons standard displacement, was launched on 10th March, 1936.
At the outbreak of War in 1939 she was serving with the Mediterranean Fleet at Malta and was later transferred with them to the South Atlantic. The Hero was employed on anti-submarine sweeps and escort duties and from 1939 to 1944 she won a total of Ten Battle Honours for her part in many dangerous missions. Later,re-named the H.M.C.S. Chaudiere, she went on to win a further Three Battle Honours for her service in the Atlantic, Normandy and Biscay.”
Interestingly this packing survived into the 1970’s, before it became part of the sale to the USSR
 The instruction sheet showing 124 PK |
 The decal sheet |
 |
 Box contents |
The 1969/70 release
The USSR releases
The first Novo packaged models contained ex Frog decals and had well printed boxes. Quality deteriorated after Novo folded and the overall quality of the plastic was very poor. A lot of the moulds were damaged some severally to make them virtually unusable.
The Novo release still carried the F124 number
HMS Hero (1936)
Page updated October 2025 in Medyka © Frog Model Aircraft