Reboxing models

[quote user="modelcrazy"]

[/quote   Thank you. Scalemates said they changed box only. I assume that means it has the original decals?

I was always under the impression that when a company''reboxers'' a model, they simply use somone else moulds and manke new copries rather than taking older kits and just putting them in a new box. If thats the case, then i would think they would re-print new decals.

Quite often, a re-boxed kit will have a completly differant set of markings from the original, again, ckeck Scalemates as this may help.

Oddly, Heller might be the least likely to have changed their decals over the years. For all the different issues of their Hurricane IIc I've purchased over the decades, they all seemed to have the A/A 'red elephant' SEAC markings on the kit decal sheets. Same sort of thing for their P-51D.

But checking online for the particular issue you're looking for is the best idea, by far.

Revell updated the decals for the Monogram P-40, but the choices have remained the same all these years as far as I am aware. They've been the same since I was a kid anyways. Lol

Mars

When companies (Heller) rebox models, do they put in new decals? I have to pick between a 1979 rebox and a 1998 rebox, both from a 1966 model.  The 79 is cheaper but Ive had problems with old decals.

 

Other times, reboxes include newer tooled parts or corrected parts. For instance, when Italeri reissued its original HMMWV kit, it included some retooled detail missing from the original kit as well as some updated parts.

Other times reboxes are lesser versions of the original kit. Sometimes it is because the molds are old and worn so parts are not as crisp and the fit not as well as the original.

When Italeri reissued the former Esci M60 "Blazer" IDF tank, they removed certain parts from the Esci kit. Esci's version was the standard M60A1 with a sprue that added IDF armor and fittings. This gave the builder the option of making a standard tank or an IDF tank. When Italeri reissued the kit, they removed any part from the standard version that was replaced by an IDF part. This resulted in a kit that can only be made into an IDF tank.

However, when Revell of Germany reissued the former Esci M60A3 kit, they included some M60A1 parts that Esci only included with the other two kits.

Dragon is notorious for reissuing kits with improved parts. They are also notorious for not relabeling the kits so you don't know if you got the original or the improved kit.

gregbale

Oddly, Heller might be the least likely to have changed their decals over the years. For all the different issues of their Hurricane IIc I've purchased over the decades, they all seemed to have the A/A 'red elephant' SEAC markings on the kit decal sheets. Same sort of thing for their P-51D.

But checking online for the particular issue you're looking for is the best idea, by far.

 

Back in the day, Heller often changed decals when they reboxed other kits. They tended to add markings for a French version if it was a US warplane and the original kit included just US wartime markings. Older kits that originally came with just Korean War or Vietnam War USAF markings eventually make it out with European markings only with a French version being most common.

As Rob has mentioned, it can be new tooling, decals, etc... I've seen some change their box art covers even though it's the same kit.

I find Squadron's Encore kits, which rebox older kits, often with PE and resin added, does include new decals.