Classics

Don't sell yourself short on Revell. They've been coming out with decent kits. I don't stick with certain brands of kits. I have multiple brands in my stash - including Revell. It all depends on the subjects you're looking to build.

It's a little shocking that the re released Lindberg, AMT etc. kits now cost 10 times what they did originally, but it's their same lousy kit.

But don't knock them,  my LHS gets them in and my guy there says he sells them all, mostly to 30 something dads and their young kids, so there is hope for the younger generation.   I to have fond memories of building some of those as a kid,   I want to get the U-2 they have  and supe it up.

John

Revell has a variety of skill level kits.  Don't reject them just because they also sell novice kits.  Their midget race car, the KK one, and the PT-17 Stearman kits are real gems, but I would not recommend them to beginners because of the large number of various dainty but detailed parts.  And on some of their ship kits the number of parts is daunting.  Whether the kits are simple or complicated, they were bargains.  Hope they remain that way under new ownership.

With others, even Glencoe and Lindberg put out an occasional gem.  The Lindberg '54 Ford and the Glencoe Curtiss Condor kits are really nice.  Some flash, some misfit in spots, but nothing that an experienced modeler can't handle.

One of my biggest pet peeves is returning hobbyists bash certain brand of kits - Revell especially. *eye roll*....

Here's the thing, sure you've been away from the hobby for 5 years, 10, 20, or whatever. Keep in mind, kits have eveloved so much in terms of technology, new tooling, etc... Don't sell yourself short assuming they're no good.

Scalemates has always been my go-to site for kit reviews.

I guess all this argument of American Revell is now a moot point, since American Revell is no more.  Revell now is all RoG.

For all intents and purposes, Revell/USA ceased to exist when Odyssey Partners, who had acquired both Monogram and Revell in 1986 with the idea of merging the two companies, which they did.  Revell's operations were closed down and production was based on Monogram's plant in Illinois.  The Revell name was retained because of its international recognition (Graham), but new development under the Revell label was really Monogram in content, if not name.

Revell's European offices (UK and Germany) emerged as Revell of Germany, a separate entity.

GMorrison

It's a little shocking that the re released Lindberg, AMT etc. kits now cost 10 times what they did originally, but it's their same lousy kit.

 

GMorrison

It's a little shocking that the re released Lindberg, AMT etc. kits now cost 10 times what they did originally, but it's their same lousy kit.

 

so if I understand you correctly you are think a kit amt releases now, that was tooled, say, in 1962, ans sold for a buck then should still be a buck? If that's your thinking you are in another world. Cost are far more considerable now.

According to the U.S. inflation calculator something that cost $1 in 1962 would cost $8.30 in 2018

Nuckss

According to the U.S. inflation calculator something that cost $1 in 1962 would cost $8.30 in 2018

Sorry to not be clear. I have no doubt that Round2 needs to charge $ 25.00 for a car kit that originally cost $ 2.00.

But I wouldn't pay $ 25.00 for most of those rereleases unless it is something I really need to have.

Two cases in point.

I bought the AMT Avanti from Round2. I really wanted an Avanti. The hood wouldn't fit closed over the engine, the hoses didn't connect to where they should, the bumpers had no pins and fell off. I'm not that bad a modeler, but it fought me every step of the way. But in the end I had an Avanti.

I bought two of the "Q ship" kits for $ 20.00 each in order to make something that looked like a real ship. The hull pieces were useful and everything else, everything, needed to be scratchbuilt. In the end I sent it to the SOD about 75% finished. 

So I think if I'm going to pay 10 times as much as before, I would like to see SOME improvement. Not possible in an old kit repop? Well, once bitten- twice shy.

GMorrison

Sorry to not be clear. I have no doubt that Round2 needs to charge $ 25.00 for a car kit that originally cost $ 2.00.

But I wouldn't pay $ 25.00 for most of those rereleases unless it is something I really need to have.

Two cases in point.

I bought the AMT Avanti from Round2. I really wanted an Avanti. The hood wouldn't fit closed over the engine, the hoses didn't connect to where they should, the bumpers had no pins and fell off. I'm not that bad a modeler, but it fought me every step of the way. But in the end I had an Avanti.

I bought two of the "Q ship" kits for $ 20.00 each in order to make something that looked like a real ship. The hull pieces were useful and everything else, everything, needed to be scratchbuilt. In the end I sent it to the SOD about 75% finished. 

So I think if I'm going to pay 10 times as much as before, I would like to see SOME improvement. Not possible in an old kit repop? Well, once bitten- twice shy.

 

i would agree sir. But at least they aren't like Hasegawa and charging $50-60 for curbside kits with barely any interior detail. The Hasegawa Subaru Legacy kit retails in that range and the interior is terrible.

Yeah, I got excited about the Hasegawa BMW 2002 Turbo.

No doors, no interior, no engine. $ 50- $ 60.