What are some good Revell / Monogram kits?

Very broad question. Any of their new tooled stuff is on par with anything out of the Far East- PBY, JU-52, F-15E, F/A-18E, F-84E/F-84G, Rafale M, SB2C, PV-1. All those sport state of the moldings, detail, etc. And for the budget conscious like you and I. Many of their older kits: F-100, F-104, F-105, F-101, F-102, F-106, F-5E, F-4C/D, F-4J, AV-8A, AV-8B, AH-64A, UH-1C, TBD, F-80, F-15C, F-14A/B/D, B-26, B-25, B-17, B-24, C-47, P-39, P-47, are great kits that at the time of release were cutting edge and as better detailed than anything coming out of Japan in 1/48 at that time(China and Korea were not players back then). And they have re-issued a few of the old original Revell kits-MiG-21, Mig-25, Bf-109G, Spitfire II, that compare favorably with the Monogram kits of the time. Of course those are all 1/48 But just building that list should give you a couple years with of work. Just have a go at one of the big one for a large dress up project like the B-17 or B-24. Or a twin bomber like the B-25 or B-26.

Thanks, Stik

Is there anyway to discern their older releases from the newer releases, like markings on the box or something?  I'll probably stroll in to a Michael's and/or Toys R us, some time during the week, to see what they have.  Unfortunately, Staten Island is bereft of hobby shops.

-Fred

The list a broad and varied and covered well in the earlier reply.  However, don't feel locked to a Toys R Us or other big box location.  You can order from Squadron or any of the other outstanding mail order places and in the case of Squadron above a certain point it's free shipping (I think it just changed to $150)

The way that Revell is re issuing kits these days its hard to say. I doubt that they have the original copyright dates on the boxes. But suffice to say that if it has operating features like folding wings, retractable landing gear, or sliding canopy(not optional position) listed, its one of the old ones that needs major additions such as wheel wells, cockpit sidewalls and flooring, etc. Those ones were fun kits to build and play with as a boy (my SBD and SB2C-the old one not the new tooled one- sank the HIJNS Coffetable many times with their dropping bombs while Hellcat and Wildcat flew cover for the TBF dropping its torpedo) but they are the ones I think you are talking about in your original post.

A couple other I will add to  the list of decent older ones- Mosquito, P-51B, P-51D, A-1 Skyraider, Ju-87, Me-262....

A couple of liners are the P-38 and the Kingfisher. Those straddled the line on interior detailing and such.

I dont know how far your willing to travel, or where on SI you are, but Avenel Hobbies is a nice little shop, its in Woodbridge Twp NJ, probably 10 minutes or so from the Outerbridge Crossing.

Fred,

Keep an eye out for Revell's 1/32 scale Bell X-1. It's inexpensive, and it's a nicely engineered and detailed kit of an important aircraft.

All the best,

Matt Usher @ FSM

I think I'll defer to Hammer.

Take a look in here for various old Monogram kit builds

/forums/t/135482.aspx

A few more 1/48 fast mover birds that are great builds that I forgot to mention- A-10, A-37, A-4.

Click on the individual aircraft kits here to get a link to the instructions to see what the build itself will look like.

http://www.revell.com/model-kits/aircraft/index.html

I know that it is dogged a bit since the recent Great Wall release, but the P-61 is a fun build.  Many of the problems can be avoided by good planning and careful dry fitting throughout the build.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of their century series kits as well.  Cockpits have great detail for the price and a little dry brushing and a wash produces great results.

While the P-38 nose can try your patience, you gotta love having 5 options in one box.

the re-released P-47D razorback is a awesome. did some try fitting with no problems. best revell kit to date for me. 

I still like their F-5E line... until recently is was in my opinion the best out there.  A few more makes have come out with molds since but I cant speak for their quality. 

The P-38 lightning is a fun one to build. I also just picked up a Revell of Germany 1/72 B-17G (its a new design with really good detailed parts that is designed very well) that is full of detail. Skill level 3 but really not to hard. Should keep you busy for a bit. Those are two that will take up some of your time.

Also your best bet is to go to tower hobbies or another online retailer to pick up some of the revell kits because the big box stores like to carry the kits that build too quick and most of the detailed kits are either sold out or not in the stores

Also your best bet is to go to tower hobbies or another online retailer to pick up some of the revell kits because the big box stores like to carry the kits that build too quick and most of the detailed kits are either sold out or not in the stores

Wow - thanks for all the replies, guys

dcaponell, normally I would order from online - heck, it's how I've purchased dang near every kit I've built in the last 3 years, but I have to watch every dime, for now.  Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy enough kits to qualify for free shipping and most online shops have been allowed to charge NYers, sales tax, so that becomes a wash.

Stik, I may have to take a look for that A-1and the Ju-87.  Does Revell make a 109, as well?  I've always wanted to build one to compliment my 190.

96Dak, I'll check them out, next time I head to Woodbridge.  I have to combine trips, just to justify the cost of the darn tolls, nowadays.  I need to make a trip to Harbor Freight, soon, and they're directly behind the woodbridge mall.  Seems like a trip is in order

Matt, about a year ago, I fought tooth and nail to finally win an auction on ebay, for the '86 release of that kit.  Had I known they were going to re-release it, I would have waited.  Would have saved me the grief of having to redesign all the decals in Photoshop.

Screaminhelo, I know all too well about that P-61 kit.  Spent a good 6 months building her with every aftermarket detail they make.

Randy, I have a Jug in my collection (not that I would ever expect anyone to know what I've built, lol), and even though I could definitely use another, I want to expand my collection, before I start on multiples.

Rabbit, I've always liked the look of the F-5.  Maybe I'll see if anyone has one in stock.

Pzl66, I've been dying to build a P-38, but I have yet to find a kit from any manufacturer, that goes together, well.  As for the B-17, I've already spent a year building one.  I could go a long time without having to do another, LOL.

Thanks, again.

-Fred

I have a long-standing bias towards Monogram kits, but if I had to pick two aircraft kits, I'd recommend their 1/72 Phantoms and their 1/48 F-14's.  There are some challenging fit issues on both (mostly around the engine intakes), but with some skill and care they can be built into beautiful models.

Monogram's early 1/48 Navy aircraft are still my favorites; the F4F, F6F, TBF, SBD, F4U & my all-time fave, the SB2C.  They're fun to build and look good OOB, but also provide some great opportunities for adding scratch-built details.   

Mark

I built up both Revell's P38 and Bf109G in 1/48 last year. The P38 takes some work, but it wasn't the lost cause that some accuse it of being. And the -109 was a good little kit for the money as well - nothing spectacular about it, but nothing wrong with it and room to make your own improvements.

When I got back into the hobby a few years ago I built their 1/48 He-111...very nice detail....good fit and big.....after that I havent built any other RM....I di pick up the RG B-17G nice kit...

I have to say that thier new PV-1 is a sweet kit...if you are in to big 2 engine fighter/recon types

Gigatron

Stik, I may have to take a look for that A-1and the Ju-87.  Does Revell make a 109, as well?  I've always wanted to build one to compliment my 190.

Yes they do. It is actually originally a Revell molding from the late 1970s. Way ahead of its time and probably the best 1/48 single engined fighter Revell made pre merger. It's a late war G-10 so marking options are limited. Eduard does a nice little zoom PE set for it for under $10 so even Von Hammerstein cant complain about the costs. I certainly recommend the kit since there are so few 109s to be had for under$20 in 1/48 these days. I built the original Revell release as a kid, and have a Monogram re issue in my stash.

http://www.revell.com/model-kits/aircraft/85-5253.html

here is the Ju-87, which I built in the late 90s... missing fiddly bits (antena mast, rear guns) are due to a few marauding cats that liked to use my dresser top where it was displayed as their high ground perch, and my ife moving things when I was mobilized and deployed for 18months once upon a time...

and the A-1 which I built in the late 80s. 20+ years of dust show even after clean up...

The P-38 is not really that bad.  All P-38 kits (any twin boom for that matter) can be a bit of a challenge when fitting the booms.  Swanny has a great technique on his website.  The nose on the P-38 kit may be easier to do opened up, sometimes the gun cowlings don't fit well but there are ways to get troublesome one to behave if you want to model them closed.  I have built 5 or 6 of these over the years and have loved every minute!

the 109G-10 is nice also. 

I love the 109, Stuka, and the P-47s.  I also have two P-61s, a F-80,  and a He111 sitting in the stash.  Many of the kits were purchased at Michael's using their 40% off coupons.  Hobby Lobby seems to carry nearly the same stock as Michael's regarding these kits and also provide a seemingly endless stream of coupons via the web.  Both are great sources for these kits.

My favorite kits were the old 1/48 Monogram kits with all of the working stuff.  I also like the old 1/32 P-51.  I did like the B-26, P-61, B-25, C-47, both B-24s, B-17, and the B-29

Hercmech

I have to say that thier new PV-1 is a sweet kit...if you are in to big 2 engine fighter/recon types

Can't wait to start on mine!

A good place to find kits is at a model show/contest, usually you will find some vendors selling someone's stash of older kits at about $5 to 10 each. Also looks on craiglist for local guys selling their stash.

Gigatron

Wow - thanks for all the replies, guys

Gee, Gig, what did you expect?  After all, this is the home of the Monogram Maf-, er, uh, I mean, the Monogram Legitimate Businessmen's Club   Just teasing, of course.  It's a good question!

Surprised that Hammer hasn't posted yet (I don't think I missed it).

From me, I'll say the PV-1, and then go right to the classic kits that were developed by Monogram.  My picks are:

the large bombers and transports:  the B-17G, the B-24J and -D, the B-29, the C-47, and in 1/72, the B-36 and B-52

the B-25, B-26, and the P-61, acknowledging that many find fit issues with the latter

the TBD, the P-39, the P-51D and P-47D, both the razorback and bubbletop

the P-40B and the P-51B, even though they do show their age

the P-38, the Typhoon, the Fw-190

the F-80 and F-86

in 1/72, the old F4B-4, the F11C, the P-6, the P-40N and P-51B

Now, some will be able to find issues with any one of these kits, fit issues and such, but I think that every one of these is a good kit, which can be built into a decent representation of the real thing, with not too much effort. and into really great models, if  you'd like to try your hand at superdetailing.

The older 1/48 kits, like the USN birds, the Me-109 and Zero, are fun to build, and also can provide the same satisfaction and opportunity to superdetail, but even I concede that there are newer kits of those subjects that are probably better to build for the builder who doesn't have the skill or the inclination to go nuts with a kit.

Take a look at this thread for lots of good finished RM builds.

/forums/t/134679.aspx

Just thought I'd bump this back to the top, because I'm going to take a look in Michael's in the next day or so, and I wanted to be able to reference this thread before I go over there.  Toys R Us has nothing in the w ay of models, anymore.  They list a few on their website, but the store is completely devoid.  I guess if it isn't pre-built, or make noises, or do all of your thinking for you, kids aren't interested   .

-Fred