Kit quality and price

I believe that the Revell Germany kits are re-boxings of the original US releases of the B-17 kits. The higher cost is no doubt due to the trans-Atlantic shipping. Many of the Monogram kits from this era are good buys for the money. I feel that the kits from the "Monogram Classics" line are more keyed to sentimental reasons, rather than serious model making. I hope this helps. Welcome back to the hobby ! there are no strangers here !

There are a lot of re-boxing going on between Revell and Monogram, ever since they have become one, in effect. However, Revell Germany keeps producing kits mainly aimed for a German or wider European market, in particular modern German AFVs, Luftwaffe '46 subjects, and European cars. Revell had in the past a very poor record in terms of accuracy, details, quality of molding,.. but any late Revell Germany kit is probably as good as any modern Japanese kit. I have bought and built many over the past few years and I'm yet to be disapoointed. The molds are manufactured in the Far East where I suppose they can get better quality for less money... However, do be aware that Revell Germany also re-markets some Matchbox kits (this seems to be limited to some 1/72 and 1/76 kits so far).

If possible, open up the box before you buy, or ask here!

just an offhand question, but does revell germany repackage the models without any swastikas?

Hard to say, but a Revell Germany B-17 could be the older Revell B-17F, or the Monogram B-17G, since they both did that kit in 1/48 in the 70s. Revell Germany is now boxing the older Monogram SR-71 kit in 1/72, which was not the most accurate Blackbird kit (canopy doors WAY too wide). I saw the thing for about $21.99 in a hobby shop recently, when the original kit (Monogram) was $12.00 two years ago! Monogram 1/48 aircraft kits are still the best value for money in the U.S. They might not have the super detailed, photo-etched seatbelt buckles that so many detail freaks salivate over, but who cares? The correct shapes and thicknesses, with a reasonable amount of detail, an aftermarket decal sheet and we're good to go! Personally, I think the Japanese manufacturers, great kits and all, are pushing the pricing envelope a bit hard. Twenty-five bucks for a 1/72 Fujimi Spitfire? Pleeeze..... Here's to Trumpeter, for doing a bunch of diverse stuff in a bunch of different scales. Thanks for finally making a good F-107 kit!

M1,
The reason there are no swastika's is because it is illegal to display that device.
FSM even airbrushed out the swastika on the Komet it had on the cover of a past issue.

Don

The swastika is illegal in some countries but not the U.S. I am sure FSM airbrushed it out so the magazine could be sold overseas without a problem.

yeah I know the swastika is illegal in most of europe [the ship I bought the other day came with decals for 2 diffferent german flags: 1 with the swastika and one without.(just a little white circle in the middle of the flag)], but is that one of the reasons revell germany was created?

M1;
RG has been around for years, their are a part of Revell/Monograms corp. they where designed to help Revell(before the merger) sell thier models overseas, then when they where merged with Monogram they went and purchased Matchbox modeling corp and I believe Airfix too, now they contract with other countries modeling companies like Italeri, Esci, Hasegawa, MRC, and the rest so alot of the newer kits are from different manufactures which they show the RG name, it's kinda weird but it make them the cash