Corvette in 1/72: Revell v. Matchbox. Advice?

Bocks Suv

I have a choice between these two, but not sure what the differences are or which is a better build. Also, for added detail, am I better off with the Revell Platinum kit with it's wood deck and 1 sheet of P-E,

Underneath all the extras in the Revell kit, the plastic is the same. The Revell kit is a rebox of the Matchbox, plus all the add-on goodies. It comes down to whether there's a significant difference in the price.

Revenant

I'd get the brand new 1/144th Revell of Germany offering...

 

I'd get the brand new 1/144th Revell of Germany offering...

I built the old Matchbox kit and converted it to RC almnost 30 years ago.  I used a scale size prop and the scale rudder, and had no issues with running it that way.  IMHO, you don't need an overscale rudder--  if you're concerned about the turning diameter, you can go with greater than scale deflection.

I think the Flower is the perfect plastic model for RC conversion.  It is big and beamy, with a displacement of about 5.5 pounds, and looks great on the water, even "rough" seas!

I saw the contents of the new Revell Platinum edition just last week-- ti was nicer than I was expecting.   The wood decks are not those over-thick plywood things--it is a sheet of real wood veneer with adhesive backign that is abotu the the thickness of a vinyl sticker.  I found it interesting that Revell repeats the Matchbox error by providing the wood veneer for nearly the entire model, when the real FLowers only had a small amount of wood decking.   (The guy who was building it was only using it on the foc'sle bridge, and are by the K guns.) 

I was also impressed by the nice metal barrels that the Platinum kit includes. plus the nice PE set.  

Bottom line:  If I was to buy a model today, I still don't think the Platinum kit is worth it, unless I was doing a diplac model.  For an RC project, the old kit would be good enough. 

Hmmm;

    I have the older Matchbox offering with it being fully R/Cd . It has flaws , Yes .But with judicious planning and a good eye she is an attractive little ship that can be operated in real world wind and water , waves and wakes shedding out of her freeing ports like they are supposed too .

 Some off scale adjustments had to be made to get scale performance ( like an oversize rudder and prop . ) Everything else is O.O.B. and if done right , tough as nails so far . She's now four years old and has cruised in the Susuin straight , the Sacramento river and the lakes and bays of the Guadelupe and Comal rivers here in Texas .

 She has weathered well with all her paint being Humbrol ( when you could get it as easily as Testors ) . The only thing new is the turned gun barrels and the real metal Depth charges . I did the top hamper and radar cage in brass when I built her .The two life rafts are cotton netting with real painted cork for the float areas .

    With her Battery ( a 12 volt Motorcycle battery , This one is number two ) and an all electronic speed control with a four Channel Futaba radio . She is a jewel to run and seems very much at home in water. Now as a Static kit she is and can be impressive O.O.B. or Build it like this must be your most detailed ever ship model .She will be beautiful both ways .  T.B.

Read this:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234936238-revell-172-flower-class-corvette-platinum-edition/

Based on that, I'd go for the newer offering.