My Rant To The Powers That Be...

The Revell 1/32 aircraft kits are beyond criticism. At the time there were no other kits in that scale of those subjects, on the market.

There was one, sorta.... Monogram's F-51D (along with the "Phantom Mustang, first released in 1961), although I don't think Revell ever did a 1/32 D-model. Just the P-51B and the Mustang Mk III, although they did release the Monogram kit in a Revell box at one time, after the Revell/Monogram merger...  Monogram's other 1/32 scale birds were the F3F/Gulfhawk (1961), and the Piper Tri-pacer (1967)

The box art on those Revell 1/32 kits were the best aviation artworks ever done for kits, IMHO... Each one showed it "doing it's thing"... The Spitfire attacking Me 109s in the BoB, the Jack after the B-29s, Corsair over the beach at Okinawa, etc...

IMNSHO, they're still among the best kits ever produced, and still are contest-winners about every time one's entered...   I've won with the Wildcat and the P-40 (2nd and 3rd, respectively and I admit it was over 20 years ago) in the diorama categories (did dioramas of a ditched Midway 'Cat, a take-off of Shep Paine's TBD dio) and an AVG P-40 engine-change)...  I think if I were to re-do those two, and given that I've gotten much better at scratch-building than I was 20 years ago, I could still place pretty well...

Speaking of the P-40, that was the first time I ever did any major RTV-resin casting, having to cast another Allison engine for the Warhawk's replacement mill... It was also my largest dio (to date) with 7 figures converted from Tamiya figs.  Wish there had been digital photography back then...  I took very few pictures in the 70's, 80's, and 90's because all I had was a Kodak 110 and film processing was too expensive if I took as many detail pics as I do now with a digital camera..

Sorry for rambling.. I'm waiting on the cement to dry on the flap detail I just put into a Monogram Zeke... It's about ime to start the details for the cockpit though... Got the "tub" done already..

Hans von Hammer

although I don't think Revell ever did a 1/32 D-model. Just the P-51B and the Mustang Mk III,

Actually they did do a P-51D long before they merged with Monogram... they originally released it in bright yellow Bob Hoover air racer markings.... later it came out as part of their Smithsonian collection....

Sprue-ce Goose

I appreciate the re-pop Rommel's Rod better this time 'round.

Makes a nice base for customizing

Hans von Hammer

 

 

 

There was one, sorta.... Monogram's F-51D (along with the "Phantom Mustang, first released in 1961), although I don't think Revell ever did a 1/32 D-model.

BTW the Phantom is my next contribution as a made fella.

bondoman

The Revell 1/32 aircraft kits are beyond criticism. At the time there were no other kits in that scale of those subjects, on the market. I built them all except for the "George" which I do not even remember.

Because they had to cater to market pressure to have movable features, there were certain compromises in detail. The Corsair is a case.

The 262 was not so good either, but I built three Spitfires and two Hurricanes, a Wildcat, a Tony, two Corsairs, at least two -38s and so forth.

Funny thing- it was all about the box art.

As for that Rommels Rod, the repop is just fine.

I miised this one when it originally came out . Looks like a descent kit. Always liked these what ifs . I remember FSM did an article on it as a collectable back in the 90's i think .

I've got one of those BF110s sitting here for when I can get to it for the Secret Santa and Too Many Props builds.  It's detail is pretty good for the age of the molds.  Definitely one of the better Axis kits from the era.  I usually don't worry too much about interior detail unless I plan on an open cockpit.  And with the cockpiy closed, it is more than adequate.

Rich

[quote user="Sprue-ce Goose"]

Hans von Hammer

 

Shellback:

 

... 1/32 Revell kits .... , not much for accuracy except for the basic shape...

 

 

I wouldn't say they "weren't much for accuracy", at least not the ones I've built (I missed out on the Tony and George, but got the rest, several of them I've built several times, and I still have a few in the stash).. I'd give them a solid 7.5 on a scale of 0-10, which is "Above Average"  for any manufacturer...

/quote]

...was just sifting thru my FSM collection: 1988 to 1995.

Two articles on super detailing or  converting Revell 1/32 Bf-110 commented favorably  on the generally accurate outline, though acknowledged their age meant a less detailed interior than available on newer kits.

I almost got one of those last year, but the  Revell corsair in 1/32 had left a bad taster in my mouth.  I wish SOMEONE would make a metal wing hinge for that bird...  5 kits, 5 snapped sets of hinges, badly fit wings and a lot of frustration.  I was afraid the P51 would be as bad.  Are they a decent kit?  Maybe I'll pick one up someday if I see a good deal on eBay.

stikpusher

 

Hans von Hammer:

 

although I don't think Revell ever did a 1/32 D-model. Just the P-51B and the Mustang Mk III,

 

Actually they did do a P-51D long before they merged with Monogram... they originally released it in bright yellow Bob Hoover air racer markings.... later it came out as part of their Smithsonian collection....

Shellback

 

 Rommels Rod, the repop

 

 

I miised this one when it originally came out . Looks like a descent kit. Always liked these what ifs . I remember FSM did an article on it as a collectable back in the 90's i think .

The re-pop is an easy to build kit and has the advantage of a separate frame.

Perfect for customized stuff.

Been contemplating a Manny's Rod version but will need to make a larger frame and tracked suspension like Bondoman.

The stock body isn't large enough to accommodate a wet bar and brass frame bed......

bondoman

 

Sprue-ce Goose:

 

I appreciate the re-pop Rommel's Rod better this time 'round.

Makes a nice base for customizing

 

I put the rear end of a 251 under her, chopped and channeled. Better performance in the standing quarter mile- in 6' sand!

 

The P-51 is a good basic canvas to start with. The only working features on the B are the prop and a removable top cowling panel. Landing gear is fixed, not workable.

Here is the original D kit

and the later 1980s vintage Smithsonian re-issue

The Revell 1/32 line was something to behold.

After moving a stash of over 500 kits at the beginning of this month I am not planning on adding any more to it, but I sure am tempted...

Sprue-ce Goose

bondoman:

 

Sprue-ce Goose:

 

I appreciate the re-pop Rommel's Rod better this time 'round.

Makes a nice base for customizing

 

I put the rear end of a 251 under her, chopped and channeled. Better performance in the standing quarter mile- in 6' sand!

 

 

LOL ! What scale is the kit ? !/35th would open up all kinds of possibilities ................

stikpusher

The P-51 is a good basic canvas to start with. The only working features on the B are the prop and a removable top cowling panel. Landing gear is fixed, not workable.

Here is the original D kit

and the later 1980s vintage Smithsonian re-issue

The Revell 1/32 line was something to behold.

After moving a stash of over 500 kits at the beginning of this month I am not planning on adding any more to it, but I sure am tempted...

It sure was disappointing when Revell and Monogram went from their box art too an actual picture of the built kit , for me anyway . Those paintingsfor the box art were a work of art .