Global Scale Modeller

Gentlemen,
I have been away from the plastic model aircraft hobby 30 years so I have been looking around at the prices of various kits. Back in the 1970's and 1980's model kits were relatively inexpensive as was the cost of oil and gasoline. Because of this I preferred the 1/32 scale for ease of detailing.
However, as the price of oil rose, the cost of plastic resin increased.
I noted that today the price of 1/32 model airplane kits are in the $35 to $90 range, many clustered around the $50 range. However, I noted one
major exception, and that is with the REVELL GERMANY 1//32 kits. They were mostly in the $24 range.
My question is why are the Revell Germany kits so much less costly that the rest of the manufacturers? Is it due to the inferior quality of the Revell Germany 1/32 model airplane kits?
Should I avoid buying Revell Germany 1/32 kits?

Thanks for your opinion.

Warren

Hi Warren. Welcome to ISM and welcome back to the hobby.

The Revell question has 2 answers. Firstly you need to consider the age of the kit. With Revell there is a pronounced difference between their newer kits and their older stuff. That applies to most kit manufacturers but it is much more pronounced with Revell. So leave their old stuff alone unless you really fancy a battle (terrible fit, trenches for panel lines or raised panel lines, absence of detail, chunky plastic etc.). The newer stuff is much better, their FW190 F8 and Spitfire Mk II are very nice for example and are light years ahead of what Revell were making 20 years ago.

So check the age of the kit before you buy. Use the Scalamates website to check the age and also have a look online at kit box and build reviews.

The second part of the answer is price v quality relative to other kit manufacturers. For WW2, the current gold standard among 1/32 is probably Tamiya but their single engine kits cost £80 upwards. They are beautifully designed and, for the most part, superbly engineered. The surface detail is a wonder and the final results can be amazing. Revell are not in that league. However, they don't cost nearly as much either. You can get their new FW190 F8 on Amazon for £25 (I just checked). Its a lovely kit but compared to Tamiya you would have to mark it down for minor fit issues, some soft interior details, the fidelity of the plastic and the lack of surface detail. But as I said its only £25! That's less than a third of a Tamiya kit and you get a decent cockpit, engine and wheel bays.

If you want to have a look at one being built have a look at my 190 in the WIP section on this site. I upgraded the kit with a cheap PE set for the cockpit and some masks as I wanted to try to paint the insignias (my choice, nothing wrong with the decals). Other than that, its out of the box.

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 34&t=18037

I hope I've been of of some help. Best of luck with your future builds and again, welcome to ISM.

I also build in 1.32 or 1.48 if I can't find my subject in 1.32, also due to tired eye's! Just like all manufacturers, Revell has good & bad kits. Do your research using sites like https://www.scalemates.com . I have Revell's Mk22/24 Spitfire which is a crap kit! Also the Beaufighter, again a kit with issues. Here is the thing both these kits are old, Circa 1970's. Move on a couple of decades or so and there's Revell's He219 Uhu, Arado Ar196 & Me109 G-10, These kits are stunning (I open the boxes & drool over them often ) & all released in the last few years. I not saying ALL old kits are crap, just that technology moves on & things improve.

All the stuff that is developed by Revell Germany is good or very good (this is especially true for their 1/32 scale aircraft kits). Their JU 88, Bf109, He219, He111, Ar 196 and Fw190 F8 are close to be flawless and very affordable.
Their reboxes are another story though, some black sheep can be found there. it is not a major problem though. just inform yourself in reviewing websites and judge yourself before you buy a kit.

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies. They have been most helpful, particularly on how to check, on line, on the age of a kit.

Warren