Revell got its start in the early 1940s when Lou Glaser founded Precision Specialties, an early injection molding company in California. By the early 1950s, another California-based plastic toy company, Gowland & Gowland, created the first U.S. plastic car models, the 1/32 scale Highway Pioneers line. The Gowlands successfully convinced Glaser to market the product. The Highway Pioneers literally took the nation by storm and marked the birth of the modern hobby industry. This success led Revell to focus on plastic model kits. Revell's first mold was the 1953 USS Missouri, their best-selling ship model of all time. The first aircraft were the F-94C, F7U-1, and F9F-6, issued in simple one-piece, flip-top boxes with three-color printing directly on the box. The physical and marketing weaknesses were soon evident, and Revell quickly contracted with teams of prominent commercial artists and transitioned to thicker two-piece cardboard boxes with the box top wrapped in a full-color lithograph slick. These famous aircraft and ship models were known as Pre S issues and included the B-52, B-36, B-24, B-29, USS Constitution, Harbor Tug Long Beach, and more. In 1955, the famous S (Glue) logo was introduced, marking the Golden Age of Revell box art and constant releases of all-new kits. In the late 1950s, Revell released a series of rocket and space models. Many are very rare and valuable today, representing some of the Holy Grail of all collectible model kits. In the early 1960s, Revell began making models to standard scales (such as 1/72 and 1/48), and in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they launched the first successful line of 1/32 aircraft. Revell produced a wide range of models, including aircraft, automobiles, tanks, armor, and space kits, and released more now-rare gift sets than any other manufacturer. While other American manufacturers largely neglected ship kits, Revell's design team and mold cutters produced some of the best injection-molded sailing ship models ever made; the 1960 1/96 scale Cutty Sark and 1965 USS Constitution are still the standard by which other ship models are judged. Despite being the largest model producer in the U.S., Revell was only marginally profitable. In 2018, Revell was acquired by Quantum Capital Partners (Blitz) in Germany.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$34
Still factory sealed and from 1979. This US Navy 'B' variant features very fine raised panel detail with some recessed details, cockpit, four Sidewinder and four Sparrow missiles, optional position landing gear, two drop tanks and more. Decals are for the aircraft shown on the box top.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$40
Still factory sealed. This is the 1995 reissue of the 1953 Pre 'S' Kit and made from the same molds. Makes a perfect 'Classic Builder.'
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$54
This hardbox issue is from 1961 and the model is from the same molds as the classic 1950s Pre-S kit. Molded in silver and clear plastic. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$38
From 1990. Has a colorful decal sheet for the cover aircraft in the Pacific Theater. Well detailed kit features full cockpit, opening canopy, complete engine with removable cowling doors, optional position landing gear, and rotating prop and wheels. Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$12
1998 issue. This is an all-chrome complete engine & transmission kit features 41 pieces, optional parts for a dual quad carb version or a 'blown' race engine with a supercharger. The chrome is in 'near mint++' condition and the instructions are on the back of the box.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$12
1998 issue. This is an all-chrome complete engine kit with 36 parts. Includes optional parts for a 3 carb tripower 370 Super Stock or a 'blown' race engine with a supercharger. The chrome is in 'near mint++' condition and the instructions are on the back of the box.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$12
1998 issue. This is an all-chrome, complete small-block Chevy engine & transmission kit features 42 pieces, optional parts for a dual quad carb version or a 'blown' race engine with a supercharger. The chrome is in 'near mint++' condition and the instructions are on the back of the box.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$65
Revell-Lodela issue. This kit uses the same molds as 1955-1959 'S' issue. Has many special features - the cowlings snap off to show detailed engines, wheels turn, cabin doors can be opened or closed and there is a passenger loading ramp/stairs. Includes a large and very complete sheet of United Airlines Decals. The kit has never been started. Internal factory sealed bag including decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$89
Rare 1955 issue in exceptional 'Near Mint' investment-grade condition. The box has like new color and gloss, four solid corners, no tape or price tags or marks from either. The noticeable flaws are a light, short crease at the upper left and a very small amount of light general wear. Very highly detailed model includes medicine wagon with detailed suspension and open rear platform, colorful decals for Doctor Brown's Snake Oil, two horses, Dr. Brown, one entertainer, and Indian, local man and a local woman with her young boy and girl. Never started. The parts are still factory sealed in the original 'krinkle' bag. Includes decals and instructions in excellent condition. 'Miniature Masterpieces' was formed through an alliance of Lew Glaser (Revell) and Steve Adams (Adams Action Models) in 1953. Although the molds were made at Adams and it had the appearance of an independent company, the firm was run by Revell down to the prototypes being made at the Revell plant. Originally there was no evidence of the parent company on the surface. The State Coach of England was the first kit, issued in 1953. More kits of excellent quality followed. Revell completely took over the line in 1954 and in that year and the next, kits were labeled 'Revell' with a 'Miniature Masterpiece' label on the box top also.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$58
First issue 1965 hardbox in all-around 'Excellent+' condition. This kit is from the original Pre-S molds but with a different box, 'Dauntless Dotty' decals and a new style stand. Never started. It has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts present and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$26
2008 SSP reissue of the 1965 'Pacific Raiders', which in turn was a reissue of the 1954 'S' kit - just in Pacific colors and markings. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$85
Rare 1960 first issue hardbox, and the only issue of the V-2 featuring John Steel art. The model features the V-2 missile with removable panel and full interior featuring fuel tanks, rocket engine and more, a working launcher and transport trailer/erector. The kit is molded in the correct green, black and silver. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Please note that Revell did not include decals with this kit. The box looks better than the 'very good+' grade but is rated as such because there is a closed tear on the lower long box side.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$74
This 1983 limited issue is from the excellent molds of "S" kit numer H1815-79. It measures 11.2 inches long when assembled and features very fine raised & some recessed surface detail, full landing gear, excellent main gear well detail, separately molded front canards, instrumentation nose probe and more. Includes a runway/ramp display base and extensive & colorful decals in 'near mint' condition. This kit presents the early test missile with full landing gear; you can build it 'clean' by gluing the gear doors in the 'up' position. Molded in medium blue.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$34
Still factory sealed. 1982 issue is from the original 1960 molds. The X-5 was the first aircraft to change the angle of wing sweepback in flight, and paved the way for the legendary F-111 and F-14. features variable sweep wings, retractable landing gear, detailed jet engine and movable control surfaces.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$48
1994 reissue and the single greatest model kit for the Mercury Atlas program. Contains highly detailed Atlas/Mercury, launching pad, ramp, tractor transports, nitrogen tank and trailer. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$36
1969 issue in the 'Fighting Deuces Series'. Revell was famous for the 'series' concept. Older kits were put into boxes with dramatic new art and given series names such as this one, or 'Famous Artist' or 'Famous Aircraft' Series. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$58
1972 issue from the very popular 1960s molds. This was the first accurate V-2 and it features the missile with a removable panel showing the full interior consisting of fuel tanks, rocket engine, guidance pack, side structure detail and more. Includes launcher and working transport trailer/erector and ground crew. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. NOTE: the air bottles #67 and 68 are complete but broken; that piece is present and fits back perfectly.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$85
Still factory sealed. 1975 issue. Formerly released in the 1950s as the USS Campbell with 'S' boxart. Like almost all of Revell's early ship models, this one is very finely molded and has very good detail. Full hull, large scale kit features complete deck fittings, rotating and elevating main 5" gun, 8 depth charge launchers, rear depth charge racks, very nicely detailed superstructure with separately molded AA guns, life rafts, search lights, radar and more, full under hull detail with rudder, props and shafts, davits, lifeboats, booms and more. The 327' U.S. Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter Roger B. Taney was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This cutter served in the Pacific during World War II, and also served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. In peacetime, the vessel served on Search and Rescue missions, Ocean Station Patrol, and Alaskan Fisheries Patrol. The cutter was decommissioned on December 7, 1986 and is on display at the Baltimore Harbor Museum, Maryland.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$22
One piece box issue dated 1966. This kit is part of Revell's famous and very successful 1/72 World War I and II aircraft series. Never started. Inventoried and NOTE: missing (1) wheel. Otherwise complete with all other parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG++
$29
Still factory sealed and the 1999 issue. The kit includes 1/25 scale Silverado, Jet Ski trailer and Jet Ski. Very well detailed with 159 parts. The truck features detailed engine and engine bay, removable hood, full interior and detailed chassis underside. Usually molded in white, clear, red-tint clear, chrome and with rubber tires.
