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+++
$42
Still factory sealed. This fine model was originally molded in the 1990s by Monogram just before the Revell merger. Includes a very nice 48 page book.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$64
Still factory sealed and hard-to-find. Dated 2009 and a fine kit which features 90+ parts, detailed engine, engine compartment and opening hood, detailed chassis with separately molded exhaust, front & rear suspension, complete interior with instrument decals and more. Molded in white plastic, clear, red-tinted clear, chrome plate and with rubber tires.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$39
Still factory sealed. This is the 1994 reissue of the classic 1955 'S' kit. The original molds and box art was retained so the kit features a tow tractor, driver figure, towbar, X-3 with pilot, detailed main gear wells, optional position landing gear and more. Even includes the clear Revell Swivel Stand.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$69
Still factory sealed and a 2012 reissue of the rare 1964 model. This classic manned space program kit in in large 1/48 scale and features both Mercury & Gemini capsules, well detailed exterior and interior, optional position hatches and more. Each one includes a display stand.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$56
1973 Revell Japan hardbox issue that includes a beautiful full color painting guide. Very nicely molded and detailed featuring raised and recessed details, complete cockpit, bomb load, optional position bomb bay doors and very good landing gear and engine detail. Includes a large decal sheet for many aircraft. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
$68
1957 original 'S' issue with the fantastic box art that has made these kits so famous and collectible. Nicely molded kit features optional position cargo door, refueling boom, optional position landing gear and a moving rudder. Includes the clear Revell 'Globe' Swivel Display Stand. Never started. Inventoried complete with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$38
Still factory sealed. 2011 reissue from the original 1957 "S" kit molds and an ideal builder. This was an excellent kit for that time featuring detailed Snark with launch boosters and drop tanks as well as extensive decals, base and working launcher with fueling tank, instrumentation, access stairs and platform, base control unit and crew of two.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$62
Hard-to-find, limited edition reissue from 1993. This well detailed kit of this historic spacecraft is from the original 1965 molds. Large scale model features full interior, detachable equipment module with internal details such as oxygen supply, fuel cells, batteries and electronics. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$26
Still factory sealed and from 1978. This kit is well molded with fine raised panel lines and recessed control surface lines, very good cockpit, optional position landing gear and more. Includes paint guide and decals for the RAF Spitfire on the box top or an East India based aircraft.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$58
1961 hardbox Air Power issue, which is from the same molds as the famous Pre 'S' kit. Makes an ideal 'Classic Builder'. Molded in silver and clear plastic just like the original issue. Never started. The parts and all paperwork are still in the internal factory sealed bag. Literally everything inside is factory sealed.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$45
Still factory sealed. 1996 reissue of the original 1950s 'S' kit; it even has the original box art. Well molded and detailed for that time, featuring launching base, ground crew, shuttle cabin interior and crew, removable cover, jettisonable power unit, removable second stage and first stage and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$36
1987 issue. and a fine scale model of Lt.(jg) John F. Kennedy's historical ship. The model measures just over 13 inches long when assembled and features 4 torpedo tubes, 2 twin .50 caliber machine guns, 20mm cannon, life raft, 4 crew figures, rudder and propeller detail and more. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$225
Rare second issue hardbox from 1960 which builds up to an impressive and well detailed model. Features an airwing with twin-rotor helicopter, F9F Cougars, F8U Crusaders, A-1 Skyraiders, A-4 Skyhawks and F11F Tigers, deck crane, 6 deck tractors, side aircraft elevators that move up and down; mid-deck bow elevator can be displayed down or up, detailed island, separately molded main AA gun armament and much more. Includes a large and extensive decal sheet with full ship numbers, name, detailed deck markings and aircraft markings and more. The decals are in 'excellent' condition with light yellowing as the only flaw. Molded in the correct gloss gray. This kit has not been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals, flag sheet and instructions. The decals and flag sheet are both in 'excellent++' condition. The instructions are 'very good+'. The box has great color and gloss, four solid & original corners, no tear, tape or torn or missing lithogrphs. It displays much better than the 'good++' grade but it is rated as such because there is a crease at the lower center as shown and several pin holes (literally made by straight pins) in the box top. They cannot be seen in the photo due to their small size.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$125
Revell of Germany issue (with English Instructions & paperwork) from the original 1950s molds and builds into a very good model. Includes detailed decks and fittings, lifeboats, decals, flags and rigging instructions. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals, color flag sheet and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$129
The 1st issue of this kit with fantastic 'S' Box artwork dated 1956. Revell's early ship models were remarkably detailed for their time and this one is no exception. Features full hull, one-piece main deck, all deck fittings, crew members, Revell's famous preformed ratlines, rigging material, full rigging instructions and more. Kit even has the original, very colorful, sealed tube of Revell 'S' Cement. Never started. The parts have been inventoried complete and includes assembly/rigging instructions, rigging material and flag sheet. This is the original issue hull; Revell modified the hull later for the 'Mutiny On The Bounty' Movie issue.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$189
Very Rare 1960 hardbox first issue and ever rarer in this condition. The 'Excellent++' condition box features great framable John Steel artwork. Inside, it even contains a factory-wrapped, very colorful metal tube of 'S' glue. This ship is a fascinating subject- the famous WWI sailing commerce raider of Count Felix Von Luckner. Revell includes a full page history of the ship, a copy of a letter from Von Luckner to the youth of today and a map showing the voyage and ships sunk. The actual model is well detailed for that time and features a full hull, propeller & rudder, deck guns, detailed deck fittings, fife rails, belaying pins, deadeye assemblies, bumpkins, anchors, catheads, hatches, skylights and more, detailed deck houses, ship's boats, davits, ships wheel & wheel house, preformed rat line with cutting guide and more. Includes a display stand and is molded in the correct gray, brown and black plastic and includes rigging thread and full rigging instructions. It has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, German Navy flag sheet, signal flag sheet, instructions and all paperwork present. The SMS Seeadler was a unique WWI raider in that it was not designed to elude the British blockade and break out to sea...it was designed to pass right through the blockade within full view of the British before attacking allied shipping around the world. No detail was overlooked in the Seeadler's preparation, right down to a Norwegian-speaking crew. The plan went perfectly - and the Seeadler passed inspection at the British Blockade. Her non-threatening appearance helped her in an active and colorful raiding career that nearly went around the world. I highly recommend reading any of several books that you can find about this ship. Von Luckner himself became quite a celebrity for his exciting exploits.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$75
Still factory sealed but the seal has split on the upper long side. This two-piece box issue is dated 1967. Features authentic Flying Tigers Chinese markings, detailed Allison engine, removable engine panels, well detailed cockpit, pilot figure, opening canopy, retractable landing gear, movable wheels & propeller, movable ailerons, elevators & rudder, belly tank and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$59
1994 reissue that kept the original molds, box art and part number from the 1958 'S' issue. This model is well detailed for that time and features rotating wheels, guard rails that convert into seats, opening tailgate, opening cab doors, detailed interior, driver figure and 6 soldiers with reels, duffle bags, radio, rifles, generator, mortar, machine gun and tripod. Molded in olive drab, clear and with flexible rubber tires. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG
$68
Still factory sealed but the seal has splits and the box has been drawn slightly concave. Hard to find 1974 issue with great box artwork. This large and well detailed kit features hinged canopies, full cockpit and landing gear detail and removable cowls with detailed engines.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good+
$26
This is the two piece box issue dated 1962 and with framable artwork. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
