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: Exc
$115
Rare 1962 hardbox issue with the Master Modeler's Logo and the 'Anniversary Destoryer Collection' markings. Special item included in this issue are two large, colorful trading cards (C-130 and B-25 Mitchell) and the full color Master Modelers Stamp for the USS Decatur. This large and well detailed full-hull model is almost 16 inches long and features rotating main 5 inch turrets, AA guns, detailed superstructure, life rafts, torpedo tubes, display stand and more. It has never been started and is inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals, flag sheet and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$64
1992 issue of the excellent model features 230 pieces, detailed engine and engine compartment, opening hood, complete cab detail, sleeper, full underside suspension, exhaust & chassis detail, rubber tires and much more. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good++
$44
Large scale full-hull kit from older molds. Includes enough white hull numbers that you could build any of the similar Fletcher class destroyers. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals, color flag sheet and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$10
Well molded, small scale model dated 1982. Made in Japan and features ultra-fine recessed and some raised surface detail, cockpit floor and seats, all of the correct clear windows and turrets, rotating propellers, optional position landing gear and more. Includes a four view painting guide and decals for the three aircraft listed. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$36
1974 Great Britain issue of the ultimate piston-driven airliner. This kit features pilot figure waving out the side cockpit window, optional position passenger door, boarding ramp, optional position landing gear, rotating wheels & propellers and more. Includes a large, colorful and extensive decal sheet for the box photo aircraft. Never started. Inventoried with all parts, decals and instructions present.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc
$69
Rare and still factory 'round tape' sealed and from 2016. Well molded and detailed 1/32 scale semi truck kit that is usually molded in red, clear, chrome plate and with rubber tires.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc++
$95
Still factory sealed. Very nicely detailed kit dated 1971. Measures over 15 inches long when assembled and features full hull, complete propeller & rudder detail, rotating turrets, elevating guns, detailed superstructure, gun directors, loading machine, torpedo tubes with torpedo davits & crane, ship's boat with davits, radar suite and more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$38
Smithsonian issue from 1986. This detailed model features full cockpit, opening canopy, pilot figure, complete Twin-Wasp engine with removable cowling panels, detailed gear wells, optional position landing gear, rotating propeller & wheels, centerline drop tank, (2) wing mounted bombs and more. Includes a multi-view, detailed painting guide and decals for the box photo aircraft. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$35
Dated 2001. This large 1/32 scale model kit features a detailed Nakajima Sakae engine, removable cowling, very good cockpit, opening canopy, detailed landing gear bays, optional position landing gear, drop tank, pilot figure, rotating wheels & propeller and more. There is a painting guide and a large decal sheet for the aircraft listed. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$28
Dated 2002 and is a reissue of the famous 1963 kit 'With Secret Bomb'. Features specially modified Lancaster fuselage with Dam Buster bomb and release mechanism, retractable landing gear, good cockpit, pilots & crew members, rotating turrets, working elevator, ailerons and trailing edge wing flaps, rotating propellers & wheels and more. Includes a four view paint guide and decals for all three aircraft listed. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions. The Dam Busters squadron was famous for its daring raids on three German dams on May 16, 1943. Carrying the special Barnes Wallis-designed bombs, the Lancasters flew very low over the water in the face of heavy flak to drop the rotating bombs perfectly. Many did not return. The bombs did perform as promised, first skipping over the water, hitting the dam, then rolling down 30 feet before exploding with tremendous force. In an airburst, these bombs would not have damaged the dams, but since water is incompressible, the dams were breached.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$74
Rare 1985 issue that includes a scale Anti-Satellite Missile. The model features all parts to build the ASAT version or a conventional F-15C, all fine recessed panel lines, detailed cockpit, optional position canopy, rubber tires, complete weapons stores, detailed gear wells, optional position landing gear & speed brake, optional position nose with detailed radome and more. Includes paint guides and extenside decals for both aircraft. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags. Includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$29
Still factory sealed and in remarkable, investment-grade 'Near Mint' condition. Fresh from a very particular one-owner collection. From 1978and well molded with fine raised panel lines, 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: Good+
$39
Air Commando issue which is dated 1966 but is likely from about 1968 due to the 130 price extension. Makes an ideal builder because inside, this is the 'S' F-104 with Sidewinders kit without the 'Globe' stand. Includes original issue F-104, four AIM-9 Sidewinders, missile cart and ground crew. Molded in dark camo green and clear. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions. The box has a light stain as shown just to the left of the Revell logo; however, the decals and instructions are both 'excellent++' with no stains.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$54
Unusual 1961 Revell hardbox in "Excellent+ condition. It is marked as both a 'Master Modelers Kit' in the upper left and 'Air Power.' This issue includes a full color Master Modelers Stamp (for the B-52/X-15). Inside, the aircraft kit parts are the same kit as the Pre-S version. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions. While the MMC Stamp is present, two trading cards are not.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$125
First issue dated 1956 with the "S" kit artwork that has made these kits so famous and collectible. The box is in investment-grade "Near Mint" condition. It has factory-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no creases or tears, no missing litho and no price tags. The only flaws are very light wear and short sections of old tape residue at the center of the two long sides (the tape is long since gone). This issue has 'SeaMaster' in yellow on the box top; the other issue has it in red. Inside, this well molded jet seaplane includes the clear 'Revelving' globe display stand. The airplane is molded in gloss gray and clear. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including all parts, decals and instructions present. Instructions are 'near mint+' and the decals are 'excellent+++' with slight yellowing as the only significant flaw.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$64
Original issue 'S' kit from 1956. Features pilot and ejection seat, wing tip in the folded or flight position, full landing gear and detail main gear wells and more. Molded in the correct light gray and clear and includes the famous clear Revell 'Globe' swivel display stand. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The decals are flat and 100% intact but NOTE that the national insignia have typical age micro-cracking.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+++
$30
Still factory sealed. 2008 SSP reissue of the 1965 'Pacific Raiders', which in turn was a reissue of the very popular 1954 'S' model. Makes a perfect 'Classic Builder' kit.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$34
2004 issue from high quality Monogram molds. This model is detailed inside and out & features optional parts to build a bomb nose 'J' with the Norden bomb sight or a 'gun' nose 'J' with the bombardier's nose, full interior detail, optional position bomb bay doors & bomb load, rotating turrets and elevating guns, optional position crew hatch, rotating propellers and more. Includes a detailed paint guide and colorful decals for both aircraft. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed Exc+
$56
Still factory sealed but the seal has splits. This "Deluxe Kit" comes with a paint set, brush and cement. The big scale "F" Flying Fortress features 108 pieces, good cockpit, detailed engine fronts, 13 machine guns, rotating propellers and more. Includes historical Memphis Bell decals and paint guide.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG++
$75
Still factory 'round tape' sealed and dated 2001. This large and well detailed model has 118 pieces and includes decals for both US and Netherlands Navies.
