Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$44
1952 early issue molded in light blue plastic. These issues feature the same 5 car artwork on every box; the only way to identify the contents was an ink-stamped name on the box ends. This kit has never been started. All parts are still sealed in the factory bag. Includes instructions. These kits have a fascinating history. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream and never made the top 10 list of boys activities. Spurred on by the nation-wide aviation craze in the 1920s, many became modelers and built flying or static wooden models of airplanes, ships, trains, automotive and other subjects. Basic kits existed, but many of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s when the Gowland & Gowland/Revell Highway Pioneers became the sales sensation of the year. Demand was so great that the factories could not keep up and almost overnight 'model building' was mainstream. The phenomenon of the 'Highway Pioneers' kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles fit the bill: they could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real cars. The success of the Highway Pioneers lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the late 1950s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys...and many adult males too!
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$185
Rare 1957 first and only issue of this important test vehicle for studying re-entry of ICBM warheads. Features three separating stages, launch pad, crew and tracking instruments. Never started. 100% complete with all parts/decals and instructions. The box is in 'excellent' condition with like-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no repairs, no tape (other than the factory sealing tape, of course) and no rips, missing litho, fading or stains. Flaws include very light wear, a light crease at the upper right and the original price tag from "Rogers Toy Stores" on the upper short side panel.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$56
This is a Revell-factory built display made for hobby shop promotional use around 1954. The intention was simple- if hobby shops would purchase and display these attractively built displays, potential buyers would see them and immediately purchase the kit. This probably worked well; but the hitch was that these displays were expensive for the 1950s, so few hobby shops could afford them. And once in public, there was heavy attrition; parts easily broke, and when the new kits came out next year, they were thrown away to make room for more. Which makes condition of this one even more exceptional. The actual model is very neatly built and Revell factory airbrushed. You can always tell the Revell-built models by the airbrushing and the way the parts were masked. It is 100% complete and has no breaks and no repairs. Even the base is in very good condition. However, 1/2 of the paper nameplate is missing as well as the clear cover. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+++
$95
Rare Revell of Japan/Takara high gloss box issue from 1980. This is a large, well detailed model for that time and features a 18 inch rotor span, detailed Lycoming T53 Jet Engine with removable cowling, highly detailed interior and cockpit with opening cabin doors, moving rotors and weapons system with SS-11 Missiles, M-6 Machine Guns, 7.62 MM Machine Guns and M-6 Guns with Rocket Pods. Includes pilot and gunner figure and US Army First Air Cavalry markings. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$159
1955 first issue hardbox with timeless 'S' box art. This series of models is considered the apex of model kit box art and it is easy to understand why they are so popular with collectors today. This was a nicely molded and detailed kit for that time and is molded the correct gloss silver and clear and includes the famous Swivel Base Display Stand. The kit has never been started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
$79
1960s Great Britain issue hardbox in the Famous Aircraft Series. The great artwork by Bart Doe is borrowed from the 'Famous Artist' series. Features working wing flaps, centerline drop tank, 2 Bullpup missiles, two Bullpup wheeled trailers and a ground crew of three. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The box shows slightly better than the 'very good' grade but is rated as such because there is a 1" price tag tear on the left short side.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$52
Still factory sealed. 1997 reissue with the beautiful 1950s 'S' artwork and is from the original molds. Well detailed for that time featuring moving rudder, flaps and elevators, rotating wheels and propellers, loading ramp and Fairchild decals.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$95
1955 'S' first issue with the fantastic box art that has made these kits so popular today. Very well molded for that time in silver and clear plastic. Includes the famous clear Revell 'Revelving Swivel Base.' Never started. It has been inventoried complete with all parts and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$125
Original issue from 1956. Hardbox artwork has superb colors and gloss, four perfect corners, no tears or missing litho and no fading. Very light general wear and the writing in the white part of the logo are the only flaws. Molded in the correctly gloss silver and clear and with the famous Revell clear 'Globe' base. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Decals and instructions are both in 'excellent' condition with the typical yellowing as the only real flaw.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed NM
$79
Still factory sealed. 1979 issue features 455 CID Pontiac engine, custom full interior with Reccaro seats, custom flared fenders, Racemark steering wheel, T-Roof with tinted panels, opening 'shaker' hood, 'Whale Tail' rear spoiler, custom instrument panel and custom Travolta decals.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$59
Second issue from 1960 which retained the magnificent 'S' boxart. Large scale model with excellent detail typical of all older Revell sailing ship kits. Comes with 7 figures, full hull with display stand, rigging thread, rigging diagrams, and colorful markings. The kit has never been started. Inventoried with all parts, decals, colorful flag sheet, sails and instructions present. NOTE: the instructions have minor bug damage. The sails are only 'fair' with cracks and some damage. The box top displays nicely but the lower box (the 'tray') is poor and taped up significantly.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$580
Dated 1960. Very rare ICBM and the first and only issue of this incredibly well detailed Revell 'S' kit. The molds were altered to make the Mercury Atlas kit, so reissues are impossible. The box grades 'Excellent' with wonderful color and gloss, four solid corners, no price tags or tag marks, no tape and no tape marks (other than the factory sealing tape, of course). The box has general wear as shown. The kit features elevating missile support arms and hinged break-away supports, complete launching base, ramp and pad, missile truck and trailer that elevates 90 degrees to load missile and crew. Molded in correct white, gray and yellow. Inside, it has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions present. The decals are 100% intact, flat and in 'excellent' condition with typical light yellowing; the instructions are in 'very good' condition. Shipping insurance is required for this kit. From my friend Stephen Payne, Major, USAF (Ret): The launch pad in both kits used Launch Complex - 14 (also known as Space Launch Complex-14 or "Slic-14") as their example. LC-14 was part of what was known as ICBM Row at Cape Canaveral and originally used to test the Atlas ICBM prior to being converted for the Mercury Space Program (starting with John Glenn's orbital mission). The yellow & white trailers seen here were the gaseous nitrogen tube bank trailers. The nitrogen trailer in both Atlas kits came from the accessories associated with the Revell Thor kit. Having spent 5 years working at the Cape, I passed this site numerous times. Unfortunately, time & the elements have resulted in the removal of all remnants of SLC-14. Only the memorial (with the associated time capsule) remains.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$295
From 1956 - the first and only issue of this rare holiday season gift set. Contains the A-4D Skyhawk and HRS-1 both with US Marine markings. The box has excellent color and gloss, four solid corners and no tape, price tags, torn or missing litho. However, it has the typical 'cross hatch' marks from the original ribbon that Revell shipped these kits with as well as heavy ribbon marks along the top as shown; there is also moderate wear on the top long side. Inside, the HRS-1 is molded in the correct dark blue plastic and the famous clear Revell base and correct Marines decals for this this issue. The A-4 is molded in the correct medium gray with the clear base and correct and colorful Marines markings for this kit. The instructions are correct also and show these unique decals on the models. The kits have never been started. Both are still in the factory sealed internal bags and include decals and instructions in excellent condition.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc
$38
Rare Revell-ESCI issue. This model features excellent detail, interior with cockpit, opening doors, engine and more. Includes decals for both air forces. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG
$215
Still factory sealed 'round tape' sealed. Rare 1990 issue features hundreds of pieces, fully detailed engine and engine compartment, opening hood, complete cab and sleeper interior, opening doors, full underside suspension, exhaust and chassis detail, rubber tires and much more.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
$159
1956 original issue 'S' kit. It is easy to see why the Revell kits of the 1950s are considered the apex of box artwork. Molded in correct gloss gray, with the famous clear, round Revell 'Globe' stand. Never started. Inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions. Instructions and decals are 'excellent' and flat with slight age yellowing as the only significant flaw. The box has factory-new color and gloss, four solid corners (and no repairs), no tape marks (other than the factory sealing tape), no tags, tag pulls or marks, and no tears. Flaws include very light and isolated edge and corner wear as shown and more edge wear on the bottom of the two short side panels. The box is certainly not perfect but in a highly displayable condition.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$179
2nd release of this classic Pre 'S' kit from 1954. Features the higher profile box (1.5" high) in "excellent++" condition, like-new color and gloss, four solid corners, no tape or price tags or marks from them. The kit has not been started. Inside, the kit is like new. All parts and paperwork is still sealed in the factory bag. This was among Revell's first attempts to internal factory seal an entire aircraft kit.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$145
Still factory sealed and very rare. This is the Revell Lodela issue with AeroMexico decals. Although I do not know for certain, judging from the length of the box and the photo, the kit inside is the original "S" issue short DC-8.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$59
1960 issue of the rare 'Whip Fly' series. Hardbox artwork for this series was 'action' photos by Tom Kelly. Whip-Fly kits contain the aircraft model with nose ballast, a metal control ring, 12 feet of control line and a control handle so that you could spin the aircraft around in circles. This kit has never been started. It is either still in the internally sealed factory bag or has been inventoried 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions.
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$59
This is a Revell-factory built display built for hobby shop promotional use around 1954/55. The intention was simple- if hobby shops would purchase and show these attractively built displays, potential buyers would see them and immediately purchase the kit. This probably worked well; but the hitch was that these displays were expensive for the 1950s, so few hobby shops could afford them. There were other difficulties too. Once in public, there was heavy attrition; parts easily broke, and when the new kits came out next year, they were thrown away to make room for more. Which makes condition of this one even more exceptional. The actual model is very neatly built and Revell factory airbrushed. You can always tell the Revell-built models by the airbrushing and the way the parts were masked. The actual car is complete, nothing is broken and there are no repairs. Even the base is in very good condition; however the clear cover is missing and the car could use a cleaning. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.