1/32 H47-89 Revell 1904 Nash Rambler Highway Pioneers - US Antique Series
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
This is the 1954 issue, which is the second release. This one shows up much less frequently than the first issue from 1953, which had a generic box. The 2nd issue "US Antique Series" had dedicated artwork on each box representing the kit inside. The artwork on the side of the box is an excellent cross-section of the Revell lineup for 1954 and shows Pre-S ships and aircraft as well as the Chuck Wagon and Firefighter Steamer. This kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internally sealed factory 'krinkle' 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!
$38.00