Vintage Revell

Some of the first model kits I built as a youngster back in the 1960s were from Revell. Revell, which is still in business, was once located in Venice, California. They also had an operation in England as well. On this page I feature some of Revell's early kits. They are mostly aircraft, however, I hope to feature other subjects as well.

You will find that these models are "low-tech" compared to the models that are offerred today. I enjoy them nonetheless as they remind me of a time when model building was a lot simpler.

The original decals that came with the kits are not used due to their age. I have selected alternative markings as a result. I hope you find them interesting.

(above) Curtiss Tomahawk Mk.II in 1/48 scale. 112 Squadron RAF, North Africa in 1941. (Original Monogram Models kit now marketed by Revell).

(above) Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk.I in 1/72 scale. 260 Squadron RAF, North Africa in 1942.

(above) Brewster Buffalo Mk.I in 1/72 scale. 488 Squadron RNZAF, Kallang, Singapore in 1941.

(above) Curtiss Mohawk in 1/72 scale. RAF in East Africa in 1941.

(above) Grumman Martlet in 1/72 scale. Royal Navy in 1941.

(above) Bell Airacobra Mk.I in 1/72 scale. 601 Squadron RAF, Duxford, England in 1941.

(above) Supermarine Spitfire Mk.II in 1/72 scale. 74 (Tiger) Squadron RAF in 1941.

(above) Polikarpov I-16 in 1/72 scale. Russian Air Force 1941.

(above) Hawker Hurricane in 1/72 scale. 111 Squadron RAF in 1938.

(above) Hawker Hurricane in 1/72 scale. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF, Battle of Britain, 1940.

(above) Bell P-39 Airacobra in 1/72 scale. 601 Squadron RAF, 1941. Revell's P-39 was unique among 1/72 scale Airacobra's in that it came with a removable panel to show off the mid-fuselage engine. It's features like that, that made Revell kits fun to build back in the day.

(above) Republic P-47D Thunderbolt in 1/72 scale. USAAF, Europe, 1944.

(above) Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar) in 1/72 scale. Manchuko Air Force, early 1940s.

(above) FIAT CR-42 Falco in 1/72 scale. Italian Air Force, North Africa, 1940.