Aargh, I write a column ONCE. But due to fumble-fingeredness, I lost my original copy of today's column. So here goes try #2:
Boys love two things: building things, and cars. So it was kind of a no-brainer decision by Revell founder Lewis H. Glaser in 1947 to take advantage of the new technology of molded plastic in order to create model car kits.
Revell, located in Venice, California, had enjoyed moderate success in the toy market up until that point. But Glaser's farsighted decision would make them giants in the model car market until our present day, not to mention selling millions of plastic molded kits for airplanes, military equipment, sailing ships, modern-day ships, and countless other objects requiring the help of a human and airplane glue to achieve completion. But today, we concentrate on the Revell model cars.
Here's how the scenario would unfold: A kid would convince his mom or dad that he just couldn't live without his Revell muscle car model. The relenting parent would part with the $2.99 or so to purchase the prize. The kid would unwrap the plastic outer covering on the ride home, and take out each immaculate sheet of plastic parts attached to frames with each part number stamped next to its owner.
When he got home, here's where modelers would go one of two paths. You either painted the parts with bright Testors enamel and a tiny brush, or you just got started creating your Camaro.
I was of the latter persuasion. I didn't have the patience to sit around and let enamel dry. That carries forth to the present day in my type-A personality. No, I needed to start separating parts and creating an automobile.
Of course, life lessons were taught, aswas the case with so many of our playthings. For instance, you didn't separate ALL of the plastic parts at the outset, or you wouldn't know where some of the smaller, more obscure parts went. And you didn't glue parts together until you were SURE they went together, because that airplane glue didn't react nicely to having cemented parts pulled apart. It showed its rage by eating and deteriorating the parts themselves.
You were also neat with your glue, because it would dry clear, but manifest itself by making a child's fingerprints obvious once dust began collecting on the model.
But we learned the lessons, and had a wonderful time assembling model cars out of some amazingly detailed plastic parts.
Even today, we might get a chance to exercise what we learned as children when our wives bring home furniture that requires assembly, or perhaps a new bike for a grandchild. Slow down and follow the instructions, even though you might think that any moron should be able to transform a flat box full of parts into a computer desk.
Perhaps one day, when I have some free time, I'll reward myself for the accomplishment with a Revell model 1968 Camaro kit.
Comments (5)
I built plenty of model cars from several manufacturers including Revell, AMT, Monogram, and Jo-Han. I was a big fan of the 1955 Chevrolet and had built a stock version of a Nomad wagon and a slightly hot-rodded version of the hardtop coupe.
I remember in the mid 1970s Testor's trying making this "sniff-proof" glue that smelled like oranges. It didn't stick worth a darn.
Posted by Mike | December 30, 2007 9:56 PM
Posted on December 30, 2007 21:56
Enjoyed your article,how well I remember, Revell-Pactras first national contest. "Pegasus" is right here in my office. Back into the hobby after many years, who has all the old,and I mean old kits for sale? Thanks, Mike
Posted by mike johnson | June 5, 2008 3:31 AM
Posted on June 5, 2008 03:31
Build hundreds of them. I would like to start again but in the Dom. rep. there aren't many.
Posted by David Chapman | June 13, 2009 10:17 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 10:17
Revell made the most models of sailing ships, which was my preference. the Cutty Sark, the USS Constitution. There were a couple other companies I got ships from. I learned the same lessons as Ron did.
I do recall building the moon surface ship from the movie, 2001. I also put together a model of a crazy car, a silly sort of looking thing. It was a cross between a Dune buggy and a hill billy shack or outhouse.
But I remember seeing so many boys who had built cars and airplanes. As a very small boy, I looked at model airplanes with utter fascination. It seemed like building models was an essential part of boyhood.
Certainly a great example of that typical boomer childhood.
Posted by Scott Irv | June 14, 2009 3:06 PM
Posted on June 14, 2009 15:06
I still carry this fine item into today. I still build these things, but more so these day then back in the day. If I wasn't putting together my Aurora Moster Models or Land Of The Giants models, I would put together an occasional Revel Car model. Back then, we used tube glue that was messy. Today I use bottle glue and a thin brush. I too put many a car together without paint. Paint and spray painters were expensive. I do these models today and they have inproved greatly in the last ten years with quality and detail. Spray painting, masking and foil leafing is the only way to go. But to be honest, I do more military vehicles then anything. I have re-gathered some of these remakes (Polar Lights) Batman, Land of The Giants etc... I won't build these, but I will keep them as a collectable. Back as a child, Revel car models were also a great avenue for setting on fire or blowing up with fire crackers! Cool stuff boys did back in the day!
Posted by Rivers End | June 21, 2009 8:50 PM
Posted on June 21, 2009 20:50