It's Good To Being King (Again)

[Harry P.]

I'm looking forward to seeing yours "under glass"...

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Just fyi, folks -

If you go back and have a look at Gregg's pics, you'll see that the sprue design tells kinda tells the tale of the RR. If you've noticed, recently-tooled Revell sprues have a certain look - usually uniform and curved at the corners, rather than jagged and random as you typically find in older Monogram tooling. Check out the sprues on the RR, and it's no surprise that the tooling is new.

And oh lookie - the sprues in the TT appear just about the same...

Edited August 24, 2009 by Chuck Kourouklis

[Harry P.]

Oh well,at least Harry is catching a break.

:lol:

I could use one every now and then!

Actually, I have no interest whatsoever in kits like this either, and if I were King of the World , model companies would not be spending their precious dollars retooling stuff like this. My tastes are in another place altogether.

But like Ken said, the guys who run the company aren't morons. They must believe that putting out all of these TD kits again is a smart business move, otherwise they wouldn't have done it. I think that the real thinking behind this move is to try and stir some interest in kids, who would be the most likely group to buy these kits (besides the adults who are happy to see them again for the first time since they were kids!) Let's face it... without new people (kids) taking up model cars, the hobby will simply die out as the adult modelers do the same. And the thinking probably runs along the lines of "these kits sold well to kids 40 years ago, maybe they'll sell well to kids again." Revell is betting that they will. And every adult that buys one either for the first time, or for the first time in 40 years, is an added bonus.

I hope they do sell well, very well... because even though I won't be buying one, the more they sell, the better for R-M and the better for the hobby in general. New revenue will hopefully translate into new kits of some subjects that adult modelers have been asking about for years. We can only hope...

[Foxer]

Well said, Harry.

[Modelmartin]

and if I were King of the World

If only! We all know that Gregg is!!

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm not quite sure how you inferred that from anything I've posted. I care less whether you or anyone else likes the kit or not, honestly. The only thing I've taken issue with is your repeated contention that it was a "waste" for Revell to to create the new tooling for the TD kits. I thought you were wrong about that, and I firmly believe you will be proven so.

Not only a waste, but that it would likely fail to such an extent it would cause Revell to raise prices on everything else...causing us all to pay for that misdeed.

I'll have what he's smoking

I've heard through the grapevine the RR kit had higher presales numbers/orders than any other new kit in many years.

I hope that is true! Now that Revell has to focus on the core of the hobby and not the humorless, "I don't care about accuracy or quality" beancounter purchasing agents of the big box store(s), I hope it pays off for all of us.

[Dragline]

I have read, then re-read this entire thread.

In the back of my mind there is this knawing little guy who keeps saying "They are honoring the past and perhaps the debt they owe TD as well as releasing subjects that kids may enjoy". Then I did a search and BAM! Sites containg TD stuff everywhere! HHmmmmmm.

Altered versions, stock versions, kids versions. I'll wager part of this has to do with the somewhat minor success of the Dave Deal stuff which Revell owned. The fact that Dave passed a year or so ago not withstanding.

TD and Dave Deal are THE model car showrod designers. I didn't include Ed Roth because he did 1:1 stuff and that his cars were made into models is secondary to those accomplishments [although admittedly important to Revell in particular].

These are FUN kits that build easily into acceptable models that kids can enjoy. My own experiences are such that the first TF F/C I ever built was the Earthquake snap kit. I then bought Lil Red baron and Lil Tarantula. I had built glue cars before but these practically fell together and they were on the shelf for my parents friends to oooh and aaahh over. They had value for me since the were accomplishments. I then moved on to S'cool Bus and other TD kits. Putting together an Ed Roth kit is an excersise in futility for a burgeoning modeler and his limited skillset.

Then there's the fun factor of these kits. The thematic designs are spot on and well executed by the mold makers across the board. EVERY TD kit is a masterwork of ease of assembly and stiking visual impact. I have a Fast Buck I built many years ago that I still keep my foreign currancy in. It's bank right?

To those detractors I would say this....

For every RR, TJ Taxi and Red Baron that sells there is money going into some design project that will thrill you down the road. The bonus is that we are likely to get KIDS building cars with their dads like I did all those years ago. From that we get a two fold bonus. The bonding of a son/daughter and father, and a new modeler for the future of our hobby.

Stop seeing dark clouds.

Bob F

EDIT: As an aside, I would add that I do not care for 30's,40's or 50's cars all that much. But did I go PooPoo all over the 32 Ford threads? Certainly not. I know all too well those cars are loved and enjoyed by many. The same thing applies here as well. Enjoy what you enjoy by all means. But remember, you're not the only one who bought a tube of glue this week.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Dragline

[Chuck Kourouklis]

P.S. A rather interesting aside on the Dragon/Circus Wagon ... according to a knowledgeable source, the reason for the name change is that Mattel, which owned Monogram when the kit was first issued, still holds the trademark for the name "Dragon Wagon" and has kept it active.

Very interesting aside, Ken - a little surprising, seeing that Revell has recently used the "Hot Wheels" moniker on a recent series of snappers, but who knows how these things work.

And yeah, I'd also bet we'll be seeing the "new sprue" in this one, too...

[Gregg]

Welcome to... page 4! OK, I haven't read the other 3 pages, so excuse me if this has been mentioned, but I think the skeletons alone will be a good reason to buy this kit! They can go good with a bunch of rat rod builds, and it is easier to cut & reposition a skeleton!

Another idea... cut the body off behind the front seats... good hot rod material maybe?

Only downer is the price! HEY REVELL! How about a coupon for a couple of bucks off our next purchase in each kit!

Spyder, I have been getting bounced emails that your email address is no good.

This happens because the option to receive updates to posts is clicked on.

Please see if your email address is correct.

Thanks

[Chuck Kourouklis]

...But like Ken said, the guys who run the company aren't morons. They must believe that putting out all of these TD kits again is a smart business move, otherwise they wouldn't have done it. I think that the real thinking behind this move is to try and stir some interest in kids, who would be the most likely group to buy these kits (besides the adults who are happy to see them again for the first time since they were kids!) Let's face it... without new people (kids) taking up model cars, the hobby will simply die out as the adult modelers do the same. And the thinking probably runs along the lines of "these kits sold well to kids 40 years ago, maybe they'll sell well to kids again." Revell is betting that they will. And every adult that buys one either for the first time, or for the first time in 40 years, is an added bonus.

I hope they do sell well, very well... because even though I won't be buying one, the more they sell, the better for R-M and the better for the hobby in general. New revenue will hopefully translate into new kits of some subjects that adult modelers have been asking about for years. We can only hope...

I'm pretty much with you on most of this, Harry, except that where you fall on one side of the buy-or-don't line, I fall on the other. I love car models not only because I'm a car guy, but also because I enjoy poring over the handiwork that goes into new tooling, and examining how techniques have evolved in comparison with older tooling. It's actually the 40-years-after reinterpretation that has my interest here, and that's why I'll be picking a few up, even though the subject matter isn't of great interest to me.

[Harry P.]

Chuck, whatever your motivation or interest in these kits may be, the fact that you'll be a buyer is good news for R-M and the hobby in general. Every sale is a plus.

[Luc Janssens]

I hope that is true! Now that Revell has to focus on the core of the hobby and not the humorless, "I don't care about accuracy or quality" beancounter purchasing agents of the big box store(s), I hope it pays off for all of us.

Indeed!

[RatRod]

Well my local Hobby shop got the Rommel's Rods in yesterday, and every single one was gone today!!! I bought the last two they had, and the other four sold this morning. Any indication if they would sell, I guess that has been answered. I'm sure the Tijuana Taxi, and Circus Wagon will sell just as fast, and I will buy as many as I can afford!!! Hell, I might even have to skip a few meals (which won't hurt anything!!!) Bring back as many vintage kits as can be made!!! I myself would welcome back dating some kits to their originality, like the Little T, Little Deuce, Blue Beetle, Etc.

[samdiego]

nostaglia is part of the lure. another part is the second chance to do these right. I don't think I've ever painted a TT. it's been that long since I've had one. The RR might have been vetoed by a patriotic father who was still in charge of my acquisitions the last time this one was available, I'm a first timer. The Dragon Wagon was released just at the time my neighbor convinced that drag stuff was the only cool thing to be modeling and I passed on this one at that time. An undeniable factor is just that they are cool. TD had the knack for proportion and stance. I've been pestering the LHS for months for these.

As for the simplicity of the kits, Monograms slogan back then was "The Kits Kids Finish". I had a lot of MPC and Revell kits that never saw a majority of their front suspension parts and other fiddly bits. Monogram's show rod stuff was engineered to be completed by the average 10 year old. The plastic colors were also thought to encourage modeling by a younger set.

Harry, just in a beauty is in the eye of the beholder thing, A 1/12 scale Superbird is the last thing I'd want to see in a new tool.

Ahh, variety.

Edited September 1, 2009 by samdiego

[Harry P.]

Harry, just in a beauty is in the eye of the beholder thing, A 1/12 scale Superbird is the last thing I'd want to see in a new tool.

I wouldn't want that either.

I want one in 1/8 scale...

[samdiego]

The one problem that I see in marketing to the same demographic that these kits were designed for is that I'm not seeing kids in the hobby shops much. The outlets for the model car are becoming a little scarce. That was one of the reasons that I was sad to see Walmart do away with the stuff they carried. At least the models were getting exposure. I think adult sales will be quite strong, although I don't expect much crossover from the armored crowd.

I don't care about the reasons, I got mine today and I'm glad it's back. Bring on the TT and the CW.

TOM DANIEL FOREVER!

http://www.showrods.com/gallery_pages/rommel_super.html

If you are a fan and you haven't seen this build or this website, you really should take a look. It's got to be the best possible build up of an RR

Edited September 2, 2009 by samdiego

[RatRod]

I'm with Sam on the fact that model kits need to make their way back into retail stores like back in the sixties. Back when I was a kid, almost every store you walked into carried model cars, paints, and glue. Man, what a time that was!!!

A 1/8 Super bird? Hell, that would take up half a room to display Harry!!! It would be cool, but huge. I am glad to see the Big Tub make a return, less the six carb manifold (I have several vintage sets, so I'm good) Now if we can get the rest of the Big Drag, I'd be stoked.

[mountaindewd]

I hope they can sell a bazillion and three of these kits... then use that newfound wealth to tool up a full-detail 1/8 scale Superbird, which is what I am interested in seeing!

HELL YES!

[Edward Gore]

I'm buying two today, well actually putting in an order today. Then pick up in December.

[Edward Gore]

LHS had two on the shelf... totally lucky

Bought both of them. Opened one. No flash but a few seem lines to clean.

1/35 Tiger wheels and tracks will make it work if you want more detail

Otherwise a cool kit