1957 Chevy Bal Air

[Mike 1017]

I just saw an ad for a Revell 1957 Bel Air Skill level 5. I have built a couple of them but never a Skill Level 5. The Ed Roth 57 had opening doors and trunk and is a Skill level 3. What would make this kit a level 5?

Mike

 

Edited October 5, 2024 by Mike 1017
wrong word

[espo]

What would make this kit a level 5? This is no way demining of this great kit, but I think they just change the level designations at will. 

[jasoncamaro]

Atlantis has the tool for the 57 that was used for the Ed Roth release 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/atlantis-h1371-57-chevy--1402839

Edited October 5, 2024 by jasoncamaro

[Mark]

Revell used to use skill levels 1 through 3, now I believe they use 1 through 10.

[niteowl7710]

10 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

I just saw an ad for a Revell 1957 Bel Air Skill level 5. I have built a couple of them but never a Skill Level 5. The Ed Roth 57 had opening doors and trunk and is a Skill level 3. What would make this kit a level 5?

Mike

 

Revell adjusted the Skill Levels...must be 10 years ago now back when Hobbico still existed to bring the U.S. and German Skill Levels into the same level. U.S. used 1-3, and Germany used 1-5. The adjusted levels are

1 - Build n Play SnapTite

2 - Regular SnapTite

3 - Prepainted unassembled glue kit

4 - Glue Kit 100 pcs and under

5 - Glue Kit 100 pcs and higher

 

Post Hobbico when Build n Play kits aren't called that and the prepainted body kits don't exist anymore 2 of the levels are now pointless. But basically everything that was 2 is now 4 and 3 is now 5.

[espo]

I think the Atlantis / Ed Roth '57 Chevrolet is or was an earlier Revell tool dating back to the '60's. The Yellow '57 Bel Air is based on the most resent Revell offering that also included the Black Widow edition of the 150 model with the Fuel Injection engine option. 

[deuces wild]

On 10/6/2024 at 3:23 PM, espo said:

I think the Atlantis / Ed Roth '57 Chevrolet is or was an earlier Revell tool dating back to the '60's. The Yellow '57 Bel Air is based on the most resent Revell offering that also included the Black Widow edition of the 150 model with the Fuel Injection engine option. 

You sir are absolutely correct!!!!!.....

Just like amt did with their '57s... The new tool with the opening trunk is a fantastic kit compared to the old '60s release....??

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Well, since both are mentioned:

If Revell still includes the wheel option I used, you might consider that alone grounds for the Skill 5 rating - those wheels apparently weren't tooled with ANY sort of eye for them fitting the model at all, so much grinding necessary on the bosses to get them tucked inside the fenders.

On the other hand, after decades of trying and retrying among all manufacturers, it was this very Revell kit (and its Black Widow stablemate) that finally nailed the front end of the car, just vastly superior to all its forebears, scale irrespective, even Revell/Monogram's own previous efforts - ALL of them.  In addition to giving the front bumper far and away the most correct shape it's ever seen, note how they moved the mold parting lines to the perimeters of the side elements that sweep back.

I don't think near enough has been made about the kit's obvious superiority in this area.

[Chris V]

6 hours ago, Chuck Kourouklis said:

I don't think near enough has been made about the kit's obvious superiority in this area.

Actually my only two gripes with this kit are the flat spot in the roof ahead of the B-pillars and the narrow rear wheel wells prohibiting the use of just slightly wider rear tires.