Revell Audi R8

If I had been asked this question before I read the prices, I would have said, "no," but now I wonder:

Is there a difference (besides box shape, instruction languages etc.) between the Revell [USA] Audi R8 kit and the Revell Germany [AG] kit? I thought the USA kit was just a rebox of the AG, but the prices (at my online store of choice, towerhobbies.com) are $12.39 for the US kit and $19.69 for the AG kit. It would seem a logical choice, but I want to make sure I'm not getting shortchanged if I buy the US kit. Is it just because of import costs? Seems like a pretty steep hike for that factor.

Any light that could be shed on this is appreciated.

Thanks,

Alex

US version: same exact kit, different box (not the crappy Revell AG side-access box), all-white plastic, far better value for the $$. Buying the Revell AG gets you parts molded in silver and gray and black, a flat box that will drive you to drink, and less money in your pocket. I don't know if or how Revell US can get past the "typical buyer thinks Revell AG product is better" mentality...when the opposite is usually the case for US buyers.

I wanted the kit badly, but resisted the Revell AG version. Now I've got my R8, and for about 1/3 the Revell AG list price :smokin:

Thank you very, very much. Yes, I will indeed be buying the US version. The side-access box is indeed a pain in the posterior, and I think the mentality simply comes from the fact that there are a good number of cool Revell AG kits which haven't been converted to US spec (like the BMW 635CSi, a car I like a lot but have only seen from Revell AG, to give a single example). Thanks again for helping me save money!

Alex

Thank you very, very much. Yes, I will indeed be buying the US version. The side-access box is indeed a pain in the posterior, and I think the mentality simply comes from the fact that there are a good number of cool Revell AG kits which haven't been converted to US spec (like the BMW 635CSi, a car I like a lot but have only seen from Revell AG, to give a single example). Thanks again for helping me save money!

Alex

I believe there is a Monogram version of the 635CSi. Isn't it the same as the Revell one?

Thank you very, very much. Yes, I will indeed be buying the US version. The side-access box is indeed a pain in the posterior, and I think the mentality simply comes from the fact that there are a good number of cool Revell AG kits which haven't been converted to US spec (like the BMW 635CSi, a car I like a lot but have only seen from Revell AG, to give a single example). Thanks again for helping me save money!

Alex

Actually that BMW started life as a Monogram kit. It's been in circulation for several decades, while it's not a Tamiya nor Fujimi Enthusiast kit, it's actually pretty good. Revell AG does reissue older kits from various mfg's from time to time that don't get reissued by Revell USA.

Most Revell AG new-tool kits do end up in the Revell US catalog within a year or less of the original release. Though I'm not sure about the Revell R10, but at least Revell AG kits aren't that hard to come by in the US.

at least Revell AG kits aren't that hard to come by in the US.

which isn't true the other way around.
I'm keen to keep everything I've got in 1/24 and there are some revell/monogram kits in 1/24 that I'd love to get my hands on but they're just not easily available.