Tamiya vs. Revell - Let's get it on!!

[Murco]

I know how much many of you regard Tamiya models, as do I, but I think many of you are giving Revell a bad rap that is uncalled for. For fun and education let's look at the products in direct comparison...

* Fidelity - Hard to argue against Tamiya. The bodies and overall castings are crisper and near perfect in every dimension but Revell has closed the gap tremendously over the past 5 years.
Point - Tamiya

* Detail - Revell owns this one as practically every model they make has a full engine. The recent "Pro Modeler" kits also have hinge detail!! Tamiya, while awesome when it comes to body details, has dropped engines from most of the street cars it offers.
Point - Revell

* Ease of assembly - Tamiya owns this category. I have never had a warped body or kit that needed help with parts aligning. Revell, while still closing the gap, does exhibit the occasional fitment problems.
Point - Tamiya

* Variety - Revell makes American, German, and Japanese cars, GT1 Porsches, movie cars, the best Nascars, and classics from around the world in sizes from 1/43 to 1/8!! Tamiya focuses mostly on Exotics, JDM cars, GT, DTM, F1, and WRC cars with few large scale offerings.
Point - Revell (for sizes), Tamiya (for range)

* Aftermarket - There isn't a Revell kit tooled in the last 6 years that doesn't have a full set of exquisite Photo-etch emblems and details available from Model Car Garage. That doesn't even count the various other photo-etch poducts available for carb linkages, distributors, brake rotors or the resin calipers or machined aluminum parts available. Tamiya doesn't have that kind of aftermarket support because of limited engine detail.
Point -Revell

* Price - Later Revell kits average over 110 parts, mostly due to engine/transmissions being included. Tamiya averages 65 parts yet, at least in the U.S., costs usually 40 - 100% more for a comparable model without the extra detail.
Point - Revell

* Winners - Revell products have won a GSL "Best of Show" award in 5 of the last 7 events. This competition attracts the very best builders from around the world and they choose Revell products when they want to win.
Point - Revell

When I want a quick shelf model or a JDM car, I pick Tamiya. When I want to kick butt and make peoples jaws drop, I go with Revell!!

[Mikke]

That's pretty much my opinion, too. I just hate that Revell-Monogram makes both 1/24 and 1/25 scale. Point: Tamiya

The lack of engine detail in Tamiya car kits nearly made me switch over to Tamiya bikes, though. :zx11pisse

[4x4 Cactus]

There are only afew revel kits here not the best and latest so ill stick with tamiya which can be found everywhere.

[Thing-A-Majig]

good points. i dont have anything against revell i just prefer tamiya's selection

[turbos86]

Who makes Initial D models?
Point - Fujimi
LOL


Maybe its just me, but it feels better to see Japanese all over the box and instructions when I'm building a kit. This is why I choose Tamiya over Revell. Althought Revell do make non-america cars, they lack in variety. And why can't they stick to either 1/24 or 1/25 scale...makes me mad how the ITR is not 1/24

[Bobj]

I did revell nascar and it was crap parts didn't fit lots of flash,and very bad decals had to use two tubes of super glue to hold the thing together. Would only buy revell to do musle car or hot rod. Half the price half the quality, Tamiya wins all the time.

[turbos86]

Originally posted by Bobj
I did revell nascar and it was crap parts didn't fit lots of flash,and very bad decals had to use two tubes of super glue to hold the thing together. Would only buy revell to do musle car or hot rod. Half the price half the quality, Tamiya wins all the time.

I agree, they make sh*t decals.(Example: Their ITR kit, I have one and seen another, both of which are missing the R in the Type R logos....Type "blank") I've pay money to buy the kit and I EXPECT it to be good. :finger: My first few model cars where all Revell-monogram, and most of the parts didn't fit correctly...but they were dirt cheap...good thing

[tazdev]

what does JDM stand for?

[Jay!]

Originally posted by tazdev
what does JDM stand for?

Japanese Domestic Market.

Nice comparison.

[flyonthewall]

But arent most of Revels kits from the toolings of other manufacturers which Revel have brought over the years (mostly monogram since they bought them out)? I know revel have made some completely new kits recently but the majority are old and getting on a bit now. The fact that they continue to produce all these kits is the reason why their selection of models surpasses tamiya but the quality does not. The great thing about tamiya - and most of the jap companies come to that - is the 'freshness' of their products. We are consistantly being given brand new models from these guys at the rate of what? about 1-2 car kits a month and we all know how good quality they are.

[modelfan1]

Who makes Initial D models?

and what in the hell is it ?

:apoke:Putting a model together is a lot different than building a
model. Making something look and fit better than it did before gives me a sense of accomplishment,if you just want to paint it, glue it and put it on the shelf just buy a diecast it's easier !!

And why can't they stick to either 1/24 or 1/25 scale

Is there that much difference between those two scales ??:argue:
I don't look to see what scale something is before I buy it,scale doesn't
matter,if I want it !

:evillaugh I've been looking for Tamiya Jaguar Racing Saloon for
awhile but it's just too pricey but the search continues and it doesn't matter if there is a motor in it because I'll put one in it :what:

Mike

[Murco]

Originally posted by flyonthewall
But arent most of Revels kits from the toolings of other manufacturers which Revel have brought over the years (mostly monogram since they bought them out)?

Revell and Monogram merged in 1997 but they had been "partners" under the Binney and Smith company for many years. There never was any other companies.

I know revell have made some completely new kits recently but the majority are old and getting on a bit now.

Actually, looking through the 2002 catalog they offer 31 plastic kits. Of those only 13 are older kits (pre-1995)

The great thing about tamiya - and most of the jap companies come to that - is the 'freshness' of their products. We are consistantly being given brand new models from these guys at the rate of what? about 1-2 car kits a month and we all know how good quality they are.

I'd rather have 4-5 a year with fully detailed drivetrains as thats all I could build anyway. I'm not one who builds just to fill my display case or create a collection.

:finger:

[turbos86]

FYI, Initial D is a Japanese Anime/Comic about street/touge(mountain road) racing

1/24 and 1/25 scale are really different....try putting parts from either one on to the other...that's what I'm trying now, Revell 1/25 engine in a Fujimi kit...it doesn't look right

I've had bad experiences with Revell so I don't like them much.

the bottom line is...if you want high quality kits and have the cash, get Tamiya, if you don't care, wants a challenge or have no $$$, buy Revell.


On one personal note: I hate how Revell make their boxes so thick and big! Storage is a pain in the a**...but who keep boxes anyways..hahahaha

[primera man]

Having built both brands, Tamiya is in a class of there own IMO.
I will buy a model based on what i like, not by the brand. (I'm looking at the whole kit in general when saying this)

There is alot more work in a Revell kit but with time you can get a very nice looking kit.
There range is great as is there after market parts.
The ones i have done have turned out will and i'm happy enough with them.
I just think that with todays standards Revell could be making there kits a whole lot better then they are. There is way to much *flash & molding lines*. There fitment of parts can be very poor and there decals are still crap.
They have come a long way, but still need to improve alot more to get close to Tamiya.
Maybe for the average person who does the odd model now and then they dont mind buying a kit like this.....but when i'm forking out good hard earned money on kits i expect them to be worth what i paye for them.

[Macka]

Well, being that I'm still working on my first model (which is Revell) I don't have a lot of experience to back up my opinion. I just bought a Tamiya kit, to see what you guys are all raving about. It looks sweet, and looks like a quality kit. I can't wait to build it..but I was shocked that it cost 2X wht Revell kits cost, and dismayed that there's no engine

And you gotta hand it to Revell for having engines. Building the engine on my current kit was a challenge, and I must say was a lot of fun

And for $12 a pop, I don't mind a little bit of extra filing, or "challenge"