Revell - Revell in Germany

Revell in Germany

In 1956, the German subsidiary, Revell Plastics GmbH, was founded in Bünde, West Germany. During the 1970s, this company started developing and manufacturing its own lines of model kits independently and outside the direct control of Revell, USA. These models are imported into the United States, and some of the newer kits earned reputation for high quality. However, the "German" kits are only produced in Eastern Europe or China under the German label. Once known as Revell AG (stock company), the German company has now changed to the legal form of GmbH & Co. KG (Inc.), and is independent since its formal separation from Revell-Monogram LLC in September 2006, though the German products continue to be advertised on the American company website, and its logo continues to be almost identical to that of Revell in the United States. When it comes to total revenue, the German company ranks somewhat above the former American 'parent' company.

Besides an array of airplane and military kits, Revell Germany also has made a variety of 1:24 and 1:18 scale accurately rendered 1:18 scale pre-assembled die-cast model cars. These were first produced in the late 1980s and were typical Porsche, Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offerings with some Corvettes and a 1965 Mustang thrown in (Johnson 1998, p. 200). Starting around 2000, the company focused its diecast line calling it simply, "Revell Metal" (as opposed to plastic seen in the kits). These later models have mostly been earlier German vehicles - with a focus on micro-cars. Examples are the Lloyd Alexander, Messerschmitt Kabinroller KR 200, BMW Isetta, and a very authentic looking DKW Junior.

Goggomobil T250 in fancy chrome trim, whitewalls and peeled back cloth roof. Goggomobil models by Revell Germany

Some models, like the Goggomobil T250 came in a couple of 'trim' versions. The Goggomobil appeared in a closed roof, austerely basic model as well as an open 'cloth' roofed fancy decor version with whitewall tires and chrome grille which was probably not the one most purchasers of the real car chose just following WWII.

Some of the larger vehicles featured have been the mid-1950s Mercedes-Benz 180 'ponton' sedan and a variety of European Fords mainly from the 1960s. The post-war decade cars' interiors are consistently authentically decorated in period gray and white colors typical of the austerity of the times. A couple of more modern diecasts have been a VW Scirocco, BMW 850i coupe and an Acura NSX. Generally German Revell diecast models all have opening doors, hoods and trunks.

Revell Germany has also reproduced some former Matchbox models.