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B-25 Mitchell Bomber

Atlantis (ex-Revell), 1/64 scale

S u m m a r y :

Catalogue Number:

Atlantis (Revell) Kit No. H-216; B-25 Mitchell Bomber

Scale:

1/64

Contents & Media

59 parts (50 in dark olive drab styrene, 5 clear styrene, four part stand).

Price:

USD$19.95

Review Type:

First Look.

Advantages:

First time in a while this popular kit is available again; great desk top model.

Disadvantages:

Child of the 50s!

Conclusion:

Recommended for for anyone wanting a nostalgia trip with a nice desk top model.


Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Background


The 1950s were the first golden age of modeling, and companies rushed to get kits out as it soon became THE hobby for boys and even adults. Popular subjects were modern aircraft and also WWII aircraft which many fathers had either flown or worked on during that war.

 

 

FirstLook

 

In 1955 Revell released its kit number H-216, the B-25 “Flying Dragon”, and it was a big hit. Conveniently sized to have a 12 ¾ inch wingspan (320mm)  and provided with the new Revell swivel stand it was a big hit. While Monogram’s B-66 Destroyer (the one with the button to drop an “atomic” bomb) was listed as the first model kit to sell 1 million copies, this kit could not have been far behind.

 

(Atlantis-supplied image)

The kit consisted of a B-25C bomber with landing gear and a crew of three, all full figures: two pilots and a nose gunner with a .50 caliber machine gun. It also provided two “working “turrets with moveable guns, working propellers, and a nice sheet of decals.

For the time – and even today – the model was fairly accurate and a good representation of the type. But the lower turret was somewhat specious as it was clear and a full turret, whereas the actual belly turrets were solid metal with a periscope and retractable.

This version is nicely packaged: Atlantis uses the original box art on the front of the box and the later one for the side panels. Two sets of markings are now provided, one for the famous original “Flying Dragon” kit and another set for a Doolittle raider. The only modifications here would be to fill in the lower turret mounting and drill holes for two sections of black styrene rod for the “tail turret” the raiders used to scare away Japanese fighters.

A logo for the swivel stand is also included and matches that of the original kit.

 

 

Finishing the kit is not too difficult but the clear transparencies will be a problem as the framing is molded on the inside of the plastic and will be awkward to paint. Here masking and planning ahead will be your friends.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is a nice kit to re-release and one old modelers like me are happy to see return!

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by Cookie Sewell
Page Created 14 April, 2022
Last updated 13 January, 2023

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