The Revell Story, A Model of Success, by Ulli Taubert & A.A. Berse (Delius Klasing 2018)

There are several books that tell the story of Revell in the USA. This book, however, is dedicated to the history of Revell Germany and Revell Europe in general, as the German factory provided kits for most European markets after 1956. Featuring many previously unseen pictures and documents, this is a comprehensive history of the historic Revell brand, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of plastic model kits. But the story of how it all started in Germany in 1956 has never been told. This book takes us on a journey through seven centuries of product development with numerous photos and documents from the archives - and an exclusive look behind the scenes.

It outlines the anecdotes and adventures of the last 70 years since the founding of the company in Venice, California. It is a gripping story, not only of a company that has become the epitome of plastic kits, but also the only one that “migrated” to other continents and kept reinventing itself with new products. This book allows a glimpse into the world of those dedicated people who stand behind the Revell name. The chronology was written by Ullrich (Ulli) Taubert, the development specialist at Revell, with the help of Andreas A. Berse and many contemporary witnesses, interviewed for this book.

Since 1960, almost every boy had glued together at least one model plane, ship, car, or tank from this model kit company. So it’s about time that “The Revell Story”, a book about this legendary Westphalian model-making company, was written.

With this book, the Delius Klasing publishing house is truly putting together something legendary. This richly-illustrated volume explores the history of the German branch of Revell, founded in 1956, and the current headquarters of this giant global model kit company, from an unusual perspective. Co-author Ulli Taubert has been associated with Revell for fifty years and spent decades shaping their Westphalian model portfolio, as head of the development department, taking inspiration for the model kits from land, water or air. Andreas A. Berse, the second author, based in Bünde in North Westphalia, is an inventor and has been chief editor of the German “MODELL FAHRZEUG” (model vehicle) magazine for almost three decades. The end result of these experts’ research and hard work is not just a chronology of Revell, where you can expect to find many surprises and exclusive photos of rare model kits, but also an exciting history of a successful company. Anyone who has ever cautiously teased a model part out of sprue with a craft knife and tweezers will simply be mesmerized by this book.

On top of that, there are fascinating accounts of how kits and finished models are developed and produced, as well as interviews with the three surviving managing directors of Revell.

Several chapters will be a surprise to many modellers as they include facts unknown to many people so far, as the fact of Revell releasing the four Beatles plastic figures in 1/8 scale back in 1965 and only for this particular year!

Other chapters deal with highly classified kits (like the F-19 Stealth Fighter in 1983), train and animal kits, year by year from 1956 until today. For each year there are one or two pages of informative text with selected rare, hard to find illustrations of the box art and photos of public relations events. Following the kits releases, year by year, one can see through the entire technological developments in our planet in the last 70 years, in Land, Air, Sea, and Space. Special mention is made about the catalogs and their contents. Revell “Metal” range in 1/18 and other scales, devoted to diecast car models, bring sweet memories to collectors of models like the first Audi TT (my first real sports car back in 1999!), the BMW Isetta and the Porsche models. Sensational kits followed, like the Neoplan Cityliner in 1/24 scale (2008) and many more before and after that, which the reader will discover for many happy hours.

There is even a chapter devoted to the Revell logo development and another one to the firm’s excellent customer service department, providing modellers with missing or damaged spare parts. This chapter includes much useful and practical information! Other chapters explain specific projects and of course behind the scenes information and photos of the injection moulding technology used by Revell over the years.

We had the privilege of cooperating with Ulli Taubert, then Product Manager at Henschellstrasse 20-30, Bünde, when we were the publishers of “Modelling” monthly magazine from 1989 to 2001 and beyond. Ulli had given us interviews (published in the magazine) and also kept sending us most of the new releases – a big parcel full of kits was arriving each week at the magazine’s address for reviews, articles and builds for our readers. We had also interesting conversations at Revell’s big stand, in Nurnberg Toy Fair each February. So we were absolutely delighted to see this book released with him as co-author.

In conclusion, do not miss this publication. It is the best record of the european side of the Revell story after 1956 and the most valuable for us in this continent. Highly sentimental reading and highly recommended book!

The Revell Story, A Model of Success, by Ulli Taubert & A.A Berse (Delius Klasing 2018)

Pages: 176, sewn bound with dust cover (jacket)

Photos & illustrations: 467

Language: English

Publisher: Delius Klasing

Date: November 2018

ISBN-10: 3667113935

ISBN-13: 978-3667113931

Product Dimensions: 22 cm x 24.6 cm (H x W)