posted 03-03-2010 10:27 AM               

• Revell Launch Tower and Space Shuttle Kit # 4911
  
• Revell 25th Anniversary (1994) Apollo Eagle and Columbia Kit # 04808
  
• Revell 25th Anniversary (1994) Apollo Saturn V 1:96 # 04805

posted 03-03-2010 03:06 PM               

If the Revell Apollo CSM and LM is the 1/48 scale kit, that is potentially worth a bit as those have not been issued since the 25th anniversary and I have a feeling the mold for it might be too worn to issue again. The 1/96 scale kit by comparison is somewhat common. Value for the 1/48 kit I've seen go in the $50 to $100 or higher range, depending on box condition.

As for the shuttle launch tower, I've seen those go for about $80 if it is just the launch tower to over $100 if it has a shuttle (although techically the tower is the same and the shuttle is still available, so shuttle value doesn't enter in to it all that much).

Big thing to keep in mind though are values can be very speculative in nature. A lot of it will depend on demand and potential customers, plus condition of the box (as some buyers will want to build, others collect). Some might sell high, others sell low. It also depends on the market at the time. The Saturn I don't think will go for that much, but the Apollo could. The shuttle tower demand is somewhat high as this is the final year for planned shuttle operations, even if it is not exactly a great kit.

posted 03-04-2010 05:55 AM               

The big Shuttle Launch complex model - the entire thing in 1/144 has become next to impossible to find lately and I've seen it go as high as $300. It was just too big to build and put anywhere and that killed the original sales but raised the price.

I'll agree with the 1/48 CSM/LM. Rough to find and expensive. Even harder is the 1/48 CSM/LM/LES/SLA which is almost becoming the holy grail.

The 1/96 Saturn V is a point of contention with a lot of people. The 40th anniversary version, which, for some reason, came out in Australia first at $185 is NOT cheap. And while you might find the 1/96 from the 25th anniversary for as low as $75 [if you're lucky], I'd say the average price is more in the $100-$130 area depending how many are on the market. It's a matter of TIME. We just passed the 40th anniversary and this is the 25th anniversary. It all depends if you're talking to a builder or a collector. If you ever listen to the toy guy on Antiques Road Show, he'll always say that the box is the key to everything.

With the re-release of the Buzz Aldrin version of the 1/48 First Lunar Landing, 1/32 CSM and 1/144 Saturn V, I don't know how that's going to effect the market of the older models. Just as DWTS, I think that Buzz's face on the box art kills the model and makes the older versions more valuable. Collectors are very picky about box art. Builders are another story. I'd love to know the deal that Buzz cut with Revell/Monogram to reissue those models after all of this time. The molds have to be in rotten condition. I'd buy one just to see what they look like, but I've put enough money in his pocket in other ways. And I don't want to pay for his dancing lessons.

And to take you into the world where nothing makes sense...

The 1/100 flying Estes Saturn V, with very little detail, that came out for the 30th anniversary is in great demand and very few people fly it. It's made out of cardboard. you could make one yourself with some cardboard tubes and some parts from your spare kits box.

The Apogee 1/70 flying Saturn V is now out of production and is getting a premium price. Again, a model made out of cardboard selling for well over $300 IF you can find one. The Saturn 1b is still in stock at double the price of its original release price. However, people DO fly both of these and the detail level is wonderful. But, again, cardboard.

And, don't forget, you can have a lot of fun scratchbuilding your own 1/96 Saturn V for about $300 and thousands of hours of time. Read about my nine year adventure with mine. If my hands weren't full of arthritis, I'd build another one because it was so much fun to do. And I'm still thinking about it. I have the tubes - just need the parts from New Ware in the Czech Republic... and about a years worth of time.

posted 03-04-2010 06:28 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by divemaster:
Even harder is the 1/48 CSM/LM/LES/SLA which is almost becoming the holy grail.

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This is my kit and still has two days to run on eBay so we'll see if anyone bids on it although I'm beginning to regret offering it on eBay if it's that hard to find.

posted 03-04-2010 09:31 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by divemaster:
What's the item number?

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Apollo Kit Item # 290406673586
Shuttle Kit Item # 290405905728

posted 03-04-2010 03:49 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Norman.King:
Update: The Shuttle sold in the final minute for £160 (approx $240) - Great pricing guesswork divemaster.

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posted 03-04-2010 03:51 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
By the way, the Revell of Germany Saturn V is currently out again and unlike the Revell USA offerings (featuring the Buzz Aldrin rocket hero art) I don't believe these have Buzz's mug on the box.

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posted 03-04-2010 10:06 PM               

Finding one from the sixties is a REAL find. I built many of those, too. But there has yet to be an OFFICIAL US release of a 40th anniversary version - Buzz or Buzzless.

and they all have the incorrect paint patterns on the box art from the 500-F. One of my little pet peeves that even slipped by Ron Howard in Apollo 13 and Tom Hanks in From the Earth to the Moon. Just a bugaboo of mine.

And the best Saturn V decals can be bought from Rick Sternbach or New Ware Models. I have bought from both - and both are fascinating. Rick gives you so many, you actually need a high power magnifying glass to see what you're looking at.