AN APPRECIATION BY MAT IRVINE:
If you have an interest in model cars, particularly Revell-Monogram 1950s-era American cars, you can likely thank Bill Lastovich, who sadly died on June 7, 2012, age 71.
Developing new car kits
Bill first worked for Revell-Monogram in Morton Grove, Illinois, where he contributed to product development in the early 1990s. He continued through two factory moves, and a change of owners, all the while working mainly on product development, researching for models, photographing full-size cars, and overseeing new tooling. He also made recommendations about what should be reissued in the Revell-Monogram Selected Subjects Program, planned reissues that allowed older kits to see the light of day again.
Bill at the 2009 iHobby Expo, with (right) Dean Milano.
iHobby Expo visits
In recent years I saw Bill a couple of times a year, one of those at the big Chicago show, October’s iHobby Expo, when he would be one of those manning the Revell-Monogram stand, having set up most of the display models. Then, along with Dean Milano, I would visit Bill and his colleagues at the R-M plant a few days later, to catch up on the rest of the news. Occasionally, we would also go with him to the Lake Michigan Model Car Club, of which Bill was a long-serving member.
Bill at last year's 2011 iHobby Expo, busily setting up a display. The test-shot components of his 1950 Oldsmobile Coupe are mounted at right.
1950 Oldsmobile
Bill had a particular love of 1950s cars, and for many years had wanted to make a 1950 Oldsmobile available as a 1:25 scale kit. This was actually on the 2012 agenda, and Bill had already built test-shots of the model, which he showed us proudly during our last visit. Hopefully, this car will be released soon, to be remembered as a Bill Lastovich modelling memorial.
Our sincere condolences go to his wife Jean, and his sons.