Here we have two 1:24 scale Beetle kits, the Revell item a traditional plastic injection kit, the other a Maisto offering in a mixture of diecast metal and moulded plastic. Which one is best?
For purist model makers, the Revell VW Beetle kit is definitely the one to go for, as it has finely moulded detail, and plenty of crisply formed components, resulting in an excellent desktop model.
The kit is a well-engineered one, with little in the way of fit and finish problems - in fact, the 122 components go together very well indeed; it’s almost a pity that you need to use cement to attach everything together, especially bearing in mind the quartet of vehicles in the excellent snap-tight Revell easykit range.
Revell’s feature list is reasonably comprehensive, though it has to be said there’s little in the way of moveable excitement here. It’s a scale model and that’s about it.
Revell VW Beetle features
* Separate movable bonnet
* Multi-part detailed four-cylinder engine
* Separate exhaust assembly
* Detailed interior with dashboard, front seats, rear bench seat
* Can be built in left- or right-hand versions
* Movable wheels
* Roof open or closed
* Chrome parts include bumpers, wheel rims, door handles, door mirrors
* Simulated rubber tyres
* Decals include various registration marks
So how does the Maisto metal kit stack up? Very well indeed, if what you want is something that has a bit of fun, and is tough enough to take almost unlimited abuse.
The detail certainly has nothing like the crisp, delicate touch of the Revell kit - simple and a heavy describes it - but Maisto’s engineers have given their VW a touch of customized ‘oomph’ and this more than makes up for the lack of scale purity.
Consider the lowered, chopped roof, the opening doors and panels, the folding seats, the working steering system - you can see what we mean. Custom parts include low-profile tyres, chrome rims and engine parts. With little effort and perhaps half an hour of your time, you can end up with a tasty-looking machine that looks like it could compete as the pride of a real-world Veedub rally. As seen below, the custom Beetle sits nicely next to a same-scale Maisto fully-assembled vehicle, the VW Microbus.
Maisto VW Beetle features
* Separate opening bonnet and engine compartment
* Opening doors, folding front seats
* Multi-part detailed four-cylinder engine
* Custom chopped roofline and lowered suspension
* Two wheel styles supplied
* Movable wheels, including steering
* Chrome parts include bumpers and wheels
* Simulated rubber tyres, low-profile design
* Pre-painted
Scale Stats
Revell VW Beetle convertible
Scale: 1:24
Components: 122
Assembled length: 171 mm (6.7 in)
Maisto VW Beetle custom
Scale: 1:24
Assembled length: 170 mm (6.6 in)
Summation
Both Beetles are good kits in their way. The Revell assembles to make an excellent little scale model, the Maisto quickly slots together to make a slam-style custom show star.
Great stuff. Our recommendation? Try one of each!
About the real Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1 was first developed by Ferdinand Porsche. Also known as the Beetle (‘Kafer’ in German), it was first mass-produced at the end of 1945. Although the essential design features were retained, Volkswagen continually made improvements to the Beetle. Performance was improved, mainly by installing a more powerful engine.
Other improvements included vertical headlamps, better instruments, larger bumpers and a higher top speed of up to 125 km/h (78 mph). By the time production ended in 2003, more than 21 million Beetles had been produced. In modernized, front-drive form (above left and below) the design continues in production today.
Volkswagen Beetle kits here.
