I hope this is an appropriate question for this forum. If not, moderator please delete.
I don’t buy and sell models for a profit, I just buy them to build them (or let them stack up in my basement), but I recently came across a Revell USS Olympia, kit # H-443. It’s from 1975. It’s still sealed in plastic, though the plastic does have a tear. The box is in moderate shape, just some squishing of the corners. I’m wondering what the kit is worth. An older Olympia (opened box) sold for $70.00 on Ebay last week.
Like I said, I don’t buy and sell models, so I have no idea what this kit my be worth. But, if it’s worth more than what the store is asking I just might buy it.
I did a short search thru hobby related auction and collector sites and the kit comes in at between 30 and 50$ USD.
Ive learned over time to not judge the apparent value of an item from an e-bay listing. The value or worth of an item cab be greatly distorted on those sites.
If you are just wanting a build…and its cheap…hey go for it!
If you want a good accurate display…MS SQUADRON has the ENCORE/ Revell Kit with all the goodies (resin parts, brass barrels,…PE and wooden decks) for under 100$
Thanks for the reply. The store wants $55 for it. I suspect I can find newer reissues for much cheaper or go to MS Squardron as you suggested. Thanks again for your help.
While I just completed the Encore version I had the older Revell kit. I donated that to a club auction. There is a photo etch kit available I believe from Tom’s modelworks. That leaves the gun barrels and the wood deck as good reasons to buy the Encore version. However, all guns are small enough that I would not buy it just for the guns. The deck in the Encore version is indeed very nice. So whether someone wants to buy the older kit and the photo etch accessories seperate, or forego it for the Encore version, seems to hinge on whether one wants the wooden deck.
There are some resin parts, but the display stand is the same as the Revell kit, and not very good. Way too small. I bought and finished a piece of mahogany for my Encore kit.
Don,…how would you rate this new encore kit…I mean as far as price/accuracy/the build up and all.
Ive built the Borodino and the Koenig…and am back-datting 1/350 Arizona to its 1916-ish fit and would like to maybe add a Pre-Dreadnought to the display. But the 89$ USD or so could be spent on better purchases if you think the kit is a dud…
The encore kit propogates the inaccuracies of the Revell kit, since it uses the same molds. However, the PE, resin, and especially the wooden deck are very nice. Not a perfect kit, but for the pricce they are asking it is well worth the money. I took my finished model to two club meetings recently and got a lot of kudos on it. I posted pics on an earlier thread on Olympia rigging, which still is visible in this forum from a somewhat earlier date.