A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: REVELL’S 1/32 METEOR F.8/FR.9

This can, by design, only be the most cursory of appraisals, a fully-fledged build taking place later this year. Even taking that into account, I can’t help but be very impressed by the contents of this new kit and will certainly look forward to getting the best from it when the time comes.

22nd September 2025

Whilst at the IPMS Avon show, I was able to take a close look at the new Revell Meteor for the first time at the event. Thanks to two built up examples, enthusiasts were able to gauge the quality of this new kit, the detail incorporated and the options available from the box. Now, thanks to an early set of plastic parts but no instructions or decals (they will arrive shortly after this piece is being written) we are able to take a deeper dive into this new kit. Buckle up: superlatives are about to fly…

I was impressed by the models on show in Avon, both of which looked to be highly detailed. Of course the cockpit and engines looked to be standout areas, but it was the surface detail that really caught my attention. Beautifully decorated with delicately incised panel lines and rivets, the surface features were then embellished with raised details where appropriate and the rippled skin where needed around the gun bays (if you’ve built the Airfix 1/48 kit, this will look very familiar on the surface of this one). It’s all rather lovely and frankly, a massive step-up from the detail seen in previously-released Revell kits, even ones that have appeared over the last few years.

Internally, the kit scores very highly indeed. Two complete Rolls-Royce Derwent engines are supplied as well as a fully-appointed cockpit complete with multipart MB Mk.2 ejection seat, the latter decorated with some passable seat straps. Detail around all of the interior parts is superb, needing careful assembly and painting to get the best from it. I foresee some enjoyable moments, paintbrush in hand, bringing out all of the delicate whistles and bells that Revell have seen fit to replicate. Who knows, I may even tackle the impressive pilot figure, a first for me in this scale.

Options are included to build an F.8 and the photo-reconnaissance FR.9, the latter being an early possibility for my build. Along with the change in nose profile, the kit also incudes optional intakes and jet pipes, as well as two styles of canopy and windscreen. I’m being slightly vague here as I don’t have the instructions, but you get the picture that all of the parts needed for either variant are in the box for the intended marking options, as well as being pertinent to other choices no doubt on the way from the aftermarket.

This can, by design, only be the most cursory of appraisals, a fully-fledged build taking place later this year. Even taking that into account, I can’t help but be very impressed by the contents of this new kit and will certainly look forward to getting the best from it when the time comes. It’s always a path fraught with danger pick a ‘kit of any year’, but I may just stick my neck out and announce right now that unless something seriously changes over the next few months, Revell may just have my vote for that accolade in 2025. I believe their 1/32 Meteor to be superb; I’m pretty sure that you will too.

Thanks to Revell for the early review sample seen this month.