KITS: REVELL's 2010 CAMARO SS

While, on a technical level, Revell's 2010 Camaro kit isn't liable to turn into a Transforming 'Bumblebee', not the voice of Mark Ryan found emanating from its interior, there's a solid case to be made that the model company have one of the best kits on the market for the car closely associated with the cinematic character. Of course, there's no official connection with the film, though its referenced in the documentation, so the car-kit is just as good a present to yourself/ a friend if you simply appreciate the 'need for speed' of the camro itself... For the specifcs, fans should know that this is the fifth generation of the world-famous sports car but has echoes of the original forty-year old streamline form and the real vehicle came with automatic transmission and the capability to go from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Not too shabby!

As with all the company's kits there are two things to evaluate - the finished product and the ease of which it's constructed - and it's typically good in both departments.  Rated as a '3' on a scale of 1-5 difficulty, the bag of parts and construction document that awaits you on opening the box might look imposing if you aren't a regular model kit-enthusiast, but there are clear instructions and essentially all you will need is glue and paint. Revell have taken care of the details and these are down to a impressive level, even on the smallest parts of 1/25 kit. The kit itself is resilient plastic which should stand up to heavy handling during basic construction and - as well as the main body - you are provided with metallic wheel-trims, rubber for the wheels and when finished the bonnet/hood is removable so you can see some of the engine handiwork.  You are also supplied with the necessary decals to add when the model is almost completed. Part of the joy of such a model are the personal touches, so you can stick to the colours etc seen in the Transformers films or decorate it in your own way.

Give yourself a little time to devote to the construction and the finished result is potentially impressive. The '3' rating is pitched about right - not too difficult for the beginner but also not too simplistic for those who like to approach their model-making with the same enthusiasm as a mechanic would do the full-scale automobile.

It may be a while away yet, but this could be an ideal Christmas present and is just one of the kits that the company has been promoting this year (we recently featured the Millennium Falcon kit as well) and it lives up to expectation. We hope to be reviewing more of their kits in the run up to the festive season...

8/10

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit www.revell.eu or email [email protected]