Revell 1/12
Robin’s Redbird Motorcycle

Background

This kit was released in 1997, shortly after the Hollywood Movie appeared that was titled Batman & Robin. It is a model of the “Redbird” motorcycle that was created for Robin in the movie and it includes a figure of him riding it.

The kit comes in a tray and lid type box. The boxart is a photograph of the kit made up, posed on a red and black background. The kit is aimed at models 10 years of age and older. A side panel lists the features in the kit. The kit will make up into a length of 9 ¾” and 5 ¼” high. That the body of the Redbird is molded in dark metallic blue. It has futuristic aerodynamic styling, a poseable front fork, a riding figure of Robin with his cape extended to look windblown, colorful Redbird decals, clear and chrome plated parts and vinyl tires. A paint guide recommends Revell-Monogram or ProModeler brand paints in flat black, silver, red and flesh.

Inside the box are 6 dark navy blue trees of parts, a tree of chrome plated parts, a tree of clear parts and 2 black vinyl tires.

The instructions and decal sheet complete the kit’s contents.

The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages in 8 ½” x 11” format.

Page one begins with a paragraph that says:

“Batman’s upstart, young partner, Robin, needs his own set of wheels and the all new Redbird bike is tailor-made for the teenaged crimefighter. Lean and contoured for rapid acceleration, the Redbird draws inspiration from America’s most popular line of motorcycles.

Complete with a beautifully sculpted figure of Robin, decked in a flowing cape, riding atop the metallic blue and chrome plated speed machine, your finished Redbird model will be truly awesome sight to behold”

This is next to a black and white photo of the model made up. Below this are international assembly symbol explanations labeled in French and English. The bottom of the page has “Read this before your begin” instructions in the same two languages, a paint listing and a 1-800 number, address and web site for Revell-Monogram.

Pages 2 through 8 give 6 assembly steps. These are numbered as steps number 1 through 5, but step 1 is numbered twice (strange). Colors are called out in each step that need to be painted. The first 5 steps are for assembly of the Redbird motorcycle and the 6th step (labeled as step 5) is for assembly and painting of Robin.

There are no part trees illustrations. Parts are numbered on the trees, but the trees are not alphabetized (like we usually see done in kits).

The first large metallic blue part tree holds: one halve of the chassis of the Redbird, it’s handle-bars, seat cushion and front fork parts (5 parts)

The second large metallic blue part tree holds: the other halve of the chassis, a support-stand, the foot rest and the rear wheel halves (5 parts)

A medium sized metallic blue part tree holds the front fender halves (2 parts)

The large tree of chrome-plated parts holds: the front wheel rim halves, the disk brake, the engine inserts, right and left trim parts and exhaust halves (11 parts).

The next large metallic blue part tree holds: the front and rear of Robin’s torso and the halves of his arms. (6 parts)

A medium sized metallic blue part tree holds the front and rear of Robin’s legs (2 parts)

The final small sized metallic blue part is Robin’s flowing cape (1 piece).

The clear part tree holds the headlight and taillight lenses. (2 parts)

All the metallic blue parts trees are in a large sealed cello bag. The chrome plated tree and the clear parts are loose.

The decal sheet has a bunch of Red logos on it for the chest of Robin’s uniform and 3 arranged in a circle, on each side of the front wheels. There is a silver circle to use for the headlight, and instrument dial face and “V” shaped marking that goes on top of the bike in front of the rider (which I haven’t a clue as to what this might be?)

There is a mistake in the painting instructions for painting Robin’s arms and his flowing cape.. The instructions say that his arms should be overall flat black and also his cape, but a photo of Robin, from the movie, show the tops of his arms as being red and also his cape.

 The two solid black vinyl tires complete the kit’s contents. These have terrific detail in of both the tread pattern and raised lettering on the sides of them. There are Dunlop brand tires, with Dunlop’s logo and other specifications on them. Neat.

If you are a Batman and Robin fan and grew up reading their comic books, like I did, this kit is a must. It is an easy build and definitely a weekend project. Although the kit is currently out of production, I found a place on the internet, called Gasoline Alley Antiques, that lists 3 of the kit in stock. The prices range from 8 bucks up to 15, depending on the shape of the kit. Highly recommended.

I purchased my kit, years ago, at my local hobby shop.