BY BILL ENGAR

BRAND-NEW WEBPAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- CHECK BACK LATER AS WE ADD CONTENT!

ATLANTIS #H1808 1/40 BENDIX TALOS MISSILE -- 34 PARTS MOLDED IN OLIVE DRAB AND WHITE POLYSTYRENE PLASTIC -- MODEL GLUE (NOT INCLUDED) REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY -- PAINTING OPTIONAL -- RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14 AND UP -- 

Atlantis Models re-releases one of Revell's classic 1/40 missile kits, the Bendix Talos Missile.

The Talos was an early US. Navy shipborne Surface-to-Air Fleet Defense Missile.  Extremely advanced for its time, it used radar guidance and a ramjet upper stage and was designed to be deployed on guided missile cruisers, a new type of ship in the 1950's.  Talos could be armed with a nuclear or conventional warhead as mission objectives warranted.

The system hadn't yet entered service when the Revell kit was released.  The Atlantis/Revell kit depicts a development version.

Atlantis' Talos Missile kit uses vintage Revell arwork for the boxtop.  Spectacular!  Talos was a ship-based weapon.  The depiction here and in the kit represents a development and testing version.  

Revell put the X-17, Talos and Tactical Missiles Set (Little John/Dart) kits on one set of tooling.  The trio of models make a great collection!  Each contains a set of nicely done figures.  The missiles are molded in white so they'll accept any number of colorful schemes that the missiles wore during their development.  Launch stands are molded in olive-drab green plastic giving the casual modeler the option of building the model without the need for paint.

The Talos is also featured (in a smaller version) in Atlantis' 1/128 U.S. Space Missiles kit.  It'll make a great companion to the trio of 1/40 missiles.

The white sprue has all missile components.  Talos was a pretty big missile with the 1/40 Atlantis version measuring in at over 9.5" in length.  Green sprue has the launch stand and three figures.

The missile is nicely detailed with petite raised lines as was typical with Revell's early kits.  Being a vintage model, builders can expect some sinkholes, flash, and ejector pin marks.  We don't expect to experience any major construction difficulties beyond a nostalgic build.  The Talos development missiles wore some colorful schemes and the builder can make a striking model with some easy research.

A closer look at the white parts comprising the Talos Missile

This version of the Talos has a test-stand used for development launches.  Here, it's molded in olive-drab plastic along with 1/40 figures and bases.

To build this kit, most of the effort will be focused on the missile itself.  If you're careful with your glue, the middle-set of fins can be made to pivot, just as the guidance fins on the real Talos could.  Revell's kits had realistic detailing but were known for providing "action features" to ratchet up the excitement!

A look at the Talos' ramjet nose

The radar 'pingers" and ramjet inlet on the ramjet were pretty nicely done.

The figures could be painted as military men or test technicians--your choice!

Atlantis' missile kits all have very nice decals that will add an element of realism to the completed model.

The figures are nicely posed and detailed.

The Atlantis/Revell missile kits include nice decals with stripes, numbers, and warning placards.  As always, Atlantis declal sheet are high-quality.

Instructions are printed on high-grade paper.  include a brief history of the Talos system.  Page 1 includes two simple drawings detailing assembly of the launch test-stand.

Page 2 includes missile construction.  Instructions are vintage Revell artwork with exploded diagrams and English descriptions of building steps.

This is a very cool kit depicting an early U.S. Navy Surface-to-Air Missile that was very advanced for it time.  It incorporated many innovations that are found in today's defensive missile systems.  The model and the subject are a significant piece of history.  The model uses vintage Revell artwork for the boxtop and instructions.  Built it -- collect it!

The box side includes info about the kit, history of the subject and recommended paint colors to finish the model as depicted in the instructions.  Talos test-missiles wore a few interesting schemes; we'll include some photos in our Bonus Features.

We are ecstatic that this previously rare and highly collectible former Revell kit is now being brought to you by Atlantis Models.  As always, they've done an exceptional job returning this kit to the modeling community in its best-ever guise.  2Modeler.com gives this kit a solid Four Thumbs Up!  Add Atlantis' Talos Missile to your collection today!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS AWESOME KIT FOR US TO REVIEW AND ENJOY!