Revell 1/25 Hummer H2 California Wheels Kit First Look

By Phil Cooley, Front Range Auto Modelers (FRAM)

First Look

The Hummer H2 is a smaller SUV from the developers of the military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or Humvee. The H2 looks similar to a Hummer H1, but sits on the same full-size GM chassis used by the Chevy Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade and is powered by a six-liter gasoline V8, which produces 325 hp. It comes standard with full-time four wheel drive, traction control, and a front skidplate. In upholding the Hummer reputation, the H2 can scale a 16 in vertical step and ford water 20 in deep. Rugged as it is, the H2 is available with many luxury features, including sunroof, leather seats, CD changer and DVD player. Most of those luxury features are depicted in this kit.

Engine:Curbside kit, no engine included.

Chassis:The chassis is molded in black. It has separate front and rear axles, a lower suspension/skidplate, a rear stabilizer bar, an exhaust (molded in grey), and disk brakes, also molded in grey. The brakes are probably accurate depictions, size-wise of the real thing, but they seem miniscule when compared to the “California Wheels”.

Wheels and Tires: As this is a “California Wheels” kit, oversized, chromed, 5-spoke wheels are provided, along with no-name low profile tires.

Interior: The interior is molded in grey. It consists of a floorpan, two-piece seats, side panels, dashboard and steering wheel. It also has a separate console and shifter and there is a decal for the dashboard gauges. The steering column has turn signal and windshield wiper stalks and the dashboard includes gas, brake and emergency brake pedals. A chrome amplifier and speaker cabinet for the luggage compartment is included.

Body: The body is molded in white and has an opening rear hatch. There are a couple very small mold marks on the hood sides and plenty of separate detail parts, including front and rear bumpers, louvered panels, taillights, windshield wipers, mirrors, door handles, and mirrors. The body assembly also includes a chrome front grille, a hood grille, and chromed step up bars. Front and rear roof rack bars are also included.

Instructions: The instructions appear to be straightforward and include directions on paint detailing. Curiously, there are several steps in the instructions which are depicted as “Custom” when there are no other parts which could be used.

Decals: The decals include front and rear side marker lights, Hummer badges, the Hummer name, California “Boom Box” license plates, and bodyside graphics.

Although a curbside, there are lots of features going for this kit, including the highly detailed body with opening hatch. I’m not a big fan of the “big wheel” look, but it is appropriate on this kit--the wheels/tires go well with the oversize wheel openings. However, I would like to also see stock wheels and tires included also.

Many thanks to Revell for the product sample.

Ed Note: Phil is a member of Front Range Auto Modelers.