Aurora Models!

Picture a quiet suburban neighborhood, on a sunny, summer afternoon. Let's go down this street to the brown house at the end and step around to the backyard. Here you'll find three boys sitting at a picnic table, all carefully putting together the lastest King Kong Aurora model kit!

The competition was between myself, Richie and Mike. It had nothing to do with putting the kit together. Oh, no! The mark of a true model maker was in the final PAINTED product!

I have to be honest here, and tip my hat to Richie. When he unveiled his final piece of work, they were truly masterpieces!

So let's take a romp back in time to the mid 60's, where my love of a good model started.

This was a pretty straight forward model. (Most of the early Aurora Models were not difficult to put together...by 'straight forward model' here, I mean as far as painting goes).

You always got your original ideas for painting your models from the box cover itself. Since most of the Boris Karloff movies were in black & white, your research material was pretty much limited to either back copies of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines or the box cover. There's a color of Olive Green, that to this day will always be Frankie Green to me!

The base of the model was a simple grave stone and he stood on top of a grassy grave site. Wasn't much you could do with the base...make the tomb stone weathered, and playing with dead looking grass was fun, but Frankie was pretty simple.

in 1972, a Glow version came out.

Although not a big fan of the MOTM line, (w/ the exception of the Creech) Revell-Monogram re-issued the Monsters of the Movies version of Frankenstein in the Summer of 1999! A TOYS-R-US exclusive.

On 22 Aug 99', the Polar Lights/Revell/CineModels Long Box reissue of Frankenstein appeared!

The base for this model had alot more fun stuff to fool around with. A little lizard, a snake entwined in the tree, and a great skeleton hand! (What more could you ask for!!)

Luckily for those of us who have NOT grown up, Polar Lights produced a re-release of this model in March of 1999! Now you don't have to hunt eBay and pay a hefty price for this classic! Molds provided by REVELL, box & instructions by PL!

Aurora's 'Monsters of the Movies' gave us a great kit of the Black Lagoon
resident in a nice swimming pose. MOEBIUS kindly redid the kit for us
to all enjoy again!

It was announced in 2000 that Polar Lights will be releasing a new Creature kit in '...a water version with a girl in a modest swimsuit' sometime in 2001! (Unfortunetly there were no business takers at TOY FAIR so this kit was later cancelled)... but...

Good news for Creech fans, announced at the 2011 iHobby Expo, was the appearance of this 2 figure set coming out from MOEBIUS!

June 2022: Atlantis Models, having bought the USA Revell molds, posted this as recently testing the molds.

A Long Box re-issue was released in March 2023.

Pestilence Labs
released a resin kit
duplicating the Aurora
box art!

Was there ever a better Dracula than Bela Lugosi?? Unfortunately, none of us
thought the face on the model truly captured Bela's, but this model was much more
challenging then the last two. Now we had facial features to sweat over. Unlike Frankie,
whose face was pretty large and easily painted for effect, Drac's face was a little more difficult.

Frankly, we wished that the model inside the box was posed like the image on the box cover!
Was an incredibly sinister pose, and the final pose of the model appeared as if Van Helsing
was about to dose our anti-hero with flaming gasoline!

Revell-Monogram re-issued the Monsters of the Movies version of DRACULA,
in late Summer 99'. Again, a TOYS R US exclusive.

In late Sept 99, the re-issued 60's Aurora version appeared at TRU stores.

Again, molds provided by REVELL, box & instructions by POLAR LIGHTS!

In 2023 from X-Plus a.
1:8th scale plastic kit!

Okay, be honest with me...didn't you think that Talbot was a whining SOB? The man desperately needed to spend some time around Jack Nicholson to truly learn how much fun it can be to run around on all fours!!

Although we bought this model, I think the only one who liked it was Mike. For the rest of the 'Gang', there really wasn't much you could do with this. The base was simplistic...a couple rocks, a rat and a skull, and I recall Richie wanting to paint a psychedelic paint-scheme to his blue jeans!!

The pose was campy, and was ripe for some off-hand deodorant remarks made back and forth. Overall, a pretty 'Ho-Hum' entry into the Monster collection.

Late August 99' the Long-Box re-issue arrived on the shelves. Check your Toys R Us to see if he's there! Again, this is just like the 60's version.

In January 2023, Atlantis Models re-issued the Glow version!

If you don't want the re-issued 60's version, POLAR LIGHTS produced a brand NEW Wolfman! One that is closer to the view we loved on the box top!

Now this model was more like it! Now we could really show off our stuff with the paint brush!! The challenge:
To make really ancient looking wrappings! Plus you got a really cool Cobra for the base!

In July 99, Polar Lights'/Revell/Cinemodels' reissued Mummy appeared on the shelves.
It too is a ToysRUs exclusive.

Atlantis Models bought many of the Revell USA molds &
a glow box version was reissued in 2020.

In May of 99' the new MUMMY movie hit the big screen!
Polar Lights issued their version in Oct 99'.

For some odd reason I can't recall building this as a youth? In fact, can't recall any of my friends building the Phantom?!

Not sure why, either? I do know that of all the Aurora monster models, if I was to rank them in order of favorites this particular model would still come before The Wolfman.

And although I find creature type monsters to be more fun to do than human-type figures, I did like the challenge of painting humans. Dracula, Hunchback, all the SuperHeroes hold vivid memories for me. So what happened with the Phantom?

Of all the models featured on this page, this one probably holds the most memories for me, and is, hands down, one of my favorites from the early 60's.

My only complaint with this model, is that Aurora did NOT use the top of the Empire State Building for a base and have Kong swatting airplanes!

The original Aurora edition Kong goes for a pretty penny. I acquired the 'Luminator' version off eBay, for $31.00.

POLAR LIGHTS' came out with a re-issued KING KONG in October of 2000!! Kit by Revell, box & instructions by PL! So now you don't have to search eBay for an old Luminators version!!

In Jan. 2021, Atlantis Models found the molds, having purchased all the Revell USA molds last year.

Atlantis later that year released the kit in glow version

No self-deserving model collector could pass up the companion piece to ol' Kong and NOT get Godzilla!!

Who could forget the gaudy purple color that this model came in!! When we opened our boxes and saw this, we knew for sure that someone at Aurora was in the "Happy Place" when he mixed the plastics!!

This was a great model to make. With the crushed cityscape beneath his huge feet, you could spend hours making great total disaster features! And getting a nice shade of different greens on 'Zilla's body had me up til the wee hours of the morning.

CineModels put out a re-issue in the mid-80's, & Monogram put out a reissue in 1995, after getting the Aurora molds, and can still be found quite easily.

Polar Lights reissued this Aurora classic, (Revell now held the molds) ...appearing on hobby shelves in Aug 2000!

In 2019, Atlantis Models purchased the molds Revell had in the U.S. and Godzilla once again made another appearance in 2020!

In 2022, Pestilence Labs produced a "Box Art Tribute" Godzilla kit!
Sculpted by Jeff Yagher, based on the illustration by James
Bama.

Although a prototype was made, this Godzilla version, planned for the "Monsters of the Movies" (MOTM) series never came to be.

The prototype was sold on eBay and bought by Phil C. Here's a video by Phil!

July 2020: Phil made a 3D scan of the prototype and had a copy printed.

Oct 2020: Phil produced versions of this kit!

We were all treated to a new look for Ol' Greenie in the 1998 movie, and although models have been non-existant so far...Polar Lights had plans on releasing TWO versions of this model. The first would have been just Godzilla, with a later version including Babies. Sculpted by James Groman.

But on March 23, 2000 it was announced that Polar Lights pulled this model from production. Was stated that this kit was too expensive to produce and is being shelved, for now.

In May 2006, this resin version popped up on eBay. Although a few resin cast were made from Jim's prototype, David Metzner tells us that those were all accounted for. Turns out a few more were casted up unknowingly & are only now being seen. This particular cast was sold by draven687dah of Cincinnati, Ohio and sold for $510.00.

Who made up the extra copies is fueling quite a discussion, and exactly how many copies are out there without permission remains to be seen!

In late Oct 2000, they did announce that a 16" version from the GODZILLA 2000 movie will be issued in 2001! ...and paved the way for this new 16" version to be produced!

Here Chris White holds up the Box Art painting he did for the kit, preliminary photo's of the kit itself from WF, and better photo's of the end product...

Polar Light's new Godzilla's GO KART was sighted on shelves on 8 October 99! Great having this in my collection once again!

The bad new is that Polar Lights received a 'Cease and Desist' order from Sony and can no longer sell it.

On July 24, 2000, James Moorhead wrote this after returning from the 2000 San Diego ComicCon:

"Speaking of Godzilla, Polar Lights was there and was willing to set the story straight about the Go-Kart and the other Toho Titans.

It seems they knew up front that Toho didn't like the humorous aspect of the Go-Kart but PL felt that if they left his name off, it would get by. Well it wasn't long before SONY, not Toho, served them up with a cease and desist order. As a result, Polar Lights can no longer sell the Go-Kart. And they have a warehouse full of them!

It wasn't a case of licensing rights -that's covered -but a case of poking fun at the big guy and the movie moguls not liking it. Whatever."

In the fall of 2021, Polar Lights reissued this classic, with new box art!
(I guess they resolved the above issue with Sony!)

Another great model to make your Mom cringe was The Forgotten Prisoner of Castel Mare!!

It was the only new horror kit ever released in 1966 and was created and copyrighted by 'Famous Monsters of Filmland'!

It appeared again in 1969 under the 'Frightening Lightning' series, and 1969-1975 in the 'Glow-In-The-Dark' series. CineModels reissued the kit again in the mid 90's!

Polar Lights' reissued this great kit in April 2001, with PL doing the instructions and box art, and Revell providing the model kit!

Scott Terry recently finished his Cinemodels issued version and painstakenly duplicated James Bama's outstanding box artwork, making this the best painted version I've ever seen, hands down!

Starting in June 2006, the buildings that housed our beloved AURORA Corporation, at 44 Cherry Valley Road, West Hempstead, New York, were demolished.

On one of the many On-line Auctions, someone had original Bama artwork of the Creature and the Mummy for sale. Opening bid was $100.00 and both closed out at $12,500.00 each!

Whether true Bama originals, I couldn't say, but was interested in learning that it is a one piece painting, which means, if they are originals, they were later cut in two for each individual box art.

Days later, over on eBay, we suddenly see a reportedly original Salem Witch canvas used for the box art. There was also this Aurora display model of our favorite Witch, which features a fabulous paint job!

Here is a painting of the infamous Monster Scenes #643 Giant Insect kit. It's executed in gouache (opaque watercolor paint) and measures 10 3/4" X 5 1/4". It was used on the side panel of the box as well as the inside of the Monster Scenes dealer catalog.

Here is a painting of the funny Snuffy Whoozis father. It's executed in gouache (opaque watercolor paint) and measures 14 3/4" X 11".

Take a side trip over to the Paintings page, where I have other photo's of original canvas work, and promotional photos.

As the 60's were coming to a close, and TV started to become an influence, my model making started to shift from the horror avenue, to my other interests.

The RAT PATROL was especially fun to put together. Once built, it made a nice diorama. Scale was different than I was use to, but this started my movement to Science Fiction Spaceships and the Star Trek diorama's.

I really loved this LAND OF THE GIANTS model. Doll&Hobby GA reissued this great kit in 2019.
Kendell Coniff's fantastic build up of D&H's
LOTG kit with a nice kitbash base!

Polar Lights' released their version in 2002! As well as the Spindrift, & Seaview!!!

If you don't mind spending the extra bucks, there are resin versions of Vampi. One, made by Impact, sculpted by Sugita, is truly fantastic. In fact, there's a whole slew of resin Vampirella's! They vary in prices...but what the heck!! It is, after all, our favorite Vampire, after Drac, of course!

I've added a new page Spot Lighting all the kits based on our Femme Fatale!

The SUPERMAN and BATMAN models came out with a flood of other favorite heroes. Including action figures
from MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., and the 007 films (the later reissued by Polar Lights).

I enjoyed building the BATMOBILE alot and see them also for sale on eBay. Prior
to Polar Lights issuing them in 2011, they were pretty expensive! I did buy the IMAI 1/32
scale version for $43. Isn't too big...car's only six inches long.

I did pick up the 1995 reissued FUTURA from Revell and planned to use the conversion parts from SkyHook to turn it into the Batmobile. Never did because...

In 2011, Polar Lights issued a 1/25th scale Batmobile, in both a snap-kit & glue version, and for that, we are eternally grateful! We finally had a perfect sized, authentic TV Batmobile once again!

Revell reissued the 60's Superman, Batman, and Robin in the Fall of 99!! These are TRU exclusives as well. Found Robin in TRU, Nov 4, 99'!! Batman & Superman found Nov 13, 99'!

If you'd like to convert them to various other characters, stop by the REPLACEMENT PARTS page. Tom Parker made up a SPACE GHOST head for use on Superman's body, and a female Robin head (with neat glasses) for the Robin kit! There's heads for a retro Adam West & upcoming Burt Ward versions as well!

Here's a flash-back back to the past. This was the poster on display at Toy's R Us stores in late 99'! Polar Lights, Cinemodels & Revell's joint reissues have Frankenstein & Wolfman, which just appeared, followed closely by Dracula. Again, the Mummy appeared in July. The Creature was NOT a TRU exclusive and can be found in local Hobby Stores.

Revell has announced they are reissuing them again, (in new boxes), in early 2009.

Moebius Models arrived on the scene in early 2008. Frank Winspur, former owner of the 'Dolls & Hobby' store in Florida, entered the styrene scene and has been producing great kits hand over hand!

His 'Monster Scene' kits hit the streets in late 08', comprised of Dr. Deadly, the Victim, the Hanging Cage, Giant Insect & the Pendulum! Expect alot more great styrene kits from Frank in the coming years!

In the mid 2000's, Monsters In Motion & later Pestilence Labs came out with the 'Aurora Tribute Box' series!
Kits made to match the Aurora box art! - (Gary Cox's collection)

I've got a closet full of models safely sitting on the shelves now. For Kit Reviews & WIP steps throughs of the models I've built recently, stop by my Work Bench page!

I still have a list of models on my 'Wish List' which for every one I'm able to cross off, I end up adding 3 or 4 more on to it!! Well, as the wife says, "It'll keep you off the streets!!"

If you get the time, do visit the LINKS page. If you enjoy model building, then these sites will inspire you to get out that old tube of glue, sneakily "borrow" the wifes nail file and start spreading some newspapers all over the kitchen table one more time!

For the opportunity to visit both Phil's and Bruce Bishop's Basement and see their impressive collection of models, go down to the Basement.