Classic Aurora Mummy Model Kit

Classic Aurora Mummy Model Kit

 

This is only the 3rd classic Aurora Monster Model kit I’ve built since revisiting the hobby a few years ago. (the Forgotten Prisoner and The Wolfman are the others). This is a re-issue from Revell but the same mold and design as the Aurora kit.

I had originally painted the Mummy gray and painted the base a combination of sand colors, but it seemed too simple and sterile. So I looked at the original Aurora Box art painting by James Bama for inspiration and noticed the blue and purple lighting in the art. I emulated the lighting plus added some other coloration such as dull greens into the exposed skin areas. I also made the bloody eye more prominent with bright red and expanded the blood dripping to the hand and to the steps of the base. To do that I had to move the Cobra to the outside of the mummy’s left leg similar to the Bama painting.

 

Other than moving the Cobra and using custom wall pieces for added background, I didn’t make any modifications to the kit. I want to keep these monster kits close to the original design.

 

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(The additional background wall pieces are from a Mummy base expansion kit from Prehistorix. Thanks to Bill Voyce for sending it my way. I didn’t use the whole expansion addition because as I stated I wanted to keep these kits close to their original design. I also have plans to use the bigger base part for a different kit all together.)

If you would like to see my other Classic Monster Model Builds, as well as, dinosaur model kits go to my gallery page here: Monster Model Kits

If you would like to check out the separate posts from each model kit I’ve built, as well as, articles pertaining to model kits, click the link to the Monster Model Kits Category at Parlor of Horror!

20 Million Miles To Earth – Ymir – Model Kit

20 Million Miles To Earth – Ymir – Model Kit

This is the Geometric, Ymir model kit. It’s a fantastic kit with excellent detail.

It was fun painting the kit because the skin detail really worked well with dry brushing techniques. I started with a dark green base coat and worked with lighter greens and finally yellow for highlights.

It didn’t come with a base so I made a custom base for it.

I made the title placard with clay. I printed out the movie title image and pasted it on.

 

And don’t forget to watch the video inspired by this kit: Monsters on the Mantle

Model Kits – Aurora Prehistoric Scenes – Allosaurus

 

Aurora Prehistoric Scenes

Allosaurus

with custom base

This kit was re-issued by both Monogram and Revell and is still widely available to those who look for it. It originally hit the market in the 1970’s. It had it’s own base for one year, then, for unknown reasons, Aurora dispensed with the base and sold the Dino, only.

The kit I purchased is an original Aurora Prehistoric Scenes kit (without base) in a ‘used lot’ collection. It was missing a hand and the outer half of it’s left arm.

I sculpted a new hand and arm piece.

I never liked the kit’s original green color, so I primed it gray and decided to go with a brown color with snake-like designs along it’s back.

Flowing from the mouth is slather which attempted to make the beast look like it was salivating over a kill. I debated cutting it off and just having a tongue. I think most kit builders agree, it wasn’t very authentic looking, but I decided to leave it to represent the original kit.

In Jurassic Park, I believe the effects crew set up this shot as a homage to the kit. Instead of slather, the T. Rex had bits of the rubber from the car’s tire hanging from his mouth.

Once the kit was complete, I decided to make a base from scratch. I started with a Styrofoam board and cut out a random shape. I edged it with rocky molding and outcrops to mimic the Aurora bases.

I molded grass and plant designs similar to those on the cave-man kits. I could have used more realistic Scene-it products but I wanted to keep some aspects of the Aurora look. I did use Scene-it trees and some branches.

I liked the idea of the Allosaurus crashing through the trees, onto the scene.

 

 

Model Kits – Gorgo – Monarch Models

 

Gorgo Model Kit – Built and painted

Here’s my Gorgo Model Kit.

Gorgo was a 1961 film, directed by Eugene Lourie, about a prehistoric beast that terrorizes London. It used ‘suitmation’ for effects, like the original Godzilla.

This Gorgo Model Kit is brand new from Monarch Models. It is the same size and scale as the original Aurora monster kits, Godzilla and King Kong.

As soon as I got it, I built it. I mean the day it came in the mail, I started to glue.

I sanded and puttied all the seams. I gave some extra attention to the joint at the neck and body. Otherwise everything fit together nice and snug, better than many kits on the market.

screenshot from the film, Gorgo

Gorgo in the film is a very dark creature and I painted my kit dark green to reflect the film. It had red eyes.

I did all my highlights in orange also to reflect the film.

I love the destroyed buildings and ruble around the base.

 

Horror Art – Aurora Model Kit box art

Horror Art – Aurora Model-Kit box art

The box art of the original Aurora models painted by artist James Bama, have become prized collector items. Bama was commissioned for the newly emerging line of Aurora Horror Models creating the box art that many of us know. His oil paintings of the classic Universal Monsters really brought the kit boxes to life. Dave Cockrum took over much of the duties in the 1972, painting the box-art as well as designing some of the models. His reign in the art department developed the Monster Scenes line in the mid-1970’s.

The Cro-Magnon Woman original art recently sold at auction for $2,000. For much of the Aurora Prehistoric Scenes, the box artist is unknown. Some of the original design sketches are credited to HMS Associates and B. Brown but it is unknown if Brown did the actual box art. These kits were designed and released between 1970 and 1972 – after Bama left the illustration field and before Cockrum had began working at Aurora.
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Here is a look at some of the great artwork from the Aurora model kit collection, as well as a few Aurora Fantasy Boxes and the Aurora Prehistoric Scenes line.

Gallery 1

 

 

Some companies have commissioned new artists to paint Aurora style boxes of model-kits that many of us wished were made, in what are called, Aurora Fantasy Boxes. So you can find a box for Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, but realize the model was never made; the box is new artwork made in the old Aurora style.

Gallery 2

The Prehistoric Scenes became my favorite collection just because of the size and scope of the models.

Gallery 3

Credit for some info relayed here attributed to:
www.tylisaari.com
www.morbidmonster.com
www.universalmonsterarmy.com