Steve Iverson at CultTVMan is offering a re-issued King Kong plastic model kit from Atlantis Toy and Hobby, as well as a couple of customizing options. In a significant historical factoid, the molds used to cast the parts are the original molds from Aurora that have been restored, not re-engineered, so this is as close as you're going to get to building an authentic Aurora monster kit without paying a tooth and a claw.
The Kong replacement head and "Anne's altar" are cast from resin and sold separately. Head on over to CultTVMan and check this and all his other very cool items.
From Atlantis Toy and Hobby:
1/25 Scale. Kong Stands nearly 10 inches tall when complete! This kit will come with King Kong's body parts molded in dark brown. The kit will not include Kong's head and feet molded in brown. Those parts were moved to the glow parts mold at some point.
The Atlantis kit will include the special square glow parts tree and the accessory parts tree, not seen since the last glow in the dark issue in 1972. It will be packaged in the 9.75 x 9.75 Big Square Box.
People have been asking about the palm tree leaves that get glued on top of the trees. The kit will include 3 palm trees on the accessory mold and one tree on the glow parts mold. 4 total. Includes duplicate parts as well such as the nameplate, trees, woman figure and other accessories.
Here's the official press release from Atlantis:
Dimensional Branding Group (DBG) and World Builder Entertainment are excited to announce a new agreement between DeVito Artworks and Atlantis Toy and Hobby to bring the original 1960’s King Kong model kits back to a new generation of fans.
For over two decades King Kong creator Merian C. Cooper and DeVito Artworks’ KING KONG OF SKULL ISLAND property has offered the most comprehensive King Kong Universe ever created. More than just the first giant monster to thrill audiences all around the world, Kong became an instant cultural icon, indelibly stomping his way into the planet's collective consciousness. Joe DeVito stated, “We’re thrilled to be a part of Atlantis Toy and Hobby’s restoration of the timeless Aurora ‘Glows-in-the-Dark’ King Kong. They have done a heartfelt- felt and spectacular job in bringing one of the all-time classic model kits back to life. From the beautifully restored original molds to the inclusion of every original piece, the result is nothing short of a work of nostalgic art!”
The King Kong kit will be fabricated in the United States using the original injection molds developed by the Aurora Plastics Company in 1964. These molds have been meticulously restored—not re-engineered—to deliver every intricate detail of the giant rampaging ape that carries the helpless Ann Darrow away to his mountaintop lair. “Everything about this kit is original, authentic, and now absolutely complete” says Peter Vetri, president of Atlantis Toy and Hobby. “In this release, builders will get all of the original foliage and other details that had been omitted from previous incarnations with the help of DeVito Artworks. Plus, the restored molds are gleaming; they’re so beautiful to behold and every detail is there for today’s kit builders to enjoy.” “We’re so proud to deliver this kit in its original ‘Glows-in-the-Dark’ packaging,” adds Atlantis Vice-President Rick Del Favero. “We’ve had such great response to our other glow monster releases and we’re excited to be working with DeVito Artworks to add King Kong to that collection.”
Atlantis Toy and Hobby was founded in 2009 by Peter Vetri and Rick Del Favero with some guidance from former Aurora Project Manager Andrew P. Yanchus. With a combined 60 years of experience, Atlantis is a venture run by lifelong hobbyists who have demonstrated their adeptness in sustaining a successful manufacturing business. Atlantis Toy and Hobby maintains the proud traditions of the hobby, built upon world-class knowledge of service in the industry. Atlantis Toy and Hobby is headquartered in New York’s Long Island. For more information, visit www.Atlantis-Models.com.
DeVito ArtWorks, LLC is an artist-driven transmedia studio dedicated to the creation and development of multi-faceted properties including King Kong Skull Island, War Eagles, and the Primordials. DeVito ArtWorks is founded and lead by renowned artist, illustrator and author, Joe DeVito.
DBG is a brand extension agency focusing on brand licensing and business development, bringing unique, fun properties to life with entertainment, toys, games, and a wide variety of merchandise geared to please core audiences and new fans alike.
World Builder Entertainment is a literary based management/ production company that represents talented creators worldwide while specializing in building multimedia platforms for entertainment properties. The Los Angeles based company not only represents a variety of writers and directors in both film and television, but brands include the DeVito Artworks/ Merian C. Cooper KING KONG SKULL ISLAND property and Dam Things (GOOD LUCK TROLLS).
Here's the story of King Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!
Seven million years ago a gigantic ape was born on a small island off the Malay Peninsula. While still a baby, Kong's parents were killed by a Tyrannosaurus. Millions of years passed, but the island remained the same. Prehistoric monsters still roamed there. It was as if time stopped on this one small island. King Kong grew unbelievably large and strong. Savage natives invaded the island but Kong remained absolute ruler. In desperation, the natives built an immense wall across the base of the island to keep out the prehistoric creatures and the monster, Kong. They worshipped Kong as a God and and appeased his wrath by sacrificing young natives to him.
A movie Producer, known for his exciting and dangerous films, acquired a crudely drawn map of Kong's island, known as Skull Island. He hired a tramp steamer and set sail from New York in quest of adventure. With him was a girl, an unknown actress whom he was going to make into a star.
As weeks passed, the crew became disturbed at the secrecy of the voyage. Only the Producer knew the destination. They were also disturbed by the great quantity of ammunition and gas bombs on board, enough to launch a full-scale war! Finally, the crew insisted upon knowing the destination, so the Producer asked if they had ever heard of King Kong. Of course they had, since it was a Malay superstition that most sailors had heard at one time or another. He told them that it was not superstition, that he had the only existing map of the legendary island where Kong lived. Skull Island was their destination!
Early one morning the ship became fog-bound in strange waters. Suddenly out of the mists arose a gigantic skull. On closer inspection, the crew realized it was only a rock formation, the one for which the island was named. In fact, the whole island was surrounded by rocks except for a small sandy peninsula. From the deck they could see the enormous retaining wall. They shuddered at the horrors that lay in wait for them behind that wall.
Landing on the beach of this Lost World, they realized that a sacrificial ceremony was going on. A native spotted them and the ceremony stopped. Their witch doctor wanted the girl from the ship as a gift for Kong. The crew refused and ran for their lives.
That night a group of the natives kidnapped the girl from the ship. They tied her to a stone altar outside of the gates of the wall. She heard the sounds of some immense beast drawing closer. The natives ran in terror. Kong came out of the jungle. He approached the altar, ready to take his delicious snack. Suddenly he stopped. Never had he seen a creature like this, a girl with golden hair. He picked her up and held her close to his hideously wrinkled face. His hot breath seared her flesh. Then he carried her off into the jungle.
By now the crew realized that the girl was gone and went in search of her. They tore open the gates in time to see Kong carry her off. The Producer sent back to the ship for gas bombs. When they arrived, he and the crew plunged into the dense underbrush. Overhead they saw flying lizards, around them they heard weird noises. From a thicket, a gigantic spike-tailed monster charged at them. Bullets would not stop it. Luckily the gas bombs did, and the beast fell to the ground, stunned. Now they were able to kill the beast at close range.
Then the girl was sighted high on a ledge. A plan of rescue was decided upon. The crew would divert the ape while the first mate climbed onto the ledge to bring her down. It worked, but now they had to get back to the wall. They scattered, each taking a different path so Kong would be unable to follow them too easily.
Once inside the gates, the Producer decided to bring King Kong back to civilization rather than to film him. Using the girl as a lure, they got Kong inside the gates where they used gas bombs to subdue him. Then, heavily chained, they loaded the unconscious Kong onto the ship.
Back in New York, King Kong was to go on display in the city's largest theater. Crowds gathered at the entrance. When the last person had been admitted, the lights grew dim. The building was silent with expectation. At last the curtain went up. There, behind bars, was the mighty Kong! The crowd grew noisy in their fear and amazement. The noise so enraged Kong that with his tremendous strength he broke through the bars which imprisoned him. Frightened people scattering in all directions.
Kong got loose on the street. Helicopters followed his path of destruction. Buildings toppled. He crushed the elevated trains with one powerful blow from his mighty fist. At the Empire State Building, Kong found what he was searching for, the golden-haired girl from the voyage. He snatched her up and began climbing the side of the building. Fighter planes were called out. Kong set the girl on a ledge and began swatting at the planes as if they were flies! Finally, one plane got in range and mortally wounded Kong. He came crashing down the side of the building to the street below.
When the people realized that the monster Kong, the 8th Wonder of the World, was killed, they breathed a sigh of relief. But, what of the rumors that Kong had a son? Is it merely legend..... or is it fact? !!
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