MY PHANTOM MODEL KIT

I built this kit a few years ago, but somehow it didn't make it to a post until today. I thought it'd be appropriate since we're celebrating the 100th anniversary of Universal's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

It's an Aurora re-issue by Revell-Monogram from 1994 and painted entirely by brush with acrylics.

AMAZING FIGURE MODELER NO. 78 NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD!

The folks who publish AMAZING FIGURE MODELER are managing to keep their 'zine alive after moving to a PDF, downloadable format. I do miss the print copies and I've always said that I prefer reading this way. It might just be an inculcated response, but you can't beat the tactile satisfaction of holding a book, newspaper or magazine in your hands if you ask me.

One advantage of the PDF format is the page count is easier expanded as there's only the production cost of producing the page without increasing the print cost. For instance, the last issue I bought was 194 pages.

Visit the AFM site using the link from "The Magazine Rack" on the left sidebar of this page.

THIS ISSUE: DRASTIC PLASTIC!
Plastic is fantastic and boy howdy don’t we know it! This issue, AFM is heading out on Safari, (a Styrene Safari that is) and we’ve tracked down all the latest and greatest injection molded kits for your workbenches!

Spearheading our Drastic Plastic coverage will be a hands-on look at kits from X-Plus, Monarch, Monogram, Aurora and more! So get set all you slap-happy modelers, AFM #78 is seriously getting drastic for plastic making all your styrene dreams come true with a parade of customized, kit bashed creations guaranteed to snap off your sprues and squeeze the ole’ glue tube dry! The resurgence of styrene has begun, and AFM is right in the middle of it! All this and so much more from your figure model buds who put the ‘Zing’ in Amazing!

I HAVE A HUNCH

Today, I proudly present another one of my monster model builds -- The Hunchback of Notre Dame, re-issued by Polar Lights. The original Aurora kit was first sold in 1963. The figure was based on the 1957 version of the film, and starred Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida. Technically, this kit was not a part of the Universal Monsters series as it was produced by Paris Film Productions and released by Allied Artists.

As for the box art, reportedly Quinn had an issue with his likeness being portrayed and artist James Bama created another version, this time with bushier hair.

I actually built this a little over two years ago, but the unfinished post got buried in my queue. This was a pretty easy kit to build as the parts fit better than most. I also got to work more on my wood coloring which I think is the best part of the model. If you look close at his head shot, you can see I added a little saliva coming out of the corner of his mouth, too. After all, it was at this point that Quasimodo cried, "I thirst"!

MY FLY IS OPEN FOR VIEWING

If Aurora would have kept on making monster models, I'm sure they would have made a version of this, one of the creepiest sci-fi/horror movies to come out of the 1950s. The folks at Monarch Models went ahead and the result is one cool kit.

This scenario is from the first film, right down to the transmogrified fly with a human head! The kit is well-cast in plastic and most of the pieces actually joined pretty well. All of it is brush-painted with the exception of the lab coat which I spray-painted white. The eyes, head and claw are all built up with layers of green and blue pearlescent ink over a foundation of metallic bronze.

The toughest part was painting the control panel and I had the idea of adding LED lights, but I have so many other irons in the fire I just didn't want to take the time to do it. Mabe later, in my "spare" time!

Help meeee . . . !

MY BIGFOOT MODEL

What better model kit to build here in the Pacific Northwest? I built this last year and just came across the photos I took when it was completed. I believe it was first issued back in the 80's by AMT. This is the re-issued, "Glow-in-the-dark" version. The pieces were snap-together and as usual with this type of kit it was not without its challenges. The biggest problem was getting the seams matched, and even a good amount of putty didn't completely fill them.

I customized the kit by adding moss and sticks from the trees in my yard and used a water texture for the pond from Vallejo. For the finishing touch, I added a red LED light under the base to illuminate the skull. I thought it turned out pretty creepy and this 'Squatch is definitely not of the friendly type!

The original box art.

The re-issue box art.