A Short History of the Revell Re-release of Aurora’s Monster Model Kits
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Collectors who missed Aurora’s classic line of monster Model Kits were overjoyed to hear that model maker Revell was releasing four of the most fondly-remembered kits in 2009. Previous to this, Revell had been best-known for producing model kits of accurately-detailed military vehicles and figures and the appearance of the Monster Models on its online catalog was a surprise, albeit a pleasant one, for collectors. Perhaps not coincidentally, the four models were also among the first to be released by Aurora when the company first started producing Monster Model Kits in the 1960s. Following are short descriptions of the four kits.
Dracula. Modeled after the likeness of Bela Lugosi who appeared in the film Dracula (1931), the highly-detailed one-eighth Scale Model is molded in grey styrene and comes with a display base with bats and a gnarled tree trunk.
Frankenstein’s Monster. This was the model that launched Aurora’s original line of Monster Kits and sold so well that the molds used to make the kits wore out and had to be replaced several times during the production run. Inspired by the film Frankenstein (1931), the kit is modeled after the likeness of Boris Karloff and is made in one-eighth scale. The model also comes with a gravestone display base.
The Mummy. Unlike the other kits, this one was not modeled after the likeness of the original actor who played the role – Boris Karloff in The Mummy (1932) – but that of Lon Chaney Jr. who played the character in subsequent entries in the series in the 1940s. The 1/8” scale model kit also features a temple ruins display base complete with a hissing cobra.
The Wolf Man. This is another role associated with Lon Chaney Jr, who in fact refused to let other actors play the role. The 1/8” scale model also comes with a craggy display base that features frightened rats and a human skull.
Revell’s sister brand Monogram also released two monster model kits from the Aurora line in 1994, sparking hopes that the company would eventually re-release all the original thirteen kits. Monogram was one of the fiercest rivals of Revell in the scale model market in the 1960s. However, the two were eventually merged into one after Odyssey Partners bought both companies and subsequent kits were initially released under a joint Revell-Monogram brand. Currently, the company is releasing kits under both brands. Monster model kits released by Monogram are:
The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The model was inspired by a series of three movies released from 1954 to 1956 and is built to 1:8 scale. The kit also features a lagoon display base.
The Phantom of the Opera. This was inspired by the Lon Chaney Sr. film from 1925 and features a detailed dungeon display base including a prisoner looking out through the bars of his cell.
After the release of these monster model kits Revell did not follow up with further releases and the licenses went to the toy company Playing Mantis who released kits under their Polar Lights imprint.
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 AURORAMODEL KITBUILT 62 ORIGINALTHE WOLFMANPROFESSIONALY PAINTED $115.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 14m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 THE WOLF MAN Plastic Model Kit 18 SCALE MONOGRAM 1994 NIB $19.99 Time Remaining: 21d 14h 56m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 Revell The Wolfman 18 Scale Kit No 85 6518 New InBox $19.95 Time Remaining: 5d 15h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 The Wolf Man Limited Edition Dark Horse Cold Cast Porcelain Model Kit Dark Horse $75.00 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now |
 NEW Horizon 1 6 The WOLFMAN Universal Studios Monsters Vinyl Model Kit 1993 $135.52 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 47m Buy It Now for only: $135.52 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Neon Mosters The Wolfman Monogram 1621 Model Kit New in Box Transparent $25.08 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 25m Buy It Now for only: $25.08 Buy It Now |
 POLAR LIGHTS THE WOLF MANS WAGON PLASTIC MODEL KIT $17.95 Time Remaining: 10d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $17.95 Buy It Now |
 Aurora Model KITS Dracula Frankenstein The Creature The Wolfman All Original LOT $20.56 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 11h 15m |
 THE WOLFMAN 1998 Polar Lights Universal Studios Monsters Plastic Model Kit $101.20 Time Remaining: 12h 34m Buy It Now for only: $101.20 Buy It Now |
 Revell The Wolfman Model Kit $20.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 50m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now |
 THE WOLFMAN 1998 Polar Lights Universal Studios Monsters Plastic Model Kit $99.99 Time Remaining: 16d 19h 22m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 Buy It Now |
 REVELL THE WOLFMAN 1 8 SCALE MODEL KIT $22.95 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $22.95 Buy It Now |
 Universal Monsters THE WOLFMAN Model Kit 1 8 Scale MINT $199.99 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 41m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 Buy It Now |
 1962 AURORA THE WOLFMAN MODEL KIT BOX POSTER 13X20 FREE SH $12.99 Time Remaining: 11d 8h 11m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
Tags: a short history of the revell rerelease of auroras monster model kits, Béla Lugosi, Boris Karloff, frankenstein, Lon Chaney, Lon Chaney Sr, monster model kits, Mummy, Revell, Scale model
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