APES

[becdecorbin]

ADDAR produced some Planet of the Apes kits that were akin to the Aurora Prehistoric Scenes models. Environment was very much an element here. Sometimes the character vanished into the background because the jumble of post-apocalyptic debris overpowered the scene.

For all that, they were easy to build and paint and many of them were re-issued.

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[becdecorbin]

General Ursus from the Addar Apes collection. Stiff pose, but pretty good base. Finding the right colors to paint the model was the toughest step.

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[acroray]

Addar used some of the same talent Aurora used, which is why the kits are so similar to Aurora product. R&D on these kits was done by the HMS Company of Wilow Grove, Pennsylvania - the same company that developed the initial Prehistoric Scenes kits.

[becdecorbin]

I had to reduce this file a few times to get it to load on this site. But since two images are on the file, it isn't such a sacrifice.

Doctor Zaius is like the other figures in the POTA line. Two arms which are designed to revolve in the shoulder sockets like Aurora's cave-people. Unlike the Prehistoric Scenes figures, the Apes are a large, stiff, front-to-back affair from the tips of their boots to their neck-less bodies. The heads (which do not move) are fastened on in a firm T socket. This gives the painter a good opportunity to work on the head as an isolated unit.

Doctor Zaius carries nothing, which is a weakness of the design. The solidering Apes carry rifles. Zira holds a scroll. There's something less engaging about an empty-handed figure.

All the costumes on the Apes models are horribly inaccurate! I went back to the film for just the right beige tones. The faces are also lousy facsimiles of the actors who inhabited the roles.

To make up for his empty-handedness, Zaius is given a pretty lofty perch. The Prehistoric Scenes figures are stuck on ground level unless you perch N-Man on the roof of the Cave.

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[becdecorbin]

Cornelius. I'd build this model again. If I did, that would make it the third time. My first was right after the kit was released in the 70s. Cast in tan, the figure is as stiff as any, even though the films depicted Cornelius et.al. as hunched over.

Cornelius is a weak figure. He's empty-handed and his expression is blank. Having him look slightly over his shoulder would have helped.

I got this kit for a steal as a toy show in the late 80s. It was missing at least one piece. I was still painting with enamels and right about this time I ran into a guy who used nothing but acrylics and eventually he won me over. For all that, I gave the base my best.

Cornelius' ape feet do NOT show in the film. I don't know why they chose to depart from the costume except for a quirky rule I heard from another modeller...

Against better judgement, I used red in Cornelius' costume, going by the box art.

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[desslock]

There's a nice sealed kit available in this series now on ebay: www.ebay.ca/itm/130754404596?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[becdecorbin]

If anyone can find me THIS kit, opened or not, started or not, let me know!

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[scooke123]

I wish someone would re-issue this one - never seen one cheap enough for me to afford yet!
Steve

[Gamera]

Hi,
I was looking through some old mags and noticed an article on building a mounted ape using an Airfix Bengal Lancer 1/12th scale kit horse.
See "Modeler's Resource issue #41.
May be an option for any ape fans out there?
G

[andymoscarts]

Speaking of Apes, here is my version of Ursus,did a fair bit of re-modelling on this one






Would gladly sell my left testicle to get hold of the ape soldier on horseback kit!

[desslock]

That looks awesome.

[becdecorbin]

Oct 13, 2012 18:29:15 GMT -5 andymoscarts said:

Speaking of Apes, here is my version of Ursus,did a fair bit of re-modelling on this one






Would gladly sell my left testicle to get hold of the ape soldier on horseback kit!

\






There's a seller on Ebay who can't seem to unload a Stallion/Soldier build up. $150.