It's here!

[TAY666]

It's finally here!
After paying on it for the past 2 months it is finally in my home, and in my possession!

Pictures and explanation coming tomorrow.
For now I just had to jump for joy!

[artdecovampire]

A silver gull wing car that doubles up as a time machine?

[andymoscarts]

Cease the tease! Pictures Now!

[TAY666]

Well, I didn't have time to do the pictures.
Just got home after a lot of running around after work today.

But here is a picture (circa 2001) from my website of the item I just procured.


The original pattern!
I now own a piece of actual Aurora history.
And PS history.

[TAY666]

Still haven't updated the site, but here is a pic.

[artdecovampire]

I was close, it did have wings!

[scooke123]

Pretty cool Trevor!!!! What a great piece!
Steve

[andymoscarts]

To quote a certain Mr Montgomery Burns"Excellent"

[TAY666]

Thanks.
The detail on this is amazing.
Even little things, like the inner part of the hinge on the wings has texture.


Next up, is taking a bunch more pictures. Some of them side-by-side with an actual kit.

Then I have to work out the logistics on some kind of display case for it.

[prescenes2]

You definitely have to get a case for it. That is some awesome history right there for sure! Nice score!!!!

[jeffbrown]

So Trever, is this the original solid acetate piece that Bill Lemon carved? That is awsome. I heard they used clear on some pieces and colored acetate on others, I assume white or off white. I just assumed they didn't survive.
I read somewhere years ago how they carved thier prototypes at Aurora. Pretty interesting stuff. They would pick a piece of acetate plastic, figure where the parting lines of the model piece would be and cut the plastic in half. This would be the two halves; then they would lightly glue it back together. Once together they would carve the part. once the part was finished they would pop it apart and have the two halves that fit perfectly so they could make the steel pattern/mold. So, if thats true then the prehistoric bird should be in two solid parts split down the middle not including the top/back.
I don't know if this was spacific to Aurora or not since wax prototypes were/are the way most toy companies do things then and now. This explains why Lindberg kits never matched up right; including thier JP kits they made in the 90s.
I think I just got spoiled with Aurora kits and after that no other kits ever measured up.

[TAY666]

I don't think it is the original acetate pattern.
I believe it is a casting of it though, that was used as the paint master.
I know that it is solid, not hollow. And it is heavy. Feels like resin. Unless that is what acetate feels like.
And it is articulated. The lower beak moves, the legs move, and the wings move.
I haven't looked super close yet, but I don't see any kind of seam on the body itself.

I wish I had contact info for Andy Yanchus so I could learn exactly what it was.
Ray is still trying to locate the correspondence he had with the seller from that auction back in 2001.

[scottbanks]

Very cool sir!

[Gamera]

Congratulations on acquiring this piece.
Must be the Holy Grail to own a piece of Aurora history!
Please keep us all informed of any other info regarding this piece?
Do you know what happened to the other pieces that were on eBay a decade ago, did they sell?
Awesome
G

[TAY666]

This was the only PS piece in the bunch that sold back then. The others were interesting as well, but were not part of the PS line. (example - the metaluna mutant kit that had a limited run in resin way back when)
I do know who has some of the prototypes. As that is who Al got them from to cast.
And also why the copies are so expensive.

I know where some of the artwork is, though as far as I know, it's not for sale at this time.
And I know where a handful of the design sketches are.
That's about it.

[Gamera]

I remember seeing some of the original box art for sale some years ago on eBay in America, though I cannot remember exactly which ones or if they had already sold before I could bid.
Or even if they where too high for me at the time.
Would love to own a piece of history !
I have a house full of various stuff from my many interests, as I am sure most on this forum do, but always seek more ;D
Sometimes I cannot decide if collecting is good or bad?
Regards
G

[clutch]

That is awesome!

[acroray]

It's raised leg broke off at the knee??!?!?!

Well I'll be damned! As carefully as I packed that thing, I'm astounded that happened.

I'm very sorry, Trevor. That should NOT have happened. I do hope that it popped off at a pre-existing joining point I didn't know about, and that the actual resin didn't break.

I'm really unhappy that happened. All the decades that thing has survived...

[TAY666]

Actually Ray, that was a glue joint.
Text from the original auction.
"The figure is near mint but one leg is not attached and is neatly glued in one spot."
And you can definitely see the glue residue on the inside.
So, don't feel bad at all. It wasn't your fault.
And I am more than happy with the condition it arrived in.

Once I sort out how I am displaying it, I'm just going to glue it back on anyway.
So, no big deal.

[prescenes2]

Aug 5, 2013 18:27:17 GMT -5 TAY666 said:

I wish I had contact info for Andy Yanchus so I could learn exactly what it was.

Trevor, have you tried contacting Tory Murcaro? He's really close to Andy. He could maybe get you his email addy or the info needed.