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Post by mynameisbrent on Oct 14, 2014 23:40:00 GMT -5
Another series from the 70s that I remember fondly featured giant insects and arachnids wreaking havoc on unsuspecting citizens. I remember a wasp and a scorpion, but I know there were others. These kits were remarkably detailed, with tiny buildings, vehicles and terrified people forming a complete scene. One kit even had tiny telephone poles and string which was to be attached to the poles. These kits were reissued in the 90s. Does anyone remember them?
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Post by artdecovampire on Oct 15, 2014 0:17:51 GMT -5
Gigantics! By AMT and released in the UK by Airfix of all people. I think there was originally a wasp attacking a fairground but the mould was damaged and it didn't get a re=release. Since then it was a Mantis, Scorpion and a Tarantula. The good thing about these is the reasonable price at which they can be purchased. I re-collected the set for what would be under $55 dollars recently. The backgrounds were cardboard but you can now get resin replacement kits which probably cost more than the insect but look pretty cool.
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Post by mynameisbrent on Oct 15, 2014 1:31:08 GMT -5
Gigantics! Yes indeed. I might very well be wrong, but I think I saw the Wasp among the reissues here in Southern California. I remember that when I built them in the 70s, I glued the tiny, terrified people in the worst possible positions, to maximize their suffering. I had a latent sadistic streak even as a tot.
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Post by TAY666 on Oct 15, 2014 18:26:37 GMT -5
Nope. You didn't see the Wasp.
The molds for the clear parts (wings and such) got damaged, and it never got reissued.
Originally produced by Fundimensions in the mid 70's, reissued by AMT around 1996.
They used to be dirt cheap. I've got 2 sets of them.
Each time I bought all 3 kits for under $10, including shipping.
Which is why I haven't been able to bring myself to buy the resin bases.
I got 6 kits for $20. I can't see spending $50 for 3 bases for them.
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Post by scooke123 on Oct 15, 2014 21:17:55 GMT -5
I had the resin bases - they were ok but not the greatest for the $50. I was at a model show last year where I had a table selling off some stuff. I had the 3 reissue kits with the base. A boy around 10 kept looking at them all day, must have eyeballed them up at least a dozen times. Near the end of the day I saw him with his Dad and I asked him if his son really wanted them. He said yea but only had $30 to spend (I had $50 on them). I sold them to him for $25 it was worth the loss to see his excitement on being able to get them. Sometimes its not about the $$$$$$$$$.
Steve
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Post by mynameisbrent on Oct 15, 2014 21:44:17 GMT -5
The Wasp was my favourite of the series as a kid, probably because of the amusement park setting. I saw the reissues at Kmart around 1997. They were on clearance for $4.99 or so. They had a ton of them. I thought about getting them, but that was when I was heavily into collecting all things Toy Story, so I passed.
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Post by mynameisbrent on Oct 16, 2014 0:29:37 GMT -5
This question is a little off-topic, but what decade do any of you consider to be the "golden age" of plastic model kits? Personally, I would have to say the 70s, but that might be due to the fact that I collected model kits then.
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Post by TAY666 on Oct 16, 2014 17:38:25 GMT -5
For me, it would be a toss up.
Between the 70's, and now.
The 70's had lots of great kits, that you could buy just about anywhere.
Now, a lot of those old kits are available again, and some of the new kits coming out are just amazing.
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Post by TAY666 on Oct 16, 2014 17:40:43 GMT -5
He said yea but only had $30 to spend (I had $50 on them). I sold them to him for $25 it was worth the loss to see his excitement on being able to get them. Sometimes its not about the $$$$$$$$$. Steve Completely agree with your sentiments there. |
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Post by scooke123 on Oct 16, 2014 23:25:52 GMT -5
Yea Trevor - I hope the boy brings them to a local model contest someday. Anything to promote the hobby.
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Post by scooke123 on Oct 16, 2014 23:28:11 GMT -5
The golden age for me would be the 60's due to my age and growing up then - I got to see the monster kits from their very start. I think right now will be considered another golden age - there are a lot more kits coming out now than even back then I think.
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Post by artdecovampire on Oct 17, 2014 0:11:27 GMT -5
I agree with Steve. Despite the changes to society in the 1960s, it was still a pretty innocent time for kids. There was no internet 'fun' to distract us and cinema certification was very tight here. So, exciting kits really were exciting. PS kits were a big deal as were the monster kits. Mum really wasn't sure if she should be buying me the Mummy, the Wolfman or The Creature. She really did believe they would scare me. To me getting an american kit was a big deal, almost sacred. Luckily I still get the same thrill when the box arrives. Now with all the overt sex and violence on the TV and other mediums, kits just seems tame to kids. Hey I still blush when I take the cro-magnon woman's legs out of the box! Now that's a saucy kit!
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Post by mynameisbrent on Oct 17, 2014 2:00:26 GMT -5
I still find it interesting that Cro-Magnon Man, Cro-Magnon Woman and Neanderthal Man are wearing underwear. Obviously they couldn't be anatomically correct, but Neanderthal Man looks peculiar in his fuzzy underpants.
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