MARK MCGOVERN'S

OTHER AURORA MODELS

"...And He Never Misses." Vignette with James Bond 007 and Oddjob from Goldfinger (1964), 1999 reissues by Polar Lights on custom base, 1/8 scale (styrene). I got the idea to arrange two separate models to make a vignette from a similar arrangement I saw at the 2001 IPMS Nationals. Only a few small alterations were made to the figures: I hollowed out the plastic between the trigger guard and Bond's finger, and repositioned Oddjob's throwing hand. His bowler was scratchbuilt because the kit part was nothing like the movie item.

The Bride of Frankenstein, 1997 Polar Lights reissue of Aurora kit with Posthumous Productions nameplate, 1/11 scale (styrene). That tall doodad to the left was scratchbuilt. It replicates a laboratory prop that was seen in all three of the Frankenstein films in which Boris Karloff played the Monster. Flashing yellow LEDs in this item and the kit "voltage control box" added a little spark to the model.

Gigantic Frankenstein, manufactured by Aurora, 1965 Box (1/5?) scale (styrene). This was a present for my 10th birthday, which explains how I managed to hang onto "Big Frankie" for nearly forty years before I rebuilt him. The color scheme was based on the comic book ad art that announced Big Frankie's release. The design of the scratchbuilt base was suggested by dear old Dad, who helped me assemble Frankie the first time, back in 1965.

King Kong, 2000 Polar Lights reissue with Posthumous Productions "Lost Foliage" replacement set and nameplate, 1/25 scale (styrene). Kong's head and pectorals were resculpted, as was Fay Wray's hair and shoes (that is, I made her barefoot).  The base was elevated on a piece of Styrofoam that I textured with Woodland Scenics Foam Putty to match the kit piece.  W.S. trees were added to give a better representation of Kong's size.  I determined the model's scale by comparing Fay Wray's height (5' 3") to that of the kit figure (2-1/2").  By that reckoning, the 10" model represents an ape that would be a little under 21' tall.

Alfred E. Neuman, (the "idiot kid" from Mad Magazine) 1999 Revell reissue of Aurora kit with Posthumous Productions nameplate, Box scale (styrene). In case you're not familiar with this model, Alfred comes with four sets of detachable arms; the placards must be cut from the box. For the sake of authenticity, I hollowed out the gap in his teeth. Potrzebie!

The Robot from Lost in Space, 1998 Polar Lights reissue, 1/11 scale (styrene). This was one of many reissues by Polar Lights of a lost model - "lost", because the molds had long since been damaged or destroyed. But PL was able to use modern technology to make it possible for miracles to happen and create new molds from existing, unassembled kits. Still, they couldn't eliminate the work I had to do to fill the Robots seams! The finish represents the Robot's appearance during the first season of the series, which was filmed in Black and White.