Hi
Here is another You Tube video on the giant insect kits that have appeared on Moonbase Central before. It shows the Colossal Mantis kit, along with finished examples of the Mantis, Rampaging Scorpion, and Huge Tarantula, but not the Gigantic Wasp. The only problem is that the sound does fade off sometimes. These kits were first issued by Fundimensions in the US in 1973, with the Mantis and Scorpion being released in Britain by Airfix in 1976. Then AMT/Ertl reissued everything but the Wasp in 1996. There were printed, full colour backgrounds, three-dimensional plastic parts, and various accessories. It seems the figures and vehicles were common to all the kits. The information on dates comes from the Scalemates site, which is very good.
AMT ERTL Gigantics Diorama Scorpion Tarantula Mantis unboxing making and in-depth look - YouTube
Paul Adams from New Zealand
I had the Airfix Mantis. Background was cardboard and the accessories were pretty naff as I recall. I made a right mess of the model too!
ReplyDeleteI once saw a praying Mantis in Greece. It was stood in front of us on the pavement, praying. It was huge!
DeleteI had the Airfix Tyrannosaur which came out the same year, awful simple model compared to the Aurora kits.
ReplyDeleteI had the Pyro/ Revel T. Rex and my fave, the Anklyosaurus. I once found that Airfix T. Rex at a boot sale and think it sold on my toy fair stall. Box art was good if I recall.
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