It seems only one half of this model was clear, with the right side finished in brown and white. Although this does not match the box top, which shows the right side being transparent. Confusing. The skeleton parts were moulded in a suitable 'bone' coloured plastic, with the internal organs in the usual Renwal pink.
The Box Art Den has Renwal catalogues for 1966, 1969, and 1973. The Cow is listed in the 1966 catalogue, but not the 1969 edition, so it was retired fairly early, compared to some of the other kits in this line. This page is from the 1966 Catalogue. The kit is described as being part of the Visible Nature Series.
renwal 66 09-960 (boxartden.com)
In 1994 Skilcraft re-issued a number of old Renwal anatomy kits, including the Visible Cow, as 74627. There were a couple of different boxes, some carrying a 1996 copyright date. The box side said 'Study Anatomy as You Build Your Visible Cow Model'. It seems both sides of the cow were now moulded in clear plastic.
A copyright note on the side of the box says Craft House Corporation, of Toledo, Ohio. So presumably Skilcraft was just the name given to this range of kits.
From Worthpoint, a cardboard store display card.
Renwal Vintage The Visible Cow Model Kit Cardboard Store Display | #1980521322 (worthpoint.com)
Scalemates listings for these kits:
The Visible Cow, Renwal 816-598 (1960) (scalemates.com)
Visible Cow, Skilcraft 74627 (1994) (scalemates.com)
Other large scale cow models include the Bachmann Snap-fit Cow and Calf kit from the 1960s. But this was a normal plastic kit, and did not contain any clear parts.
All photographs from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Great research Paul. I love these see-through kits.
ReplyDeleteUdderly Incredi-Bull !
ReplyDeleteAnother masterful post! I find these kits endlessly fascinating. (I'm ever so slowly getting closer to producing one of my own!) I was scratching my head over the circular component in the Renwall kit until I realised it was a ring of teeny tiny paint pots. -along with a massive bottle of glue!
ReplyDeleteWell done Paul!
I am glad that people are enjoying these articles on Visible models. They were fun to do. The Animals of the World kit of the Cow and Calf is actually by Bachmann, not Renwal, and is not a Visible model. They did a whole series of animal and bird kits. The box top describes these as Paint by Numbers kits - perhaps they too would make a good subject for an article. Plenty to keep me busy over winter.
ReplyDelete