RENWAL REPTILE KITS BY PAUL ADAMS

Hi,
Here is the next entry in my Renwal Visible animal series.




Renwal Reptile Science Assembly Kit



This was one of two Renwal Science kits consisting of a single large cut-away model, and several smaller models, all mounted on a large display stand. Despite the title of the kit, this actually included a mix of amphibians and reptiles.




According to Scalemates the 808 Reptile Science Assembly Kit was introduced sometime in the 1960s, only giving the date as 196x. It was still in the Renwal catalogue in to the 1970s. The scale is given as 1:1, although the frog is clearly larger than life-size.




The large cut-away model was a Leopard Frog




The smaller models were solid, and consisted of:

Alligator (baby)

Box Turtle

Rattlesnake

Chuckwalla (lizard)

Red Eft (amphibian)




There was the usual educational Handbook on Reptiles and Amphibians, and the box top states that the models were cast from live specimens (I assume live does not actually mean alive - surely they would wriggle about too much ?)



https://www.scalemates.com/kits/renwal-reptile-science--1256300



The 1966 Renwal catalogue entry says:

The Theory of Evolution becomes clearer and clearer as Renwal explores another link in the chain of life. These models are astonishingly life-like because they were actually cast from live specimens supplied by New York's Museum of Natural History.




The cutaway Leopard Frog is larger than life, and letter-keyed for instant recognition of vital anatomical elements. Science students will welcome these remarkable "Visual Aids" to their education.

Retail price $4.98.



Catalogues on the Box Art Den site. The 1966 and 1969

catalogues are in black and white, the 1973 edition being in colour.



Renwal 1966 (boxartden.com)

Renwal 1969 (boxartden.com)

renwal 73 08-960 (boxartden.com)



The display stand in the kit was moulded in a creamy white plastic, with the animals in a mix of green and brown.



The cut-away Frog from this kit was later issued on its own as 824-298 Leopard Frog (at least I am assuming it is the same model - it appears identical). This was given a new, flat display base. The kit was described in the catalogue as being three times life size, or 3:1. 'Skin patterns are engraved on the shell for ease of decorating'.




This was included in the 1969 and 1973 catalogues, but not the 1966 edition, where only the complete Reptile Science set was shown. This time everything was moulded in green.

Scalemates again give the release date as 196x, and give the scale as 1:1, which is incorrect. Entry for this solo kit:



Leopard Frog, Renwal (196x) (scalemates.com)



In the 1990s Craft House Corporation re-released the Reptile Science kit under the revised name of Reptile and Amphibian Kit - Six Kits in One. The parts were now moulded in a lighter green and pinkish fawn, but it appears the display stand was no longer included. The Skilcraft box top says the Frog is 'Nearly 2 Times Life-Size', which is again confusing.

The Scalemates entry gives the catalogue number, 74629.



https://www.scalemates.com/kits/skilcraft-74629-reptile-and-amphibian-kit--193053



It does not appear that the Leopard Frog was released as a solo kit by Skilcraft.



All photos from Worthpoint.




Paul Adams from New Zealand