This, the Mantis, was the second model in the Gigantics Entire Model Scenes series of diorama kits.
It was first released in the 1970s by Fundimensions, re-issued in Britain by Airfix, and eventually re-issued again by AMT/Ertl in the 1990s.
Fundimensions, 1-0502, 1973 according to Scalemates, 1975 according to the copyright date on the box side.
Airfix, 05850-2, 1976
AMT/Ertl, 8389, 1996
Like the other kits in the series, it put a realistic model of an insect or arachnid in to a 1950s science fiction movie setting. In this case a giant Praying Mantis is attacking a railway goods yard (or railroad freight yard).
The usual Daily Press newspaper headline reads 'Colossal Mantis Attacks City'.
When assembled, the Praying Manis model is 6 1/2 inches long. Size varies, but that is larger than life-size for all species. It can be displayed on its own as a scientific model, and background information on the real creature is provided.
The printed, full-colour card sheet provides the ground and background. There are various tall buildings, a couple of which are on fire, a pair of railway tunnels, and three railway tracks.
Moulded plastic parts include a long building - possibly a railway station - that is under attack and is damaged at one end, a goods loading platform, a railway caboose (guards van), cars, and people.
Although the scene is clearly based on a 1950s movie, the cars are much more modern, and look to be from the 1970s. The kit is most likely based on The Deadly Mantis/The Incredible Praying Manis (1957).
Scalemates listing for the kit
MPC 1975 Catalogue, from the Box Art Den
This was one of two Gigantics kits that Airfix re-issued, which were only included in the 13th and 14th Edition catalogues (1976 and 1977).
The instruction sheets for these can be downloaded from the Vintage Airfix site. Airfix re-used the Fundimensions box art, with the addition of the Airfix logo, and a few other changes. Series 5.
Airfix Catalogue, 13th Edition, from the Box Art Den
In the 1990s AMT/Ertl re-issued three of the Fundimensions kits - including the Mantis. All the kits had new box art.
The original Fundimensions/Airfix box tops had been looking down on the creatures, as though from a tall building. The Mantis artwork is rather dark, and may be intended as a night scene, with glowing red flames.
The AMT box art switched to a much lower angle, with the monster looming above the viewer - you are about to be trampled. The buildings are still on fire, but it is now daylight.
Parts layouts for three Fundimensions kits.
A close look at the Mantis in the kit
Built
Vintage 1975 Fundimensions Colossal Mantis Model Kit Diorama Monsters | #1880396028 (worthpoint.com)
Five photographs from Worthpoint
Paul Adams from New Zealand
The stuff of nightmares captured in plastic! Thanks for sharing Paul. The Praying Mantus has always been monstrous to me since I was a kid when I first saw the Deadly Mantis on the telly! They must have that in mind when they issues this! I once saw a Mantis is real life in Greece. It was huge! Like an Action Man!
ReplyDeleteThank you. That was a fun series, but not something I would have bought back in the 1970s. I would now. There are Praying Mantis in New Zealand, but the only ones I have seen are little ones, perhaps a couple of inches long. I have never seen The Deadly Mantis, the only giant bug movie I can recall seeing on TV in NZ was Them, with giant ants. Oddly, Fundimensions did not do a giant ant diorama.
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