Creature Feature: Recreating the Penn Plax Creature from the Black Lagoon Aquarium Figure

Years ago when I started buying reference books on monster toys I became aware of an iconic Sixties collectable among Creature from the Black Lagoon fans, the Penn Plax aquarium action aerating monster.

Original examples in the fantastic window box are much sought after and here's one on the Hakes auction site.

Here's a clip of it in bubbling action.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mcKS-nRVQdY&feature=shared

So beloved by monster collectors and aquarium buffs, it was re-released in 1999, in a somewhat less interesting bubble box.

With a resurgence of interest in this fishtank gill man, some astute modern toy companies have rejuvenated the Penn Plax classic in their own way.

Here's Mego's, who have largely stuck to the original box design, albeit slimmer.

And ace nostalgia makers Super 7's creature has recreated the Penn Plax big box.

Never ones to shy away from a challenge, Bill and me decided to have a crack at one ourselves! 

First, I was lucky enough to source this loose Penn Plax figure from Hong Kong for £28 including shipping on eBay. It kicked off the project well.

Next up, the box art. Bill came into his own here. We decided to adhere to the Sixties Penn Plax original, a complex window box with internal inserts! 

After researching the box and recreating the design, Bill had created a final and fabulous box art template. 

I then set about on stage three, making up the box. 

Boy! And what a job it was!

Finally, complete with a plastic window, here's the latest MoonBase International effort, our very own Penn Plax Creature from the Moon Lagoon!

Hope you like it.