By Bill Engar

ARTICLE IN PROGRESS!

ATLANTIS THE MUMMY 1/8-SCALE -- ATLANTIS #A452 -- 52 STYRENE PLASTIC PARTS -- $34.99 MRSP -- RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14 AND UP -- PAINT AND GLUE REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY, NOT INCLUDED

Atlantis Models has released The Mummy, a former Aurora Models figure kit.  These were legendary during the heyday of the plastic modeling hobby in the mid-1960’s.
 
The Mummy was a 1932 Universal horror film that followed Dracula and Frankenstein.  Boris Karloff, who thrilled and terrified audiences in Frankenstein, played the title character. 

Atlantis' The Mummy returns in a square box reminiscent of Aurora's "Glow in the Dark" issues of the kit.  Glow parts are included!

The back of the box shows a built model.  Note the original elaborate stand that is a kit in itself.

The Mummy was a 1963 model kit created by Aurora Models in 1/8-scale.  Like the other Aurora monster model kits, it was wildly popular during its original run.  Atlantis Models now owns the molds to this classic kit and they've re-released it with glow-in-the-dark parts for the first time since the original release!

Atlantis The Mummy has 52 styrene plastic parts.  Note two sprues of glow-in-the-dark parts on the right.

In our opinion, The Mummy is among the best executed of the original Aurora kits.  The sculpting is simply exquisite for a 1960's figure kit.  The bandage-texturing over the entire figure is perfectly made for the modeler to apply weathering such as washes and dry brushing to enhance realism.  With a little effort and skill an experienced builder could produce a spectacular, award-winning model.  Conversely, the new or casual builder will have a pleasant experience assembling this kit.  It was engineered originally for young, inexperienced modelers but the figure and the base have a very high level of detail that will impress more mature builders and collectors.

There are two sprues of glow-parts in the kit.  All of these are duplicates of parts included in the regular kit.

The modeler has the option of including glow parts or not.

Aurora's monster kits were huge hits on their debut in the early 1960's.  Read our popular webpage about them here.   By the late 1960's sales dipped.  Aurora decided to add glow-parts to revitalize sales.  Original kit master patterns were used to make new sprues with a selection of glow parts.  The builder could add their choice of the glow parts to the original kit or build it as it was released originally.  After exposing the glow-plastic to bright room light, the parts would glow eerily briefly when the lights were shut off.

The head and face look appropriately dead and menacing!

The textured base has nearly a dozen parts and includes a nice, molded-in nameplate.  

The kit is of vintage engineering and there will be some gaps and seams that the experienced modeler will want to fill with their favorite modeling putty.  There is minimal flash.  We don't see any construction issues that should concern builders of any skill level.

The instruction sheet shows photos of a built model and the story of The Mummy!

The construction page is a reproduction of the orginal artwork for Aurora's Mummy kit of 1963.

We were thrilled that Atlantis Models has resurrected another classic Aurora monster figure kit!  When one considers the many features of this kit, it is apparent that this is the best-executed reissue that the classic model has ever seen.  There is plenty for builders, collectors and lovers of classic horror films to love!  The 2Modeler guys give this kit four enthusiastic thumbs up!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS KIT FOR US TO REVIEW AN ENJOY!  CHECKOUT ATLANTIS-MODELS.COM TODAY TO SEE ALL THE COOL STUFF THEY HAVE AVAILABLE!