Universal Monster Army

Quote from: mcdougall;2808738I just got this in the Mail yesterday...It's the Aurora Prototype Metaluna Mutant, very rare...not many Prototypes floating around...Still looking for the MOTM Godzilla...




The pieces are extremely well cast and the detail is crisp
I don't believe there are any left...
Mcdee

are these currently for sale?  This looks pretty cool!

These were part of the Aurora kits that were made into Prototypes but never produced...
I found this picture and caption on page 94 of Thomas Grahams' 'Aurora Model Kits' book published in 2004
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/bethsphotographyassignmentpictures.jpg)
So they aren't being made any more and there never were many made on this  one and only  production run in 2001
Mcdee

then why does the certificate say 2009??? mcdee are you kit-blocking? ;D i need one

No Man...No way would I 'Kit Block'...I'm a lot of things ...but not a 'Kit Blocker" ;D
It's kind of a neat story...I'm also a member at the the ClubHouse and HobbyTalk and I've been searching for Aurora Prototypes for a while now...a guy named Pete Molemento mentioned he had the Fay Wray Prototype and was casting 50 kits...So I bought one...here it is...
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/faywray011.jpg)(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/faywray010.jpg)...Well that was all I needed to go crazy and start searching the other Aurora Prototypes out...When I read that 24 Mutants were cast in 2001 in Thomas Grahams Book I Emailed  Al Reboiro (mentioned in the book) and  it turns out he had a couple left...and that's why the recent date...I took a chance thinking these were long ago sold out and forgotten and my chance paid off...I also got this Aurora Prototype
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles010.jpg) ...and now this...(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/Metaluna_Mutant_Full_Parts1.jpg)
...and now I'm on the Hunt for this one...(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles015-1.jpg)
It's the  Aurora MOTM Godzilla destroying the Tokyo Tower...I tracked down everything just by using the computer...google and Thomas Grahams Aurora Book...and I'm still on the hunt :)
Mcdee

thats pretty cool mcdee. so the mutant was for the MOTM line? it looks like it from the poseable parts

Yeah...That's right...but all those cool MOTM kits got put on indefinate ice when Nabisco (Auroras' parent company) coward , due to a backlash of protests over the Monster Scenes kits...the rest is history...
Mcdee

Awesome score. Thank you kindly for sharing the pictures and the story behind the hunt.  Good luck with the MOTM Godzilla.  David

Denis good to see ya posting over here and yap that Monsters of the Movie Mutant is a Rare one and one that glad that won aswell.I have number 22 ;D
(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL978/3860015/8675648/361613865.jpg)
(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL978/3860015/8675648/361598799.jpg)

 BOO!!!!

Chris. :)

Quote from: Auroranut on May 02, 2009, 12:08:47 AM
BOO!!!!

Chris. :)
[/quote
Whoa Chris....You scared the diapers right off me!!!
Fancy meeting you here  ;D
Denis

I ran into one of these at WonderFest in 2006. As I understand it, all of the original prototype's pieces were present except for one foot (which was resculpted) and the base/nameplate (also sculpted) . I remember something about this being 1 of 26 castings but I have no certificate (no proof), as Mcdee shows, and so don't know if this is 1 of the 26. I purchased it from Al Reboiro (Python Kits) so assume it's authentic (cast from the original). It was assembled as shown and the claws/arms are quite adjustable. It's great to see the kit's parts inside and out. It's a bit heavy and I had wondered how thick the resin casting was. The resin color on my example is a light blue. I have posed it next to Frankie McNugget for size comparison. The Mutant is about 6 inches tall.
Thanks, mcdee, for posting the certificate and kit pieces!
Best,
Richard

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/Mutant2.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/Mutant3.jpg)

Wow Richard !...I think that is one of the Original 12...These are all very rare with only 26 made in the whole World!
Mcdee

funny pose, looking down like that -  like he's sayin "LOOK!!! I found a frankie mcnugget on the floor!" or like he is drunk and about to fall down

I wish I'd been able to snag one of these -- but  just didn't have the bucks to spare at the time.  Likewise for the Aurora Phantom  (comic character -- not "of the Opera") prototype that was offered in resin a while back.  Oh well -- can't have everything...

Hi Scary Terry...There is a Phantom on ebay right now...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=COOL%21+THE+PHANTOM+AURORA+prototype+RESIN+MODEL+KIT&_sacat=See-All-Categories (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=COOL%21+THE+PHANTOM+AURORA+prototype+RESIN+MODEL+KIT&_sacat=See-All-Categories)
Check it out  :)
Mcdee

Quote from: Mcdee on May 02, 2009, 12:11:21 PM
Hi Scary Terry...There is a Phantom on ebay right now...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=COOL%21+THE+PHANTOM+AURORA+prototype+RESIN+MODEL+KIT&_sacat=See-All-Categories (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=COOL%21+THE+PHANTOM+AURORA+prototype+RESIN+MODEL+KIT&_sacat=See-All-Categories)
Check it out  :)
Mcdee

Denis,I think terry means the one Phil on the Aurora board was going to come out with that is casted from the  Original Prototype that Lemon did and but the one on ebay is one that is based on Cockrum Drawing and is not casted from the Aurora prototype.

Yeah -- I have that Rick Wyatt-sculpted kit -- which is a nice kit .  But it's a "re-creation" based on the original designs, not a casting of the actual prototype.

I didn't know the original proto had been cast!! Who did it?

Chris. :)

Quote from: Auroranut on May 03, 2009, 01:42:40 AM
I didn't know the original proto had been cast!! Who did it?

Chris. :)

Chris it was never casted cause Phil didnt get enough preorders in to get Al to casted it up.

Hi Dan! This is a cool site!! :)
I bet he'd get the numbers now!! If Al could be talked into it he and Phil would sell every one they made!! I'd definitely be in....

Chris. :)

Quote from: Auroranut on May 03, 2009, 02:06:56 AM
Hi Dan! This is a cool site!! :)
I bet he'd get the numbers now!! If Al could be talked into it he and Phil would sell every one they made!! I'd definitely be in....

Chris. :)

Same here and think the original price Phil was asking was 255.00 on the Aurora board.

OUCH!!! I'd have to save for a month to get one (it's about AU$300!) but it is a big model. I'd still be interested if it was the same sort of deal as the Mutant though....
It's another must have and I'm sure the numbers could be had. If Al was to announce it I could start saving straight after I've paid for my Mutant. I'll have to think about it....
I've thought about it....I WANT ONE!!!!

Chris. :)

I guess you guys know me well enough to know ....
Oh Hell YA...Lets make this one...I am SO IN !!!
Mcdee

Quote from: Mcdee on May 03, 2009, 02:34:42 AM
I guess you guys know me well enough to know ....
Oh Hell YA...Lets make this one...I am SO IN !!!
Mcdee

Why did I know you were gonna say that Denis? :D :D
COOL!! That's 3 guys that want it and I think I know a 4th....
Not bad for under an hours work.... :D
Any others in on it?

Chris. :)

You Two going to shoot AL a email about it or ya want me to? ;DIm definitly in if we can make this happen cause got the one that action hobbies did that was based on Cockrums drawing.

It'd be great if you could do it Dan!! I think you probably know him better than Denis or I. I might have another 3 guys interested but I haven't heard back yet. If we  can get this much interest in this short a time there should be no worries in getting at least a dozen confirmed orders....

Chris. :)

If Al agrees in principle, we can do the legwork . I'm gonna PM Ed and Bob to find out if they'd be interested. I've already emailed Marko. He missed out on the Mutant so I don't think he'd wanna miss out on this one.....
If enough interest's shown there could be a non-refundable deposit paid to secure the kits and help with the cost of the silicone and resin....

Chris. :)

Guys, James (Deadmanincfan) is a definite!!  That's 4 of us.....
I'm waiting on emails and PMs from 4 more Auroraphiles.....

Chris. :)

Hey Guys,  I would like to be allowed to join in on the fun.  Let me know what's what and I'll be happen order one. 

Dan, Just let me know.  David

Hi David. No worries- you're on the list.  :)
That makes 7 confirmed in the first 24 hours!!
Lets just hope Al's still in a position where he can accommodate the idea....

Chris. :)

Hi Chris, Thank you kindly.  I have my fingers crossed.  David

So do I David.....

Chris. :)

Hell even my eyes are crossed  ;D
The poll over at Hobby Talk have 26 guys who want this kit!!!
How many people do they want, to make them interested?
Mcdee

Quote from: Mcdee on May 05, 2009, 12:01:57 AM
Hell even my eyes are crossed  ;D
The poll over at Hobby Talk have 26 guys who want this kit!!!
How many people do they want, to make them interested?
Mcdee

Mcdee the problem is two things when it came time original to send Phil the money for the kits only a few sent it to him so he can pay AL to cast it up ect.The rest that said ya put me down back out cause of the price he was asking at the time.Ill shoot AL the info from Hobbytalk and maybe he can use that to get Phil to consider doing a run on that kit again.

 Dan, we have 8 guys including us that will commit to buying. Everyone I've contacted has been told the price in the first PM to avoid that problem so we know we're almost a 3rd thru the run. Not too shabby for the first 24 hours...... do you think that might help sway Al? Maybe if we all paid non-refundable deposits to help offset the cost of the materials? Just a thought.....

Chris. :)

I just wanted to say I love that Hanging Tree kit shown in the catalog. Too bad that was never made.

AH....but it was...
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles010.jpg)
This kit has been cast straight from the Prototypes and is availible here: http://www.nightgallerykits.net/

and here: http://www.nightgallerykits.net/tree.htm
BTW it's a Great kit I picked one up over a year ago!
Mcdee

Quote from: Auroranut on May 05, 2009, 05:12:41 AM
Dan, we have 8 guys including us that will commit to buying. Everyone I've contacted has been told the price in the first PM to avoid that problem so we know we're almost a 3rd thru the run. Not too shabby for the first 24 hours...... do you think that might help sway Al? Maybe if we all paid non-refundable deposits to help offset the cost of the materials? Just a thought.....

Chris. :)

Hi Dan, I do agree with Chris.  If we were to present the idea with a DEPOSIT this might help in the creation of the kit.  Nothing wrong with providing an artist with the funds or supplies needed to begin work on a commission.  Just my penny's worth.  David

Hey...look who's here too?!!! ::)

Looks like Phil doesn't want to budge from what we are hearing from Al...too bad. I was on the short list with you guys.

Ok...so what other kits can we get our paws on? ;D

MMM

Hi Bob!! :) Looks like we're all invading en masse!! This is a cool place!!
I don't know what else we can find at the moment. The Riddler proto fell through, and MOTM Godzilla's still eluding us. There was an Aquanaut pattern made in the same series as Sealab, but I know not of its whereabouts.
  One thing I find a little strange is that, with the kerfuffle we've raised and the amount of Aurora guys that know of our mindless quest, we haven't had any definite hits yet! Maybe we should consider changing our deodorant.....

Chris. :)

Dang!  I was one of the few who sent in the $245 (I thought) a year or two ago in hopes that there would be enough of us to get the Phantom reissued. I also am one of the ones on Hobby Talk who voted that he'd like one.

Does anyone know if there any Mutant's left?

Michael

Sorry Michael. Al's told me I got the last one.....

Chris.

Good thing that I know that last one is in a good home, Chris.  :D

Maybe in the near future someone else doesn't want theirs and I'll be able to give it the home it deserves.

I'm sad to hear that The Phantom isn't going to be done after all our recent enthusiasm here and on the Hobby Talk board.

Thanks Michael, and I really do hope that one day a second run will happen so you can pick one up. I only got mine through a chance! I thought I'd missed out too....
Yeah mate- it appears the Phantom's a no go for now. I'd have thought we'd have been able to scare up info on the other patterns, but it looks like they're a very guarded secret!
  At least we tried....

Chris. :)

Yeah we tried...but I'm not going to stop until I find them...just going to keep on digging...They're out there somewhere and someone has to know something...just haven't found that person yet... ;D
Mcdee

Yes, at least we tried! Saw your pic over at Hobby Talk, nice to meet another Aurora person!

The garage is filled with the fixtures for our bathrooms which are in the middle of a remodel. Once that's done I have a small table of resin kits I need to finish but I think I want to finally start building the rest of my original Auroras. The original ones I've built so far are the Men from U.N.C.L.E., The Penguin, Wonder Woman, Zorro, Captain America and Superboy. I do have two Monogram-Revell Supermen built with the George Reeves and Chris Reeve heads and the same of Batman with the Adam West head and Robin with the Burt Ward.

Like I said, I'm feeling a little Aurorish coming on......

My kit just arrived about 15 minutes ago!! I have No.26 out of 26. Lucky last....

Chris. :)

Thanks mjbare for you're kind words and allow me to introduce you to Chris ...another Auroranut ;D and a Great Mate of mine (he's in Austrailia so type slowly)... ;D
Hey Chris Congratulations on aquiring the last Mutant on Earth...Well Done!
Mcdee

Thanks Denis! I'm as happy as a pig in the proverbial!
Hi Michael, I'm a certified Aurora freak as well!! There's a few of us hiding here and there....
I have Blackbeard, Robin, Scotch Lassie, Big Horn Sheep, Fay Wray prototype kit all on the go at the moment. Possibly a couple more too! I'll finish a couple soon I hope....

Chris. :)

For what it's worth, the Godzilla prototype is owned by Phil Ceprano (sp?)  He has a couple of videos posted on YouTube that show it in great detail. Phil has an extensive collection of all things Aurora, and he owns the Mutant and Phantom prototypes as well.

Does anyone know of any other prototypes Aurora commissioned that never made it into production? Was Aurora thinking of issuing a Mole Man or a Flying Saucer Man?

???

I for one would have been very excited to have seen a Metaluna,, when I was a kid. Even now. So very cool.

Haven't been here for awhile, lost the job and the link to the board was on the work computer. Earlier this year, 2014, I was at Monsters in Motion with a couple of friends and the owner Terry asked us if we wanted to see something rare. It was the Metaluna Mutant like this thread has been talking about. I was the only one in my group that knew what it was and of course, curses, it wasn't for sale.

Quote from: Mcdee on May 02, 2009, 03:58:33 AM
Wow Richard !...I think that is one of the Original 12...These are all very rare with only 26 made in the whole World!
Mcdee

What's amazing to me that in almost 15 years they couldn't sell 24 of these and still had a couple left.......

Quote from: marsattacks666 on July 15, 2013, 06:29:52 PMI for one would have been very excited to have seen a Metaluna,, when I was a kid. Even now. So very cool.

Me too! I would have craved one big time as a kid.

:)

I would have liked to have one myself, heck I still do.

Aurora never had plans for a Mole Man or Saucer Man. They  did have plans for a 2 foot Kong that would have held that Fay Wray prototype and gone with the giant Tyrannosaurus they did for Prehistoric Scenes. I don'r believe a prototype was ever made though. I know there were also several more Prehistoric Scenes dinosaurs planned that never got beyond the sketch stage- a stegosaurus and Parasaurolphus. They also had a Riddler kit that never got past the sketch design stage too.

I believe at least one Riddler is out there somewhere...
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles011.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles011.jpg.html)

I would have liked to seen these Monsters of the movies set pieces along with  Godzilla and the Tokyo Tower
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles007.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles007.jpg.html)
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles015-1.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles015-1.jpg.html)
(Pictures from Thomas Grahams Aurora Model Kits book and Amazing Figure Mag. #38 Aurora Issue)

Mcdee

This kit has finally had a commercial casting , I've ordered mine  , get yours . https://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/z-other-classic-horror-item-list-a-z-c-8_127_220/aurora-1974-david-cockrum-illustration-art-mutant-model-kit-p-23567 (https://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/z-other-classic-horror-item-list-a-z-c-8_127_220/aurora-1974-david-cockrum-illustration-art-mutant-model-kit-p-23567)

http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=31208.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=31208.0) ;)

Quote from: Mcdee on June 28, 2014, 03:30:58 PM
I believe at least one Riddler is out there somewhere...
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles011.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles011.jpg.html)

I would have liked to seen these Monsters of the movies set pieces along with  Godzilla and the Tokyo Tower
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles007.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles007.jpg.html)
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/FRANKENSTIEN53/modles015-1.jpg) (http://s563.photobucket.com/user/FRANKENSTIEN53/media/modles015-1.jpg.html)
(Pictures from Thomas Grahams Aurora Model Kits book and Amazing Figure Mag. #38 Aurora Issue)

Mcdee

Denis; I feel like the Doctor doing all this traveling through time, LOL.  Patterns (I believe) are all owned by Phil C, the unproduced Riddler is in the collection of Andy Yanchus. I have had the good fortune of visiting Andy at his home a few times, and he had it in a display case in his basement.  I know he has brought it to at least ONE show in Jersey (maybe a Garrity show in the Pre-Chiller days down in Cherry Hill? Or maybe it was the Chiller show when he and Dave Cockrum had a table RIGHT around the corner from me in the garage level dealer's room.  Funny how for all the DISSING the Joisey shows get, they have ALWAYS managed to fill their dealers rooms W/O selling to recasters, and when THE single biggest kit related story of the 21st century (thus far anyway, knock on wood)
drops, it is PRETTY far north of the Bible belt w/o a Post-it  in site in the dealer's room (other than those being used as PRICE TAGS of course).  Makes me WONDER if we MIGHT be due for a change when it comes to bragging rights, LOL.
        LONG overdue IMNSHO
                   Tom
           

Reminds me of a Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." I live close to Dallas so we don't get much around here by way of model shows (beyond IPMS) and horror, although the Famous Monsters Convention is here and will run May 26-28. Just about everyone I've dealt with in Aurora collecting has been on either coast, all the way back to the days of Starlog ads and the  photocopied mailing lists Of John F. Green (California) and John Apgar (New Jersey).
I hope these other prototypes see the light of day...it would be a neat way to close the circle of the Aurora Plastic Corp. If not, I've got plenty of kits to keep me occupied...as well as top-notch additions from COPP!  ;)