Atlantis Models; Earth vs the Flying Saucers

Most of us will readily admit that science fiction movies have come a long way since they gained wide popularity in the 1950s. To us, much of the special effects of the time seem amateurish at best, but during those times, they were anything but and often times they still hold up well. One is a real classic, "Earth vs the Flying Saucers". This 1956 film features the great stop motion work of Ray Harryhausen, making his saucers seem a lot more realistic. His work in showing buildings collapse adds considerably to the believability of the film and helped the genre to expand. Those of us living during this time can recall space and monster movies being a real staple of our Saturday forays to the local cinema.

Atlantis Models has add the Harryhausen flying saucer to its growing catalogue of five inch space models. In line with their other offerings, the kit is as much a snap kit as it is for 'serious' modelers. The kit is simplicity itself with four plastic parts and two pieces that make up the LED piece along with three batteries.

One installs the LED array into the upper saucer section, then twists the container to activate the batteries. This all snaps into a lower section. For the bottom of this section, one can either install the ray gun piece for flying or a landing post is provided, both which snap in place and can be changed out. This, of course, increases its play attraction as one can then use it to attack all sorts of earth creatures. Included with the kit is a large full color cardboard display stand to use for the 'on the ground' option that includes a scene from the b&w movie.

Instructions are on the back of the box and consist of four nicely drawn construction steps that are simple enough for even the youngest (and oldest) modeler. There is no painting information supplied, but most of us will paint in in a variety of metallics. It is really up to the builder. Also included with the kit is a large cardboard display base with background. You can see the fold line that differentiates the standing section from the rest.

I have to say that I like this. I am biased because I'm fond of these kinds of kits. It gives us the opportunity to have something on our shelves that is different and it also allows us to stretch our imaginations when it comes to painting. If you also have a fondness for these sorts of kits, then I'd recommend picking one up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_vs._the_Flying_Saucers

February 2016

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Thanks to Atlantis Models for the preview kit. You can get yours at this link.

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