Author: Topher

I've always enjoyed writing. I see this as an opportunity to share my love of movies, action figures, comics, music, and just about anything else. As much as I enjoy writing, I also enjoy interacting with other folks online. If any of my stories or articles spark an idea for discussion, let me know. I read every email and comment I get! So look around, make yourself at home, and above all, enjoy your visit to my virtual discussion page!

Hoisting the Main Sail…

When the subject of Aurora models is brought up, my first thoughts always go to the Universal Studios movie monsters. The majority of my first model kits were from this assortment. But I also remember that Aurora made other models – especially wildlife, prehistoric animals, and knights in armor. One that has previously evaded my capture is the subject of today’s narrative.

Blackbeard was a 1966 plastic model. Like most of these Aurora releases, the completed kit is a mini-diorama type of scene. It was re-tooled by Atlantis in 2011, and repackaged again in 2020 in the “square box” style. I’ve seen it featured in several YouTube videos, and found it on the shelf of my local hobby store a few weeks ago.

A little over a week ago (Black Friday, for you Christmas shopping aficionados,) gave me an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The model usually retails for $26 or so, which in and of itself, isn’t outlandish. With a couple of different special promotions, I was able to snag this guy for $5!

I got it on SAIL…

In typical fashion, I forgot about all my current projects and immediately removed the cellophane to examine the contents. The figure and accessories are modeled in light gray, and his scenic base is in brown. The sprues are bagged in 3 parts for ease of sub-assembly. The instructions are clear, well illustrated and straightforward. This appears to be a faithful re-tooling of the classic Aurora original.

Photo of the 1911 edition of Treasure Island – used without the author’s permission. You could say it was PIRATED!

His pose is dynamic: flintlock pistol in one hand, and a raised cutlass in the other. A brace of 3 more pistols is slung over his shoulder and across his chest. He is standing at the helm, protecting a treasure chest. If you were to ask any random 8 year old about a pirate, this is what he’s likely to describe.

As I began to dig through the contents of the box, I got more curious about the actual Blackbeard. With the exception of being born “Edward Teach,” I knew very little.  As it turns out, even his real name is the subject of some debate. After an exhaustive search (truth be told, I actually spent about an hour on it,) I got a lot of ideas, but few hard facts. The various sites all had interesting information, but some of the more scholarly articles admitted that much of his biography is speculation. One YouTube channel that I particularly liked is Gold and Gunpowder, and it’s certainly worth viewing if you have any interest in the subject. 

Since I’ll be building an almost 60 year old model kit and not an historical museum piece, it doesn’t really need to be entirely accurate; I suspect I’ll take some creative license. I’m also getting ideas about changes I’ll make to the scene. There are a few things I’m sure I can improve upon.

Unofficial flag, often attributed to Blackbeard. Sources disagree on the accuracy.

As I delve into this little treasure, I’ll take a few pictures, and share them in a follow up article.  Until then, keep your powder dry, kick back, and enjoy a little rum. 

-Toph

 

P.S. – Have YOU built this kit?  What were your opinions, and how did it turn out?  Send me an email – I’d love to hear about it!

 

A Christmas Exclusive

We’re officially into Christmas Season. Black Friday is past, I’ve attended my first Christmas choral concert, and later this week, I’ll be digging into the shed for the boxes of ornaments.

JCPenny, 1973

 

As a kid, I fondly remember laying on the floor, looking at the store catalogs pictures for Santa’s wish list. And the toy pages in the Sears, JC Penney, and Montgomery Ward were the mother load.

Although most stores had GI Joe figures or a selection of playsets, the big 3 had store exclusives. One year in particular, I got a huge box that contained both the Secret of the Mummy’s Tomb AND Search for the Stolen Idol (complete with both the all terrain vehicle and helicopter.) I later learned that it was a Sears exclusive set that year.

Those amazing offerings only lasted until the mid 1970s, when the Adventure Team began its decline. Eventually, Hasbro’s premier toy line was jumping the proverbial shark with “Bullet Man” and “The Intruders.” It would be another 25 years until we saw a new Golden Age of action figures.

The turn around began when Formative International started making individual 1/6 scale figures. The articulation was limited, the face sculpts were a bit off, and the clothing and accessories were lower quality, but it was the beginning of a new era. Soon, the GI Joe “Hall of Fame” appeared, with its chonky bodies and (figuratively and literally) ham-handed articulation. We all have to learn to crawl before we can teleport.

The Classic Collection upped Hasbro’s game, and ran into stiff competition from 21st Century Toys “Ultimate Soldier” (informally known as “GI Sam”). Before long, a dozen other companies were throwing their hats into the ring. Each line brought something unique to the table, be it Dragon’s attention to detail, BBI’s moving facial features (think Eagle Eyes, but with a grimacing mouth,) to several versions of metal weapons with moving parts. Add the growing world of The Internet, and the sky was the limit for choices.

But my absolute favorite part of this new ear was a return of the store exclusives. Many major retail stores offered a unique exclusive. Target, Kmart, Walmart, Toys R Us and KB Toys all had store exclusives.  FAO Schwarz always had an exclusive, too. It was always little more elite, even more exclusive, and usually triple the cost.

FAO’s EXCLUSIVE exclusive from 1995.

 

 

The era came to a close in the mid to late 2000s. There seems to be a pattern here – the initial boon was the mid 1960s to the late 1970s. Then the resurgence from the mid 1990s until the late 2000s. If my calculations are correct, we should be seeing a new series soon. Maybe the next couple of years will present a new opportunity for us middle aged kids.

We’re looking at the first layer here…
Kunk Fu grip
A few 1960s style guys

Until then, I still have a couple unopened toys laying around here somewhere. (Really? A COUPLE?) I can sit on the floor later this month and open some “new” toys.

 

-Toph