AFM produced two kits based on iconic Kong posters (both sculpted by Jim
Groman), and now I've finally completed the '76 one. Had this kit for 20 yrs.
Figured it was time to finish it.
Painting fur isn't my favourite thing—hard to highlight it without it making
it look too grey and old-manish. Used some Burnt Umber mixed with Payne's Grey
to break up the colours. Went a bit overboard on the highlighting to mimic the
poster, but alas not as good a result as I'd hoped.
The kit didn't come with decals for the plane so I got some stars-and-bars from
a friend and made paint masks for "USAF". The plane from the poster
(replaced by helicopters for the final poster after filming was completed)
isn't real but close-ish to an F-104.
"The most exciting original motion picture event of all time".
I think the
Paramount marketing department forgot that this is a remake. :)
Still, I loved this movie as a 12 yr old and still love it today. Plenty of
flaws but Rick Baker's work on Kong's suit and his portrayal of Kong were
terrific. The score by John Barry is fantastic. I doodled Kong's face based on
John Berkey's excellent paintings all over my school books.
