The Animal Pit Monster Scenes Diorama Model Kit

The Animal Pit is one of two 'lost' kits originally planned for Aurora's Monster Scenes line back in the early 70's, but when the series ran afoul of parental groups, it and The Dungeon never went into production, even though the molds and art had been created. Many a year later, Dencom will acquire and re-release the Monster Scenes line, as well as to put out the lost kits for the first time ever. That said, the Animal Pit was meant to be one of the centerpieces of the series, along with The Dungeon. This is the largest and most complex of the kits, besides the glassed in pit itself, you get a spiral staircase leading to a platform with a couple of winches. One works a set of barred doors in the pit, and the other will open the pit lid or lower a figure in with an included waist strap. You also get the 'dragon-lizard', yet another of Dr. Deadly's mutant creatures who inhabits the pit. The detail is well done, though for some odd reason Dencom went with a bright fuchsia / hot pink color for the plastic, which probably means you'll want to paint the pit. It's designed to hook to The Dungeon for one large scene if you want. It's snap together, though you may want to glue some parts for a stronger hold. All said and done, great to finally see this again, and will make a fine setting for your Monster Scenes collection, or other similar sized kits or action figures.

Great Kit!Pros:Precision molded parts, well designed model.Fun to build.Easy to paint.Requires just enough skill to make it interesting to assemble.Cons:Expensive! What happened to the affordable model kit?Some glitches in the fit of some parts, but easily corrected if you are an experienced sculptor/modeler.Conclusion:Great reproduction of a classic model.

ALTHOUGH THE "SNAP TOGETHER" FUNCTION LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED, I GIVE IT FIVE STARS FOR FINALLY BEING RELEASED AND LOOKING GOOD WHEN COMPLETED. WOULD BUY IT AGAIN IF THE NEED FOR ANOTHER DOES ARISE!

This gets a MEH. Instructions could be better....And I have been building model for decades. Clear parts did not fit well. Had to do some modification to get some parts to fit, and there are no hinges for the top grate...Gave it to my grandson as a present. He liked it.Can not recommend.

Perfect

Bought to complete collection; could use other 1/12 scale Aurora models such as the cave, cro magnon man and woman, the swamp, cave bear and others.