Moebius Models

1/8 The Mummy

Kit Number: 637

Reviewed by  April Hinderliter, IPMS #45124

MSRP: $44.95 Website: www.moebiusmodels.com The Mummy I have always enjoyed seeing the look on my husband’s face when he receives another review kit in the mail. This time the scene played out a little differently. A strange gleam came into his eyes and with a grin he called me over to look. In his hands he held the Moebius Mummy model with a striking resemblance to Boris Karloff. My husband suddenly felt the model slip from his grasp as I began channeling the spirit of Daffy Duck, jumping up and down yelling "Mine! Mine! Mine!". You have to understand, I’ve been a model collector for years. I have always been a "Universal Monster Kid" and enjoy all things Universal Monsters. I knew this was my chance to finally make the break and go from model collector to model builder. Boris Karloff was perfect for the part of the Mummy. Even though he was seen in the "Mummy rags" for a few minutes in the beginning of the film, that face has stayed with kids of all ages throughout the years. The image of the mummy opening his eyes and stepping from the sarcophagus to grab the scroll of life has kept many lights on past bedtime. This story became the gold standard for all mummy movies to come. A young prince or priest is cursed to living death as a mummy for attempting to resurrect his forbidden love. He is awakened by reading a scroll and finds his long lost love reincarnated. The heroin must face a fate worse than death, becoming a living mummy. Talk about gothic horror! Somehow the women in the audience always have a sigh of regret when the mummy is finally vanquished. The Model The first thing that came to my attention was the wonderful box art by famous monster artist Basil Gogos, well known for his monster magazine cover art. This box art will not go wasted, having a spot of honor in my Universal Monster collection. The kit comes with a nice summary discussing the history of the movie with a tribute to Boris Karloff and Jack Pierce, the mastermind behind the Universal Monster makeup. It gives us a little insight into the torture Boris had to endure for hours in the makeup chair. I must say that this models likeness of Boris Karloff as the Mummy is uncanny. The sculpture on the sarcophagus also has his sad, soulful eyes. The model itself depicts the mummy standing in his sarcophagus just before being brought to life. The sarcophagus top is sitting next to the Mummy, propped up against a crumbling wall covered in hieroglyphics, broken pillars and a scary Egyptian cobra ready to strike. Painting and Assembly The model kit came with detailed assembly and painting instructions, making it very easy for a new modeler. I must say I felt a little intimidated when I saw the model came in 45 pieces, but with reassurance and guidance from my husband, I began to build. The instruction sheet had well illustrated pictures of the model, with instructions on what to assemble first, so I began fitting and gluing the mummy. The arms went together very nicely, then the body and head. I wanted my mummy to have as few seams noticeable as possible. I had a lot of fun scraping the seams on the bandages on the arms and side of the mummy. The head had some seams also, but I tried to scratch back in some of the detail of the hair. Not bad at all. There were a few gaps at the neck and shoulders which filled in nicely with Squadron white putty. I decided to go ahead and add all of the separate bandages prior to painting. Others might want to paint first and then add the painted bandages. It’s a judgment call. I thought I needed a break, so decided to build the base. The wall had already been put together in my kit. I scraped the seams on the sides of the wall as well as I could and puttied the seam on the top of the wall, trying to get it to looked like crumbled wall. You can still see my seam a little, but I’m still learning. The sarcophagus was a little challenging, needing a second set of hands to glue it together. It’s a good thing my "modeling coach" was there. The bottom of the sarcophagus was constructed with 10 pieces, being inlayed within one another. This may not be challenging for a well seasoned model builder. The sarcophagus did need some putty to make it look like one carved stone piece. I am learning that putty is my friend. The snake was built last. This too required a little putty, but most of the seams are hidden underneath the snake, so I didn’t have to worry about that. Next came the painting, my favorite part. I tried to stay as close to the painting instructions as possible, but I used some paints that we had on hand. I started with what I thought might be the easiest in order to boost my confidence, the basecoats. I used Vallejo beige brown #70875 as the base coat for the wall and the inside of the sarcophagus. I then dry brushed the insides of the sarcophagus with Vallejo ochre brown #70856. I then dry brushed the inside of the sarcophagus and the wall with Vallejo Iraqi sand #70819. This gave the wall and sarcophagus a well worn look. I base coated the sand Tamiya buff, and dry brushed with Iraqi sand. The broken pillars lying in the sand I painted the same as the wall for uniformity. I then decided to tackle the formidable sarcophagus lid. I used a lot of the same paints as the instructions, having to go and buy 29 dollars worth of paint. My "modeling coach" was ecstatic, knowing they would end up in his stash eventually. I did have to substitute some colors. I used Model Master aluminum in place of the champaign gold metallic spray paint and Model Master brass in place of the metallic gold. I also replaced the Inca Gold with Tamiya Gold Leaf. I enjoyed working with the pearl colors, but they can be challenging needing a couple of coats, being careful not to go over it too much with your first coat or you will begin to lift the paint. I used the Grape Pearl on the front of the sarcophagus, Pearl Orange on the bottom part, Dusty Rose Pearl for the flowers, Clear Green for leaves, and Clear Red, Clear Blue and Gloss Black for the sarcophagus details just like the instructions. Next came the painting of the Mummy himself. Step one, put in the Universal Mummy movie for inspiration. I base coated him with Vallejo ochre brown and added some white to dry brush, and then dry brushed with Vallejo Iraqi Sand. I then did a wash with The Detailer Brown Detailing Liquid to bring out the details. I thinned the detailer with water, and wiped it down with a lint free towel. I then did another coat of dry brush with Iraqi sand. The face and hands I did the same way, leaving out most of the dry brush with Iraqi sand. I wanted them to have a more dried out leather look. The ring on his hand I painted black with Clear Green to make it look like a scarab beetle. The snake is painted with Model Master Burnt Umber and Model Master Wood. The sarcophagus was dry brushed with Beige Brown in order to give it a little tarnished worn look. It has been in the desert for hundreds of years after all. The sarcophagus was then sprayed with Future floor wax to keep the metallic sheen, and the rest was sprayed with dull coat. This really brought out the details in the dry brushing techniques and took the sheen off. Once it was all dry I put it all on the base with Testers Model Glue. Overall Assessment I highly recommend this model for both new and more experienced modelers alike. I enjoyed the challenge as a novice. I am looking forward to seeing this model built by someone with more experience who can really take it to a higher level. It would be a challenge to detail it in a totally different way. For instance a black and white "silver screen" style, or painted as the interpretation by Basil Gogos. What I would really like to see is someone who takes the time to do it just like the movie, with the face of the sarcophagus chiseled off and the curse written in hieroglyphics Now that would be a sight to see. I would like to thank Frank Winspur, Moebius Models and IPMS/USA for the chance to build this wonderful model and finally be able to state that I am a model builder! I would also like to thank my husband Mike and IPMS Phoenix for being so supportive in my becoming a new modeler. You may have just created a monster!