This model was originally issued by Aurora in 1964 and later reissued by Polar Lights in 2000 (shown). Polar Lights had new molds produced from an original model kit and utilized the original Aurora box art and instruction sheet. The Aurora issue was in a light tan plastic.

Similar to the original Aurora release, the Polar Lights issue differed only in the name. Due to a conflict of naming rights, Polar Lights had to alter the name from "Hunchback of Notre Dame" to "Bellringer of Notre Dame". This change affected the model's name plate and box art.

James Bama's original artwork bore a remarkable resemblence to the actor Anthony Quinn. Due to his objections, The box art was redone with the portrait altered to a more generic face and longer hair. So for collectors, the original long-box artwork with Mr. Quinn's likeness is the rarer, more sought-after version of the box. For builders, the bits inside are the same.

In 1969, Aurora reissued the Hunchback as part of the "Glow-In-The -Dark Series, with a square box (8"x8"x3"), and the new "big-A" Aurora logo. The kit was given a new number (481, originally used for Aurora's "Hercules and the Lion" kit).

All colors were a Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. The base coat was airbrushed and detailing was done with a regular water color brushes (round, #000 through 4). Washes and more detail painting were done with artist oil colors (burnt sienna and mars black, mostly) thinned in mineral spirits. I painted all the hardware and the nameplate to look like blackened wrought iron.

Thanks for looking!

My review kits were purchased from Megahobby.com