Benefits
Aurora kits are designed for builders of all skill levels, with clean-fitting parts, detailed molding, and instructions that make the assembly process straightforward and rewarding. Whether you’re putting together a classic monster figure or a historically accurate military set, each kit delivers a hands-on hobby that holds up on any display shelf.
Iconic Designs That Stand the Test of Time
Aurora’s monster, military, and figure kits are recognized worldwide — many of the original 1960s molds have become collector staples that hobbyists actively seek out decades later.
Suitable for All Skill Levels
From first-time builders to seasoned collectors, Aurora kits are designed with clear part fitting and straightforward assembly, making them approachable without sacrificing the detail that dedicated modelers appreciate.
A Catalog Worth Collecting
Beyond the kits themselves, Aurora’s extensive range spans monsters, historical figures, aircraft, cars, and ships — giving hobbyists a deep lineup to build, display, and collect over a lifetime.
Products simmilar to Aurora Plastics
If Aurora kits catch your interest, there’s a whole world of plastic model brands worth looking into — from Revell and Monogram’s wide range of military and vehicle kits to Polar Lights’ reissues of classic monster figures that carry a similar vintage appeal.
85-7546 P-61 Black Widow 1:48 Scale
The Revell P-61 Black Widow is a 1:48 scale, 130-piece kit rated at Skill Level 5, built for seasoned modelers who want a detailed and accurate representation of the twin-boom WWII night fighter that served with the U.S. Army Air Forces.
85-4522 1970 Buick GSX 2N1 Model Car Kit
The Revell 1970 Buick GSX is a 1:24 scale, 106-piece kit rated at Skill Level 4, giving dedicated builders a chance to recreate one of the most aggressive-looking American muscle cars to come out of the early 1970s.
1957 Ford Thunderbird 1:25 Scale Model Kit
The AMT 1957 Ford Thunderbird is a 1:25 scale model kit that lets builders recreate one of the most iconic two-seat American sports cars of the postwar era, with the kind of clean lines and period detail that made the original T-Bird a classic.
1:16 1979 Pontiac Firebird, Multi
The MPC 1979 10th Anniversary Pontiac Firebird is a 1:16 scale kit that captures one of the most celebrated editions of the second-generation Firebird, making it a solid pick for collectors with a soft spot for late-1970s American performance cars.
1/25 1971 Ford F-250 Custom 4×4 Pickup
The Moebius 1971 Ford F-250 Custom 4×4 is a 1:25 scale pickup kit that gives builders a detailed look at one of the toughest and most recognizable work trucks Ford produced during the early 1970s.
1:120 Scale WWII Bomber,H208
The Atlantis B-29 Superfortress is a 1:120 scale kit of the iconic WWII heavy bomber that carried out some of the most significant strategic missions of the Pacific theater, made in the USA and built for history buffs and aviation modelers alike.
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Brands simmilar to Aurora Plastics
Revell, Monogram, and Polar Lights are among the most well-known names in plastic modeling, each offering a solid range of kits — from detailed military builds to nostalgic monster figures — that appeal to the same collectors and hobbyists drawn to Aurora’s classic lineup.
Polar Lights
Polar Lights is an American model kit brand best known for reissuing classic Aurora monster and figure kits, giving collectors and new builders access to beloved vintage designs that would otherwise be nearly impossible to find.
Atlantis
Atlantis Models is an American hobby company that specializes in reissuing vintage plastic model kits — including many original Aurora molds — covering monsters, military, sci-fi, and figure subjects that have long been favorites among collectors.
Moebius Models
Moebius Models is an American model kit manufacturer known for producing high-quality reissues of classic monster and sci-fi kits, including several original Aurora subjects, as well as original tooled releases that appeal to serious collectors and builders alike.
MPC
MPC (Model Products Corporation) is an American plastic model kit brand with roots going back to the 1960s, known for its car, figure, and pop culture kits that sit comfortably alongside Aurora and Revell in the collections of vintage hobby enthusiasts.
AMT
AMT (Automatic Modeling Toys) is one of the longest-running names in American plastic modeling, best known for its detailed car and vehicle kits that have been a staple of the hobby market since the 1950s.
Revell
Revell is one of the most recognized names in plastic modeling worldwide, offering a broad catalog of aircraft, ships, military vehicles, and figures that has kept builders of all skill levels busy since the company launched in the early 1950s.
Aurora Plastics Company History Timeline
Aurora Plastics Corporation was founded in West Hempstead, New York, by brothers Joseph and Abraham Giammarino along with John Cuomo. The company started out producing small plastic figurines and novelty items.
Aurora shifted focus toward plastic model kits, releasing its first aircraft kits and establishing the direction that would define the brand for decades to come.
The company expanded its model kit lineup to include ships and military vehicles, building a reputation for detailed, affordable kits aimed at the growing postwar hobby market.
Aurora released its first figure kits, opening the door to a new category that would become one of the most beloved parts of the catalog.
Aurora launched its iconic Universal Monster series, starting with Frankenstein. The monster figure kits became an immediate hit with younger builders and remain the most recognizable Aurora releases to this day.
The monster lineup expanded rapidly to include Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and many others. Aurora also grew its historical figure, military, and vehicle kit ranges during this period.
Aurora released a series of space-themed kits tied to the growing public fascination with NASA and the Apollo program.
The company introduced its Frightening Lightning series, adding light-up features to several monster kits — a popular innovation that pushed the line into new territory.
Financial difficulties began to affect the company, leading to ownership changes and a gradual wind-down of new kit development.
Aurora Plastics Corporation officially closed its doors. Many of the original molds were sold off to other manufacturers, including Monogram and Revell.
Various manufacturers, most notably Polar Lights and Moebius Models, acquired original Aurora molds and released reissued versions of the classic monster and figure kits, keeping the Aurora legacy alive for new generations of collectors and builders.
What peoples say
Collectors and hobbyists consistently point to Aurora kits as some of the most memorable builds of their childhood, with many returning to the hobby specifically to track down original or reissued Aurora sets for their display shelves.
Judith B.
Customer
I picked up my first Aurora monster kit at a garage sale years ago and never looked back. The parts fit together better than I expected for a vintage kit, and the finished model looks fantastic on my shelf. I’ve since tracked down a dozen more — Aurora is hands down my favorite part of this hobby.
Gerald H.
Customer
I built Aurora kits as a kid in the 1960s, and getting back into them as an adult has been just as fun as I remembered. The detail on the monster figures is impressive, and the reissued sets hold up really well next to the originals. If you’re into model building, Aurora is the real deal.
Steven L.
Customer
I started collecting Aurora kits a couple of years ago after my dad showed me his old Frankenstein model from the ’60s. Picked up a few reissued sets to start, and now I’ve got an entire display case dedicated to the monster lineup. The build quality is solid and every finished kit looks like it belongs in a museum.
Common Questions
Aurora Plastics Corporation was an American model kit manufacturer founded in 1950 in West Hempstead, New York. The company became best known for its plastic figure kits, particularly the Universal Monster series released throughout the 1960s, as well as military, aircraft, vehicle, and historical figure kits.
Aurora itself closed in 1977, but several manufacturers acquired the original molds and have released reissued versions of many classic kits. Polar Lights and Moebius Models are among the most well-known companies that have brought Aurora’s most popular designs back to market.
Original boxed Aurora kits can be found through eBay, antique shops, hobby shows, and private collectors. Reissued versions of classic Aurora kits are available through specialty hobby retailers, online hobby shops, and marketplaces like Amazon.
The Universal Monster series is by far the most sought-after part of the Aurora catalog. Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon are among the most recognized and collected kits. Military figures, aircraft, and historical sets also have a strong following among dedicated collectors.
Difficulty varies by kit. Figure kits and simpler monster sets are generally accessible for younger or newer builders, while more detailed military, aircraft, and vehicle kits may take more time and skill to finish cleanly.
Aurora produced kits in a range of scales depending on the category. Figure kits were typically around 1:8 scale, aircraft varied between 1:48 and 1:72, and vehicle kits came in several scales. Checking the specific kit’s box or documentation is the best way to confirm scale.
Ask your question
Where to shop Aurora Plastics in 2025?
Original Aurora kits and licensed reissues can be found through specialty hobby shops, online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, and dedicated model kit retailers — with eBay being a particularly solid source for vintage boxed sets and rare catalog finds.