This website is an attempt to document all of the differences in the various releases of the Invaders UFO plastic model kits that have been released though the years. It is the direct result of having seen MANY Invaders kits listed on eBay and represented as "classic" or "original" or "vintage 1966" when, in fact, they were not.
I remembered building one of these kits in the 60's, and I set about finding out exactly how many times the kit had been released, what the different boxes looked like, and exactly what was in each box. In all cases the information here was gathered from a previously sealed kit, unsealed by either me or someone I know. That way I could be sure that nothing had been added or removed from the box.
Having accumulated all of this information, I decided to make it available to all those out there who might find it useful. If you are reading this, perhaps you've landed here as the result of a search and have a question to which you may find the answer. Naturally, if you have any additional information to add, please let me know. You can reach me here - - Mail -
The Invaders UFO is, of course, based on the alien spacecraft from the TV show, "The Invaders", which debuted Jan. 10, 1967. Aurora Plastics released the first model kit of this spacecraft in 1968, and again in 1975. After Aurora's plastic model assets were sold to Monogram Models in May of 1977 the model was again released in 1979, 1996 (after the forgetable 1995 Invaders TV movie), and 2003. It was also released in about 1989-90 by Tsukuda of Japan (at least it said Tsukuda on the box). In all instances, the 1/72 scale model with interior and removeable top was produced from the same silvery gray plastic (with a few variations) and came with no decals.

1968 Aurora #813-150 (USA)
1968 Aurora #813-200 (Canada)

Title: "UFO from The Invaders"
Boxtop:

13 1/2 x 7 x 2 1/4 inches

Uses the TV show Invaders logo

The painting by artist Harry Schaare shows the UFO with 5 blue lights, as in the TV show.

"Š Q M Productions, Inc." is on the front"

(USA box) - "Š 1968 Aurora Plastics Corp. West Hempstead, L. I. N. Y. 11552" "Made in USA" "Litho'd in USA" is on the side

(Canadian box) - "Š 1968 Aurora Plastics of Canada Ltd., 31 Racine Road, Rexdale, Ontario" "Litho'd in Canada" is on the side

This first release was produced from 1968 to 1971 according to Thomas Graham, author of "Aurora Model Kits"

The box was cellophane wrapped, and the cellophane was folded over on the ends and sealed, much in the manner of a Christmas package wrapping, as shown here, not shrink wrapped.

Instructions:
11x16.5 inches - "Š 1968 Aurora Plastics Corp. West Hempstead, L. I. New York"

Instructions, full sized: -Page 1-

Instructions, full sized: -Page 2-

The Canadian version of the Instructions (in both English and French) had a different look for some reason, as well as a different color scheme for painting the model, as pointed out by Dale Beaman (not a Canadian), who supplied these Canadian instructions, as well as the following advertising inserts which came with the Canadian kit:
Canadian Instructions, full sized: -Page 1-

Canadian Instructions, full sized: -Page 2-

Canadian inserts, advertising a Science Program and Aurora Postage Stamp Trains: -2 Inserts-

Figures: (From a sealed kit)
4 are shown on the boxtop

4 are listed in the instructions - 1 Seated, 1 in transporter, 1 with left hand on hip, 1 with clipboard in right hand

But 7 are actually in the kit - 1 Seated, 2 in transporter, 2 with left hand on hip, 2 with clipboard in right hand. -Click-

Notes:
This is the only release that came with both gray and transparent top.

The 5 domes underneath the craft are molded in gray plastic, the only time.

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with - "Š Aurora Plastics Corp. 1968". It can not be seen once the model is assembled.

1975 Aurora #256

Title: "Flying Saucer of The Invaders"
Boxtop:

13 1/2 x 7 x 2 1/4 inches (same size as 1968)

There is a new painting of the UFO landing, this time with red lights. This painting by artist John Amendola has been used, in one form or another, for every succeeding release of the model.

"Š 1967 Quinn Martin Productions and ABC Merchandising Inc." is on the top

"Š 1975 Aurora Plastics Corp., West Hempstead, N.Y. 11552" is on the side.

Rather than cellophane, this release was sealed with shrink wrap.

Instructions:
11x17 inches

"Aurora Plastics of West Hempstead, New York" as well as Ontario Canada, Nijkerk Holland, and Sussex England.

They have a look similar to all of the Aurora kits of 1975

Instructions, full sized: -Page 1-

Instructions, full sized: -Page 2-

Figures: (From 2 sealed kits)
7 are listed on boxtop (a photo shows one man and one woman from the Aurora Dick Tracy Space Coupe).

8 are listed in the instructions, although 6 are shown - 1 Seated, 2 in transporter, 2 with left hand on hip, 1 with clipboard in right hand.

But 11 are actually in the kit -1 Seated, 2 in transporter, 2 with left hand on hip, 2 with clipboard in right hand AND all 4 figures (3 men, 1 woman) from the Aurora Dick Tracy Space Coupe, all in silvery gray.

Note 1: The figure with the clipboard (if indeed that is what it is) appears only in the Aurora versions of the kit, never again.

Note 2: The Dick Tracy Space Coupe figures included Dick Tracy (with hat), Diet Smith (a large man), Junior (short man with hair parted in the middle), and the Moon Maid (with antennae yet!)

Notes:
This kit came with a "special alien terrain base" molded in dark brown plastic, the same base that had been included with the Aurora Dick Tracy Space Coupe, but was really too small for the UFO. -Click-

The 5 domes underneath the craft are molded in red tranparent plastic.

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with - "Aurora Products Corp. West Hempstead, N. Y. 11552 Š1967 Quinn Martin Productions and ABC Merchandising, Inc".

1979 Monogram #6012-0100

Title: "The UFO from the TV show "The Invaders" "
Boxtop:

12 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 2 inches, more square than the Aurora kits

This Monogram release uses the same painting as the 1975 version but zooms in closer to the UFO and adds a pair of horizontal red and blue lines behind the UFO, just below the Monogram logo. Obviously, there is also a substantial color shift from the original.

"A Quinn Martin Production" is on the front, in tiny letters, just under "From the TV Show "The Invaders"". This will be missing from the next Monogram release in 1996, and is the easiest way to distinguish between the two, as it shows up even in a very small picture (as on eBay)

"Š1966 QM productions" is on the side. - - This refers to the TV show, not the model.

The box is sealed in a cellophane wrap. Succeeding kits are shrink wrapped.

Instructions:
8 1/2 x 11 inches

Š1966 QM productions

There is a brief story of the UFO, but with no specific mention of "The Invaders".

Figures: (From a sealed kit)
The 4 that are shown on the boxtop, - (1 Seated, 2 in transporter, and 1 with left hand on hip).

Notes:

There is no other date anywhere on the kit, other than the incorrect 1966. But I bought one of these kits in 1980

The 5 domes underneath are still in transparent red plastic.

All of the parts are now sealed in a plastic bag, except for the red domes and the UFO top half. The parts in the Aurora kits had been loose in the box.

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with - "Š1966 Quinn Martin Productions", again referring to the TV show. It can not be seen once the model is assembled.

This is the version which is so often advertised on eBay as a "Vintage 1966" kit.

1989-90 Tsukuda #SOT-003-2700

Title: "The Invaders' U.F.O."
Boxtop:

"Tsukuda Hobby S. F. Old Time" is boldly displayed on boxtop, upper left.

12 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 2 inches, same as the Monogram kit

Uses the same painting as the 1979 version but lighter and more reddish.

"A Quinn Martin Production" is on the front.

"Š1966 QM Productions" is on the side.

Instructions:
8 1/2 x 11 inches

Š1966 QM Productions

Exactly like the Monogram instructions, but with Tsukuda name and address.

Figures: (From a sealed kit)
The 4 that are shown on the boxtop, - (1 Seated, 2 in transporter, and 1 with left hand on hip), just as with the 1979 Monogram.

Notes:
For the first time the 5 domes underneath are in clear plastic.

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with - "6012-0600" "Š 1966 Quinn Martin Productions". It can not be seen once the model is assembled.

The box top and bottom are stapled on all four corners.

1996 Monogram #6012-0100

Title: "The UFO"
Boxtop:

12 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 2 inches, no change.

Uses the same painting as the 1979 version but shifted up slightly and more contrasty.

"Š1996" is on the side.

Instructions:
8.5x11 inches (folded twice)

1966 QM Productions on instructions, same as previous instructions

Figures: (From a sealed kit)
The 4 that are shown on the boxtop, - (1 Seated, 2 in transporter, and 1 with left hand on hip), just as with the 1979 Monogram

Notes:
The 5 domes underneath are in transparent red

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with - "6012-0600" "Š 1966 Quinn Martin Productions". It can not be seen once the model is assembled.

"The Invaders" is no longer mentioned anywhere in the kit.

2003 Revell-Monogram #85-6012

Title: "The UFO"
Boxtop:

13 x 9 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches, larger and deeper so that the kit fits better inside.

Uses the same picture as in 1996, but shifted slightly to the left, and much darker and contrastier. And the background seems to have been touched up slightly in places.

Adds "Skill 2".

No longer has the 7 flags and languages on the front.

No longer has a red and blue line across the top front which each previous Mongram release had.

The side panel has a description in English, French, and Spanish, as well as an explanation of the Skill rating system.

The opposite side panel contains new photos of the built model in place of the similar old ones.

"Š2003 Revel-Monogram, LLC" is on the side.

Instructions:
8.5x11 inches

All new instructions - Revell-Monogram 2003, with original Invaders story

It states, "Story reprinted from1966 Monogram kit 6012", in spite of the fact that there was no 1966 Monogram kit! It seems that even the people at Monogram are confused.

Figures: (From a sealed kit)
The 4 that are shown on the boxtop, - (1 Seated, 2 in transporter, and 1 with left hand on hip), just as with the 1979 Monogram

Notes:
The 5 domes underneath are now clear like the Tsukuda kit. Parts are all in a plastic bag, except for the domes.

The underside of the UFO top half is imprinted with "6012-0600", but nothing else, just a place where the mold has obviously been altered.

Go on to

- Invaders Model Page 2 -

- to see other pictures, versions, uses, and information related to this model.

Or

Check out my other obsessive webpage at:

- Comet Science Fiction Mini Metals-

The maker of this web page is in no way financially connected with any people, dealers, or websites mentioned here.
Established 04/05/06
04/26/06 - revised
09/11/06 - revised
11/11/06 - revised
02/16/07 - revised
02/24/07 - revised
04/24/07 - revised
05/22/07 - revised
06/06/07 - revised
11/09/07 - 4000th hit
08/21/08 - Page 2 added
09/01/08 - 7000th hit
10/26/08 - revised
11/03/08 - Banner added
12/11/08 - Lisa Rubin becomes 8,000th visiter
02/12/09 - New studio model pic + info added
03/27/09 - 9000th hit
03/31/09 - Revised Comet info
09/28/09 - 10,500 hits
09/29/09 - Added Canadian Instructions

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