This is my model of the Martian creature from the 1967 Hammer film “Quatermass and the Pit” (known in the US as “Five Million Years to Earth”).

This movie has been a nostalgic favorite of mine since I was old enough to know what sci-fi was. The subject of many a childhood nightmare, I had original intended to sculpt my own full size creature. Admittedly, I was somewhat relieved when I found that someone had beaten me to it, and did a very nice job of sculpting it too.

The kit consisted of 9 parts, mostly hollow cast resin. Unfortunately the legs were cast very thin and weak while the main body was extremely heavy. Advertised photos of the built kit showed it being supported by a metal stand,…I knew I could not have that.

I made an aluminum armature that would allow for the entire figure to be supported on its own three legs. I inserted the armature into the legs and then filled them solid with casting resin. The assembly was then attached to the main body by screws and epoxy. The gaps and seams were filled with Bondo, epoxy putty and spot filler. Some resculpting was done to the neck and hind leg joining seams.

The creature was painted with about 5 varying shades of green and then shaded and highlighted with pastels. I wanted the creature to appear as it might have when it lived some 5 million years ago on a much more hospitable Mars.

Once the armature problem was sorted out, construction and finishing went fairly quick. The kit had very few flaws. Overall, I probably spent about 60 hours on the project

Now it just needs a full size spaceship so I can make it into a diorama. Maybe next week……..

Image: Back

Image: Right side

Image: GRRRRRR!

Image: Extinct monsters alawys buckle up.