For any modelers in the 30+ age bracket, this kit is sure to bring back memories, for it is no other than the original Aurora kit of the submarine that was the real star of the 1964-1967 Irwin Allen television epic, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea."

The Seaview was an atom-powered research submarine, which also happened to be armed with a full suite of Polaris nuclear missiles, that plied the depths of the oceans under the command of Richard Basehart and David Hedison, encountering all manner of schlocky monsters and evil-doers every week.  Its most distinctive feature was the set of panoramic windows at the bow of the submarine, and the manta ray-like extensions of the bow.  At the stern were water jets for propulsion and fins for stability.

Moulded in thick black plastic, this kit is exactly the way I remember it from 30-something years ago, when I first built one.  Don't expect the high-tech approach here.  The parts are somewhat clunky, but quite durable.  Like Polar Lights' Godzilla kit, this would be an ideal first kit for children (not that any of them would probably know what the Seaview is).  Besides, if you seal the hull well, this makes a good bathtub toy; the hydrodynamics of the hull are excellent, from what I can remember.

Some surface detail (such as there is), like the drain holes in the casing, is recessed, while the hatches (including the Polaris doors) are raised.  It even comes with a rocky sea floor display stand.  Fit is perfectly acceptable, although the painting instructions leave a bit to be desired.  See the Seaview page on Phil Broad's Model Builder's Reference Vault for some excellent photographs of the numerous Seaview miniatures, as well as a fun discussion of the TV series' visual effects.  There is also a very comprehensive "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" website here.

The fact that the hatch for the Flying Sub is engraved in the bottom of the bow, combined with the window configuration, dates this as a later version of the Seaview (the Flying Sub was not introduced until the 2nd season, and the Seaview originally had only four windows).  For the adventurous modeler, an interior could be build so that something could be seen behind the windows, or a tiny Flying Sub could even be scratchbuilt to accompany its mother ship.  By the way, Safari Ltd. makes a toy giant squid, complete with poseable tentacles, that is an ideal companion for the Seaview.

This kit (right from the ultra-cool Roy Grinnell box art) is a pure nostalgia trip for me, a veritable "Voyage to the Depths of Childhood," and is a perfect evening project to escape the world of photoetched, resin, and superdetailing.  I have no doubt that there are some multimedia masterpieces of the Seaview out there, but this is the one for me.  Bless Polar Lights for re-releasing these old Aurora classics.  It allows me (and many others) to relive my childhood without paying E-Bay prices.  Now, the Orion III shuttle and Moonbus from "2001: A Space Odyssey," please?