Space: 2019

This latest six month project was long overdue!  Besides my father, there is probably only one other gentlemen who influenced my interest in model building.  If it wasn't for Gerry Anderson productions, I would probably be building car models.  But since I grew up watching "Fireball XL-5" (actually my first ever model kit!), "Stingray", "Thunderbirds", "Captain Scarlet", and the other Supermarionation programs, I preferred to build subjects in this sci-fi universe.  The following piece also pays hommage to Derek Meddings, Brian Johnson, and (of course), Martin Bower.  So please read on for the back story of the "Buzzard", the long-haul nuclear waste transports from an altered universe.

September 13, 1999....

Nuclear Waste Disposal Area 2 is in imminent danger of a catastophic explosion.  Due to the quick thinking of Commander John Koenig and tireless cargo Eagle crews, the large atomic pile of waste is disipated and the crisis averted.  Unfortunately, there is now no where to safely store the radioactive waste without the possiblility of the same event happening again.  So with the moon rotten with atomic garbage a new solution had to be found quickly.  Two years later, the first of the "Buzzards" was launched, after being constructed at the space dock.  The program was to ship all of the remaining waste and the continuous stream of new waste from Earth to the sun and dump it there.  Now in 2019, there are 11 funtioning Buzzards shipping atomic waste to the biggest incinerator we have....

For the model, I used parts from three primary sources.  A leftover MPC Eagle kit, a very old tanker trailer, and the 1/72 Revell Space Shuttle I rescued from a garage sale.  Also included are handfulls of greebles sourced from many armour and aircraft kits, other sweet shapes from various sources, and the trademark Kinder Egg.  This model includes the epic amount of no less than 24 eggs; 20 regular and 4 of the jumbos!  My stock has been severly depleted...    

I wanted to keep the model in the "Space: 1999" style, being influenced by other vehicles in the series, like the Meta Probe, the Ultra Probe and the Super Swift.  Measuring in at 36" long, its practically studio scale. Since the Eagle model is 1/72, that makes it 216' long (66 metres).  

Conventional construction and modelling techniques.  The most time consuming of the build was selecting and placing the grebbles as not to look over-cluttered, as well as adding raised panels.   Besides the "Space: 1999" influence, I was also dabbling with some subtle Chris Foss graphics, but nothing too extreme (that is for other projects...).   For the "dirtying down" process, I used good old pastels to bring out the features.

The concept is that upon reaching the "safe zone" near the sun, the command module and drive unit detatch, and the payload is sent into the corona to be destroyed.  The separate units then link up and the Buzzard returns home for the next load.  (Sorry, I didn't build the model with separation capabilities; this one is for long shots...).  I envisioned this as an interim payload, partially painted.  But future loads will be totally red oxide to save money.

The Buzzards (also referred to as "pregnant eagles" by some smart pilots...), carry a crew of three.  One pilot on duty at all times with a relief on standby and the third in rotation.  The main living quarters are in the large cylinder behind the command module, which is connected to a smaller compartment which is heavily sheilded and used for vital storage and emergencies like solar flares.  There are no docking ports.  Crews have to EVA to transfer to other vehicles from safe distances due to the volitile and dangerous cargo they carry.

This view reminds me of the episode "The Guardian of Piri".  To stay in the "zone" I watched most episodes of "Space: 1999" during the six months of construction (except for several episodes from Season 2; some of them I just can't handle...), as well as other series and films from Anderson, and most especially, only those with practical effects!  No CGI!

So "Space: 2019" won't be as exciting as the original.  Looks like we now have "Movin On: 1999"!  I'm sure with 11 ships running about out there we can come up with a decent series.  Actually there are many plots available, such as:
-The ship malfunctions and the crew cannot alter course or disengage from the payload, and is doomed to do a "sun dive", until the obligatory deus ex machina of course
-an alien derelict is discovered on Mercury
-a ship is hijacked and held for ransom, otherwise the ship and payload will be crashed into Earth...
But I'm a modeller, not a writer....

I realize 2019 is not that far away, but in keeping with the series parameters, I thought it fitting.  Also, 2019 is quite significant for another reason, and I will ask you to ponder that reference while the Buzzard flies overhead....

A very satisfying project!  Thanks to all those mentioned above for the inspiration and continued entertainment!  Now if ITV is interested in another sci-fi show, let's do lunch....

That Which Survives....

Just posting an update on the insectivorous bog I constructed last August.  I am pleased to say that it weathered the winter better than I expected!  Thanks to the close proximity of large maple trees, I mulched the bog under about 12" of fallen leaves and waited....  By early May the weather was such I had to start removing the mulch and to my surprise no deaths or rot.  What was the problem though was the maple keys in the mix, along with flung seeds from picky birds at the adjacent feeder which germinated and had to be removed.  But the bog now thrives:

As you can see, the "cage" used to contain the leaves and protect it from digging squirrels remains.  Unfortunately squirrels and chipmunks like to dig in the bog (although they don't directily damage or eat the plants), I still need to leave the cage on the frame, since the resident "scare-gnome" doesn't deter them either.  At least the "plant food" can get through the mesh!

So not only are the plants thriving and producing new growth, I was fortunate to get over a dozen flowers.  And they are still coming.  So based on the success of this bog, I have decided to build another one elsewhere in the garden this summer.  That is between model building of course!  Until the next post, enjoy the flowers!

Alive and Kicking and Building!

Does this blog still work?  It has been a very eventful seven months but business as usual!  Just a quick post as the progress of my current project.  What could possibly be forming in this mess of nurnies, greebles, and an epic number of Kindereggs?  (There are obvious hints to the theme of this almost "studio scale" model... ) Please stand by and check back soon.

Domesticated Triffids

And luckily they are not free-range!  This is obviously not one of the usual posts...  Summer is not the time for modeling; that luxury is for when you can't work outside.  Another one of my many hobbies/interests is gardening, but more specifically, growing Carnivorous/Insectivorous Plants.  I have been growing them for many years, but always either under artifical light conditions or in greenhouses.  I always wanted to build an outdoor bog, but never got the chance.  Mostly because I ended up moving before anything could be constructed.  But finally, here is the 5 foot by 6 foot result:

I used an old pond form which by fortune was given to me by my boss (Thnx Jim!), and then constructed a box around the form and filled it with peat moss and perlite.  It took several days to soak up the water so I could plant the hardy pitcher plants (Sarracenia sp and hybrids), as well as some moss.  These types of pitcher plants grow in North America, in bogs and wetlands.  Besides pitchers, there are many types of Insectivorous Plants all over the world.  Search the internet; you may be surprised!

Unrestricted by limited pot space, the plants should thrive and spread.   Hopefully a mild winter is in the immediate future for their first year out of doors.  I will of course mulch the bog and protect it from curious wildlife for the dormancy period. It will be a work in progress.  I may try other types of Insectivores such as Venus Flytraps, Sundews and Butterworts depending on how this bog performs.  In the meantime, here are some close ups:

Back in several months with something normal and made of plastic.  Enjoy the rest of your summer as it is always much too short!

North Africa - 2042

Can I still post..?  Yes, it has been almost a year!  But a very eventful year....  So when I was able to start modeling again, I began with the usual narrowing down of a concept.  I have wanted to do some over-the-top style mobile armour from the Gundam universe for some time.  A machine inspired by such units as the Neue Ziel or the Big Zam.  For the base model, I needed something chunky and adaptable, so I dug out yet another old Bandai kit from the "Dunbine" series, a 1/48 scale Drumlo.  Which combined with other kit parts and many sweet shapes, became this:

You may notice that the scale is a little off now.  As the project progressed, and the waffling began, the armour went through several changes in both concept and scale.  Eventually the model shrank from 1/550 to 1/35, and very far away from the Gundam universe.  The final finished piece is now the NA-HAAG-39 desert mech, "Tommy" Tortoise:

Or if you want the long version, the Neo-Albion Heavy Amoured Ambulatory Gun.  Based on an idea of yet another desert conflict some 30ish years from now, I also wanted to keep a familiar WW2 theme.

The name is based on the Heavy Assault Tank A39 Tortoise, which the British were developing near the end of WW2.  It only made it to the prototype stage, but once the model took the final shape, the name seemed very apt.

I had seen the camoflauge netting used on many armour models, and was keen to try out something new.  I thought it worked well for the first attempt.  Simple cheescloth soaked in a 50/50 mix of water and the acrylic paint, allowed to dry flat and then cut and shaped as desired.  I think I will be doing this again....

I'd say about 50% of the Drumlo kit made it to the final model, but many of the parts were used not according to the kit plan.  Also in the mix, are several sweet shapes of various sizes, 6 toothbrush holders/protectors, some cut flower tubes, and the current record of 4 kinder eggs.  The figures are Tamiya assembled against instructions.

Modeling is all basic techniques.  Acrylic and enamel paints, and dry brushing and pastels for weathering.  Since its a walking machine, and probably made from "future" materials, I avoided the use of iron based construction so therefor no rust this time.

The concept behind the mech is of course as a walking gun, but it also has a missle launcher on the opposite side.  The gattling cannon is laser guided to conserve ammo (I am assuming limited resources here...).  The Tortoise can also skim along the ground, hence the rear thrusters for forward motion, and jets under the legs, feet, and "shoulders".

Unfortunately, many of these details are hidden under the "shell" and camo netting.  But I know its there...

The Tortoise has one main pilot.  Right now, the Neo-Albion lads are taking a bit of water break and having a look round.   Yes, I'm positive it's water....

Not the best of views, especially if your the other guy...

Another satisfying project for the case.  I hope it won't be another year before the next post!  Until then, "Keep Calm and Mech On!"

Hunter - Prey

The influences for this latest project are probably obvious to most of you.  It did not start out this way though.  I was rummaging through the many boxes of kits with no inspiration or direction and also having several false starts which ended as quickly as they began.  I happened upon a kit from the early '80s from the anime series "Dorvack".  The majority of the models from this series consist of powered armour suits in 1/24 scale, but there are a few in 1/72 scale of the baddies.  I chose the Idelian Cangrid Harbla, a nice little model from Gunze Sangyo.

Once the final choice had been made, the ideas began to formulate.  I had recently seen "Terminator Salvation" so I decided to go this route.  Besides this film, there were of course the other "Terminator" films, as well as the anime series "Gall Force: Earth Chapter", and a short CG film called "Ruin".   It was just modeling after this point.  The Hunter-Killer unit was mostly straight out of the box with some modifications and additions.

I replaced the provided rear domes with boosters, added fins, more electronic eyes, and specific weapons packs.  The right "arm" is a single function blade (for close encounters!), while the left is a multi-gun system with laser, rail gun, missle launchers, and machine gun.  (That array has Zorg Industries written all over it!).  There is also a mini-laser under the "head".

I decided not to do any weathering or battle damage on the "bumble bee" this time around.  I wanted to convey the idea that the machines are winning this one, with new units being constantly constructed out of some exotic alloy.  And even though the H-K has many available weapons, it still prefers a "hands on experience" to dispatch the enemy.  But now it has blood splatter all over it's shiny new talons!

One nice thing about the "Dorvack" kits is the available mobility of the model after construction.  The weapons pods and legs are movable, and since the talon is fixed to the base on a metal rod, it can also rotate around the freedom fighter for different views.

The base was designed to give the opposite effect of the kill-bot.  Some rusty remnants among the rubble, with nature reclaiming the land.  The wreckage are just shapes and screen (the ever present egg...) painted red oxide with various shades of rust effects using dry-brushing and pastels.  The pavement and rubble is just dense blue foam molded and again brushed with various shades of greys.  Then I added various scenery materials for the vegetation.

The two figures are 1/35 Tamiya modified to fit the scene.  Our brave "hero" has decided that discretion is the better part of valour, and when being chased by a flying hunter-killer unit, always remember you don't have to run faster than the robot, just faster than the other guy!

All in all a very enjoyable project.  Simple yet it nicely tells a story of man versus machine, and this time there isn't going to be any time travelling rescue of future leaders.  Just hope for an aluminium shortage!  For the present, just keep your eyes on that Honda robot....

Bonus material available only on this blog.  Special behind-the-scenes photo-shoot of the model with backdrops!

Get Your @## to MARS!

As all modelers know, even when your deep into a project, there is always something else in the back of your mind.  While building the "Regina", I had many other ideas along the way.  This next model is the result. It has been cobbled together from mostly three main components:  a recycled Dorvack armour, a Sherman tank base, and the housing from a burnt-out Dremel.  All other bits and pieces were scrounged from the parts boxes, plus the inclusion of the traditional Kinder Egg.  After I was finished with the building, here was the result:

It was now time for painting and the inevitable weathering.  As this was a tank on another planet, I decided not to have it built from any iron-based metals.  I figured there would be enough opportunities to use reds for the weathering since it was on Mars anyway.  A basic military green is the base colour, which had steels and metallics dry-brushed on for wear and tear.

The 1/35 figures from Tamiya were modified for the Martian environment (breathers, goggles, etc.).  I had just seen "Iron Sky" so that influenced me considerably!  For the base I used some sands, gravels, and lava rock.  Finally everything was dusted down with various shades of reds and browns to simulate the Martian ecosystem.

The Heavy Tank "Herbert George" is now complete.  I don't have any back-story for the model, but the name itself should conjure up a few ideas...  It's payback time!