Monday, 15 November 2010

To the Pilots of the Future by Grif

Dear Woodsy,
Here are a couple of things that might be of interest. When reading the SOLO Project SWORD strip, I noticed that their version of Probe Force One has rather more pronounced fins just abaft the nose than the toy. I was reminded of this illustration in "How to Draw Rockets and Spaceships" by Charles Sargeant, published 1958. Did this book inspire whoever designed Probe Force One? I like the dedication in it "TO THE SPACESHIP PILOTS OF THE FUTURE some of whom may be among the readers of this book" ( ! )
The other is an extract from "Space Craft Models" by Ray Malmstrom, published 1963. This book had plans for a number of balsa wood models, including the Dyna-Soar! Adding SWORD insignia should be easy enough!
Grif
Wow! Grif, thanks for sharing. These are such cool models! I love the flying oblong, it reminds me of the Zero X MEV! and the Dyna Soar Plans are just FAB! And the Probe Force 1 at the top -1958! - love it! Woodsy

4 comments:

  1. Remember meeting Ray Malmstrom, who taught art at a village college, as well as running a flying model club. A charming character and a good artist.

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  2. i had that book from the library so often! Purple cover if I recall. Always wanted to build that hypersonic ship with the big intake.

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  3. Hey, Wotan, I can send you the plans if you like!
    Grif

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  4. Wow! I'd love to read both these books! Thanks for showing these pages on the blog, Grif

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