The famed Starcruiser model has a chequered history, originally
intended as a follow up to Space 1999 as a tv series, the Starcruiser
concept never really made it beyond the model kit stage. Originally
designed by
Martin Bower,
the craft was intended as a modular craft for exploring the far reaches
of space, with separate units for various missions. The model had more
than a passing resemblance to Bowers
'Swift' vehicle which appeared in Space 1999.
Airfix made a rather toylike version of the basic Starcruiser
design, a snapfit kit with the various modular elements easily separated
even after the kit is complete, to aid play value. I had the kit at release and made a complete hash of the paint job trying to add red stripes to the hull with masking tape. I loved the design of the kit, even though it was a much simpler version of the design i'd seen in the pages of Look-In.
The kit appears to be around the 1/48 scale, judging by the figures which look as if they are sat at the dentists waiting room with hairdryers on their heads. Consequently, one thing I am going to do is substitute the pilots provided for something a little more suitable, Matchbox Mega Rig figures. The poseability and slightly more animated shapes sit better with the toy like feel of the kit.
I've built the kit up without using glue, as each part aside from the clear elements, snaps firmly together. The base kit looks great and really brings memories back, but what I don't want to do is botch up the paint job.
This leaves me with the problem of what to do as I don't want to repeat the mess I made years ago. Also, i don't want to decorate it as it is out of the box and was considering alternate schemes and liveries, plus maybe a few modifications.
One of my all time fave liveries is the style of finish on Zero X, a lovely metallic blue with red highlights. When I got the Revell Nuclear Shuttle model, I finished it in this style and am tempted to try it out on the Starcruiser, but im not sure if it will work. Watch this space!
Great looking kit Wote. Does it all fot together?
ReplyDeleteI take it this is a re-issue? While I'm happy for people to make-up old kits I know some men who aren't!!
ReplyDeleteAll slots together as in first photo. This is an original kit, not a reissue
DeleteOooh! You Sinner...you could brake some tabs...now glue it, go on - I dare you...and give it a lairy paint-job!
ReplyDelete'Buburst'...a person who makes-up and paints valuable, collectable, old kits!
(yawns sleepily) Too tired to write much after a night of dancing, but don't forget the comics. Shaqui did a super guide to them:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/8x2npdt
I was lucky enough to read a script for the proposed pilot for Starcruiser. It was truly awful ... possibly worse. Love the cruiser itself though.
neeeet!
ReplyDeleteI think a full Starcruiser expose is a job for the Toadmeister!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of modifications have you in mind, Wote?
ReplyDeleteAs for painting, I say go for it. If it does turn out less well than you hope, couldn't you take the paint off safely? (she asks uncertainly)
well if i do paint it, it would be with car paint, which is problematic to take off. As to mods, apart from taking out the duff pilots, I was considering proper tracks on the central 'lab' module, swapping the ridiculous skis on the front unit and maybe adding a little surface detail. The other thing I may do if I can find my old model, is make the interceptor into a slightly different shape by swapping out the rocket pods on the side.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I very much like the idea of tracks on the central module. Try it, Wote, if you ever get the time. I for one want to see it.
ReplyDelete