After a long wait, the Davies Spacex Shipyards have revealed the latest in the series of reimagined models based on the original Triang Spacex line.
Having completed the smaller standard toys, Kevin has moved on to Spacex Major in the form of Earth Base Mobile Launch Pad. To ensure we all get the full benefit of Kevins modelmaking expertise, I asked him to document the main steps in the construction. The first shot shows the main plasticard base unit and some of the model parts and plastic fencing used to decorate the bulky unit.
A little weathering and some surface detail brings the crane to life, before moving on to the star of the show, the Interplantetary 1.
Using a photograph of the toy, Kevin scaled up a print and cut out a template for the plasticard core of the rocket. This was then filled with body putty and then laboriously hand sanded down to the template shape. With the core polished and shaped, detail and exterior parts are added.
To top off the model a quick shuttle made from aircraft kit parts from the spares box.
Further painting and weathering on the whole model and its ready for lift off!
Kevin went for a more realistic NASA style livery, bridging the gap between the toy and the white Golden Astronaut version of the toy.
Wow. Superb! I don't have the patience for sanding. Out of interest which brand of body putty did you use and how long did the model take to make from start to finish?
ReplyDeleteThanks. I used milliput. I hate the sanding but there was no other way (given the low-tech, kitchen table methods I use!)
ReplyDeleteI think it was about 4 weeks, on and off.
A stupendous model Kev, a real meisterstuck! I can't believe how you got that knobbly sugarloaf to turn into a sleek rocket! Amazing skill. The whole thing looks great and I love the workaday look of the structure. Those little cars look the biz too, just like the cars in the original Roll Out painting by Bob McCall! Are they Dinkies?
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. The cars are old ho scale model railway accessories.
ReplyDeleteand well done to Bill for asking for updates and blogging it all! Fascinating record of progress.
ReplyDeleteDid you look at the McCall Roll Out picture at all Kev for your final shots? They are uncannily similar. All you need is a helicopter!
I sort of had them in mind whilst building it, the whole Saturn V/Gerry Anderson vibe, whilst keeping it as Spacex as I could (luckily they did that rocket in white too!)
ReplyDeleteThat's a serious piece of work, definitely up a level from previous creations. Most convincing with all that detail, and as Woodsy says, amazing to see that rocket started out as a rough lump of putty. So next to inspiration and craftmanship, there's dedication and patience to admire as well!
ReplyDeleteBest -- Paul
Thanks. Got to say, I am really pleased with how this one turned out.
ReplyDeleteJust out of interest could a model like this be easily motorised so that it moved like the Project SWORD Cap Kennedy set Kev?
ReplyDeleteOh, I suppose it could. You'd need to take the base off and fit a motor in the crawler. The difficulty would be that it isn't a big model and most small toys that you could use as a source of a drive system are quite fast!
ReplyDelete