FAB WORLD MODELS: STUDIO 2

More photos from the Fab Worlds of Anderson and this time I'm showcasing Mamas Pitsillis and Linda Ianson aka Studio 2 Models.

This is Studio 2's Stingray model which looks great, but not only that, it is fitted with a jet drive and a rotating Rate Master, and is able to run on the surface and also able to dive.

A Titan Terror Fish is usually never far away when Stingray's on patrol, however this master model is purely for display.

As is X-20's submarine.

Thunderbird 1: This apparently uses the same moulds as the model seen in the fan funded Thunderbirds 1965 project. 

A super looking studio scale Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle. The thing about Studio 2's models is they are big!

Here's what could be considered Studio 2's signature model, a six foot long working Skydiver. Over time I've taken quite a few photos of it. I 'll probably see it again in a few weeks at Smallspace and no doubt I'll take a few more!

In fact, UFO was well represented by Studio 2.

A studio scale Shadomobile. This is fully radio controlled and has sound systems.

Studio 2's 'Star' vehicle for me, and a lot of attendees at Fab Worlds was the Markers Universal truck.

This is another model which is fully radio controlled and did several demonstrations across the floor throughout the weekend  along with the Mobile.

It did find its way to the main display area, and caused some minor excitement when what looked like a budgerigar that was flying around the Space Centre decided to land on the model, near guest Matt Zimmerman's signing table

Matt and his assistant wondered what was happening but once he spotted my camera pointed at him he couldn't resist a smile for me.

I've really no idea what happened to the budgie!

More model photos tomorrow.

Pleasant Valley Monday

Currently enjoying my only real day off at Marsbase and the postman has just delivered my latest ebay finds. The main prize being a lovely model of the Dinky Command Car (from the Investigator pilot), which I won along with the Dinky 784 Goods Train set. The train was a brief release of a 'pre-school' type loco, between 1972-74. The full set has a red goods wagon, so this must be part of a pair, as it has two yellow open cars. A nice little thing for the train fan, but a bit of an oddity for Dinky collectors.

The Command Car on the other hand is a fine model. Missing the driver and a plastic rope from the bonnet, the paintwork is in remarkably good shape and apart from a small piece of the bumper breaking off and a stripped gear on the clockwork motor, it is very displayable. I got the Coastguard model a few years ago at a toy fair, but so far this one has eluded me in this good a condition. It rounds off my Gerry Anderson models nicely, as I don't think I will be pursuing the Candy and Andy striped mini..

Postman Pat also delivered two space books, Patrick Moore's Moon Flight Atlas, which has been a nightmare to get hold of due to problems with stock and post and an amazing russian textbook on the soviet space shuttle programme, which is chock full of interesting information, just a shame its all in cyrillic text and I cant read a word! More on these later!

FAB WORLD MODELS: CHRIS POTTER'S SPACE:1999 DISPLAY

More photos from Fab Worlds of Anderson and this time I'm showcasing some of modeller Chris Potter's display which featured many replica models from Space:1999. I'm fairly sure most fans will know all about these models, but for those who don't I've tried to give a short description.

I'll start with the Mark IX Hawk,  which featured in the episode, 'War Games', and very much a favourite spacecraft design with 1999 fans. 

The Hawk that Chris displayed is painted white as it appeared before filming commenced. Apparently it was decided that the Eagle and the Hawk were too similar so the black window notches were painted white, and the familiar orange detail was added. 

The Superswift: This Martin Bower design featured in 'Bringers of Wonder'.

The same story featured the Pilot Ship.

Below is Chris's model of Dione's Escape Ship from The Last Enemy'.

A small model of the first alien spacecraft seen in the series, The Kaldorian ship from' Earthbound', one of my favourite first season episodes.

A trio of Ariel Capsules from 'The Last Sunset'.

Below,  a model of the Ultra Probe Command Module from 'Dragon's Domain'.

A small model of Moonbase Alpha, and a larger scale Main Mission building model with reflective window stickers.

Unsurprisingly the display featured plenty of Eagle models, but one always stands out. Chris' 44" Laboratory Eagle with additional boosters, in scale buggy, astronaut a, storage cannisters and floodlights.

More Fab World models tomorrow.

FAB WORLDS MODELS: IT'S AN ASHTON!

Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of excellent models on display at Fab Worlds, along with their builders, who were on hand to answer any questions. As there was a lot to see, I decided to concentrate on the original props and puppets on the Saturday, and spend most of Sunday taking photos in the separate model room, so my apologies if I missed any models and modellers who were only able to turn up on the Saturday.

As I reckon each of the modellers deserve a separate showcase, I'll be doing four individual posts on the models and modellers I met there in the fullness of time.

The first of these is the marvellous display put on by Richard Ashton. It featured a beautifully made 'Dove' spacecraft as seen in the film, 'Journey to the Far Side of the Sun' , aka 'Doppelgänger'.

Alongside the Dove was a large model of Mac's Jet Air Car. As can be seen it has a detailed cockpit, working lights,  flip out wings and tail fins.

Next to that was a model not unlike Sam's Car. I'm told this model, or one like it was used as a background prop in an unreleased and probably lost puppet film from 2008, called Agent Crush, which featured, amongst others, the voice talents of  late Sir Roger Moore, Brian Blessed and Rula Lenska.

The table was covered with several other models . There was a Captain Scarlet figure fitted with a jet pack.

 A large scale SKY 1 was tucked behind a small, but detailed model of Stingray.

Next to Stingray was a model of the Ultraprobe Command Module.

And behind that, The Atlantis, a detailed model similar to the Ultra Probe itself.

This is Richard's take on the DeAgostini Thunderbird 2, and the additional Pod 4 complete with Thunderbird 4.

Finally, Richard's large model of Thunderbird 1.

Tune in next time to see Chris Potter's evergrowing Space:1999 model collection.