MOONBASE CENTRAL

Sunday, 12 November 2023

GUNNIN' FOR AQUA, MAN!

Hi Woodsie, my cleanout continues. Here's a 70's style water pistol I found in my late Father's workshop. I assume he'd got it to use in one of his assemblages -and never had!

The plastic frogman imprisoned inside the tank amused me and reminded me of a diving toy I'd had in the early 60s, but have never seen since on the web.

I also turned up a complete Race into Space album. Do you want me to photo each page Moonbasers?

Keep on bloggin'

Looey

Oz Base

Saturday, 11 November 2023

AMT USS ENTERPRISE COMMAND BRIDGE

Some photos of my AMT Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise Command Bridge.

The original kit first appeared in 1975. (kit no. S950), and over time there has been a few re-issues with different box art, and improved decals.

Later updated versions released in 2013 (no. 808), and 2022 (no. 1270) include improved detailing and additional control stations to complete the full circle of the bridge enclosing it completely.

My build is the second reissue, which was released in 1991 (version 6007) which is similar to first release, in that it does have updated decals, and, in my opinion more appealing box artwork.

I got the kit at this year’s Cromford event, and included were some duplicated parts, which allowed me to add a couple of additional figures and chairs, plus some extra walls, which I figured might be useful when I came to take some photos of the finished model.

The kit diorama shows all of the starboard wall of the bridge, a view not generally seen as, although wall sections could be removed to allow filming from different angles, a good number of shots from the TV series show the two rear starboard control stations, the turbo lift, and two or more of the port side control stations.

This, I’m told gave a more effective look toward the helm and Captain’s chair, and allowed for a more dramatic effect for personnel entering the set from the turbo lift.

The finished model is very nicely detailed, although for the nit-pickers, it does have one or two inaccuracies, particularly the turbo lift area, which should be a little wider.

Although the model has plenty of detail I felt the model needed a little extra, so I decided to scratch-build the overhead bridge lights, using card and coloured acetate, to give a more pleasing effect to my photos.

Ahead Warp Factor 2, Mr Sulu!

SUPERMARIONATION DIRECTOR DAVID ELLIOTT R.I.P.

Saddened to read that director, David Elliott, who worked on many of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson's Supermarionation shows has passed away.

Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

SUPER SUB

There's something fabulous about the design of Thunderbird 4.

A classic shape for a futuristic sub.

is it a TB2 pod vehicle that you like or have you another favourite?

Clearly Fishy: The Renwal Visible Trout by Paul Adams

Fish are not a common subject for model kits. An exception is the Renwal Visible Trout Assembly Kit. This differed in a number of respects from the other models in the Renwal Visible Series.

Model number 817-498 sold for $4.98, and depicts a small Brook Trout. It is still an impressive 16 inches (40cm) long - making the model life-sized, or 1:1 scale.

This description is from the 1966 Renwal catalogue, which can be found on the Box Art Den site:

The brook trout, favorite of America's fresh-water fishermen. This is truly an outstanding model - 16 inches long, and beautiful as well as instructive. One side is sparkling transparent plastic that displays in fine detail the intricate yet compact organic and bone structure of this graceful fish.

The other side realistically simulates the speckled body no rod-and-reel enthusiast can resist ! The Visible Fish comes complete with a stand suitable for table display or wall mounting, and an illustrated fish-anatomy booklet.

There seems to be some doubt about the release date of this model. The Scalemates site says 1959; some listings say 1950s/1960s, or 1964. The model has a high catalogue number, which suggests a fairly late date, but this assumption rests on Renwal releasing their kits in numerical order. I would still guess early 1960s. This kit was listed in the 1966 Renwal catalogue, but was gone by the 1969 edition.

The box top shows both sides of the model, and states: A trophy for every rod-and-reel enthusiast - Fun to build...beautiful to display ! This is very unusual, none of the other kits in the series were promoted as being 'Fun to build'. It seems the educational aspects of the kit were taking a back-seat to pure modelling fun. It was also the only Visible kit to be sold as a Trophy model, although other firms had previously offered various hunting trophy models. It also included cement, which again is unusual.

The box still mentions the skeleton, vital organs and transparent skin, anatomically accurate. A Handbook on fish is included, but this is mentioned only in very small writing - again the educational aspects of the kit were not emphasised as much as with other kits in the series. This adds to my impression of a late release date for the model.

The left side of the fish was moulded in smooth clear plastic, while the right side was textured and pre-finished in realistic Trout colours. The skeleton was moulded in the usual bone-coloured plastic, with the internal organs in pale pink. It seems the stand came in different colours. The box top shows a wood-brown, but photos show either black or pale pink. The support arms were clear plastic.

After a long absence from the shops, this model was re-issued, along with most of the other Renwal Visible Kits, in the 1990s under the Skilcraft name by Craft House Corporation of Toledo, Ohio.

The Skilcraft Visible Trout was model number 74634. The box top stated 'Modeled From An Actual Specimen', and 'Ideal for School Projects', so education was back in favour. This time around both body halves were in clear plastic.

Scalemates listing for the Renwal kit:

The Visible Trout, Renwal 817-498 (1959) (scalemates.com)

Scalemates listing for the Skilcraft version:

Visible Trout, Skilcraft 74634 (1994) (scalemates.com)

Box Art Den 1966 Renwal Catalogue page:

renwal 66 09-960 (boxartden.com)

Shows the Skilcraft instruction sheet.

NYACK COLLEGE FISHING CLUB BLOG: FISH ART: The Skilcraft Visible Trout Model (nyackfishingclub.blogspot.com)

All photos from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand