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+--- Thread: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) (/thread-3054.html)
Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 03-09-2022
Space Academy Planetoid build in 1/2 studio scale, the build files!
I actually saw many of the Saturday morning TV episodes when they aired, in the Fall season of 1977. Using most of the existing models and adding the sleek StarfireJason of Star Command followed along in 1978 and '79, and the shows were in re-runs for a long time on Saturday morning TV, well into the 1980's. From a sci-fi modeler perspective, the spacecraft modeling was outstanding, given the low budget and time constraints. Given that Filmation's Lou Scheimer statement from his book and video interviews, he needed some model makers, and walked into the MCA-57 shop just after they were done with all the Star Wars work, but, before they were doing anything else, and this was *before* the theatrical release of George Lucas little space film. He was able to hire Jonathan Erland, Lorne Peterson, and Paul Huston - possibly others.
The actual filming effects miniature was 4 feet long (48 inches or 1.336m). I sseriously admire the builders here who knock out 4-foot and 6-foot and larger studio scale builds; I just don't have the size of home where I can do that! So, the asteroid miniature that I am building here is 22 inches long, giving me a scale of 1/11093. That means scratch building virtually the whole thing; very few off-the-shelf items are compatible without modifications. This meant using lots of ‘found’ parts to be kit-bashed and tweaked into shape.
Some quickie math, since I am simply a happier modeler when I have an inkling of the scale I am working with. Based on screen captures of the televised program from DVD's and the hard work of the gentlemen E. James Small and Patrick King Hill, the width of a Seeker was determined to be 18 feet. The Seekers are the small utility spacecraft that the actors used to come and go from the Star Command planetoid. Using that to determine the maximum width of the hanger bay, I get a width of 126 feet. Using the best available side view of the Academy asteroid showing the length of the Academy and the hangers, I arrive at an approximate overall length of 20,800 feet. My build is 22.5 inches long, giving me a scale of 1/11093. Roughly, that is.
Have determined the length and size of my build, I get started by getting a new sheet XPS foam (Extruded Polystyrene foam). Its very light weight, easy to form and sculpt, and can be attached in layers with a variety of adhesives. The surface can be textured with sanding, and with a number of sculpting tools. I am a fan of working with foam; and while foam has it's own unique challenges, it is inexpensive and easy to work. I had determined the overall size and shape of the asteroid, and using a band saw, quickly cut out a top and bottom blank. I used a ceramic kitchen knife for rough shaping as it does not bind up in the foam the way most other metal blades will - thanks to Robb Merrill for that tip!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Titon - 03-19-2022
Loved this show as a kid.
Good luck!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 03-19-2022
Thanks!
Spent yesterday evening working on the places to cut the upper portion of the foam:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 03-30-2022
After doing rough shaping with the knives and razor cutters, I used my vintage Bridgeport USA / Holt Tool, Quad Fluted Screwdriver. An old, vintage 4-prong security bolt tool: exceptionally useful for roughing up foam into asteroid surface texture.
To cut down on the mess and resulting cleanup of foam bits and fragments going everywhere, I keep a wetted paper towel nearby to wipe the foam with. Doing this periodically during the texturing process allows me to eliminate a lot of the static, which lets the residue drop neatly into a waiting trashcan.
Next, I started painting with Stynylrez Grey Primer; it has great coverage even with the sponge craft brush I used to dab it into the foam.
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 03-30-2022
oops, the primer on the planetoid bottom:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 03-30-2022
There are two small towers, one near the top front, and one by the docking bays. There were a number of Airfix Saturn V's used on the f/x model; these *might* have been the LEM shroud from that kit. Trimmed a bit, perhaps? Anyways, I've have several tries at copying the shape in the smaller scale that I need, and I'm pretty happy with these:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Apophis - 05-09-2022
Nice job Joe!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-10-2022
(05-09-2022, 06:29 AM)Apophis Wrote: Nice job Joe!
Thanks!
I'm grinding away on parts, and getting the halves joined in a way that minimizes the seam...
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-12-2022
A bit more progress, fitting the lights:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-24-2022
Getting some of the awful seams fixed:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-25-2022
Seam filling essentially done; getting the painting of the planetoid and then the structures done is next up to do. The ventral structures are mostly shadowed, meaning lots of leeway in detailing.
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Satazius - 05-26-2022
That looks great!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-26-2022
(05-26-2022, 03:33 AM)Satazius Wrote: That looks great!
Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with the way it has come together, and should be very cool - if a bit obscure -
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Satazius - 05-28-2022
I've spent so much time going over the Space Academy pics. Pretty close to having a go at a SS build. But would love to figure a few more things out. It's inspiring watching your build! And you are the patron saint of fun obscure subjects!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-31-2022
Thanks - I'm attempting to push this one thru to completion... my wife wants to see it done!
And I think it would be awesome to see you or Pat tackling a SS build of this, too!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 05-31-2022
(05-28-2022, 12:36 PM)Satazius Wrote: ... would love to figure a few more things out.
Me, too!
Some details done:
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Mr. Wabac - 11-20-2022
Is this build still moving along or have you taken a break - curious as Peter Noble has been gradually releasing some never-before-seen photos from Filmation.
Nothing works better than getting partially through a build to have new research material appear.
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Joseph C. Brown - 12-08-2022
(11-20-2022, 06:42 PM)Mr. Wabac Wrote: Is this build still moving along or have you taken a break - curious as Peter Noble has been gradually releasing some never-before-seen photos from Filmation.
Nothing works better than getting partially through a build to have new research material appear.
Still in progress, moving forward... at a really, really slow pace. The upside of that is precisely what you said, though - the images that Peter Nobel has cleaned up and released have (at least to me) been UTTERLY mindblowing! The pic of Joe Johnston having a smoke while pointing at the stern of the inverted planetoid is so dang cool!
These have made me glad I stopped where I did at the end of May, I was just getting serious about the ventral side, and now I won't have to junk alot of incorrect work. That's kinda soul crushing when it happens!
RE: Space Academy Planetoid (1/2 studio scale) - Mr. Wabac - 12-28-2022
Glad you don't have to tear it all down.
Better research material can be a blessing and a curse - causing delays but making your project that much better.
Didn't realize how many ILM staff ended up working on the Filmation project.
It shouldn't surprise me in a way - when model making and SFX are your paycheck you have to keep getting jobs.
Many people in the film business are well paid, but it is not steady work.
The time commitment when you are working can be nuts as well.