6' Battlecruiser from Space:1999

[ColinSMT]

Hey all,

I thought I would post some pics of the studio scale Battlecruiser I am doing from Space:1999. Originally this was to be licenced kit but due to recent economics (to keep it simple) I have decided to do only the 1.

This is fully licenced by the original creator of the model, Martin Bower. And without his help would not have been possible to see this come to reality. Thank you Martin!

So here is the start of the project. I will add more info/pics as I go along. I am bad for keeping up with posts/replies so please if you need to reach me , email is best smtemail@telusplanet.net

                   

[JAWS]

Niiice will be following this build.
Thanks for sharing.

[ColinSMT]

So in all, because of summers off and other projects this has been a two year project. I am further ahead yet of where these photos are but I thought I would being at start and highlight the build to where it is.

Here is the basic main assembly's all done. Most are a base of 1/8" acrylic, with minor pieces being white styrene or ABS. Once I had the basic shapes and confirmed they were right size/angles according to Martin. Since this was to be a production model, in my original plan I had Martin reconstruct the 6' to his best recollection. From this I based all my dimensions, with some changes due to differences I could see in the filmed version.

                   

And Martins build for SMT.
   

[ColinSMT]

The idea was to keep the model as true to the original while meeting the needs of reality and not having the model fall apart!

The rear engines originally in '76 or so when Martin first created this model (before 1999) were cereal bowls. The cone between body and engine bowl was a child's plastic cup. For his recreation Martin Bower turned new pieces on his lathe. I chose to keep it as true to heritage as I could and so I searched and searched and came up with a happy comprise that maintains the shapes.

The bowls were cut down in height.
   

To the plastic cups I added a couple of Plastruct rings to make up a suitable and well founded attachment point to the bowl.
   

[JAWS]

Really interesting build Colin.
I love Martins work.

[Cylon-Knight]

Oh WOW.
THAT is a wonderful project. I can't wait to see what is next after such a jaw dropper of a start!

[ColinSMT]

Thanks everyone. Ok here is the next set of pics.
Here I've started the work out the trough details on the top of the main body.
               

As well a start on spacing details on the sides.
   

And some work done on the engines too! Lots of Airfix Lunar Lander here folks
   

Keep in mind this build has been going for awhile and the work pictured is spaced out over a few months around other work for clients.

[ColinSMT]

Ok so start and finish of the two side grab arms at the base of the neck from the main body.

Airfix Belfast and Airfix Recovery vehicle bits - this forms the main grab feature.

   

The arms are evergreen tubing, some aluminium tubing and 2 kits worth of Revell "everything is go"

               

[Satazius]

Wow, that is beautiful. Martin had a damn big kit stash for a young guy! Thanks for posting this. It's a real favorite.

[JAWS]

Ooh this is good!
Something fresh.
Keep it coming.

[dbhs]

Looks great. Is that a big PVC pipe for the armature?

[ColinSMT]

Martin had a small stash but a job so he just bought the most inexpensive to detail ratio kits that he could. I think most of the kits were under a pound when he did this is '76. Of course when he showed it to Brian Johnson he added a few parts like the middle dish area and some other details. Much of his original detail was found items as they say, like Ker-plunk games straws for piping and so forth.

Yes its PVC pipe for the armature - you can use either PVC or Plastuct ABS tubing here. The PVC is just as reliable for this application. I created mine to run all the way into the model all the way to the back to a special mount. On the original it only goes in a few inches and tends to flex down at an angle from the body.

(10-26-2013, 06:51 AM)dbhs Wrote: Looks great. Is that a big PVC pipe for the armature?

[Wombat]

Nice clean work, looking very sharp there!

[ColinSMT]

Thanks Wombat, I admire your work as well. You fellas (and ladies) here do some amazing work!

Onto more details to finish out the upper deck arrangement. Some T/34 bits, Aurora/Moebius Moonbus, Belfast, Traveling crane and few others. I was only able to figure this section out with Martin's build to follow, he laid quite a patchwork down in there, over 40 pieces I think by the time I finished it up.

           

Onto some of the sensor pod detailing beginning with arm that holds the sensor dish.

                                       

And finally the dish itself. Cut down from the AMT 18" Enterprise. Of note here the dish itself is cut down. IT should be the version with grid lines, I did not discover that until after I had started on this one, so I left it.

       

On the inner surface run these lines.

   

Mostly done sensor pod.

   

Size reference without command pod to a 44" Eagle frame.

   

[LeeS]

Wow! I could only image what kit of 'kit' that would be :-)

[Wombat]

Thanks Colin.

Looks great that upper deck area, like an aerial view of a refinery sorta. Nice work!

Damn it's a big sucker alright seeing it next to that cage.

Phil

[ColinSMT]

Now onto detailing the sides. Let's get at look at port side first top first. Some styrene parts, 3/16 butyrate tubing some airfix kits and we are under way. Not shown is the small radar dish that attaches here yet, made from Lunar Lander bits.

                                   

And the secret to my help

   

[ColinSMT]

BTW in the meantime if anyone needs it - I have list of kits used so far posted on my site. I will be posting here, just getting up to speed so to speak first

[JAWS]

Damn this is coming along great.
So good to see some fresh stuff being shared.

[ColinSMT]

Next up the port beltline:

           

And port underside:

                   

[Wombat]

Nice bit of greeblie work there!

[LastBattlestar]

That's one big mother of a build, but we aren't afraid of the big models around here! Interesting to see the greeblie differences between the US and British models i.e. Tamiya-Hasegawa versus Airfix stuff. It definitely give the Anderson show models a unique look.

Welcome to SSM Colin!

Mike

[ColinSMT]

Thanks Mike.

Indeed although there a few common kits too, the E boat, the 1/12 Tamiya cars, a couple of AMT trucks, large Tamiya tanks and so forth. I'd say there is a good doubling on about 1/3 maybe more.

BUT good greeblies is good greeblies!

(11-09-2013, 11:26 PM)LastBattlestar Wrote: That's one big mother of a build, but we aren't afraid of the big models around here! Interesting to see the greeblie differences between the US and British models i.e. Tamiya-Hasegawa versus Airfix stuff. It definitely give the Anderson show models a unique look.

Welcome to SSM Colin!

Mike

[JAWS]

Art & science rolled into one amazing concept.

[ColinSMT]

Here is the rear engine deck and upper rear engine deck. On the 1st original Martin had used Ker-plunk straws for the upper deck details. I opted to go for the appropriate sized Plastruct (remember this was to become a kit). You'll see bits from the Aurora Moonbus, Recovery vechicle, SRN4, Chieftan tanks and few others.
The SRN1 deck trimmed forms the basis for the rear engine mount along with engine ring and traveling crane base cut down.

       
               

Based on some photos I found, I had to revise some of the rear deck, so out came a good chunk and in went new, more accurate.

               

Like Martin originally did I used a child's drinking glass for the basis of my body to engine cones.
   

[ColinSMT]

And onto the right hand upper (starboard) side we go. More tank kits, some Plastruct and Evergreen pattern and Moonbus bits. Some fine detail here and can we say piping! Originally these pipes were found items that Martin used here. He used drinking straws, Kerplunk and whatever else he could lay his hands on.

                               

[ColinSMT]

Ok kids, moving along. Here is both port and starboard underside detailed up.
Enjoy!

Port under:

               

Starboard under:

               

Overall bottom views:

       

Rear under engine deck:
               

[JAWS]

Wow that's looking great.
Thanks for the update Colin.

[ColinSMT]

Thanks. It's coming along slowly lol, like any of the larger builds. A million other projects to work on in between!

(11-30-2013, 06:39 AM)JAWS Wrote: Wow that's looking great.
Thanks for the update Colin.

[LeeS]

Crazy! And even crazier is that Martin made the original on his own an a few weeks. Or was this the 'demo' piece that he built to get the work on S1999? Either way it's a fun piece and will make a great display!

[darkimmitator]

Damn fine bought of greeblie detailing going on here . Work at a pretty good pace as well . Well done sir !!

[ColinSMT]

This was the 'demo' that got him the job for Space:1999. He had originally built it when he was teenager. He then modified to what they wanted for the show (added length and the center pod area). Over the course of the show it was reused 5 times in various guises including in the graveyard scene.
Of course building goes a little faster when you don't have to try to match existing (as you know). IT will make a great display piece once I get it finished. The painting/panel line detail will be a job unto itself!
I only get a few hours if that on it each week between other projects, but its coming along nicely.
I had thought of adding some lighting to help give a sense of scale, but the original had none. I may just do some scale Alpha Child ships to match up to the landing platform that goes on the side.

(11-30-2013, 11:51 AM)LeeS Wrote: Crazy! And even crazier is that Martin made the original on his own an a few weeks. Or was this the 'demo' piece that he built to get the work on S1999? Either way it's a fun piece and will make a great display!

[ColinSMT]

Ok kidlets, back to the beastie. Here are updated pics of work on the upper platform that sits on top of the main body. Here its a mix of SRN4, T-34 (tamiya), recovery, B-29, tiger tank and airfield and moobus bits.

                                           

[ColinSMT]

Start of the Command Pod head. Here I went a bit basic as Martin did in 74ish. Two bowls formed the main body, a flower pot base and some EMA make up the basic shape. The slanted cone is from the SRN1 which Martin used on the rebuild he did for me. However in other photos of the original it looks like it may have been Apollo module cut to allow the pipe through.

                               

[Wombat]

You're making some great progress with this, Colin. It's a little funny seeing what was used for some of the detailing though. The flower pot base and even that long length of sprue thats had the part's picked from it are not you're normal greeblies as such but it just shows once together and painted it all ties together very nicely. Nice work!

[ColinSMT]

Yes it was quite inventive to see what was used. There is even a row of staples used! IT looks quite the mess with all the different bits for sure and I will be happy to get some paint on it to blend it all together.

[JAWS]

Nice work Colin.
Its coming along great.

[ColinSMT]

Thanks Jase.
Here is the Command pod and neck being finished up. A lot of Lunar Lander (Airfix) bits here kids. The head I recreated based on Martins version he did is incorrect. There are some major differences between some detail areas on the command pod. So I matched what I could see for certain and ended up leaving off some that until recent photos I did not have reference for. Mainly affecting the Starboard sde/front lower edge details. Also since I did not use a Butterfly popper toy for my head, its not clear so I do not have the visible "window" areas on the front of the head ala 2001 when MB originally designed the model before Space:1999.

Comand pod:
               

Neck:
               

[ColinSMT]

Overall this has been a two year and a bit project. I had originally wanted to kit it, but there did not seem to be enough interest to do a run. So now its a one of a kind licenced replica

It's been fun, a little stretched out...lol. Total work time is maybe a good 6 months if you went straight at it.

Here are some pics of the overall ship before paint. I have some minor details to add and glue on after paint. Enjoy!

                       

[ColinSMT]

And finally here is the kit list I used to create the model. I may have forgotten something but I think its all there. I used 1/8 acrylic and styrene and ABS for the main body details.

SMT BATTLECRUISER kit list:

Airfix 1/72 scale kits:

SRN1 x2
SRN4 x3
Churchill tank x2
Chieftan tank x3
Tiger tank x1
Bloodhound missle x8
RAF recovery set x7
RAF refueling set x8
B29 Superfortress x2
Lunar Module x4
LTV 4 Buffalo and Jeep x2
Dockside crane x3
Girder bridge x2
Refrigerator Van x1
Prestwin silo wagon x1
Esso tank wagons x4

Airfix 1/144:


Saturn V x2

Airfix 1/600 kits:

HMS Belfast x4
The Bismarck x8
Iron Duke x2
Ajax x1

Aurora kits:

Flying Sub x2
Moon Bus x1

AMT:

Original Enterprise (with grid lines)

MPC:

Pilgrim Observer x1

Faller:

N scale Girder bridge pier

Hasegawa:

1/32 F104G x1

Ratio:

Pratt Truss Gantry x2

Revell kits:

1/24 and 1/48 Gemini capsule x2
Scissors Bridge x1
"Everything is Go" x4
Space shuttle 1/144

Tamiya:

1/25 T34 x2
1/25 Centurion x1
1/25 Panther A (Martin did not use this on his recreation for me that I based mine on, however I suspect based on photo evidence that he did use sprue from it for some of the other piping on the side )
1/35 SDKF 232 x1

Assorted EMA/Plastruct tube 1/8" and 3/16", And VHE 32 caps and assorted sprue for some of the piping.

[JAWS]

That looks sweet Colin.
Can't wait to see it with the paint.

[Wombat]

Looks damn impressive seeing all together like that. Theres nothing like a big SS model!! LOL

Congrats on getting to this stage with things, wil look pretty amazing just with a splash of primer to tie it all together.

Nice work!!

[ColinSMT]

SMT is pleased to announce the 6' Battlecruiser miniature from Space:1999 is finished!

Here are a few pictures of the piece (I may tweak the paint a little but not much from this). Enjoy, you may post elsewhere with appropriate credit please.


                                                       

[Tsophika]

That looks fantastic! Very clean work.

[steve36uk]

Looking fantastic-always liked this ship,esp the Yellow refit in the Last Enemy.......hmmmm

[Red III]

Amazing how it all comes together once painted! Looks great!

[ColinSMT]

Thanks guys, glad you like it and your work is great too as I look around the site. I joined a year ago, kinda forgot about it and then had to rejoin - Thanks Jaws!

I agree paint has a way of making all the bits coherent. It's odd is not as heavily weathered as some of the other craft in Space:1999 (™ & © Carlton Media), but I think it due to its size -it does not do planetfall, so no weathering to it like an Eagle or other planetfall ship. There's actually a blend of 4 colors for the main color of the body, though it comes out looking mostly a silver.

(12-15-2013, 01:23 AM)Red III Wrote: Amazing how it all comes together once painted! Looks great!

[ColinSMT]

Steve - hmmm. In theory once you have done one it could be modified to make the others. The yellow version uses at least 9 Scammel kits and Sam2 missle I believe, just to name a few.

Can you really think your collection is complete unless you have all the versions lol

Unfortunately I don't know that I will do another. But I guess time will tell for that.

In the meantime:

   

[cireskul]

Your work is excellent and truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing.

[Wombat]

The paint tied it all together very nicely.. Fantastic job with it all.