Classic BSG Metron Bomb

[bishopdonmiguel]

This is the first of a few "scale" prop builds that I've recently finished. These do not contain kit parts but thought I'd share in case any were interested.

My interest is classic Sci-Fi. While I like the popular laser weapons as much as anyone, I really enjoy an opportunity to build an obscure prop. Although only used once (but like most BSG props, reused in Buck Rogers) and on screen for just a few moments, when I spotted this prop from Battlestar Galactica's "The Young Lords," it immediately went on the list.

The bomb has a switch and internal lighting source. The original prop was probably held together with hot glue but I wanted to make something a bit more durable.

First step was to identify the canister which turned out to be a Swiss made aluminum water bottle.

[bishopdonmiguel]

After locating a vintage fuel bottle with the proper red finish, I designed a label. This would be the last step in the build but wanted to get input from the BSG community on the choice for shapes. The recent HD release of Buck Rogers might have helped during this step but we only had SD screen caps to utilize at the time so we when with triangles.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Need to remove the bottom of the canister. Instead of cutting with a saw and potentially warping the cylinder, I instead opted to grind off the bottom with a belt sander. Once the sander broke through the edges, the center bottom simply fell out.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Gathered the basic components for finishing the prop. Some perforated steel plate and a generic circuit board for the electronics.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Used 5v landscape LEDs to provide the internal light source. The prop needs light to emit on top & bottom and these provide a nice omnidirectional glow.

[bg_451]

Nice start. This looks good.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Sized the perforated plate to fit in the top and bottom openings. Also, LIGHT TEST!

[bishopdonmiguel]

Have to improvise a mounting system for the "innards." Used Plastilina to sculpt retaining rings and mounting parts. Resin parts will be cast for a custom fit.

[bishopdonmiguel]

The electronics get sandwiched between two retaining rings. The connections to the lights were delicate so I encased in clear resin for protection. Test fit is perfect!

[bishopdonmiguel]

I used brass tubing to create a mount system to allow the various parts to slide inside the bottle for changing the battery. Diffusers were added in an attempt to evenly scatter the light.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Upper retaining ring epoxied into bottle with brass tubing. Slightly larger diameter tubing act as spacers for the light and diffuser rings. The tubing that will be visible is painted red to roughly match the bottle color. Tubes are coded with holes to help keep the sets on the correct slider.

[bishopdonmiguel]

Time to paint. Since the bottle is already the correct color, I use an inverse stencil and apply silver paint.

[bishopdonmiguel]

And now we have a classic Battlestar Galactica Metron Bomb, ready for filming.

[Apophis]

that is awesome!