So like I was saying…

 art, awesomeness, history, Hmm..., models, projects, science, science fiction, spacecraft  No Responses »
Oct 182021
 

Just a few months ago in February or so, I mentioned that I was working on a  model of the “IXS Enterprise” warp drive ship for Fantastic Plastic. Currently planned for 1/288 scale, this is the most data-intensive model I’ve done so far… as shown below with only one of the two rings in place, the model is well over half a gigabyte, and my computer just laughs at me when I tell it to render the thing. The model nears completion; some “kitification” is needed on some parts and the two shuttles don’t exist yet.

 

In related matters, FP has released the model of the “Super Nexus” I CADded up a few years ago:

And the Convair “landing boat:”

And the Soviet LOK spacecraft:

That last one is of course in scale with the Soviet LK lunar lander I did for FP a while back:

Christmas is coming.

 Posted by at 2:04 am

“A Million Pounds A Month”

 art, awesomeness, history, Hmm..., models, rockets, science, science fiction, spacecraft, youtube  No Responses »
Oct 122021
 

A film made circa 1965 by Con Pederson of Graphic Films for the USAF. It depicts the future of space operations as seen from the mid-1960’s, before the optimism about space came crashing down after Johnson cancelled Saturn V production in 1968. Pederson influenced Kubrick’s work on “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and that is visible in this film… the failure of the AE-35 unit is clearly seen, as is a rather chunky space pod prototype.

 Posted by at 7:46 am

Mando helmet

 art, awesomeness, Crazy, Hmm..., models, science fiction, youtube  No Responses »
Sep 232021
 

Even if you have zero interest in “The Mandalorian” or in cosplay, or prop helmets, or painting models, there is a “WTF” moment in this video that is worth noticing: what happens when an “affordable” Hasbro helmet is hit with a coat of cheap clearcoat from a rattlecan.

 Posted by at 9:06 am

1/72 Space Clipper

 aircraft, art, awesomeness, history, models, rockets, science fiction, spacecraft  No Responses »
Sep 202021
 

Wow.

Moebius News: New Space Clipper kits & Aries Update

Moebius Models was showing some new product at the recent IPMS National Convention in Las Vegas. The big news is an all new 2001 Space Clipper. The new model will be approximately 29 inches long and 1:72 scale. It is an all new, accurate version of the spacecraft, based on all the latest information and research. The kit will include a passenger cabin and cockpit. It will not include Pan Am decals. Final price has not been set, but is expect to be between $150 and $200.

Also forthcoming is a 1/350 scale Space Clipper and a 1/48 scale Aries Ib.

So long, bank account…

 Posted by at 4:32 am

Monogram F-19: can anyone hook me up?

 aircraft, art, models, science fiction  No Responses »
Aug 282021
 

I have need of a Monogram 1/48 scale “F-19 Stealth Fighter” model kit. It need not be pristine and unopened; it can be partially or even completely assembled, so long as it is intact-ish and complete (and preferably with instructions). They pop up form time to time on ebay, but they’re too expensive for my budget. If you have one you’re willing to part with for a reasonable sum, let me know:

 

 Posted by at 1:36 pm

Dangit, now I gotta buy a toy helicopter

 aircraft, art, Hmm..., models, science fiction, youtube  No Responses »
Aug 242021
 

I would have committed unspeakable acts – perhaps going so far as getting a job – to have gotten this when I was a kid and “Airwolf” was on the tube.

A bit pricey, but it’s 3D printed. I don’t see much point to the “completed and painted” version unless they take care of the rather obvious printing lines. Those will have to be sanded smooth; the tail boom also looks like it’ll need substantial modification (it’s oddly fat at the tail). The sides of the fuselage will also need substantial modification; the nose looks like it might be too pointy. Someone will have to vacu-form some windows for it.

1/18 “GI Joe” Scale Airwolf Helicopter (Unassembled Kit)

$225.00

1/18 “GI Joe” Scale Airwolf Helicopter (Completed and Painted)

$325.00

 

 Posted by at 5:50 pm

Can anyone shed any light on this “tanker airplane?”

 aircraft, art, history, Hmm..., models  No Responses »
Mar 302021
 

From the National Archives, a few photos dated 1979 of a Lewis Research Center model of a “Tanker Airplane.” *FAR* higher resolution versions of the photos are available at the links.

TANKER AIRPLANE MODEL

 

And…

That’s certainly an unusual configuration. If it hadn’t originated at NASA, I’d think it was a college students design project. But then… there’s one more photo which might shed a little bit of light onto the subject:

Huh.

The text on the wing reads:

To
LRC from LeRC
November 8(?) 1979

This would seem to be some sort of a gag gift from Lewis Research Center to Langley Research Center, but the details of what, who, and why are not available to me. If anyone can shed light, please do so.

 Posted by at 10:11 pm

Nuclear Princess Model

 aircraft, drawings, drawings&documents, history, models, nukes, projects  No Responses »
Feb 192021
 

Recently for sale on ebay was a display model of the Saro “Princess” turboprop flying boat, as Convair planned to modify it into a nuclear-powered research prototype. This late 50’s design was ballsy if nothing else: a nuclear reactor would be installed within the fuselage, providing superheated air from the reactor to the inboard above-wing modified turboprops. Unlike the NB-36H, this aircraft would have been actually powered by the reactor.

A description of the concept was written up HERE. A set of detailed diagrams are available as Air Drawing 8.

 Posted by at 8:52 pm
 Older Entries  Newer Entries