Enterprise

Here are some images plus a couple of composites of Polar Lights 1/350 scale U.S.S. Enterprise N.C.C.1701-A Capn James T Kirk last known in command. Ah yes Star Trek a very important part of my childhood. Of coarse the original series was the best, and the cartoons, and the first six movies, and maybe some of the Next Generation, but as for the rest in my mind is nothing more than agenda and politically driven tripe, and I will have none of it! Anyway as it stands this is the ultimate Star Trek model kit one can buy and at around $100 Cdn it is one hellava deal. The detail and accuracy on this kit is dead on to the movie Enterprise, and big? Heh over 30 inches long that's big! The saucer section alone is over 16 inches across. So if you see this kit for sale don't think, buy it. But just make sure it's the second release. The first release doesn't have the Aztec decals. Polar Lights is currently working on a 1/350 scale TOS Enterprise. The release date is supposed to be at the end of this year but you know how that usually goes. P.S. Shatner for G.G. of Canada.

The Moon Bus

Here are some images plus kit images of Moebius Models 1/55 scale Moon Bus from the movie 2001 a space odyssey. The Moon Bus was a small low altitude rocket powered vehicle meant to ferry passengers and cargo across the surface of the Moon. Seen in the movie transporting Dr. Heywood Floyd and fellow scientists to see the deliberately buried 4 million year old TMA 1 “the Monolith”.

The Moebius Moon Bus model kit is the re-release of the old 1969 Aurora kit with some retooling improvements. The kit itself went together without any real trouble although there were some problems. If you are going to purchase this model you may wish to keep these things in mind. Or not it’s your choice.

1. Before installing the floor remember to install the left and right inner wall parts first or you will be forced to do what I did and that’s cut the bottom tabs and then shoe horn them in. “That’s why always test fit before attaching repeat”.

2. Though it doesn’t really make it clear there is an option of windshields to install. The first is the original incorrect Aurora kit option or the corrected windshields matching the movie just make sure that if you are installing the corrected windshields to remove the tiny corner resting tabs meant for the Aurora windshields.

3. In my research into the interior of the Moon Bus I believe that the seats are not brown as the instructions indicate but the same interior grey colour with the back of the seats and the arm rests being black in colour, it’s up to you. Plus wooden crates on a Moon Bus? If you like I suppose.

4. Personally I found the figures to be so lacking in detail particularly facial details that I decided not to use them. I am hoping to come across some decent 1/48 scale figures that I can cannibalize so I can install them one day.

5. Though I put them on myself I cannot find any movie images of the Moon Bus with the USAA decals on them. Still I think they look good so I put them on. Plus the top parts of the landing gear are supposed to be white. I made them weathered steel out of personal choice to match the rest of the landing gear. That’s just the kinda guy I am.

The paints I used were Tamiya acrylics, Testors enamels and Tamiya weathering master. Being a huge 2001 a space odyssey fan I am so pleased this kit was re-released at around an affordable $60 Cdn as opposed having to shell out $600/$1000 for the original Aurora kit Something I am not willing to do. Over all it’s a great looking kit when finished and well worth the effort. The release of this kit has led me to wonder if Moebius Models just might have the old Aurora Orion III space clipper molds from the same movie. That kit has an interior as well. I can almost here Ligeti’s Lux Aeterna playing now.

The Work of Jay Moffat Pt 2

Here for your viewing pleasure we present to you once more some of the amazing workmanship of Jay Moffat. First up we have a 1/35 scale Ultracast Commonwealth tank crewman in winter "Pixie suit". Next we have a 25mm Ral Partha warrior maiden. After that we have a figure called "swabbing the deck" - 1/32 scale converted Airfix Multipose. Scratchbuilt sailor's hat, coveralls and mop. Bucket from the spares box. And finally we have a Tamiya 120mm German Fighter Pilot. All figures were in artists oils.

English Man O War?

Here are some images Revell's 1/96 scale English Man O War. Is it a bird? no, Is it a plane? no, Is it an English Man O War circa 1588? no,. Then what kind of ship is this then? Actually no one is quite sure. In 1970 Revell released a kit called The Spanish Galleon (now there is an overused term) but it did not look anything like a Spanish Galleon. Then in 1972 Revell released for the first time the English Man O War circa 1588, and guess what? Both the hulls on the Galleon and the Man O War were exactly the same and bearing no resemblance to neither or either. Actually the appearance of ships from that time period are a bit sketchy as the idea of drawn up plans were only then just coming into use. But one things for sure they didn't look like this. I think if one were to build a real ship like this it would capsize a soon as it hit the water. It is speculated that Revell hired some Hollywood types to design this model. During that time period model building had lost a lot of appeal and so you saw companies like Revell trying to sell their wares to people like home decorators where accuracy was not really so much an issue. And here I come along 20 years later "awww geee that ship looks really swell!" and I buy it and build it and it looks great. This model is interesting in that it represents a time in model kit history where accuracy was not the be all and end all as it is today, and besides it makes a nice display piece.

Raupenschlepper Ost

Here are some better images of Italeri's 1/35 scale STEYR RSO/1 Tractor. The RSO stands for Raupenschlepper Ost which means "crawling tractor east" In order to cope with poor road conditions on the Eastern front the Germans built tracked tractors to tow all types of vehicles and to carry various loads such as food, ammunition and supplies. The RSO/1 was built by Steyr Werks in Austria. It had a pressed steel cab and a wood cargo body. The RSO/1 proved to be ideal for the mud and slush conditions of the Russian front. These vehicles were part of the Germans desperate efforts to avoid defeat by an overwhelming Soviet military. Approximately 23,000 were produced.

The Work of Cam Tetrault

Here are a couple of images of a humorous diorama built by Saskatoon modeler Cam Tetrault. You can see “Looping Leo” sitting on a tree branch and a boy and his dog looking up at him. I may be the kit is the old Pyro Curtiss Jenny in 1/72 scale. Great stuff.

Iron Annie

Here are some images of Monogram's 1/48 scale Junkers JU 52 transport. Manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Luftansa as an airliner and freight hauler. In a military role, it flew with the Luftwaffe as a troop and cargo transport and briefly as a medium bomber. The Ju 52 continued in postwar service with military and civilian air fleets well into the 1980s. This is an excellent model in every way. Incredible detail and it assembled without any hitches. This kit is still around and one can get it for around $50 Cdn.

BF 109 G 10

Here is an image of Dave Porter's Revell (Monogram) BF-109G10 (K4) in 1/48. The kit has a photo etch detail set for the cockpit and aftermarket decals. It’s finished in Aeromaster enamels and artist oils. The figures are from the Monogram ME-262. The trees and static grass are from Woodland Scenics. The base is finished in Humbrol enamels. The ladder is scratch and the boxes and barrels are from VLS..

The Work of Jay Moffat

Here is a real treat here from Regina modeler Jay Moffat. These are highly modified figures in 1/32 scale that are based mostly on the Airfix “multipose” line. Jay is really an expert on uniforms and it shows in his creations. The clothing is molded and sculpted with the use of Milliput and a few odds and ends from the spares box and stuff from around the house……..as well as hours of meticulous effort. Jay’s specialty is figures and he dabbles in gaming miniatures as well as historical subjects. The French maid is from the Pheonix Follies line. HT DP