Merchantman Vessel Parts Map and Reference Thread

[dbhs]

The more I look at this ship the more I love it. It would be great to do a studio scale build at some point when enough is known about it. I really like the complicated paint patterns on the hull too. Figuring out the masking sequence to duplicate that criss-cross pattern could either be a nightmare or a great Zen modeling experience.

Here’s the parts maps I’ve created so far. I’m a novice at identifying parts so I’ve only picked out the most obvious ones … and even this is with a little help. If anyone can add to this info I’d be happy to keep track of any new parts on these maps. There are several that seem familiar but I just haven’t found them in the kit scans yet. Anyone have better pictures? I have a few more from different angles but not as high of resolution as these shots. I’ll post up my other pics later on.

Does anyone have a good kit scan of the Airfix 1/144 Shuttle stack?

I also noticed that the raised area around the bridge dome is very similar in shape to the area around the bridge on the Enterprise Refit. Not exactly the same but close.

-Doug

[JPolacchi]

I think the directional nozzles in pic#1 are from the Saturn V,but don't quote me on that.They could also be from the space shuttle kit you listed.The fin is a tail wing or *chopped* wing from a fighter jet,but I don't know what kind/what kit it came from?Could be Tamiya,could be Airfix,Revell...I'm not sure?Too bad there aren't better/more photo references.

[dbhs]

Thanks for the tips. It looks like there is an indentation around the cone in the photo that I don't see in the Airfix cones. I don't have a kit scan of the Airfix shuttle kit yet but I'll check it out when I can. That wing will be hard to ID with most of it covered up.

[ralphee]

Think i see some 1/12 Tamiya Tyrrell on that mid side section (exposed) hull. Its a part of the chassis cockpit assembly, not got time to pull my kit, but it certainly rings a bell with all those slotted holes?

lee

[dbhs]

Originally Posted by ralphee

Think i see some 1/12 Tamiya Tyrrell on that mid side section (exposed) hull. Its a part of the chassis cockpit assembly, not got time to pull my kit, but it certainly rings a bell with all those slotted holes?

lee

You're right about that one. I found a kit scan for the Tyrrell. The radiator on the bottom looks like a close match as well. I'll go through the rest of the scans to see what else might be on there. Thanks.

-Doug

[ralphee]

Welcome Doug. Top of the Bridge (dome) looks to be a Tyrrell rim BTW! Not too sure on sizes though bud, im hardly a Trek tech guru, but i try lol.

lee

[ralphee]

Sides of the bridge, is that an F14 intake i see?

lee

[JPolacchi]

If you see an F14 part on there,chances are there are a few more,like maybe the wing in pic #1?There are missles on there too,and those very well could have come from the same fighter jet kit.All I really know/remember about this miniature was that it was put together fast and Bill george used whatever was hanging around the shop/on hand.

[dbhs]

All of these comments are very helpful. Each new source kit leads to more parts. Thanks guys. I need to do a little scaling off of the photo to figure out the scale of the F-14. Some of the bombs and missiles look like they might be from the Harrier kit but I haven't verified them yet.

[omes72]

Ok now nice thread & fresh subject Doug.
But what show are we referencing...
Yeah I know I am goin to get smacked with this question
I like this model but I dont recall what this is from.
Hit me

[ralphee]

KHAAAAANNNN!

lee

[dbhs]

Jase, ST III. It wasn't in the show for long.

[dbhs]

Here's the rest of the useful pictures that I have. The "merchantman-atlec.jpg" picture is post modificaton for one of the TV episodes but it is a fairly clear image of the underside of the wings.

[JPolacchi]

The Airfix 1/24 Harrier Jet had occured to me since it is a popular kit that has been used on many film miniature thoughtout ILM.My "guess" is that the F-14 is a big kit.Either 1/24 or 1/32.I wish I new some general dimensions of the Merchanman model.I'm not sure,but I don't think it was much larger than 2-2 1/2 ft, but I really don't know.

[EvanW]

The engine baffles on the rear shot are definitely Airfix 1/144 Saturn V. They used them on the SS Eagles from Space:1999 in the same manner.

[dbhs]

Originally Posted by JPolacchi

The Airfix 1/24 Harrier Jet had occured to me since it is a popular kit that has been used on many film miniature thoughtout ILM.My "guess" is that the F-14 is a big kit.Either 1/24 or 1/32.I wish I new some general dimensions of the Merchanman model.I'm not sure,but I don't think it was much larger than 2-2 1/2 ft, but I really don't know.

Based on scaling the F-14 intake it looks like it would be 1/72 scale. The wing of the F-14 is a pretty good match for the fin on the bottom. By comparing the scribe lines and profiles of the sides of the intake the Academy or Italeri kits looks like possibilities. The Hasegawa and Revell don't seem to match exactly. I need to find some better pictures or get the kits to verify.

[Nwerke]

Great subject, Doug. Really agree re the paint job. Shooting it with overall russet/pink and then masking the heck out of it and hitting it with darker shades and black or grimy overspray would get you pretty close, I think?

Originally Posted by JPolacchi

If you see an F14 part on there,chances are there are a few more,like maybe the wing in pic #1?

Nah, too small. That wing looks 1/32 to me. The intake is small.

Originally Posted by JPolacchi

I wish I new some general dimensions of the Merchanman model.I'm not sure,but I don't think it was much larger than 2-2 1/2 ft, but I really don't know.

I built a knockoff years ago that is about 3 feet long. It's fairly crude, with no correct kit parts, I even scratchbuilt the Shuttle ET section despite *having* one, god knows why. Anyway, it wound up being a bit too big overall. The original model seems a little smaller than I thought at the time.

Originally Posted by dbhs

Based on scaling the F-14 intake it looks like it would be 1/72 scale. The wing of the F-14 is a pretty good match for the fin on the bottom. By comparing the scribe lines and profiles of the sides of the intake the Academy or Italeri kits looks like possibilities. The Hasegawa and Revell don't seem to match exactly. I need to find some better pictures or get the kits to verify.

Agree. What the heck is that object flanking it on the starboard side? Looks familiar. Part of the boat kit?

[Treadwell]

Wasn't this model in the auction? Granted, it had been altered umpteen times for the TV shows, but pics still might help for any unmolested areas. Phase Pistol took a boatload of pics...

[ralphee]

Id say the F14 used for the intake, maybe 1/48? F14 for the wing (id agree thats a Tomcat wing too) im with Martyn, maybe around 1/32, hazard a guess at the Tamiya as it was a prolific kit in the workshops back then?

lee

[dbhs]

Originally Posted by Nwerke

I built a knockoff years ago that is about 3 feet long. It's fairly crude, with no correct kit parts, I even scratchbuilt the Shuttle ET section despite *having* one, god knows why. Anyway, it wound up being a bit too big overall. The original model seems a little smaller than I thought at the time.

Got any pictures ?

Originally Posted by Nwerke

What the heck is that object flanking it on the starboard side? Looks familiar. Part of the boat kit?

Are you referring to this thing or something else (see attached)?

Originally Posted by Treadwell

Wasn't this model in the auction? Granted, it had been altered umpteen times for the TV shows, but pics still might help for any unmolested areas. Phase Pistol took a boatload of pics...

I haven't found any but a lot of his picture links don't work now. I sent him a PM.

Originally Posted by ralphee

Id say the F14 used for the intake, maybe 1/48? F14 for the wing (id agree thats a Tomcat wing too) im with Martyn, maybe around 1/32, hazard a guess at the Tamiya as it was a prolific kit in the workshops back then?

lee

I'll check both of those as well. Thanks.

Here's some interesting info on the history of the modifications to the model and a listing of all of it's appearances: Ex Astris Scientia - Redresses of the Merchantman

[dbhs]

Here's the current status of the model from the Christies site.

Out of all of the modified versions I like the original the best.

[Nwerke]

Oh god, they ruined it!

I was going to ask Karl to post his pics...now I don't want to see them!

[dbhs]

I tried to tell myself "it's not so bad....just bad lighting".... but, no, it's really been butchered.

[ralphee]

Apart from the silly bridge, id say i prefer that version too Doug, those wing tendrils on the TWOK variant just look dodgy, then again i never could get on with the hoopty ships from ST anyway, but this one aint so bad lol.

lee

[Nwerke]

Originally Posted by dbhs

Got any pictures ?

Sure. Took some tonight. Just for fun, 145 and 146 are stereos, if you can do the eyes-out-of-focus trick.

The thing's pretty bashed, and it was crude to begin with. No ventral fin, found objects included jam jar lids, hull design is "inspired by" in the same way the ROTS freighter and blockade runner are "inspired by" the Falcon and Tantive IV...without being them, ha ha. Horrible...I had it under construction when a friend asked me to finish it as a talking point for some funding meetings he was having, so the details and paint got thrown together in a few evenings. It never got a masked paint job, instead it was just rubbed back through to primer and even bare plastic - on purpose, I swear - and then oversprayed and washed with black. Quick and dirty. Has lost a few kit parts over the years; actually I didn't get it back from the friend (ex-friend I should say) for about four years and then it just sat. It needs entire new engines and a lot more plumbing, probes, panels and paint work before it's really displayable, so it just lives in the rafters of my garage.

Are you referring to this thing or something else (see attached)?

Nope, I meant the lumpy object on the right side of the ventral fin.

Here's some interesting info on the history of the modifications to the model and a listing of all of it's appearances: Ex Astris Scientia - Redresses of the Merchantman

Thanks for that!!

Originally Posted by ralphee

Apart from the silly bridge, id say i prefer that version too Doug, those wing tendrils on the TWOK variant just look dodgy,

Lee, the TWOK version *is* the 'original' that Doug was referring to. He and I kinda hate the one *you like*.

then again i never could get on with the hoopty ships from ST anyway, but this one aint so bad lol.

Now there I'm totally with you.