Space 1999 Ultra Probe Command Module

dbhs

This is the studio scale kit that was just released. I thought it would be a quick and fun build between larger projects but it's not turning out that way just yet. Getting the hull pieces to fit together on this has been a big challenge. The geometry is off just a bit making the attachment difficult. I added wood inserts inside at the mounting points to support a Panavise stand. The Ultraprobe is actually quite large...I think the curved hull makes it seem a bit smaller than it actually is.

To add to the challenge (doing things the easy way is just too boring) I'm replacing all the greeblies that are part of the kit with the actual kit parts. This kit was mastered digitally including the details. Identifying the kit parts used on the original was relatively easy since they all come from the Tamiya 8Rad. The details on the kit are basically the same configuration as the kit parts but just approximations. I think the real kit parts are going to look much better when it's all done.

Here's some pics of the hull nearly done and some of the kit parts compared to the details that came with the kit.

Thanks for looking.
-Doug

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cosmic_x

Thanks for this WIP Doug!

Can you please show us what you ve done to get the two hulls together and for the panavise support?

And did you get the decals from Jimbo?

dbhs

Sure I can post more of the inside. It's not pretty but will do the trick hopefully.

I'm ordering he decals today. I've asked Jim to print me a set of the decals without the stripes so I can paint those on instead.

dbhs

I'm finally getting a chance to get an update posted on the Ultra Probe Command Module. Some of these pictures are from a few weeks ago but I wanted to catch up on the pictures of the inside work before it was sealed up.

I started going a little overboard with styrene and foam ribs to strengthen the inside but these help to support the wood blocks at the mounting points. This way the stress on the wood block is transferred through the ribs and spread out evenly to the whole body. So far both mount points are very sturdy.



The large block is for the side mount and the smaller one in the middle is for the bottom. As far as I can tell from my research the studio model only had a single mounting point on the starboard side but for convenience I wanted a bottom mount point as well. The bottom mount point will allow it to be displayed with the starboard thrusters attached. I'll use a magnet to hold them on.
The kit came with laser cut acrylic windows but they don't fit the openings in the hull. The shape was too far off to modify so I ended up cutting my own acrylic and painting the inside surface very dark blue so the clear side would face out. These are epoxied into the inside of the window openings. The foam on there is to help keep them glued in place. Even with soaking the parts, cleaning off mold release, and scoring the insides I had a hell of a time getting the epoxy to stick to the hulls. They were thin enough sections that when they flexed just a bit the epoxy (which was stiffer) would want to pull away. The extra foam is there to help reinforce the glue joints.






This is just prior to glueing up the body. Pepsi can for scale. You can see the gap in the middle section. The middle was smaller than the ends for some reason which was one of the major sources of frustration getting this thing together.


Here it is as of today. The seams are all puttied and sanded. The primer is Duplicolor sandable over self-etching. There was a lot of bondo work to clean up the seams and some warped spots on the rear body parts.


The rear plate will be scratched with kit parts. I used a 1/8" thick styrene ellipse to substitute for the kit rear plate for assembly and will cover that over. The hole is for glue access to strengthen the seams and add some extra ribs in the rear after it was assembled.


Panavise stand in action. These things are great.


I dremelled off all of the kit details from the clamp arms and patched them up with bondo and primer. Kit parts are ready to go on next.


And finally, here's a size comparison shot next to the BSG studio scale shuttle, just for fun.

JMChladek

The caption for the final picture with the BSG shuttle should be "Hey man, wanna drag?"

Man, that is a HUGE CM. Who's doing the kit?

dbhs

Here's where I ended up tonight.

Most of the clamp arms have the original kit parts on them now.


I sanded down the corner and forked part of the clamp to have a rounded taper on the end like the studio model.




The hinge part of the clamp arms works great but has too much play in it. To solve this I added styrene backing behind the notches and strengthened them with epoxy putty. The rotating part of the clamp arm (the axel, I guess) had to be sanded down carefully so it just fit snug in the slot.



To lock the clamps in place I glued a small strip of styrene after it to hold it in place.


Now I'm working on scratching the top side hatch so that it matches the studio model. Hopefully some more progress tomorrow. Thanks for looking.

micdavis

Fantastic work. Can't get enough 1999.

dbhs

Top side detailing nearly done.

phase pistol

Sah weet!

cosmic_x

very sharp Doug!

GKvfx

Good grief, how many 8Rads are needed for this thing? I've got one coming my way...... thanks in large part to this thread....

Gene

Troy Downen

Bit of a noob question here (sorry to interrupt): which Panavise mount have you found to be most useful for mounting models? Looks to me like their CCTV mounts are about the only ones with the 1/4-20 threads. On the other side of things, what do you anchor in the model as the 1/4-20 female portion of the mount? A nut?

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread... And thanks!

dbhs

I'm very honored to be inspiring, especially around here.
4 kits are needed if you want all original parts. This is due to this part indicated in the attached photo.

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dbhs

I have the packaging for the insert nuts that I got at Home Depot. I'll post a pic of those when I get home along with the panavise model number I'm using. I got the panavise with the extending arm so I could adjust the height.

I'm using the 883-T mount. It's much sturdier than the smaller size mounts which are fine for smaller plastic models. I attached pics of the insert nut and packaging. You just have to make sure the threads match the panavise mount threads....1/4-20.

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Troy Downen

Very much appreciated on the Panavise and nut info.

Now, if only I could get one of those SS BSG shuttle models...

GKvfx

Great. (Well, great for my local hobby store - not for my wallet.) I think I gutted my 8-Rad stash for BSG related builds that use the same parts.

Gene

dbhs

I was able to find a little time to work on this over the weekend. I got the clamp arms installed on the body and scratched the side thrusters.



Thruster side blocks and the bells with a photo of the original. Thse will get glued up after painting since masking off these shapes will be a PITA.


For the bells I found these cheap ball point pens that had removable tips that are nearly an exact match for the size and shape of the original thrusters. I glued them onto brass tubes to make them easier to work with while sanding the wide part down a bit.

GKvfx

F'ing brilliant. And of course, more to buy.......

Gene

micdavis

One hopes.

boodha

Super cool! Gosh I loves me some Space 1999. Oh my...

JMChladek

That is one thing that is nice about studio modeling. After you spend time using kit parts to detail something, your brain begins to figure problems out by looking for solutions to problems that have not yet cropped up and EVERYTHING you see begins to look like a greeblie.

Nice idea there with the pen tips!

dbhs

Thanks very much for all the comments, guys. They are appreciated. I wish I had more time to spend at the work bench lately but I've made some progress since the last post finally.....


Construction complete and primered.






The side thrusters are done except for weathering. This one is held on by magnets.


This side screws into the mounting point on the starboard side. The studio model mounted from this point so it will be in place when I'm using the bottom mount point.


Now the tricky part was the rear plate details. The only reference I have been able to come by are screen caps showing the actual original details. The studio model was modified sometime after filming with the version with 2 thrusters and the details are different. Since this images is the best I have I did my best to duplicate it.


Here's what I came up with in similar lighting to the screencap. Not a perfect match but close enough given the reference.


I also made this plate removable (held on with magnets) so if and when better reference comes to light I can scratch up a new one to swap out.


Here it is in better light. All the parts are from the same donor kit.


Thanks for looking. Next up is painting all the markings.
-Doug

Wombat

Looks really clean, nice work!

dbhs

Thanks, Phil !!

terryr

You could alway try emailing Martin Bower. He might have a pic for you.

http://www.martinbowersmodelworld.com/