1/72 Proteus from Crow's Nest Models

[Carson Dyle]

Fellow Proteus nut Drew Huffman, the man largely responsible for this kit, was kind enough to forward me the first casting out of the gate to build as a sample piece. The following build log will give those interested a chance to see the model come together (for those not familiar with the subject, this is the experimental submarine featured in Fantastic Voyage).

The parts a crisply molded – and there are a lot of them...

After a small amount of sanding and puttying (the latter to fill in a couple of small bubbles on the window frame) the hull halves were given a medium coat of grey primer.

The halves are designed to sandwich together so the top can be removed for a better view of the interior. Prep work continues, but this gives you some idea of where I'm at on Day One of the build.

Still a little puttying and sanding to do, but she's off to a good start.

For display purposes, the kit includes a pair of support pieces like those seen in the film’s miniaturization sequence. As an option I also drilled a small hole in order to accommodate an aluminum rod (not included with the kit).

This model was a labor of love for Drew. The result, I think it’s fair to say, is the most accurate version of the subject produced to date. Proteus fans will not be disappointed.

For additional info re: where to order got here…

http://www.needfulthings.net/host/crowsnest/catalog/index.php

Stay tuned for additional updates.

 

[MooCriket]

Looking forward to this one:thumbsup

 

[3d-builder]

Not into the subject matter.....but that doesn't matter
it's a beautiful looking kit, and looking well engineered
to say the least!!thumbsup

 

[Howard]

Beautiful!
I've been waiting for an accurate and decent scaled kit for years!
Thanks for posting.

 

[kdawg1]

They say the kit is sold out! What was one of these selling for.

 

[Carson Dyle]

It's not sold out; they haven't even gone on sale yet.

Not sure when Drew is planning on taking orders. I've just been asked to build the "demo model," but I'll post a heads-up here once they go on sale.

As for the price, I don't believe that's been determined.

I'll post update pix soon.

 

[DarkKnight]

Ive been waiting for this since before wonderfest, mouth watering for the build up shots

 

[DarkKnight]

any more progress?

 

[Carson Dyle]

Should have something Monday.

 

[Nuclearsphinx]

Great looking kit.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Rough test-fit of the interior parts...

Hull finish is Tamiya Pure White straight out of the rattle-can. I built up a fairly thick base coat because I intend to buff out the surface with polishing abrasives and I don’t want to accidentally sand through the finish.

Still futzing around with those little "intake discs" on the lower hull. They were originally molded directly on the hull, but I screwed them up when prepping the surface. Should be easy enough to scratch new ones.

I'll post another update next week.

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

Wow. Looks good. I used to have the cheapy vacuum formed Lunar Models version-six pieces as I recall. But then that would be like comparing the Kenner AT-AT to an MR AT-AT.

 

[DarkKnight]

any more?

 

[Carson Dyle]

I warned Drew when I accepted this gig that my progress would be subject to work and family demands, and boy have there been a lot of those lately.

Not that I'm complaining!

At any rate, work on the Proteus continues (albeit slowly), and I'll post an update as soon as I have something half-way interesting to show.

 

[whitepearl]

one of my favorite ship!!
I hope to see your post soon!!!
If it's possible could you send me parts size, I hope to find some time to do it in full scratch...

 

[Carson Dyle]

The bad news: The test build depicted here went south and was abandoned due to outgassing resin (no way to salvage a resin kit once it starts sweating on you).

The good news: The Proteus kit is being bumped up to a larger scale, with one of the most experienced and well known garage kit producers in the biz handling the casting chores.

The larger scale will make the model A LOT easier to build, because at 1/72, some of the edges were paper thin.

Drew has his hands full with his full-time gig, but this remains a labor of love for him, and the last time we spoke he'd made quite a bit of progress.

I'll drop him a line and see what's cooking. Stay tuned...

 

[Alan Cross]

Rob, don't you have a HUGE version of this ship? I have a memory of seeing a photo of a large Proteus in a display case... I thought it was from your collection. Just curious.

Alan

 

[whitepearl]

a HUGE version!!! I'm interrested in to see it....:love

 

[Carson Dyle]

Don’t know if it qualifies as “huge,” but here are a couple shots of my build-up of the old Lunar Models Proteus (patterned by Jeff Wargo and Mike Evans). I estimate the scale to be somewhere between 1/32 and 1/35.

Rick Teskey made a fiberglass RC version of the Proteus that was close to studio scale... perhaps that's the one you're thinking of.

 

[Alan Cross]

No no, THAT'S the picture I remember... and yes, I guess "huge" isn't exactly right. But it's absolutely stunning! That's for sharing. Always find your work inspiring.

Alan