Anybody remember Space Precinct?

[Mike Rush]

Space Precinct was Gerry Anderson's last live-action series. It was set around the Demeter City police precinct orbiting the planet Altor. The DCPD comprised humans, aliens and a robot. Sounds bad, I know, and many people say the effects and/or plots let it down, but I have a soft spot for it because of the writing. The characters were compelling enough to make you want to come back each week. Well I did, anyway.

The police officers carried a double-barrelled pistol which appeared to be built around a real semi-automatic, with new grips, magazine base and front end. (Ah, the good old days.) What the base gun is, I've never quite pinned down.

Back in the nineties I was asked by a the owner of a model shop to refurbish and reproduce one of these guns from a cast he gave me. He said it was from the production; whether that's true, I can't say for sure.

I did a ton of sanding and straightening, replaced the trigger, hammer, rear sight and safeties, and fabricated two new muzzles. The internet was young and I had no reference to help me except for the cast itself. Since then of course I've seen photos of the real ones, and I can see that I didn't get everything 100% right.

I made a two-part mould and turned out copies in black resin. This is my personal copy. I know it's not up to the standard of most people here, but I like it.

 

[gunnerk19]

IMO, it actually looks like 2 base guns; The slide assembly is definitely from a Beretta 92 series, but, unless the doodad "lever" on the top rear of the wood grip is fake, the grip frame looks like a Taurus PT92... The Taurus' has a frame mounted safety that would be just about where the one in the picture would be.

Beretta slide mated to a Taurus frame? Paging Wakal... :confused

I don't recall ever seeing the show, was there a working Hero of the gun?

 

[Eagle]

Looks pretty good to me although I only have vague recollections of the series.

The silver is a little too... 'silver' for my liking but very nice all the same.

 

[eltee]

 

[Harry Harris]

There's something about that gun I've always liked, I think it's the chunkiness of it, and the twin barrels (assuming they are both barrels of course).

Mike my hat is off to you for doing these in black resin, so many replica-makers use white resin; a subject that's been discussed many times here. How did you do with the black pigment? I've heard people say that it's expensive and hard to use, can you throw any light on this at all?

Harry

 

[Jedi Lawja]

Never heard of the show (or it's lost in the detritus of a million failed TV shows) but I like that gun. You did a very nice job of finishing.

Jay

p.s. So.. Still got that mold?

 

[Blad]

That's excellent.

I have one of your older kits here that you sent to Mel ages ago and it's great.

 

[Mike Rush]

Thanks everyone.

Gunnerk, I always thought Beretta too. There are so many similarities. However I didn't think it could be a 92 because of this:

Note the position. Maybe a different model Beretta?

I believe we did see them fired in the programme (then CG beam effects added in the time-honoured fashion). Also, a practical gun was sold through Propstore a few years ago so I'm pretty sure it did have a working gun inside.

Harry, I don't know who's been talking (.) but making black resin is neither expensive or difficult. You get a pot of black dye (which lasts ages) and add some to the resin before you mix it. The only skill involved is getting the amount right (not enough and your resin comes out a fetching shade of grey). I used to keep a plastic syringe full of the dye, so that for a given amount of resin I could squeeze in the requisite amount. The number of props which are supposed to be black anyway (like guns), you'd think more people would use the stuff.

Jay, I'm afraid the mould might be too old to use now, but if I discover otherwise I'll let you know.

Blad, Mel's is one of the few I ever sold. Sadly, there was very little interest in things from Space Precinct.

 

[ed-209]

Mike was nice enough to send me one of his fiirst castings MANY years ago and they were FANTASTIC.... (Hi Mike, long time. Hope all is well ---Ed M.)
I had Steve D. from S.D.Studios Convert a Gas Blowback Airsoft Beretta using MikeÂ’s design from his casting. I know the handleÂ’s not correctÂ…but it IS COOL....

 

[tain669]

I remember seing that series and I really like the pistol. That and the Blade Runner blaster are my two favorite sf firearms.Thank :thumbsup :cheers :thumbsup

 

[Mike Rush]

Ed. How are you doing?

That working version looks much better than mine. I see it doesn't have the magazine base though - that's my favourite part. It's so functional, and somehow tactile.

Overall I think this weapon was a great design from an underrated series.

 

[Harry Harris]

<div class='quotetop'>(Mike Rush @ Sep 4 2006, 07:32 PM) [snapback]1312838[/snapback]</div>

...making black resin is neither expensive or difficult. You get a pot of black dye (which lasts ages) and add some to the resin before you mix it... ...The number of props which are supposed to be black anyway (like guns), you'd think more people would use the stuff.[/b]

You're right in that it's not difficult or expensive - I think it's under $10 for 500g - I think some people even pre-colour one part of the resin mix.

It is a shame that more people don't use black pigment, or even buy pre-coloured black resin - like you said it makes much more sense to use it when making replica guns and props that receive a black or dark coloured paint finish.

Harry