Buck Rogers Starfighter kit.

[Dedalus5550]

Debbie Downer here. One side or the other wins. Doesn't matter which side. Don't really care about the story, but there will be new ships that I will love as much as I like new BG stuff and all of the SW stuff after 1983 (nope, and nope). AND, for one reason or another, there will be no new tooling of the old ships. We'll be "lucky" if someone can market the old tooling Monogram molds. Compared to what we've gotten used to with FM and Bandai, the old tooling is a big "meh" for me. I actually prefer the Fantastic Plastic starfighter, despite it's size. Wish I'd bought more than three when I did. (Although Mobius did give us some modern tooling of old BG stuff, so there's hope.)
Mike Todd--don't hate the messenger.

 

[mach7]

No hate here.

Atlantis and R2 are having good luck marketing the older kits. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing!

 

[rbeach84]

I actually prefer the Fantastic Plastic starfighter, despite it's size.

Was that marketed as 1/72 scale?
Cheers!
R/ Robert

 

[Dedalus5550]

Was that marketed as 1/72 scale?
Cheers!
R/ Robert

Yeah.

Buck Rogers Thunderfighter by Fantastic Plastic

 

[drusselmeyer]

According to pictures of the studio cockpit set, 1/32 might be right. Yes, that would make it a very small fighter.

On an unrelated note about reissues; I would like to see a reissue of the 1/6 Countess Karnstein.

 

[mcusanelli]

How about a Countess Karnstein in 1/5 scale? The new company I’m working with introduced her this past weekend at Wonderfest. Danger Island Models . A whole new sculpt, as well as Margianna from Golden Voyage of Sinbad and Doctor Deadly’s Daughter based on the original Monster Scenes artwork. They own the license and have Caroline Munroe’s permission as well

 

[drusselmeyer]

Hmm. 1/5 is kind of an orphan scale. The math is easy, but most figures fit within 1/4 to 1/6.

It's a maybe in that size. 1/4 scale, like the bust, would be much more desirable.

 

[drusselmeyer]

Wait, I missed another Wonderfest? I knew I felt a disturbance in the Force.

 

[drusselmeyer]

Any chance of scanning the Starfighter kit before building it?

 

[rbeach84]

Which kit? The Monogram plastic kit or the Alliance resin one?

 

[drusselmeyer]

Whichever is available to scan.

 

[mach7]

Scan the kit?

Sorry, I'm not very computer savy.
How would i do that?

I assume you mean laser scan?

I'm willing, but have no idea how.

 

[drusselmeyer]

We call them kit scans here. Many computer printers today are multi-function and are print-copy-scan types. You can put the sprues on the platen and scan each sprue to record the parts for future reference.

Alternately, you can simply take individual pictures of each sprue sitting on a grid.

Check these: Search results for query: Kit scans

 

[rbeach84]

Advantage to 'taking picures' on a scanner is you can place a ruler on the table as well, to accurately size the parts (as the ruler is in the same plane as the parts...) Also, scanning avoids the lens distortion that can result when using a camera.
I'll try and get a scan together this weekend of the Alliance/Federation Models kit just for info...

 

[rbeach84]

Finally got around (and remembered!) to make those scans of the Alliance "Earth Directorate Starfighter" resin kit:

 

[rbeach84]

Regarding the scale of this kit, I did some comparisons using standard 1/32 and 1/48 scale figures. The 1/32 scale figures seemed to be a rather

tight squeeze whereas the 1/48 figures fit with plenty of room for the cockpit accoutrements.

Here are the figures I used; the 1/48 scale figure in light gray resin is from Federation Models' figure accessory set: "Buck - Wilma - Twiki" #RMC-51.

These are obviously 1/48 scale, though 'Wilma' figure is too tall in the legs for Erin Gray. I modified the Wilma figure by removing some of the leg length between the ankles and knees to give the correct scale height for the actress (5'7"). The Buck figure, while seated, is likely not the correct height for the actor, but I'm still working that out. They did a nice job on the helmet, so I (having two of these sets) may 1) swap Buck's head onto a more accurately scaled figure for his 6'1" stature, and 2) remove the spare figure's head and hollow the helmet for use as a 'sitting on the glare shield' kind of display.
The Twiki figure is fairly good, but the detailing is not as precise as I'd like. A bit of file and knife work should solve that issue.

Any questions, let me know! Cheers!

Regards, Robert

 

[drusselmeyer]

Scale references

Studio scale model:

1/1 Set piece:

 

[rbeach84]

Yes, it is pretty obvious the Starfighter 'set' was a pretty small depiction of an alleged extra-atmospheric vehicle... and the exterior sets don't have the same dimensions as the 'interior' views:

 

[edge10]

Time Lord technology?

 

[Thom]

You need enough room inside to fit the helmets.