Flight of the Navigator Trimaxion Drone Ship

[BTTFSpencer]

I've been wanting to have a model of this wonderful sculpture. Ever since I was a young boy, I would watch this film with my father, it is one that we both enjoy to this day.

I'd like to ask if anybody has a method for me to acquire a casting of a model that I can display in my home.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Matte Painter]

If you don't find any existing models I'd happily build one in CAD for 3D printing if decent ortho views were available.

 

[BTTFSpencer]

If you don't find any existing models I'd happily build one in CAD for 3D printing if decent ortho views were available.

Funnily enough, there are wire frame type drawings featured prominently in the film.

I should be able to acquire high resolution Blu Ray frame grabs for you. There are plenty of side and front views also available on the web.

I can get much higher resolution than this for example...

 

[Matte Painter]

Yes, I saw that on a quick Google Images search, not ideal as it's filmed footage off a CRT display. Could be worse but also could be a lot better. I wonder if similar is shown in the Cinefex issue - I'll have a look if I have it.

I did find one or two 3d printed examples on google already so you could try there.

There is a supercut of all the flying sequences on YT, so I'll try take a pop at this at the weekend, should be fun and give me new DLP 3D printer something to chew on. I'll let you know how it goes.

Let me know if you find any better reference too!

 

[Matte Painter]

Hmmm... Cinefex didn't cover it and there doesn't seem a lot out there. Seems like a model was made for the production despite most of the FX being some early CGI. One of the models is still in the possession of the director space ship from flight of the navigator | Jean Barker's Sign Language Perhaps that might be considered studio scale if it was a filming miniature at all?

Also, these exist apparently
Flight of the Navigator AL Spaceship Model Morphed | eBay
Flight of the Navigator Trimaxion Drone Ship : pics

 

[BTTFSpencer]

Looks like a dead end.

 

[Matte Painter]

I don't have the Blu-ray. If you manage to get some grabs or anything useful that would help. I'm curious which version of the ship would be most wanted?

 

[BTTFSpencer]

I would really like the version before it morphs, as it was seen on the disney mgm backlot tour.

 

[dtssyst]

Not as accurate as can be but a start in the right direction...

The Trimaxion Drone Ship
Max, Flight of the Navigator Ship (Trimaxium Drone Ship) by ash2002

Trimaxion Drone Ship - Modified and Hollowed by chadbaycroft

Flight of the Navigator by unknownhand

Puckmarin
Puckmarin - Flight of the Navigator by McKrats

 

[BTTFSpencer]

If this is done, I hope that it is possible to create versions in multiple scales.

I shall get to work on the screen shots.

 

[doppelganger]

Would love ine myself. Just got to assemble my 3D printer.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

I would also be interested. I've loved this movie since I was a kid and I've contemplated sculpting one myself

 

[Matte Painter]

A little bit of Googling found this: Flight Of The Navigator Trimaxian Drone Ship studio model replica replica movie model

"This is a thick resin casting of the spaceship from "Flight of the Navigator".

This was cast by a Hollywood FX artist from a mold of the orignal Disney studio model that was constructed for the movie. It is thought that the original made-for-production studio model was not actually used (a CGI ship eventually taking it's place), but this has not been confirmed and a miniature may have been used in some scenes.
After cleaning up, filling and sanding, it was sprayed with automotive paint and waxed to a reflective shine."

Trimaxian Drone Ship - Flight of the Navigator

Perhaps this collector could be contacted?

I could get started in CAD but it doesn't feel like all research avenues have been exhausted yet.

 

[Matte Painter]

I'd thought I'd make a start on this, still quite some way to go, more refinement. Yes, cheating, gonna 3D print it on my Milkshake printer. However, I also plan on having an option with the door open and the floaty steps. If I can make it light enough I might be able to run acrylic rod through the steps and up into the ship as the only support.

But then that would be right where people are looking and perhaps some fine wire would be best there and a larger chunk of acrylic in the centre to hold the bulk up. Not a simple decision.

 

[jah5150]

Wow! That looks amazing so far! Any chance of making the files available somehow, when you are done? I would love to print one myself.

 

[Matte Painter]

Wow! That looks amazing so far! Any chance of making the files available somehow, when you are done? I would love to print one myself.

Yes, I'll make the stl files available.

 

[jah5150]

That is amazingly generous! Thank you, so much!

 

[BTTFSpencer]

This is a fantastic project, I'm glad you're going ahead with it.

 

[Matte Painter]

I managed to line up my virtual camera to a few shots from the movie with pretty good accuracy. I'm not going to say it's 100% but it's pretty close I think.

 

[Tildane]