Land of the Giants SPINDRIFT build.

[MARK M3]

My Land of the Giants SPINDRIFT Build.
I was fortunate enough to acquire this perfect copy kit(it is the result of 3d scans of the original "HERO" filming miniature seen in the series), From the SPINDRIFT expert and artist, Mark Joseph Dorais.
It was a fulfillment of a child hood dream to own a copy of the actual filming model, warts and all, with out any "expert" involvement, adjustments and excuses. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a boring modeler, in that I want the subject matter to MATCH the thing it's supposed to be.
It features the following…
A completely air brushed paint scheme. The colors were mixed and matched to my extensive photo reference library.
I intentionally recreated, by hand, then airbrushed the wonky pin striping to match the filming miniature.
I weathered the model to reflect its current state.
It features three independent light functions of my own design
1 the cockpit/ interior.
2 The pulsating intakes( with three different modes).
3 rear engine lighting.
I don’t need a full interior but I did add a partial interior with the cockpit. It includes scratch built parts and modified parts from a lunar Models kit.
I love all the curves on this ship, and appreciate the work of the FOX model shop! They must have done something right as the miniature was seen in ALL the promotional material of the show as well as featured in the series when interacting with the "giants".
It is seen here with its clear bubble, however it can easily be swapped out for the red one.
It’s about 16.5” in length and one of my personal favorites of models I actually keep for myself.
Thanks!

I have attached a Photo of my model with the actual filming miniature as well!

 

[Captain Dunsel]

My Land of the Giants SPINDRIFT Build.
I was fortunate enough to acquire this perfect copy kit(it is the result of 3d scans of the original "HERO" filming miniature seen in the series), From the SPINDRIFT expert and artist, Mark Joseph Dorais.
It was a fulfillment of a child hood dream to own a copy of the actual filming model, warts and all, with out any "expert" involvement, adjustments and excuses. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a boring modeler, in that I want the subject matter to MATCH the thing it's supposed to be.
It features the following…
A completely air brushed paint scheme. The colors were mixed and matched to my extensive photo reference library.
I intentionally recreated, by hand, then airbrushed the wonky pin striping to match the filming miniature.
I weathered the model to reflect its current state.
It features three independent light functions of my own design
1 the cockpit/ interior.
2 The pulsating intakes( with three different modes).
3 rear engine lighting.
I don’t need a full interior but I did add a partial interior with the cockpit. It includes scratch built parts and modified parts from a lunar Models kit.
I love all the curves on this ship, and appreciate the work of the FOX model shop! They must have done something right as the miniature was seen in ALL the promotional material of the show as well as featured in the series when interacting with the "giants".
It is seen here with its clear bubble, however it can easily be swapped out for the red one.
It’s about 16.5” in length and one of my personal favorites of models I actually keep for myself.
Thanks!

I have attached a Photo of my model with the actual filming miniature as well!View attachment 1875930View attachment 1875931

I only recently “discovered” this show and love the 1960’s futurist design of the Spindrft.

Beautiful build—spot-on accuracy with not only the details but also the difficult-to-match paint color of the body.

 

[MARK M3]

I only recently “discovered” this show and love the 1960’s futurist design of the Spindrft.

Beautiful build—spot-on accuracy with not only the details but also the difficult-to-match paint color of the body.

Many thanks. I sincerely appreciate it. I air brushed that model several times before I got it right! Love the curves on that ship! Fox produced a beautiful miniature!! Those guys were indeed true artisans!!

 

[Duncanator]

Looks great!
Do you have any photos of the build process? Love to see how you did it!

 

[jake88]

Yeah I also would love to see this beautiful ship in the dry docks phase. Incredible build. I can only spot a couple small insignificant details that look slightly different, the 2 antennas, but who cares! That thing is spot on. Wonderful work Mark!

 

[MARK M3]

Again thanks! I’ll see what I can come up with!

 

[MARK M3]

A view of my Faux cockpit!

 

[MARK M3]

Several more pictures of my Land of the Giants 16.5" Build.
Whats fun and challenging to me ( your milage may vary), is to get the subject matter as close to the "reel" thing as possible...warts and all. Which is why I heavily modify commercially available injection model kits. In most cases they are designed by a committee who feel they know more than the original prop/ miniature makers did. (good luck with that).
Again, here’s my 16.5” Dorais Spindrift build.
It features full lighting and a faux cockpit.
I replicated the wonky striping as it was always a part of the miniatures character.
To put my money where my mouth is, I have a side by side photo with the actual beautiful filming model!
The model was completely airbrushed mixed Tamiya colors, based on my extensive reference library. Although my model is sporting the red dome, for clarity, and the filming miniature's is clear,I elected to leave the red dome on it as well as the insignia on the side.
Thanks!

 

[MARK M3]

Here are more pictures of the Spindrift sporting a clear bubble like the actual filming miniature currently does.