M-31 Firefox, scale plane replica

[Firefoxm31]

Firefox Interest list, in no particular order

1. Falcondesigns-Alexander
2. mbmcfarland-Mike
3. BrianM-Brian M
4. KarlBud420-Bruce
5. JediG60racer-Brendan
6. tardis55-Mark
7.kevoris-Bill
8.LZeitgeist-Smile lol?? -2
9.szarchie-Archie
10.Darth Clayton-Jeff
11.GELForever-Martin
12.autoprops713-Dave????
13.RKW



Howdy,
Everything is still a go on the project. I just got back some pics of the photoetched pieces for the instrument panel. These pieces will be assembled and molded for the finished resin version masters.
on to the pics...

Hi Pete,
Yes there is a speciafied scale. the 1/12 miniatures were 63" long.
The full scale version is supose to be 756" or 63 ft. You are correct this model replica is 1/32 scale, making it 23.625" long...do you want on the interest list too?

Will

 

[Pete Schmitz]

I'm definitely interested, money allowing.

 

[Firefoxm31]

well,
I'm not gonna lead anyone on thinking it will be an inexpensive model. I hope for this to be the definative model replica of the Firefox bar none, a super detailed replica featuring everything seen in the film, I'm hoping to make the cockpit canopy positionable as well. The invaluable reference (over 12 years dedicated research) I have will allow for this replica to be made to exacting standards, or better hopefully, than the original filming miniature
This will be a highly detailed replica of the film prop miniature, so it won't be a less exspensive version. Start saving now,if interested...there are alot of factors to dictate the final cost of such a beast, we'll see

 

[Firefoxm31]

Howdy,
well I just received a screen used 63"Firefox Wing tip, it even has specs and rips from the explosive charge set to the plane at the end of the film, the second Firefox,Col Voskovs plane. I'd say considering the material it's made from, carbon fiber with a urethane foam core, it has stayed in remarkable shape since 1982. I think fans will find it interesting to see the actual color of the plane. It is a very dark grayish blue, kin of hard to describe. I do recall a scene of the film where Mitchell Gant throws the toggle in a wierd pattern in order to avoid an incoming missle from the second Firefox, flipping the plane endover end. In this scene, the Firefox appears to be a silvery, bluish chrome, metal looking aircraft. This is a popular color desciption used when describing the plane from the film. I've recreated this bluish chrome color simply by taking a pic outside in the sunlight. It is actually the many layers of semi-gloss clear coat that is reflecting giving this unique look. These other photos show the wing tip in relation to my hand and keyboard.
I took the wing tip to the local paint pro shop and had them carefully scan it for color matches. They came up with three, though there is a lighter fourth on the bottom you may notice. with this new knowledge, I'll make the painting guide to match the 63" filming miniature photos I have, so that anyone can replicate it if they wish, including paint codes. With these paint codes it will look very dark gray,almost black, but with a slight unique blue hue to the gray just like the film model. In the mean time, enjoy the pics.
Sincerely
Will

 

[Firefoxm31]

whoops , double post

 

[RKW]

That's great news. Any progress on the model it self?

It's good to see that it looks blue in actual sunlight as I wasn't sure if it was caused by the blue screen. Your photo makes it look just like it did when it was flying over the ocean.

Although you can see the subtle changes in colour between panels what I can't tell from those photos is if the entire wing is semi-glossed or if some panels are left matt. The full scale mockup certainly gives the impression of a combination of matt & gloss panels but I can't decide on the filming miniature.

Making those panel lines remain lighter is going to be a SOB to do. I can't decide if it would be better to use a light wash and risk lightening the surrounding areas or simply dry brush in some grey pastel into the grooves.

 

[Firefoxm31]

howdy, sorry took a while to post,
Yes the entire wing tip and plane are clear coated...this is the reflection you see. When I spoke to the guy that designed and painted the final film version of the Firefox about 11 years ago, he stated that to achieve the varying panel look, the layers of clear coat had tints to them at various shading levels. After this, the entire plane was coated with clear semi-gloss as well as that UV coating for creating the matt for filming.
Best,
Will

 

[BrianM]

Saving my pennies, any estimated completion dates???

 

[Firefoxm31]

To all,
I finally got a chance to do a tiny bit on the Firefox..worked up the nerve and worked on the instrument panel master, so far being all brass. Thanks again to John F. of MMI for the P.E work.
Best,
Will

 

[Hacksaw44]

Put me on the list.

 

[Bradleyfett]

Hey Will,

Dropped you an email the other day- did you get it?

Mark
mbradley3@cfl.rr.com

 

[Firefoxm31]

Howdy all,
while another project is priority at the moment, I did get a chance to mold and cast a test of the new masters for the engine nozzles and burner cans. I really like the results.
Enjoy,
Will

 

[KarlBud420]

Those look crisp and full of detail.

Nice.

No hurry on my end as more time means more chances to save up. :$

Too many toys and not enough money.

Bruce

 

[JediG60racer]

still droooling. Amazing work.

 

[hirgon]

Please add me to the interest list My father loves this movie and will freak when i give him this ...

 

[Firefoxm31]

Firefox Interest list, in no particular order

1. Falcondesigns-Alexander
2. mbmcfarland-Mike
3. BrianM-Brian M
4. KarlBud420-Bruce
5. JediG60racer-Brendan
6. tardis55-Mark
7. kevoris-Bill
8. LZeitgeist-Smile lol?? -2
9. szarchie-Archie
10. Darth Clayton-Jeff
11. GELForever-Martin
12. autoprops713-Dave????
13. RKW-??
14. Hacksaw-??
15. Dobber- Chris
16. Hed-??
17. Jon Kunatz
18. Silvascoob-?
19. Hermes Trismegistus
20. DirkJello- Jeff
21. Hirgon

 

[Firefoxm31]

Howdy,
I was at the shop working on a couple projects and had brought the Firefox with me as well. I got quite a bit done on it waiting on the laser cutter files to run. I finalized everything on the nose, smoothed up the fuselage, and got the aviation hump behind the canopy all finalized. It's a match to the filming mini now. It was a slow process but worked out well in the end. Now she's all primered, ready to mold minus a little area in the rear where I need to fix a broken splitter on the inside of the engine shroud. Anyway, here a few pics of progress.
Will

 

[FXGuy]

Holy Guacamole, William.

Good to see you here and keeping the afterburners lit.

Wish I'd known about this site quite a while back.

PLEASE tell me you've had some luck with that helmet project you and I had been drooling over all this time- I'd love to know how far along you've come.

FX [aka Russ.]

 

[Keith]

Looks great. You can add me to the interest list.

Keith.

 

[RKW]

Seeing the fuselage sat like that on the box reminds me of the scene from the movie when it's about to run off the edge of the ice flow.

Would make a good diorama for the model I think.