MPC Space 1999 Eagle Transporter

[Analyzer]

I always loved the design of the Eagle Transporter.

This kit is listed as 1/72, but it is closer to 1/100 or so. There is also a lot of shape issues with the kit as well as not having an open cage which really helps sell the look of the kit. I have seen lots of amazing builds that leave little if anything of the original kit left when done.

Since I have the 1/48 version, I am not going to go all out fixing everything, but I do want something that looks a little better than the out of the box kit. Hopefully at some point they will do a proper 1/72 version that is as good as the 1/48 one, but until then...

First, fixing the angles of the spine. The out of the box version just looks noticeably wrong in it's shape/ So cut off all the cross supports, shorten them a tiny bit and glue back together at a new angle. Also the out of the box spine is missing all of the bottom cross bars. The sprues from a Bandai Garmillas warships kit were the prefect diameter to for it I used them for the bottom bars


Then opening up the cage parts. Unfortunately the bars are only hollow half rounds. This means you either have to rebuild the whole thing from scratch or settle for cutting out the openings and not worry about the rest. I chose to just cut them out as I the other way is may more time than I want to invest in it




Next is to open up the landing gear support boxes

And open up this part as well


This also means there are non of the internal parts, so scratch building them it was...

I used some landing gear parts form a 1/72 Cosmo Falcon along with brass tubing to simulate these parts


I made a mold of the vents on an N scale F-Unit train engine and used various styrene bits


It's a little rough, but it is going to be hard to see behind the cage anyway so I'll settle for it

And all together



with some primer to even things out



Next up, I have to do it all over again for the interior parts for the front cage

 

[korben44]

Looks awesome, so far!

 

[PHArchivist]

Inspiring - I have this kit stuffed away in a box somewhere...

 

[DiggsBarklightr]

One of my most favorite of all ships. Looks great so far!!

 

[Constantine]

Very nice improvements. One of my favorites too and also the first model I built when I was 11. I saw Space 1999 on TV and just had to have the Eagle!

 

[Analyzer]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

 

[FZ6]

Cutting the cages is a huge work!!!

I have the Airfix Eagle, that's 1/72, that I owns since I was 14 years old...

And I have purchased too the big MPC from Round 2, and I have designed my own tiny 3D printed 1/144 Eagle Transporter...
And more...

Good job!!!

 

[Analyzer]

That 1/144 Eagle is sure tempting...!

 

[FZ6]

Just some shots of my 1/144 Eagle built by my friend at Instagram Isao_mz...

Enjoy!!!

 

[Analyzer]

It's been a while and my desire to finish this was reduced to almost nothing after the announcement of the new tooled 14" 1/72 Eagle kit. Since this thread started, they announced and released one, and I recently picked up that kit. However, I decided to keep myself from building that kit until I finish this one. So... after a few nights of hobby time this week, this is where I am at

I finished the interior box structure for the front part, added all kinds of piping and internal cage rod supports to the extremely sparse engine area. Seriously, they could have have done any less in that area.

The diameter of the pipes for the engine area are a little on the thin side, but I ran out of thicker styrene rods when doing the cage bars in that area and just wanted to get this done. I also made a measuring mistake and was just a little short on four of the main supports. And I ran out of styrene, so I could not cut anymore. I used some orange sprue to plug the gaps at the top in case anyone wonders what those orange "stains" are

And almost there. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...

 

[Analyzer]

I laid down some paint on the inside parts before buttoning everything up since those parts will be hard to get good coverage on later

Only thing left needing some work before final painting are the two front landing gear, the inside of the engine bells and the two side thrusters on the cockpit

 

[Analyzer]

Very close now. Got some paint on and a few decals. Enough to get me interested in finishing it I am going to be painting the pod as the medical pod with the red stripes

This shelf queen has been taunting me for years and after picking up the newly tooled proper 1/72 Eagle I really lost the desire to finish this

As suspected, you do not see much of the detail inside the cages at all but in the end it is still way better having them opened up then being closed and painting them black

Looking at these close ups, I need to fix up a few areas as well as sand a few

I also seem to have lost one of the engine bells and I still have to put the small 4 way thrusters on the landing gear pods

 

[19narvik40]

I have to ask, what did you use for the spherical tank on the side sections and what diameter is it? It almost looks like a necklace bead.

 

[kermet]

The Eagle has landed, very cool model

 

[Analyzer]

I have to ask, what did you use for the spherical tank on the side sections and what diameter is it? It almost looks like a necklace bead.

I made a mold from a half round bead that I had from my jewelry making days

I used that reusable mold stuff (Oyumaru) and then just shoved some green stuff in it

I have not "melted" the mold yet if you are interested in it. I'd be happy to pass it along or the bead. PM me if for more info if so

 

[Analyzer]

Got the stripes on the pod and a few key decals

These decals are terrible to work with. They do not seem to stick well even with Micro Sol and Micro Set

The decals in the new Round 2/MPC 1/72 Hawk were so much better

Not too bad the the old MPC kit

 

[Constantine]

I like it! Those are some very nice improvements for a kit that need lots of improvements!