Part ID help, F-14? scale? and one more

grumble garage

grumble garage

Active Member
I'm going to attempt to scratch build Nell from Battle Byond the Stars for a customer. I have some assorted reference, but can't tell how large the Studio model is. I'm assuming it is 4 foot or larger, way too big for the budget so I will have to build it at a reduced size.
Reference is not very good for part ID's, but I found a shot of the bottom of the ship with what looks to me like the top of an F-14.
If someone could verify the kind of airplane and possilby the scale of the kit it would help me figure out how large the studio model is.
To the left of the airplane part is a part (or pair of parts) that look like inner structure of an aircraft model? Part ID on this too please, could be the same aircraft kit?
From what I've seen ID'ed on this board, these should be easy.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Dan
 
There is no question that is from a Tomcat.

No guess to scale though.



Were they any transformer type model kits back then?
Japanese kit?

Might be something like that too.
 
Lower hull looks like the Hasegawa from my memory, though the top, could have been cut, as it doesnt match the Hasegawa kit part.
Id also be looking at 1/48 scale, but again from memory, discount the Monogram.

lee
 
Hasegawa had probably released every version of the F-14 (like they use to do) and maybe on of those is the good one, I would also look at the Haseg F-14, sounds a good candidate !
 
MonsieurTox said:
Hasegawa had probably released every version of the F-14 (like they use to do) and maybe on of those is the good one, I would also look at the Haseg F-14, sounds a good candidate !
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would probably just vary based on the kit rather than the version. The actual variants of the F-14 don't have any significant airframe differences in those areas. Only variants beyond the F-14A would have some nubs on the underside of the leading edge gloves that might be molded into some kits and not others. So that could be something to key into beyond how the lower fuselage body was cut to fit in the kit.
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Just to be clear, the recognizable top part is A/green and the lower fuselage is B/blue minus the intake bodies (the side holes are the main landing gear wells).
attachment.php
 
Sadly most of my studio scale kits are still in boxes due to the recent move. Can't show a picture, but you are looking for a 1/48th scale Hasegawa kit - one of the early issues as they revised the tooling as the aircraft itself was modified.

Kit was also used on a number of Universal Hartland-era Buck Rogers and BSG models.

Gene
 
Yeah, im the same Gene, i have an old one packed away somwhere, i do know the lower hull is spot on to the 'gawa, seems they just trimmed the rear deck to fit Nell on the upper fuse half.

Ler
 
Awesome guys!, I knew I could count on you for some great info.
When someone gets a chance, can you throw a ruler on the upper fusalge and let me know.
At 1:48 I believe it will make Nell too large for a studio scale reproduction. I'll scout some smaller scale F-14's to see if one will work out for a reduced scale build. I'm looking to make it in the 24"-30" range.
thanks for the help,
Dan
 
Priceless picture Gene. Would i be beaten around the face and neck...if i said i actually liked this model :lol?

lee
 
From some angles, this ship kind of resembles Andrew Probert's Enterprise-D.

I always knew something was off about the Enterprise-D!

I didn't notice the nipples on Nell until today! :lol
 
Without knowing where the part is located on the surface or how big it really is, remember that the 1/144 kits are remarkably similar to the larger scales. Although I have no idea what was available in 1980.
 
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I built every single available 1/48 scale model of the Tomcat, by every manufacturer...during the mid 1980s. Hasegawa had no 1/48 Tomcat at that time. I'm fairly sure, from examining the parts breakdown, that what was used on Nell, was the Fujimi 1/48 scale F-14A. It should be noted, that the 1/72 scale Fujimi shared parts breakdown commonality with the 1/48 scale version. Fujimi made a nice Tomcat...the shape was fairly accurate, and best of all, were the nicely recessed panel lines...an uncommon feature for models of that era.
 
I should add....I'm happy to see someone tackling "Nell". This was a unique model, from a consistently underrated movie... I'm glad to see someone giving her some long overdue attention at last. Star Wars "Battle" was NOT...but all in all, it wasn't half bad, for the money spent on it. Yes, it exploited the fame of Star Wars...but it also gave a great many special effects personnel badly needed experience in "budget" effects, and model building. One wonders what Roger Corman could have done, had he been given a decent budget with which to shoot a Science Fiction epic? Indeed...I think the results would have been amazing.
 
scratchawan said:
I built every single available 1/48 scale model of the Tomcat, by every manufacturer...during the mid 1980s. Hasegawa had no 1/48 Tomcat at that time. I'm fairly sure, from examining the parts breakdown, that what was used on Nell, was the Fujimi 1/48 scale F-14A. It should be noted, that the 1/72 scale Fujimi shared parts breakdown commonality with the 1/48 scale version. Fujimi made a nice Tomcat...the shape was fairly accurate, and best of all, were the nicely recessed panel lines...an uncommon feature for models of that era.
Click to expand...

D'oh! I'm an idiot. Yes, its the Fujimi kit. The one in this box (early issue). I went through this when I was getting info for some BSG / BUCK junk and it appears I made the same typo.

Regarding Nell in general - It's one of those ships (like the Enterprise D) that looks good from certain angles, but doesn't work all the way around. I've seen a very small one made for the movie (which was sold a number of years ago through Profiles). Jim actually has Nell in storage and has for a number of years. Tried to get access a while ago, but he was in the middle of that little independent film of his and his staff was kinda pre-occupied.

Gene
 
GKvfx said:
D'oh! I'm an idiot. Yes, its the Fujimi kit. The one in this box (early issue). I went through this when I was getting info for some BSG / BUCK junk and it appears I made the same typo.

Gene
Click to expand...

G'day Gene,
Just regarding the image of the Fujimi 1/48 Tomcat I recall seeing this kit with this boxart when I was working in a hobby shop in 1991. Wasn't BBTS released in the very early 80's so is this Fujimi kit correct?

Just curious.
 
GKvfx said:
I'd say at least a 'D' cup.........

attachment.php


Gene
Click to expand...


Great photo, do you have any other gems that could help for reference. I don't have a lot to go on. I won't be able to make it full studio scale, it will be a reduced version. I'll look at the 1:72 to see if it will work out.
Thanks,
Dan
 
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