Question about TOS Cylon Raider

[Tordoc]

I'm researching the original Cylon Raider and have come up with photos showing some variations. Can someone please explain some things for me. Please see the attached pic:

 

[emojo5]

This is the Raider that was sent to Monogram to be pantographed for their kit release in 1978/79. You can tell be the unique front nose detail (Karl Morser and Leopold parts). The strip detail your asking about is Plastruct "T" strip, sitting on it's end, with the flat "T" area facing up. They got knocked off a lot because of the small retention area they used to glue them to the louvers/hull. They were glued on in various angles, some straight, some angled. The other detail you question was something to do with registering the laser blasts to the gun tips in post production. Not intended to be second laser guns (to my knowledge). Gene K. (GKvfx) would be the one to answer this question. Most knowledgeable in the history of all things visual effects.

P.S. Where did you come across this shot. Not sure I've seen this one before.

-emojo5

 

[Tordoc]

Thanks. I never knew that the strips were actually plastruct T-strips. They don't look that way in any photo I've seen. can you tell me what size they used?

As per the photo, I have no idea where I got it. I collect them from all over.

 

[Red Eye]

It's the Raider that was auctioned off on Profiles in History in 2005 together with Starbuck's battle damaged Viper as seen in "The Young Lords".

Have you saved the other photos from the auction as well and would you mind sharing them here?

 

[Tordoc]

I have many photos of what I believe are the original model. PM me your email address and I will share them with you. I have no idea where they came from.

 

[FANTAMATION]

Hope you don't mind me asking a different question about the same subject, if so please disregard, but was just wondering if anybody knows the exact shades of gray to use for the raider paint wise

 

[GKvfx]

Interesting find Tordoc. I think I actually looked at that model when it was at Profiles, but missed that detail. The foam-cast Raiders are very crude - especially after some abuse on the stage. Lots of dings, bad seams, and mismatches covered up by Plastruct channel and bits of tape. That additional gun barrel thingee might actually be.......... a pour stub. I've seen some photos of that same area (in the trench, under the gun) and there is evidence that something was there in the casting, but snapped off. The resulting "wound" (so to speak) is round and has the texture of foam. It appears that the master pattern was molded and castings were made, after which additional kit parts were added. Maybe those "stubs" were supposed to be guns and they just came up with a better one? Or maybe it was a pour stub and they just forgot to clip it before they sent the model off to Monogram? Who knows......

Gene

 

[JMChladek]

Hope you don't mind me asking a different question about the same subject, if so please disregard, but was just wondering if anybody knows the exact shades of gray to use for the raider paint wise

More than likely the original color is long gone, given it was likely a Pactra or perhaps a Floquil shade (the ILM/Apogee modelers liked to use both since they were readily available at the time). Closest color I have used would be FS Light Ghost Gray, which Testors offers in its Model Master paint line (Tamiya also does a spray which is very close, but not 100% exact). Be aware though that depending on the basecoat, how quickly the model was painted and any weathering effects done, the coloring can alter a bit. So it is probably best to get in the ball park rather than trying to use an exact shade. Because unless you know you are using exactly the same weathering techniques, you might end up with something that doesn't look quite right.