SOLAR CRISIS 'SPIDER TUG'

[ajamodels]

HERE IS MY LATEST PROJECT: THE 'SPIDER TUG' OR 'WORKER BEE' FROM THE FILM SOLAR CRISIS (1990).
The filming miniatures were made for this film by Boss Film, they were all designed by the legendary Syd Mead. This 'spider tug' was used to shuttle around the larger spaceships.
This model was made in two sizes: 15" x 15", and 5"x 5". this is the smaller of the two. I have estimated it to be 1/32 scale. This is the original filming miniature that i restored. It was in bad shape. warped in some areas, and collapsed in others. overall, i am very pleased with the restoration. It was completely hand-made, and the craftsmanship is superb. Extremely fine details everywhere.
The only thing missing from this was the RCS thruster blocks. i had them made in SLA.

I'm putting the pieces in rubber next week, and will do a build-up of it.

-Adam Johnson

 

[joberg]

Fantastic workmanship once again

 

[minieffects]

HA! That brings back memories. Those were good times at Boss. Fantastic crew.

 

[publiusr]

I have never seen this film…

 

[ajamodels]

Finally finished this model. Please note the main body/ring is about 4" X4".
I'm very pleased with it : )

 

[joberg]

Wonderful model

 

[publiusr]

Without the arms and cockpit--I could see this plugging into the back of cylinders---small spheres to go in the rings---maybe larger venturi/nozzles.

 

[minieffects]

beautiful work. Looks just like what we built. I use to have one of the small ones. Not sure what happened to it. I still have one of the small dropships from the skytown model. And I found one of the crew patches.

 

[minieffects]

One of my favorite on set photos taken by Virgil Morono. You can just make out the small tug in the background

 

[publiusr]

Jaw-dropping

 

[ajamodels]

Wow. Thank you "Mini effects" and "Publiusr" for sharing your memories and photos. I'm REALLY glad to see where this model fit into the film. Most of the shots (in the film) are obviously the two large 24" models of tug.
Now i have to restore the 18" Helios model.......it also is in really bad shape.

 

[Carlb]

Excellent work Adam.

 

[stevielewis]

Thank you for sharing. These are fantastic photos and the build is great.