PB Props
Active Member
Here's a project that's been niggling away at the back of my mind for years now. Most of you won't know what I'm talking about, so let me explain.
This rather duff (but cute) looking robot comes from a 1988 episode of Classic Doctor Who. A piece of junk mail, in robot form, manages to swerve the TARDIS' defences and land on board the ship.
On the approach, a model is used, but obviously in the studio, a full scale prop was employed. However, when it came to transmission, all the model footage was dropped... because it just wasn't very good for one reason or another. That said, despite the slightly naff design, I rather like it and so during a bout of illness, rather than rest, I decided to make a studio scale replica!
Here's a video:
And here's some pictures...
We all have to start somewhere, drawings, plastic and various tools - all on the dining table, just to make myself that little bit extra popular at home.
So, that plastic eventually starts to form into the base of the model. All fairly simple and quite straight forward.
Now I have the base sorted, I can start thinking about the rest of it. This is seemingly the most complicated part of the build, the rest will be a breeze. Apparently.
This is the internal armature. Very straight forward. Actually, this is a quick mock up that I made from off cuts as I forgot to photograph what I actually did make before I installed it, but it looks like this - just neater!
Not much to say here, it's just a ball on a base...
A quick jig to help line up and place parts.
Top part of the head with "holders" made for the LEDS.
Bottom of the head with a spacer for the wiring to run through.
Radar dish for the top. I wish there was more detail on it - but you have to build what was originally there...
The original one didn't do this, but I wanted to be able to gain access to the electrics that go inside - you know, for just in case.
The very technical LED set up - obviously only those with a degree in electrical engineering will understand what's going on here.
The solar panels, just a bunch of plates stuck together. Nothing fancy.
Now the robot's highly pointless legs are fitted. No detailing required here...
All stacked up and waiting for paint - once those very prone to breaking legs are welded into place.
I don't think I need to tell you that this has been primed. The clues are all there for everyone to see!
Basic pass of space aged silver.
First pass of airbrushed weathering, carding and shading. Loads of filth was added later, but this was the first time that I got to see what this will ultimately look like. Also, I'm employing the mounting system here, so for the first time it gets to "fly" - the ignominy of having a stick up its bum!
Adding the LED eye lens covers. Suddenly it has character now. Or at least I think it has!
And pretty much done. I'd like to add in some glossy oil stains to this, but I have to go and buy some varnish first. As it stands, it looks finished. It matches the original as best as I can make it, though I did deviate from the original slightly - those panel details were originally sticky labels and looked like sticky labels, so I changed it to this - which despite my internal protestations about absolute accuracy, I feel this just looks and reads better.
Thanks for looking.
This rather duff (but cute) looking robot comes from a 1988 episode of Classic Doctor Who. A piece of junk mail, in robot form, manages to swerve the TARDIS' defences and land on board the ship.
On the approach, a model is used, but obviously in the studio, a full scale prop was employed. However, when it came to transmission, all the model footage was dropped... because it just wasn't very good for one reason or another. That said, despite the slightly naff design, I rather like it and so during a bout of illness, rather than rest, I decided to make a studio scale replica!
Here's a video:
And here's some pictures...
We all have to start somewhere, drawings, plastic and various tools - all on the dining table, just to make myself that little bit extra popular at home.
So, that plastic eventually starts to form into the base of the model. All fairly simple and quite straight forward.
Now I have the base sorted, I can start thinking about the rest of it. This is seemingly the most complicated part of the build, the rest will be a breeze. Apparently.
This is the internal armature. Very straight forward. Actually, this is a quick mock up that I made from off cuts as I forgot to photograph what I actually did make before I installed it, but it looks like this - just neater!
Not much to say here, it's just a ball on a base...
A quick jig to help line up and place parts.
Top part of the head with "holders" made for the LEDS.
Bottom of the head with a spacer for the wiring to run through.
Radar dish for the top. I wish there was more detail on it - but you have to build what was originally there...
The original one didn't do this, but I wanted to be able to gain access to the electrics that go inside - you know, for just in case.
The very technical LED set up - obviously only those with a degree in electrical engineering will understand what's going on here.
The solar panels, just a bunch of plates stuck together. Nothing fancy.
Now the robot's highly pointless legs are fitted. No detailing required here...
All stacked up and waiting for paint - once those very prone to breaking legs are welded into place.
I don't think I need to tell you that this has been primed. The clues are all there for everyone to see!
Basic pass of space aged silver.
First pass of airbrushed weathering, carding and shading. Loads of filth was added later, but this was the first time that I got to see what this will ultimately look like. Also, I'm employing the mounting system here, so for the first time it gets to "fly" - the ignominy of having a stick up its bum!
Adding the LED eye lens covers. Suddenly it has character now. Or at least I think it has!
And pretty much done. I'd like to add in some glossy oil stains to this, but I have to go and buy some varnish first. As it stands, it looks finished. It matches the original as best as I can make it, though I did deviate from the original slightly - those panel details were originally sticky labels and looked like sticky labels, so I changed it to this - which despite my internal protestations about absolute accuracy, I feel this just looks and reads better.
Thanks for looking.
Last edited:
