Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Heldrak on 10 January 2008, 06:20:41 AM
-
Is anyone aware of a reasonably-priced plastic toy spaceship on the market that might make a good terrain piece for Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers-style 28mm VSF games?
Ideally, something like a Revell model or a licensed plastic toy (I'd hate to use the crashed shuttle from the GW Macragge boxed set, just on principle...).
I have to say, I'm not crazy about the paper model shown elsewhere on the forum (too flimsy and not nearly ornate enough for my taste...).
-
You could use the paper model as a template to make one out of plastic card or some other material.
-
You might want to look out for "Glencoe Models", a US firm which used to offer re-issues of "classic" spaceship models. I still have an unfinished Mars Liner (CLICK for a nicely-built piece, not by me! (http://www.starshipmodeler.com/Other/jl_twa4.jpg) lying about which I want to convert sometime for the exact same topic, but they also had a quarter-scale flying saucer (originally by Aurora, IIRC) and several other nice kits.
However, it´s been the 1990s when I last bought stuff from them, although I´ve seen it occasionally in modelling stores, so if GERMAN model stores are able to stock Glencoe stuff, the firm shouldn´t be totally AWOL (explanation: Teutonic Efficiency™ does, apparently, no longer apply to the majority of German model shops, they seem to focus on the easy-to-sell stuff, like Panthers and Tigers and... more Tigers, oh my!).
-
not ideal but how about a re-painted Corgi Supercar?
They are doing the rounds quite cheap at the mo, especially the monotone one which I think is supposed to represent how we all saw it in b&W
-
Or you can go over to Denny's and get one of their rocket ship kids cups for a couple of bucks, and a few hours of painting later, WALLAH!! :D :D
-
You may want to look for some of the actual model rockets (the ones where you put the engine in and launch them). There was some discussion on these on the Fantastic Worlds Yahoo group and there are some good retro style designs and some that can easily be converted to cool pulp sci fi pieces.
I'll try and dig up the links at some point.
-
Here is the Estes rocket in question for sale on Ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Estes-1839-MOONDOG-Ready-to-Fly-Model-Rocket-NIB_W0QQitemZ330202132162QQcmdZViewItem
And here is a link showing how to convert it for tabletop use...
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/8426/retro/model.html
Looks like a great option to me. I may grab one.
Marc
-
Here's another conversion of the same model:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/was/ls_rocket.htm
Grif
-
Thanks-
The Estes Moondog looks like it might be serviceable. I was browsing through some of the older posts on the forum and it looks like the Dennys "Rocket Cup" was an excellent piece too.
I confess I'm still hoping for something more ornate and curlicued... :D
Supercar isn't bad either (although it looks like a cramped single-seater).
-
I keep finding those big green Thunderbirds ships on swapmeets, those might be usefull as well (with a repaint?)
Mind you, I have 2 of them for that reason alone......all I need now is time.
Johan
-
I keep finding those big green Thunderbirds ships on swapmeets, those might be usefull as well (with a repaint?)
Mind you, I have 2 of them for that reason alone......all I need now is time.
Johan
Can you post a picture?
-
There used to be a range of 1950s retro style toys which included a rocket - "Spaceship X-100" moulded in silver plastic.
Probably rare now, but they may still be around.
They were marketed in the UK by a company called "Great Gizmos"
I found a link that shows the range as it came out in 2000
http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/storefront.pl?ref=americandimestore&pg=29177
-
Heldrak, it's this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frinky/531456906/ or look here http://picasaweb.google.com/H.B.Schreuder/Internet2007/photo#5141202289396028754
I have one with the engines, one without (both broken off)
The one with the engines is an "original", with slide out container, sound effects etc. Matchbox 1992
The one without engines is a Chinese rip off, no seperate cargo module, no wings, no fancy electronics...basically a gutted hulk, good for a crashed item besides a space port or something.
Size is 16 inches length, 12 inches width and about 7 inches tall.
Advantage/disadvantage is that it is very recognisable...so its easier to find but people recognise it as well/ But with a new paintjob, someday, who knows.
Johan
-
Advantage/disadvantage is that it is very recognisable...so its easier to find but people recognise it as well/ But with a new paintjob, someday, who knows.
Thanks for the pictures- I agree, it's far too recognizable as a Thunderbirds piece.
(Thunderbirds- brrrrrr :x) They always creeped me out as a child and nothing has changed...
-
This thread has cost me valuable sleep!
Here are some excellent ships:
http://www.swapsale.com/models12.htm
The Herb Deek models, check out Ming's and Flash's ships.
Information on their sizes and such:
http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/DR%20ZARKOV'S%20ROCKETSHIP%20PAGE.htm
-
I think Revell did some "Perry Rhodan" kits a couple of years ago.
Not sure how many they did or if they are still available
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/pre_pr_marco.htm
-
This thread has cost me valuable sleep!
Here are some excellent ships:
http://www.swapsale.com/models12.htm
The Herb Deek models, check out Ming's and Flash's ships.
Information on their sizes and such:
http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/DR%20ZARKOV'S%20ROCKETSHIP%20PAGE.htm
Yowsa!! :love: :love: :love: :love:
Now we're talkin'!
The Flash & Ming ships would be perfect, if not for their scale. I'm also very impressed with the Things to Come Autogyro. It looks like it would be perfect for all these Air Pirate figure lines (Artizan & Pulp Figures).
-
I think Revell did some "Perry Rhodan" kits a couple of years ago.
Not sure how many they did or if they are still available
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/pre_pr_marco.htm
I've seen a few Perry Rhodan models on eBay recently, but they have all been rather featureless Saucers- Not really what I'm looking for.
(Yes, I am one of the few Americans who actually know who Perry Rhodan is... :o )
-
How about Star Wars ships ?
I seem to recall that some of the Vol 1-3 stuff (Phantom Menace ?) was designed to have a retro-style theme, partially inspired by Flash Gordon etc.
Or was that possibly just the Naboo ones ?
-
How about Star Wars ships ?
I seem to recall that some of the Vol 1-3 stuff (Phantom Menace ?) was designed to have a retro-style theme, partially inspired by Flash Gordon etc.
Or was that possibly just the Naboo ones ?
Mostly the Naboo one. All the rest is too futuristic IMO.
But the Naboo fighter in 1/48 might indeed be agood idea! (I even got one and have not thought of it...)
-
How about Star Wars ships ?
I seem to recall that some of the Vol 1-3 stuff (Phantom Menace ?) was designed to have a retro-style theme, partially inspired by Flash Gordon etc.
Or was that possibly just the Naboo ones ?
While the Star Wars Naboo ships have a distinctive sleek look (rather manta ray-like), they don't say "retro style" to me.
When I say "retro" I mean 1930s knobby & blobby, not 1950s sleek & aerodynamic...
-
Found one.
Roughly 8½ inches high when standing on its three fins, slightly bulbous nose cone. Oddly enough, it's made of metal (brass ?) and came from a fancy goods shop.
I'll see if I can get a photo.
[/img]http://games.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/WGVSF/photos/view/cb0a?b=1(http://
)
-
Found one.
Roughly 8½ inches high when standing on its three fins, slightly bulbous nose cone. Oddly enough, it's made of metal (brass ?) and came from a fancy goods shop.
I'll see if I can get a photo.
Sounds great!
Meanwhile, I finally got my photobucket account to load this picture:
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u219/Heldrak/buckJPG.jpg)
This would be perfect (in a larger scale).
-
I managed to locate one of the few surviving Dennys restaurants in my neck of the woods and I picked up a few of their rocket-shaped sippy cups. The design appears to have changed a bit since their initial release (mentioned in this earlier thread):
http://forum.backofbeyond.de/viewtopic.php?t=792
Pictures here:
http://www.arnicarealestate.com/rotanddrivel-workbench-rocketcup.htm
Something of a shame as I think the earlier design has more of an ornate Jules Verne look. Current version shown here with an Artizan Biggles figure for scale:
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u219/Heldrak/IMG_0001-2.jpg)
That being said, the current version isn't too bad either. I'm going to see what I can do about converting it. It lends itself well to conversion as both the nosecone and the tail simply screw onto the clear plastic body. If anybody has a spare of the older green & purple version, I would be interested in a trade or a purchase.
P.S. Fastolfrus, your picture link does not appear to be working...
-
Technology isn't my strong point.
I'll try again, or ask around for assistance, or both.
That Dennys cup looks useful.
Is Dennys like Burger King or a bit more upmarket ?
-
Technology isn't my strong point.
I'll try again, or ask around for assistance, or both.
That Dennys cup looks useful.
Is Dennys like Burger King or a bit more upmarket ?
Denny's is an American restaurant chain analagous to a diner. Their only virtues/claim to fame is the fact that they are open 24 hours and they have a bottomless cup of coffee, making them the favorite resort of disaffected teenagers and people who crave greasy breakfast foods after being ejected from the bar. ("Denny's" and "upmarket" do not belong in the same sentance...:lol:)
Try posting your photo on the Photobucket website- their links are almost always trouble-free.
I've started making a conversion with two of the current-model Denny's cups joined end-to-end to make an elongated cigar shape. I intend to add a cockpit, a hatch, portholes, rocket tubes and longer, more elegant fins.
-
I would say the Naboo stuff is very retro 30s. But it is reminiscent of the actual planes of the time (think all those sleek racing floatplanes and such which led to the Spitfire), rather than the science-fiction ships people imagined then.
-
I'll try again, or ask around for assistance, or both.
Fast' I snitched your photo from off the Wessex Yahoo Group, cropped it, and flung it up on Photobucket: The link should work now:
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u219/Heldrak/SpaceX.jpg)
I love the riveted Victorian look on your example. Which gift shop did it come from? Are they still available?
-
if you wanted a really BIG pulpish ship, there was a toy Krypto rocket ship (Superman's dog) to go with the recent cartoon. I got one on sale online for about $15.
Amazon.com shows it. I took off the grappler arms and plan on using them for something else. I haven't done my repaint yet, but it's on the table. Maybe I'll get to it this summer.
ttp://www.amazon.com/Krypto-The-Superdog-Rocket/dp/B000809NQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1201146495&sr=1-1[/url]
-
Thanks for the thought-
I'd seen the Krypto Rocket in passing (as I trawl eBay for spaceships) but I rejected it as "too cartoony". I'd be interested to see it if you do some conversion work on it.
Here's a pic of the Krypto Rocket, for those who'd like to see it:
(http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u219/Heldrak/krypto1.jpg)
-
nette Schiffchen, nur ein wenig teuer:
http://www.kilu-comicfiguren.de/shop/cool-rockets-c-208.html
-
nette Schiffchen, nur ein wenig teuer:
http://www.kilu-comicfiguren.de/shop/cool-rockets-c-208.html
Thanks for the link, some excellent pulp rocketships there. 8)