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Scifi Model Kits / Props - David Sisson 2007 |
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Scifi Models with David Sisson 2007 |
As
a kid, model building and Scifi just went together hand in hand.
I mean, you turn on the TV or see a Scifi / Fantasy movie, and
you see all these amazing models of outlandish craft. And let's
not forget the various props, from ray guns to Tricorders.
I
have probably built every Scifi kit you could buy in the 1970's.
(Most of them made by Aurora
and AMT I am sure). How many of you had the AMT
Star Trek Explorer set? With the Tricorder, Phaser, and
Communicator? These were less than 1:1 scale. Just totally WRONG
! Boy was I disappointed. So much so, that I scratch built a
Phaser (the small handheld one) from wood and various plastic
parts. My first prop ! This was, uh, 1975?
When
it came to special effects, I would say John
Dykstra was a big influence on me, and anyone between the
pages of the old Starlog
magazine (Hey, I remember buying the first issue !).
Which
brings us to David
Sisson. He has an incredible selection of props and model
subjects, now online. I am a big fan of Gerry Anderson's stuff,
but more for the live action productions (Space 1999, UFO) rather
than the puppet projects.
Anyway,
if you are interested in the models and props from some of those
series (both scratch built and restored), check
out David's website.
You
may have also have seen some of his work in the older issues
of SciFi &
Fantasy Modeller magazine (it died out after about 50+ issues,
but made a comeback. And is one of the BEST model magazines
ever produced for scratch builders).

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Kit Builder's Magazine 2007 |
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Figure / Cast Kit Builder's Magazine 2007 |
Kit
Builder's Magazine has been around for some time. One of
the few magazines for figure and statue builders. Figure kits
are unique to me, in that they can range from resin, porcelain,
cold cast, vinyl, metal, plastic, and many other mediums and
parts. A real multimedia kit (or pain in the neck, depending
on your skill !) Almost all of them are a serious challenge
when it comes to seams. My favorite part of doing a figure kit
is the painting part (such as my Predator,
or Robocop).
They
come in a wide range of prices, but the 1:6 to 1:8 scale kit
(my favorite scale for these kinds of kits) can run well over
$ 100.00. But once done, they usually make a dramatic display,
especially when the painting is done very well.
Be
sure and check out this great
selection of builds on their site. My favorite? The Main
Man himself... Lobo !
(you
rarely see Lobo on film. But the DVD
Justice League Season two, in one episode, Superman "Dies".
Who better to take his place than Lobo ? The Main Man steps
up to do some ass-kickin with the Justice League "Dweebs"
(as he calls them). Needless to say, when it comes to pounding
heads, he get's the job done ! :-)

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Model Shows and Contests 2007 |
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Model Shows and Contest Update 2007 |
Let's
get a few recent model shows and contests up. As always, check
out the galleries for some modeling ideas for your next projects.

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The NEW Rocketfin Hobbies Website Goes Live 2007 |
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New Rocketfin Hobbies Website 2007 |
After
a lot of work, the site has been revamped. I haven't really
done a major update in a long time, a few years.
You
know how it is: you add something here, add something there,
the next thing you know, you have a cluttered mess and you can't
find anything. And a bizillion files you don't even use anymore.
:-)
So
basically, I moved it to a new, better server, and cleaned up
every page (yikes!). I hope it works easier for you. This update
will also allow me to do more cool web things in the future
as technology marches on.
As
always, Thanks for visiting !!

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MPC McClaren Can-Am Kit |
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Old MPC 1/20 Scale McClaren Can-Am Race Car 2007 |
I
picked up one of the MPC
McClaren kits a few weeks ago. It's a 1/20 model kit (not the
most popular scale with U.S. builders) but the size really doesn't
matter. If I see a kit I want to build, scale is irrelevant.
I
have built one of these before, years ago, and for some reason
(I don't remember why), I painted it dark Testors Blue. It wasn't
a bad kit, it's different, and it's a unique subject.
I
also do have a 1/25 scale version, done by Accurate
Miniatures. I have not built it, so I can't do a comparison
yet. The tooling I am sure is light years apart, but we will
see.
Although
I don't have pictures of my build, here
is one built online, and a very good example. I do recommend
the MPC kit, regardless of the scale issue.

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"CURVETTE" Trike Custom Kit |
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Curvette Custom Trike built by Ira Dahm 2007 |
Ira has
built another addition to his already amazing collection. The
"Curvette" Trike!
I seriously
hate body work on a model kit (been there, done that for all
to many years), but Ira seems to have little trouble coming
up with beautiful custom creations.
Feast your
eyes on this beauty. And be sure to check out all his models
on his website. They are some really original concepts and full
of ideas.

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Archer Fine Transfers Sets |
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Archer Detail Decals Sets for Armor or other Projects 2007 |
Archer
Fine Transfers has come up with this unique and new product.
Not that decals or transfers are new, or even detail sets, but
these new sets can actually give you a 3D detail...with a decal
transfer!
Here
is what they're website says: "This is an entirely new
technology that allows us to mold printable resin onto clear
decal film to create three-dimensional rivet heads, fasteners,
access panels, weld beads and even armor casting symbols which
modelers apply under paint to add or replace these fine details
to their models. Five times as thick as before. Applies like
decals."
The
picture below shows how the details are raised. (funny that
Armor modelers are adding casting details while car modelers
usually sand them off! :-). This would be pretty hard to do
any other way, but the results are amazing. They offer all kinds
of various decal sets, and they can be used on other models
other than Armor subjects. Check it out and see what you think.

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