This isn’t the actual studio model of the Galactica, but as far as I know, it is an accurate replica of the studio model both in size and in the parts used for detailing.
It’s an incredible model, but what I found really interesting was the sheer number of model kit parts - mostly from military vehicles - used for detailing and “greeblie” parts! Check the pictures in the two “final” galleries to see what I mean.
Virtually all sci-fi film models have (or had) bits of kits used for things like pipework, exhausts, hatches etc., but the Galactica seems to have sizeable chunks of tanks and vehicles stuck on it!
6 upper hulls from what appears to be an armoured recovery vehicle of some sort (not sure which)
5 T-34 upper hulls
4 (possibly) partial Jagdpanzer or Jagdpanther upper hulls
a length of tank track (maybe 1/16 or 1/24 scale)
two large (1/32?) aircraft drop-tank halves
And in this picture - http://www.cloudster.com/Sets&Vehicles/Galactica/CrevelingGalactica/JCgalactica38.jpg - there are at least 5 carriages from anti-aircraft guns; the three smaller ones I think
are a Flak38 and two Bofors 40mms - not sure about the larger ones. The long bracket-like pieces either side of the centre
line also look reminiscent of the 1/72 Leopold railway gun - I may be wrong on this though.
Can anyone else spot any sizeable/obvious model parts in the other pics? I believe the engine pods use large parts of the Saturn V rocket kit, but I’ve never built this so can’t positively identify any.
BTW this certainly isn’t meant to be a criticism of either the original model designers or the builder of this replica (you’d never notice the kit parts in the actual film - the model wasn’t really meant to be seen up close like this), but I thought it was very interesting to see, particularly if you’re also an AFV modeller.
My scratchbuilt Galactic probably won’t use any large kit parts like this - I’ll use plenty of small bits from my spares box (and the drop tanks to go on the side of the engine modules, as mentioned above), but no complete tank hulls or similar. I build 1/35 AFV kits, I don’t dismantle them for greeblies
Yup, it’s no secret that cannibalizing kits was (and is) an SFX mainstay. Ever had a good look at the Millennium Falcon? Panther engine decks and all kinds of familiar goodies there!
The completed ship will be around 75-80cm long, which makes it a lot bigger than the model kit, but a lot smaller than the studio model (which is 75 INCHES long).
Go to the Yahoo! Galactica builders group. That is what you need to do if you want a complete kit list for an accurate Galactica. I’m on the group so trust me on this.
Thanks for pointing out that site cos it is a fantastic piece of work. As for spotting parts , I think the two tubes on top of the engine bay that go off at an angle is the water cylinder from a railway engine and also he has used quite a few parts from a 1-350 scale Bismarck. Also I think there are a few panels from some Star Wars kits. That’s something when you use parts from a kit which is a model made of kit parts.[:)]
Anyway, I still think it takes loads of talent and imagination to try and disguise all those bits. Look forward to seeing more of this guys work.[:D][:D][:D]
I’ve sent a request to join this Yahoo group, but I’ve tried to join two modelling-related groups in the last few months and in both cases, never received a reply.
OK, I might be telling my age here and I don;t knwo if the info is even available anymore but I’ll put it out there and do with it what you will [:D]
Before BG premiered, Smithsonian magazine had an article detailing the model build and discussing the components used in building certain sections with up close, detailed photos of various ship parts.
My request has been accepted, so I can now view the group.
The kit part list makes interesting reading - there’s even some parts from the 1/200 Yamato there.
I was correct about the armoured recovery vehicles on the engine module, they are actually Roco 1/87 pre-built models, and are of a modern German type (not sure of the exact designation). There are also no less than 15 Roco M551 Sheridans used!
I was also amused to see that the model uses a number of parts from the Aurora UFO Flying Saucer and the AMT Star Trek Enterprise! I wonder how many people know that the Galactica includes some Star Trek spaceship parts.
