This is my favorite personal build up of this kit. It is built to reflect the filming 4’hero Model as it was seen in the second Broadcast Episode “The Derelict”. I started the build by filling in and sanding smooth the hatch and buttons, as the Filming model never had these details during the production of the series. The Hull is painted flat aluminum. The interior consists of scratch built forward window shelf and the three computers brought forward closer to the windows, again as per the Filming model. The figures were done to reflect the figures seen in the filming model as was the rear “scrim” behind them. The motor driven scanner in the upper bubble is motorised and catches the reflection of light in the internal hull(there were no lights in the bubble in the filming model).
The Moebius Jupiter 2 is essentially a model of a model, that being the 4’ hero Miniature. They compromised the interior to fit in the 4 footers hull. Although the interior is beautiful(I have another with the full interior), I always wanted what I saw on the TV screen.
I filled in and sanded smooth the side hatch on the upper hull(There was never a hatch on the Jupiter 2 during production of the series, a scribed hatch was added later during a “restoration”.
I scratch built the Hero interior which consisted of a new console and ledge for the three computers to rest on(Every Jupiter 2 model I have seen has the computers way back…too far to fit the interior in.
I mixed and matched several figures to get the look of the very crude figures used in the actual prop.
I fabricated the upper bubble spinner, and with the use of a dc motor, allowed it to spin as it did on the hero. There are NO lights in the upper bubble. The reflective scanner would catch the interior and exterior lighting to give the effect.
The model was painted Flat Aluminum.
My Model…
And the original Hero…
Here’s a better comparison shot…My 1/35 Jupiter 2 on the left and the original 4’ hero on the right…
1/35 Moebius Jupiter 2 built per the 4’ Filming model. Features working spinning scanner in upper bubble, Rotating Engine lights, Main Hatch filled in and sanded smooth, closed porthole, figures, Filming model interior and scale lighting.
“Hero miniature” version. Here now is the Jupiter 2…My personal build reflecting all the details and imperfections of the original 4’ hero miniature as seen in the second broadcast episode, “The Derelict”. The model features an actual spinning scanner in the upper bubble as well as mechanical spinning lights in the engine. Both are controlled by a potentiometer and can be adjusted accordingly. The outer hull was airbrushed aluminum with a clear flat coat applied to reflect the original model. the side airlock hatch was not on the filming miniature so I filled in and sanded smooth the area. The interior features the "Derelict"interior scrim and four figures as well as scale lighting.
“Hero miniature” version. Here now is the Jupiter 2…My personal build reflecting all the details and imperfections of the original 4’ hero miniature as seen in the second broadcast episode, “The Derelict”. The model features an actual spinning scanner in the upper bubble as well as mechanical spinning lights in the engine. Both are controlled by a potentiometer and can be adjusted accordingly. The outer hull was airbrushed aluminum with a clear flat coat applied to reflect the original model. the side airlock hatch was not on the filming miniature so I filled in and sanded smooth the area. The interior features the "Derelict"interior scrim and four figures as well as scale lighting.
Hero miniature" version. Here now is the Jupiter 2…My personal build reflecting all the details and imperfections of the original 4’ hero miniature as seen in the second broadcast episode, “The Derelict”. The model features an actual spinning scanner in the upper bubble as well as mechanical spinning lights in the engine. Both are controlled by a potentiometer and can be adjusted accordingly. The outer hull was airbrushed aluminum with a clear flat coat applied to reflect the original model. the side airlock hatch was not on the filming miniature so I filled in and sanded smooth the area. The interior features the "Derelict"interior scrim and four figures as well as scale lighting.
Hero miniature" version. Here now is the Jupiter 2…My personal build reflecting all the details and imperfections of the original 4’ hero miniature as seen in the second broadcast episode, “The Derelict”. The model features an actual spinning scanner in the upper bubble as well as mechanical spinning lights in the engine. Both are controlled by a potentiometer and can be adjusted accordingly. The outer hull was airbrushed aluminum with a clear flat coat applied to reflect the original model. the side airlock hatch was not on the filming miniature so I filled in and sanded smooth the area. The interior features the "Derelict"interior scrim and four figures as well as scale lighting.
I’ve seen the YouTube videos, very nice indeed. I’d read the Gold Key Space Family Robinson comics long before the original TV series was aired, though the TV series would had used the H-shaped “Tron-like” space ship; like the Jupiter II saucer better.
Here’s another version of the Jupiter 2 lift off. Again the model features a mechanical fusion core, spinning scanner in bubble, removable landing gear, a launch tower, Airbrushed with Tamiya paints, Exterior hatch filled in and sanded smooth and four figures.
