Gene's Viper-in-a-month - NEW Photos on page 14 !!!

[ModelMan]

Originally Posted by GKvfx

Rob and I have been talking about this for a while now, and I think, this summer, we actually have to do it. We want to take our models to some stage, with real lights and a bluescreen, and do a photo shoot. I've got some of the original MOCO equipment (and I know where I can get more) and I think it would be fun to stage a vintage 1978 "shoot" using the stuff.

Maybe we can borrow Edlund's warehouse and dolly for a weekend.....

Gotta! Gotta! Gotta! Yah! Yah! Yah!


...or...

Gotta! Gotta! Gotta! Yah! Yah! Yah!


PS. Can't wait to see this in person. Those last pix were tops!

[Wombat]

I'm glad of got a crappy job,those Viper pilot's get it rough straight from the start!

BTW,looks bloody excellent there!!

[GKvfx]

Getting close - just a few little details and touch ups now.

Top hatch cover - kinda self explanatory -


The little circle on either side of the stripe are the hookup points for the wiring. Since the brass tubes were molded with the rest of the body, they show up in the casting.


What else, a Leopold part...




I drilled out the contact holes and stuck some brass tubing in there. Its just for show as my model only has hook up points on the bottom and at the rear.

I actually haven't painted the rear hatch cover since, for the most part, the Viper will be displayed from the rear. But I am going to paint it, just so I can take photos of the back end with all the lights on......

Will probably post some nicer photos once I get through the screenings this weekend.

Gene

[adama]

Looking absolutely stellar!!

[REL]

This is like an inside look of how a studio model is made. Great job, Gene.

[79 daytona]

Again outstanding work!!

[mslz22]

This is really fantastic, i have a special place in my heart for the Viper and your really nailed it with the colors, weathering and detailing....just outstanding work. I love armatures too!! This thread has been putting a smile on my face for a while now...thanks for sharing it with us.
mike

[GKvfx]

Thanks for the compliments fellas. The Viper design is a favorite of mine as well - right up there with the vintage Enterprises, X-wings, and TIE fighters.

I couldn't stand it any more. Those droopy guns were really ticking me off. So I broke them off and realigned them.





If you look at it in person long enough, you will notice that the gun barrels are essentially tilted up to correct the offset. But its a lot better than the way it was - you instantly noticed that something was wrong with the guns the way they were.

I realized I hadn't hooked up the lights in a while, so I fired them up just to check them -


And here it is - they changed the marquee on the Aero last night -

....a sad day for Santa Monica indeed. They have no idea what is going to befall them......

Gene

[RKW]

Looks the business!

I can only assume the success of the Aero cinema has been built up solely on reputation because I was checking out their website hoping to see a gallery of photos of some sorts and the site is as minimalistic as they come. I've viewed more exciting looking bus time tables!

[GKvfx]

Originally Posted by RKW

Looks the business!

I can only assume the success of the Aero cinema has been built up solely on reputation because I was checking out their website hoping to see a gallery of photos of some sorts and the site is as minimalistic as they come. I've viewed more exciting looking bus time tables!

Yeah, well, their website leaves a lot to be desired (including sometimes, accurate show times). Theaters (they like to call themselves a theatre) like this really do survive via word of mouth and the free calendar they mail out. But the response has been very good. Attendance in general is strong and there are now a bunch of people that have certain 'niches' to get guests and do presentations.

Gene

[FiveByFive]

Amazing Viper thread. Kudos on the build, very inspirational. I've been dry-fitting and thinking about my Salzo kit.... If you can answer, what is the outside diameter of the brass tubes used for the engine cans?

[ModelMan]

I ditched the Aero just after the second film started. Seeing BSG on the big screen, I saw far more details than I would have imagined. But that's tv vs. film screen for you.

In addition to this viper-in-a-month, on display were a Jim Key Raider, Gal shuttle 356, Rising Star and one original RTF -a tiny little thing no more than .5' square, triangular in nature with a 'bar' running down the center. Gene told me who made the shuttle, but I've lost it. The RS was a casting I think he said. I'll have to look for it in the hub bub of the RTF shots next time. Took a few cell phone pix, but don't know how to transfer them. Gene is taking some before they pull the assembly down for the night.

There was a 10min 'home movies' reel by Den Muren showing B-T-S from back in '77. They used freon for the viper exhaust! I figured they shot the element separately, but they shot it out of the engines. Some other cool shots of the O.G.'s building and shooting the models. Some nice angles not often seen of Gal on her stand admist a hulabaloo of studio crap.

The second film was never seen Stateside. It was a mashing of Fire in Space and Living Legend. I think the third film tonight was just a mishmash of 1980. Don't know that I could have taken that one, but it would have been interesting to see for the first time since it was aired.

A good night was had by all. There were a few Warrior jackets and one dude in full battledress. Lots of applause all around. A decent print. Some fading, some grain issues here and there, but little if any serious damage.

Gene's model work was great to see in person. The work on the Raider was darned good too.

I don't know if Carson built the RS or the shuttle, but those were real fine works. RS was lit, don't recall if Shuttle was or not. The Viper and Raider were off when I caught them.

[ModelMan]

Originally Posted by GKvfx

I was doubtful about this hatch sticking above the body, but there it is on the big screen. Saw lots and lots more details big screen than I would have thought.

[robn1]

Sounds like a fun show, wish I could have seen it. Any chance the BTS film could find it's way to the net?

Originally Posted by ModelMan

...The second film was never seen Stateside. It was a mashing of Fire in Space and Living Legend...

This was shown on HBO in the early 80s, I think it was called Mission: Galactica. I remember seeing a close up of the shuttle that was not seen in the series.

[Carson Dyle]

Originally Posted by ModelMan

I don't know if Carson built the RS or the shuttle, but those were real fine works. RS was lit, don't recall if Shuttle was or not.

Owned by yours truly; built by Ed Miarecki.

The shuttle is wired for lighting, but I forgot to change the batteries before the show. Just as well; those old lamps draw a lot of power, and they burn very hot.

Great show, Gene. Thanks for putting it together.

Who knew Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest were BSG fans.