GordonD Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Here's my finished model of what Moebius are calling the Space Clipper, though it's probably better known as the Orion shuttle from 2001: A Space Odyssey, my favourite film of all time. There have been two previous models of this spacecraft, from Airfix and Aurora. I've built examples of both in the past, though never had them at the same time so I could do a comparison. The accepted view is that neither was particularly accurate, though the Aurora version was closer to the one in the film. The Moebius kit is based on that one, though the shape is supposedly correct and they have omitted the completely fictitious nuclear reactor and engines which Aurora included. The panel details are supplied as decals and do look quite effective. Unfortunately they don't include the Pan-American markings though I believe these can be obtained from third-party suppliers like Comet Miniatures. One tip if you're building this - leave the tail cove off until after you've applied all the decals, as I came close to breaking off those two spikes beneath the engine exhausts more than once... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Wow - that looks great. Streets ahead of my old Airfix one. The decals for panelling are a good idea. I'm VERY tempted to get one of these now. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulj Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 That is a superb build, this kit is on my wish list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartG Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Lovely build, must get around to building the one I have in my stash someday... I believe the lack of Pan-Am decals was due to a licencing issue with Aurora ? Maybe they should be replaced with Virgin Galactic logos anyway ( I did a quick repaint of an old Aurora Orion with them http://www.martins-models.co.uk/Galleries/whatif%20gallery/whatif%20gallery/DSCF2356.jpg ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadders Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I picked up the Pan Am decals and engine vanes from culttvman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Well, I thought this model was finished until Jim posted pictures of his own build, complete with Pan-Am markings. And though I was perfectly satisfied with my own model, as soon as I saw Jim's pictures I realised I couldn't do without them! So I sent away to Tony James, who used to run Comet Miniatures, for a set. I was a bit taken aback by the cost - £6 for the decals themselves seemed a little steep but not outrageously so. However an additional three quid for postage did seem over the top. I was half expecting Keir Dullea to deliver them in person. They arrived this morning in an ordinary envelope with a first-class stamp. Oh, well... As you can see there are sets for both the Aurora (including Mobius) and Airfix versions. The circular Pan-Am logo on the Aurora part is exactly the size of a 5p piece; as can be seen the Airfix version is considerably smaller. I will apply the decals later and post some updated pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 As threatened promised here is the updated model: I have to admit it looks much better with the Pan-Am markings - the splash of blue makes a nice contrast against the grey and white. I didn't use the PAN-AM decals on the underside as there's no evidence they were used on the film model. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kiker Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Nice looking Clipper you have there. She does indeed look better in her new, more finished state! Cheers, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Thanks, Jim - both for the nice comment and for motivating me to add the Pan-Am markings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Vale Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Very nice build - and it's cool to have two of these at once! Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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