1/72 - Atreides Ornithopter (Dune) by Meng - April 2024

[GMK]

In a follow up to their box-scale ornithopter kits released late 2023, Meng has announced a 1/72 kit. 
 

Box art:

 

 

1/72 compared to their box-scale release. 
 

 

“MENG will release the DS-007 1/72 Dune Atreides Ornithopter model kit officially licensed by the Legendary Pictures. The model has a wingspan of 720mm and a length of 318mm once assembled. This kit includes transparent parts for the cockpit canopy, fine decals, and a display stand. Let’s check the details.

DS-007 Dune Atreides Ornithopter
Scale: 1/72
Available in: April 2024”

 

 

[Ngantek]

Good news, but that's a big old thing, even folded. 23 metre fuselage really? A sea king is what, 17 or so. 

 

Lot to be said for the small one, seeing this!

[Dennis_C]

I just recently watched the movie and 23 meters fuselage of the ornithopter? I'd say it should be twice more compact...

Does anybody have at least Warpaint drawings?

[Ngantek]

11 hours ago, Dennis_C said:

I just recently watched the movie and 23 meters fuselage of the ornithopter? I'd say it should be twice more compact...

Does anybody have at least Warpaint drawings?

 

'Feels' a bit off, doesn't it? This would suggest the length is actually right (75ft -> 318mm), but wingspan a little long (129ft ->546mm) though possibly this is due to the clipped nature of the prop. Quick dodgy person-to-length measurements from some film frames gave about 20m length so perhaps it's not too wrong.

I suppose given it's such a long slender tail, and the cabin is large enough to hold 4 actors and a film crew (see the video), it's not unreasonable. Still, I think I'll go for the mini one!

 

Little bit of a shame they haven't also tooled the Kynes ornithopter, which I thought was pretty cool as well.

 

 

[k5054nz]

11 hours ago, Ngantek said:

Little bit of a shame they haven't also tooled the Kynes ornithopter, which I thought was pretty cool as well.

With any luck that and the Harkonnen version will follow...and dare I hope for a worm kit? I hear the Revell one released to tie in with the David Lynch film is less than awesome...

[Bill Mathews]

5 hours ago, k5054nz said:

With any luck that and the Harkonnen version will follow...and dare I hope for a worm kit? I hear the Revell one released to tie in with the David Lynch film is less than awesome...

 

well you could try and get a hold of one of the "popcorn buckets" aka personal pleasure toys   

 

seriously though - adam savage turned one of the buckets into a reasonable diorama .... as for the ornithopter I will be preordering one from luckymodel as soon as it goes on their website - i got the two mini thopters from them a very reasonable price

[frequentsteve]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSMoc0aO_0s

 

A YT video with sprues and a dry fit!

 

Looking good. It's pushfit but goes together well. Probably some filling needed on some gaps. The canopy glass is separate from the frame which will be handy for painting. Looks like the entire landing gear/bottom assembly is swappable so should be easy to go between landed and flying.

 

Really happy they went ahead with a 1/72 version!

 

 

[Nocoolname]

Just settled my preorder for this kit which is expected to ship on Tuesday. 

[Nocoolname]

Voila!