Scratch build - Space 1999 'Eyrie' Eagle Pod

[daldroflas]

Hi,

This is my first post of one of my models.

I'd better get started making models again

This was built for a competition over on Eagletransporter.com in 2006.

It was scratch built in a hurry as I left it too late starting it.

There are a lot of 'Mir' parts in it as well as old lighter parts, an old cassette case, golf tees and a good deal of bits from the spares box.

The only Eagle specific bits are the Moonbase Alpha logo's produced by Chris Trice.

A few RAF squadron markings are on there as well.

The Eagle itself is the 12" Product Enterprise die-cast.

The OH also helped out with some last minute painting and weathering that was needed to get it finished for the competition deadline.

A fine job she did too.

It didn't win....

Be gentle with me!

Cover story below.

Project Eyrie

Once S.I.D. was operational and proving its effectiveness Commander Straker initiated ‘Project Eyrie’ or S.I.D. 2.

Project Eyrie envisioned a dual purpose development of the original S.I.D. satellite concept.

In captive mode attached to an Eagle and without its nose NAV section it transformed the carrier Eagle into an Eagle Eyrie S.W.A.C. (Space borne Warning and Control) vehicle. The Eagle Eyrie was to be used in conjunction with the newly developed Hawk long range interceptor vehicles as well as armed Eagles and other weapon systems.

Defensive and offensive operations would be coordinated from the S.W.A.C. which with its comprehensive sensor and communication suites and advanced AI combat control suite.

Battles against the Alien intruders would be controlled by advanced AI and make full use of the best available weapon options, be they Earth, space or Lunar based.

Being carried by the Eagle meant that S.H.A.D.O. could engage U.F.O.’s at longer ranges than before. With its Hawk escort patrols could dominate near Earth space.

In autonomous mode with its NAV section attached the Eyrie was designed to range far out from Earth/Lunar space to extend detection and attack coordination range. The Eyrie would be loaded onto its carrier Eagle for lift off from the Moon.

The Eagle would accelerate and then detach the Eyrie on its way out to its deep space patrol orbit.

After separation the Eyrie’s NAV section and Radar Array Wings swing into place and nuclear powered ion thrust engines supply the thrust to the required orbit.

After months on ‘patrol’, or when in need of repair, the Eyrie would navigate itself back to rendezvous with an Eagle and a landing on the Moon. Eyries have no landing legs and must be transported and hoisted into place using special wheeled platforms.

12 Eyrie vehicles were completed, 6 of which would be in use and 6 would be undergoing repair and service at any one time.

The Eyrie has a heavily armoured structure to withstand attack and collisions with space debris etc.

Many systems have multiple redundancies to enable the vehicle to survive system failures and attack damage when on long patrols. Although designed as an unmanned vehicle the Eyrie can be piloted in an emergency. There is short stay provision for 4 people on board. Internal access also allows for limited ‘in orbit’ servicing.

The Eyrie is literally covered with detection and communication devices covering a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Detection equipment includes parabolic and planar radar antennae. The large ‘wings’ are not solar panels but radar arrays.

Optical devices are also used for detection and long range examination of ‘targets’.

Some devices can extend when the Eyrie is attached to the Eagle to clear the spine frames.

Specialist equipment such as tachyon field collapse detectors were developed specifically for the Eyrie.

Communication options include radio wave and laser light devices.

Self defence capability is provided by 2 high power laser turrets situated under the front of the vehicle.

Nuclear powered the Eyrie can operate for up to 2 years without re-fuelling or servicing.

Ion engines reduce the need for large quantities of fuel and orientation of the vehicle is carried out by gyroscopes rather than reaction control jets.

After the cessation of Alien attacks the Eyrie vehicles were used to control the space lanes and provide warning of dangerous space debris and asteroids etc.

The 6 Eyrie vehicles undergoing refit at Moon base Alpha when ‘Breakaway’ occurred proved invaluable and are the unseen eyes and ears of Main Mission.

[modelman182]

Nice work, and an interesting design with a good little story behind it. I like it a lot!

Kev

[daldroflas]

Nice work, and an interesting design with a good little story behind it. I like it a lot!

Kev

Thanks Kev, glad you like it.

Because it was done in a rush there are things about it I would do differently now.

I might have a crack at doing another slightly different version rather than alter this one as I do like it.

Because what became to be made as "Space:1999" started out originally as "UFO:2" I thought it would be cool to merge the story lines.

[T-Tango]

Scratch built??? You've done a fantastic job there mate, well done.

[daldroflas]

Scratch built??? You've done a fantastic job there mate, well done.

Thanks for the kind comments Pete! I am proud of it and want to do more soon.

Yup, scratch built.

The main body parts are an old C90 cassette box with 2 Konami Eagle bases top and bottom.

The upper one has been sliced down the middle to narrow it so there was room for more detail on the top section.

As well as a lot of Mir parts there are bits of a Gundam (Pound shop score), 1/48 M-60, 1/48 M1 (Aldi score), spares box bits and components from disassembled cigarette lighters.

The 4 underside exhaust nozzles are made from plastic golf tees.

I used sprue and plastic rod to make the framework on the underside.

The orange rectangles are actually clippings from a binding machine, 'stuck on' using 'Future'. Nice and neat and easy to do!

I have several largish boxes full of plastic bits from packaging, bottles etc. ready for new projects.