Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: Frank3k on December 31, 2023, 10:55:13 AM

Title: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Frank3k on December 31, 2023, 10:55:13 AM
The Meng Atreides Ornithopter from Dune is a snap or press fit kit (with decals) that goes together in about 5 minutes and makes a nice display model as is.

Instead... I decided to glue and paint it and modify it slightly to represent a scene from the movie, where Gurney Halleck pulls Paul into the vehicle. I found a composite image that someone on RPF used to get the size of the vehicle.

(https://i.redd.it/26k5fwf5diy41.jpg)

I used those values to calculate the scale of the Meng kit - roughly, 1/245. Let's say 1/250. I was tempted to print some 1/250 figures, but I had some Herpa ground crew in 1/200 that were almost in the right positions. By comparing them to the figures in the image above and doing some creative plastic surgery, I think they came out looking close enough to the image:

(https://i.imgur.com/qQZb1p4.jpg)

Since the Orinthopter comes with in-flight and extended landing gear, I went with the extended gear (in the movie, they're just taking off). The extended rear ramp piece doesn't have a mounting hole for the mount, so I drilled one out.

I'll take better pictures tomorrow when there's some sunlight.
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: LemonJello on January 01, 2024, 01:35:31 AM
That is a cool little (tiny!) model, Frank. 
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 01, 2024, 01:50:02 AM
Roughly what scale do you estimate it to be?
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Frank3k on January 01, 2024, 03:17:56 AM
Using the "actual" dimensions calculated by Soswow on the RPF (https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/modelling-ornithopter-from-dune-2021-build-log.342590/) of:
Quote
"My estimation is - full length (nose to end of fuselage) is 23.2m, wingspan (from the fuselage center) is 26.4m, Height is around 4.7m"

I measured the Meg kit and got a consistent scale range between 1/244-1/245.  1/250 is the closest "regular" scale (mostly paper models)
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Frank3k on January 01, 2024, 11:34:31 AM
I took some pictures of the orinthopter - not much Sun since there was a heavy overcast all day long:

(https://i.imgur.com/ow3QG2V.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ZVVTyLM.jpg)

In my hand, for scale:
(https://i.imgur.com/WYX3kiy.jpg)
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 02, 2024, 12:45:15 AM
Quote from: Frank3k on January 01, 2024, 03:17:56 AM
Using the "actual" dimensions calculated by Soswow on the RPF (https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/modelling-ornithopter-from-dune-2021-build-log.342590/) of:
Quote
"My estimation is - full length (nose to end of fuselage) is 23.2m, wingspan (from the fuselage center) is 26.4m, Height is around 4.7m"

I measured the Meg kit and got a consistent scale range between 1/244-1/245.  1/250 is the closest "regular" scale (mostly paper models)

Thanks - It would be great to see one of these in a larger scale such as 1/48 or 1/35
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Frank3k on January 02, 2024, 04:33:57 AM
At almost 67cm/26" long in 1/35, you have to be a very dedicated fan - or have a huge display case/area.
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Buzzbomb on January 02, 2024, 06:48:34 AM
Rather neat model though
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 03, 2024, 12:39:26 AM
Quote from: Frank3k on January 02, 2024, 04:33:57 AM
At almost 67cm/26" long in 1/35, you have to be a very dedicated fan - or have a huge display case/area.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/382448608/bah_400x400.jpg)
Title: Re: Dune Atreides Ornithopter (Meng)
Post by: Frank3k on January 03, 2024, 02:03:44 AM
You probably have room for a 1/35 Star Destroyer in your back yard, Greg...