Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Group and Themed Builds => Fabulous '50s GB => Topic started by: robunos on June 25, 2025, 03:11:20 AM
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Okay, so I've had the idea of converting helicoptersin to spaceships klicking around in my head for a while, now, but as usual, I need a hook to hang the Builds on. After this GB started, and also after seeing a few things elsewhere online, I had it . . . 'Space: 1959', basically spaceships made from kits of 1950s helicopters and aircraft.
So without further ado, here's the Beagle Transporter, converted from the Airfix Bristol Belvedere kit.
Here are the kit fuselage sides, before commencing work.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WpXF67PG/01-Fus-sides.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Let the butchery surgery begin !
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvLSPJX0/01-fus-sdes-cut-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And a dry fit to show the intended result.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQb8h1qd/01-fus-sides-dry-fit.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
OF course, that's only enough for one side of the fuselage, so we need another kit, and the same treatment . . .
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cK7pTbK/01-fus-sides-cut-x2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
These now need to be glued together . . .
That's All For Now, Stay Tuned . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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Oh, please say that your Belvedere fuselage is going to be upside-down for the Beagle Tranporter!
I love this kind of stuff :-*
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Great way to get inspiration and use an interesting starting point
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Space 1959! I love it! Plus that’s the year I was born. Yes 66! Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve made it this far!
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:smiley: 8)
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:smiley:
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This should be fun! :smiley:
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Thanks, Gents, I only hope the result meets the expectations . . .
Anyway, here's the progress so far. The first set of fuselage halves glued up,
(https://i.postimg.cc/4dnLmsD7/02-fuz-sides-glued-up.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
and now both sets glued up and dry.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yNLp1kbC/02-fus-sides-glued-up-x2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
You'll see two lengths of runner glued to the insides of the parts. This is to support the edges when the two parts are joined, which is the next job. I've also removed the cockpit floor from one part, and blanked it off, ready for fitting the engines.
That's All For Now, Stay tuned . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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(https://i.imgur.com/OJVIkNM.jpeg)
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So true!!!!
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And now, what you've all been waiting for . . . ! ;D
The two parts of the fuselage assembled,
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJGv5W0W/03-fus-basic-complete.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
and with the nose section ( don't worry about it being clear, it will be painted ) and undercarriage attached.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SK1sDk9c/03-fus-nose-legs.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Next up are engines and landing feet . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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Oh.. so good :smiley: :smiley:
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It just looks right. Looking forward to the next update.
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This is just awesome! The landing legs will work well.
I’ve got a kit of the “Flying Banana” that this idea would work really well with.
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Thanks, Gents . . .
@Kerick, I looked at using a 'Flying Banana', as i would only use one kit, but I couldn't find one for sale . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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Thanks, Gents . . .
@Kerick, I looked at using a 'Flying Banana', as i would only use one kit, but I couldn't find one for sale . . .
cheers,
Robin.
I’ve considered converting the banana to some sort of space vehicle for a long time now. A space tug or a transfer vehicle of some sort. One of these days.
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Okay . . .
By the Power of Greyskull !, sorry, 3D Printing, I have some engines . . .
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YvxnyRb/04-engines.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
quadruple main engines, and two sets of vertical thrusters.
I also made some landing feet ( one upside down to show the bottom ) from some tank wheels from the spares box.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yq1tXscR/04-landing-feet.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
THat's All For Now, Stay Tuned . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HALW4ed5Eu4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HALW4ed5Eu4)
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Cobbling up those details is working for me :smiley:
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Okay . . .
So, there's not been much progress on here about this build, for several reasons, but the main one was that it just didn't seem to be 'right' for a '50 spaceship. Looking at '50's designs online, almost all were tail sitters, the flat riser hadn't appeared yet. But how to redesign this ? Looking some more online I found some 'Dan Dare' stuff, and I had my inspiration . . .
Here is the first version sprayed silver, that's as far as it got . . .
(https://i.postimg.cc/26qb3w8P/101-sprayed.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I decided to use the tail fins from the Belvedere kits, but in order to do this I had to remove the rear end of the existing fuselage to remove the bulged section. This then left the fuselage too short, so I had to add some more length back in,
(https://i.postimg.cc/J0Zs5zXx/101-rebuild-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
and now with the tails attached.
(https://i.postimg.cc/W3QDZkdt/101-rebuild-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
As a tail sitter, the undercarriage was removed, and the attachment holes, along with all the others, filled in.
In the 'Dan Dare'-verse, the spaceships launch from angled ramps, and land on their tails, with no sign of any undercarriage, landing feet etc. I'm looking at building a launch ramp, that may or may not happen, depending on circumstances.
That's All For Now, Stay Tuned . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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Looking great ! That front rotor area looks like there might be an escape hatch there ?
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Wow! It's giving me an Anastasia vibe (from Dan Dare)
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:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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Wow! It's giving me an Anastasia vibe (from Dan Dare)
Yup, that's one of the inspirations . . . ;)
cheers,
Robin.
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Wow! It's giving me an Anastasia vibe (from Dan Dare)
Yup, that's one of the inspirations . . . ;)
cheers,
Robin.
That’s what it was, I could not quite nail it myself, just a niggle f something I have seen before.
now you have named it, there it is, Anastasia.
I also get a bit of fireball xl5 as well.
Still loving the work you are doing :smiley:
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That's the vibe I was after, but attempting to combine it with the Eagle Transporter didn't work, hence the re-design . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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Having recently fought with that kit, it would look better as anything other than a Belvedere! Keep going!
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Okay, just a quick update . . .
After much work (and re-work), the basic painting is done.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yYNRYQtk/04-base-paint.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Now on to details and decals . . .
That's All For Now, Stay Tuned . . .
cheers,
Robin.
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And we're done !
Beagle Transporter 'G454', Royal Astronautical Service, MoonBase Beta, 1959.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pXWv8RdG/Beagle-01.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DyvhsnzC/Beagle-02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2rPSs8X/Beagle-03.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JswgtbTM)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FH1QWp37/Beagle-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9D3SzGxh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2L4MBDx/Beagle-05.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/GhLRYd2n/Beagle-06.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dt5YjpkP/Beagle-07.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/280D7MbY/Beagle-08.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wb5vwCFh/Beagle-09.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Qxf3Jw9W/Beagle-10.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
That's All, Folks !
cheers,
Robin.
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Very Dan Dare! Wonderful! :smiley:
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:smiley:
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The gold tinting of the windows looks like an excellent decision for your Beagle. I was expecting some kind of exo-skeleton to be affixed to the Beagle for some reason. Nonetheless, looks good and certainly a great use of old model kit parts.
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I did not expect the vertical launch option!
Looks great! Very 50s
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:smiley:
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Very elegant and in keeping with the period.
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Thanks, Gents, :-[ :D
The original plan was to buils something a lot closer to the Eagle Transporter in appearance, but it wasn't coming out right, then when I saw some Dan Dare stuff online, I knew i had my vibe . . .
The inspiration for the gold windows came from the Apollo spacesuit helmets, to reflect the harsh light and radiation, in space.
The vertical launch came from Dan Dare, the ships there use a ramp launch and vertical landing. My concept is to use the same method as the Ryan X-13, vertical descent to a hover, then hook onto a vertical platform, then lower to horizontal for unloading, etc., then return to vertical for blast-off !
cheers,
Robin.