Thursday, June 29, 2017

Profiles In History Buck Rogers Miniature Props up for Auction

New Profiles in History Catalog available online. It appears that they sold some original Buck Rogers (and Battlestar Galactica) Miniature Props from Gary Cannavo's personal collection. Great source for photo reference for anyone wanting to build a replica.

Miniatures Include (but not limited to)
Original Thunder Fighter
Ranger 3 Shuttle
The Draconia
Ardala's Launch Shuttle
Hawk Fighter
Belly Bomber
Scorpion Fighter
Mantis
Olympiad Sled
Searcher Shuttle
Shark Fighter
Zaad Supply Ship

Check it out here: Profiles in History

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Thunder Fighter aka Star Fighter Miniature Model

 There were three Thunder Fighter Miniatures built for the show. Two where used, while the third was stated by may not have ever been finished.





The canopy was removable to allow the pilots to be swapped out. It also allowed the smaller two-seater canopy to be swapped out with the larger 4-seater canopy to create another variation of the ship.






For the episode "Happy Birthday Buck" we see a glimpse of the Star Fighter as it used to look 15 years prior.





Original models built/painted by: Mike Joyce & Ken Larson

TimeSlip Creations has built a Studio Scale resin garage kit of the Thunder Fighter for $314.95 (includes shipping)

MonstersInMotion.com is producing a limited run (200 only) of Thunder Fighters, said to be cast off an original miniature for $749.99








One of the Original Thunder Fighters on YourProps.com owned by "cylon02"
Original Thunder Fighter Canopy on YourProps.com owned by "bubblejumper"

Ranger 3 Miniature Model

According to Universal Heartland (the miniature company that built the models for the show), there where two Ranger 3 miniatures made. The First one was clean (without dirt), as it first appears in the show. The Second was for when we see the ship again after it's been floating in space for 500 years. The mold for Ranger 3 was reused to make a third shuttle, that was seen in Season 2. Hartland added a few greeblies and modified the wings and removed the fin for the Season 2 shuttle.

Original Models measure approx 18" long and was built/painted by: Mike Joyce & Ken Larson

Timeslip Creations has produced a Studio Scale garage resin kit of the Ranger 3 w/ decals for $184.95 (includes shipping)

Mark Bradley was able to obtain a casting of Ranger 3 that was taken off the original miniature.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Profiles In History Auction No. 83

Profiles in History is auctioning off some original Buck Rogers items.

(979 pg 311) First auction is a set of 9 Color transparencies by Universal Hartland (UPDATE: I contacted UH regarding the unknown model transparency and Ken assures me that it was not a Universal Hartland model). These transparencies are 4"x5" of a few filming miniatures (Thunderfighter, Marauder, and a unknown ship), from different angles. I presume these where used for filming a Thunderfighter quick and dirty without needing to go back to the miniature. Just slap the transparency down in a black back drop, and film. Starting at $300 priced too high, as it went UNSOLD.


(981 pg. 312)The second item is a rubber (stunt) First Season Blaster. I think it's impossible to say who used this blaster specifically as I am sure they were swapped around so much. Starting at $800
UPDATE: Blaster went on eBay and sold for $800

Hollywood Auction 83 PDF download

Friday, April 17, 2015

Sherese's Pistol AKA Assassins Pistol

 This pistol is commonly referred to as the Assassin's Pistol, but was used by Sherese in A Plot to Kill a City before Buck got a hold of it to try to shoot Varek.









Replica of the Pistol on YourProps.com

Buck Rogers Pistol No. 2

This little blaster is seen almost primarily throughout the second half the first season. I have not seen any official names for any of the pistols used throughout the series. Some of the guns/pistols that where used in Buck Rogers where also used in Battlestar Galactica. The base of this particular pistol was made from a Match-O-Matic butane gas lighter. It is shaped as a mini pistol which was a perfect starting point. The trigger and trigger guard were both removed and replaced with a new one that is more squared off. The barrel was unscrewed and removed as well. The wood sticker on the handle was most likely also removed and ribs where added down the handle then painted black. A clear acrylic tube was added for the barrel, so when the new push button was pressed by the actor, a bulb was lit for simulate the gun shooting. 

There are at least two variants of this pistol. The first one is seen above, the second had a safety catch added to the sides of the slide (I don't know how else to describe it)

A clear holster with a leather belt strap was also made for the blaster. The blaster was used by Buck, Wilma, and several Directorate personal, as well as some villains.
Once the master pistol was built, it was then molded and cast hollow to accommodate the electronics of the pistol. While the Match-O-Matic is originally chrome, all pistols in the show are painted silver. Below are some pistols that reside in personal collections, who shared their photos online.

Match-O-Matic Base

Holster

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Ambuquads or "Quads" of Buck Rogers

T.W.K.E. 4 "Twiki " N22-23-T

Tina

Unknown Ambuquad

Pendar Personal Quad

Computer Council Member Dr. Theopolis

Computer Council Members 

Mr. Devronin

Receptionist Quad

Carl

Maintenance Androids

Gardner Android

Hanger Security/Cargo Androids

Pendar Delivery Drones

Zeta Prisoner Transport Pilot

Zetatian Prisoner Guard No. 1

Zetatian Prisoner Guard No. 5

Draconian Zygot Pilots

Delivery Quad

Floor Cleaner Quad

Food Cart Quad No. 1

Food Cart Quad No. 2

Luggage Carrier Quad No. 1

Luggage Carrier Quad No. 2

Personal Servo Drone

General Service Center Supervisor

Crichton