Airfix Orion Space Shuttle - 2001 A Space Odyssey

[Eric Mc]

Not been completely idle on the modelling front over the past few months.

I completed this as a bit of a rush job for my local model club's themed "Space and Sci-Fi" competition last week.

The kit is theoretically to 1/144 scale - although, since the craft has only ever existed in model form, that is rather academic.

[bob1179]

That looks brilliant. Looks like a rally good job there Eric.

How big is the model?

[Eric Mc]

It's slightly longer than a 1/144 scale real Shuttle Orbiter.

[bob1179]

It's a nice size then. I'd like to have a go at something like that, I've never really tried any sci-fi type things before. Looks like a nice challenge.

[Eric Mc]

It's a bit ropey and the moulds are at least 42 years old now. Purists say it isn't quite accurate but since the original was a set of models anyway - it's hard to tell.
Other kits have been produced - the most common alternative being one released by Aurora back in 1969/70. Some say this is a better kit but it quite rare and the Airfix one is not that hard to track down and isn't too expensive.

Here's a shot of how it looked in the film -

Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 27th September 14:23

[HoHoHo]

Very nice Eric

[mattviatura]

I made that kit when I was little, it had different decals (I think they were black, red and yellow) and I always wondered why it wasn't offered with a Pan am set.

The size of the side windows relative to the pilots' window always bothered me too.

Edit: Nice though

[Zad]

For those interested in a larger scale model (43 inches!) Atomic City are doing a 1:48 resin version. This guy has done some amazing stuff in the past: http://atomiccity.yuku.com/topic/785/1-48-scale-Or...

[IroningMan]

mattviatura said:

I made that kit when I was little, it had different decals (I think they were black, red and yellow) and I always wondered why it wasn't offered with a Pan am set.

The size of the side windows relative to the pilots' window always bothered me too.

Edit: Nice though

Ditto.

[Eric Mc]

For 1/144 the cabin windows are a bit on the large size. Also, those holes in the leading edge of the wing are a bit ominous looking - especially when we now know what a hole in the leading edge of a wing does to a Shuttle.

[Ozzie Dave]

also one from stargazer thats meant to be good - http://www.planet3earth.co.uk/orion_3_spaceplane.h... and its half the price, having said that I have one of scotts models from atomic and its fantastic.

[Eric Mc]

How much is the Stargazer kit?

[Ozzie Dave]

115 pounds, they do a number of 2001 models, (yes even a discovery!!!!) they are a UK company where as Scott is over in the US. The Stargazer models is almost 18" long.
their website is http://www.planet3earth.co.uk/stargazer%20models%2... which links to what they have, they seem to mostly sell through starship moddler.
Just reading their site noticed something interesting: Thursday 8th November 2012:

Discovering The Lost Worlds of 2001 : A Space Odyssey

A unique illustrated talk by Simon Atkinson & Piers Bizony

At The London Museum of Science & Technology.

Simon & Piers will discuss their respective careers and the fascinating journey that led to the landmark book 2001: Filming The Future.

More information at The London Museum Of Science & Technology.

SIMON ATKINSON MODELMAKING
that could be interesting, shame i'm in OZ!

[Eric Mc]

Oooh - that sounds interesting. I might check on tickets etc.

£115 is a bit steep for a 1/144 Orion though. The Airfix kit retails for around £10 or so (when it's available).

[Eric Mc]

I've had a quick Google but can't see any references to this lecture or a direct link to the event. Is the museum mentioned the one we normally refer to as The Science Museum?

[perdu]

Ozzie Dave said:

115 pounds, they do a number of 2001 models, (yes even a discovery!!!!) they are a UK company where as Scott is over in the US. The Stargazer models is almost 18" long.
their website is http://www.planet3earth.co.uk/stargazer%20models%2... which links to what they have, they seem to mostly sell through starship moddler.
Just reading their site noticed something interesting: Thursday 8th November 2012:

Discovering The Lost Worlds of 2001 : A Space Odyssey

A unique illustrated talk by Simon Atkinson & Piers Bizony

At The London Museum of Science & Technology.

Simon & Piers will discuss their respective careers and the fascinating journey that led to the landmark book 2001: Filming The Future.

More information at The London Museum Of Science & Technology.

SIMON ATKINSON MODELMAKING
that could be interesting, shame i'm in OZ!

That would be a great excuse to get to that London,but I doubt I'll be able to

I had a book by Arthur C Clarke with a similar title, there were some fantastic stories in that, I wonder if they will be drawing upon the book?

I am going to TRY to get a pass out for it

however...

[Eric Mc]

I still have all my Arthur C Clarke books - including that one. It was called "The Lost Worlds of 2001" and is a very good insight into the background to the film and novel.

[Ozzie Dave]

Could also recomend "the making of 2001" from the early 70's, most interesting, I'm sure its been out of print for the last 20 years though.
I was luckey enough to be at an evening with both keir Dullea & Gary Lockwood a few years ago in Brisbane, who were telling stories of how things were done. The story of running around the centrifuge and the entering the airlock made you realise how things have changed. remember this was well before CGI so at one point you see "bowman jogging, and poole eating above him, he was actually eating a "mush" while strapped upside down trying not to gag on it and spit it over everyone! The escape pod scene was done in a "tower" with a fairground roustabout pulling and letting drop "bowman" he was saying the fear on his face was real incase he was dropped!

[Eric Mc]

So it was genuine free fall then

[Ozzie Dave]

worse than that, the roustabout had a rope attached to a harness on the back of the space suit- and the rope had knots in it, he allows Keir to drop and stops him when his hands reach the knots, and jumps off the tower! (pulling the performer back up the tower then lets go as he reaches the bottom , allowing him to drop again, catching hold as a second knot comes up. This litterally stops him 3" from end of the tower!