Buck Rogers Thunderfighter mods

Revell-Fan

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Hello, everyone!

This thread is dedicated to the different Thunderfighters we encounter in the Buck Rogers series from 1979. As you (hopefully) know, master mind Martin Saenger created an ingenious Thunderfighter paper model which is available on his website www.paperaviation.de . This model is so great and impressed me so much that I immediately thought of creating some add-on parts to turn it into the old starfighter (from the episode "Happy Birthday, Buck") and the common 4-seater variant. Martin was so kind and allowed me to develop these parts; he also told me there might be a chance that they could be offered on his website for free download later on. Thank you for this, Martin! Bidi-bidi-bidi! (= "You are great!") :thumb:

I also have to thank zealot member Rhaven Blaack. This thread would have covered only the canon TF variants - if he hadn't told me about two of his fan designs: the Mk. III and Mk. IV TF. These designs are really great. They expand the common TF line nicely and are definitely worth being built, too. Especially the Mk. III is a treat and has the same appeal to me like the classic Cylon Raider from Razor. Since Rhaven has designed these variants in the first place he is designing the add-on parts for them and will be building the prototypes. I will then revise them so that they fit in the original design. I hope he is reading this post so that we may officially declare our team-up on this project. Let's do it, pal! :thumb:
 

Rhaven Blaack

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Hello, everyone!

This thread is dedicated to the different Thunderfighters we encounter in the Buck Rogers series from 1979. As you (hopefully) know, master mind Martin Saenger created an ingenious Thunderfighter paper model which is available on his website www.paperaviation.de . This model is so great and impressed me so much that I immediately thought of creating some add-on parts to turn it into the old starfighter (from the episode "Happy Birthday, Buck") and the common 4-seater variant. Martin was so kind and allowed me to develop these parts; he also told me there might be a chance that they could be offered on his website for free download later on. Thank you for this, Martin! Bidi-bidi-bidi! (= "You are great!") :thumb:

I also have to thank zealot member Rhaven Blaack. This thread would have covered only the canon TF variants - if he hadn't told me about two of his fan designs: the Mk. III and Mk. IV TF. These designs are really great. They expand the common TF line nicely and are definitely worth being built, too. Especially the Mk. III is a treat and has the same appeal to me like the classic Cylon Raider from Razor. Since Rhaven has designed these variants in the first place he is designing the add-on parts for them and will be building the prototypes. I will then revise them so that they fit in the original design. I hope he is reading this post so that we may officially declare our team-up on this project. Let's do it, pal! :thumb:

It is true, I am working on the MK-III variants of the TF for Ravell-fan's "EXTRA PARTS PACKET".
I am also working on a Stealth version of the TF, designated MK-IV that has hexagonal engines and 2-D vectoring exhausts. :)curse:Right now though, the MK-IV is on the back burner do to design issues.wall1wall1wall1)

For those of you who have not seen my scratch build of the MK-III, I will tell you how I was inspired to make it.
The MK-III is (FAN BASED) a Forward Swept Wing version of the "Happy Birthday Buck" Fighter. I got the idea after building the U.S. Military X-29 FSW. and Martin Saenger's TF. I have always liked the design of the X-29 and the TF, so I decided to merge the two planes to see what I came up with and it worked, and scratch build it. Here is the link to the thread.

http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167446

After finding out that Ravell-fan is designing the extra parts for the TF, I contacted and told him my idea and asked him if he was interested in adding the parts for the MK-III FSW to the EXTRA PARTS PACKET. (To make a long story short) He agreed and now I am working on these parts and trying to get them to RF ASAP.

Here are pics of both the MK-III and MK-IV.

Starfighter MK-III.jpg

Starfighter MK-IV.jpg

So in closing, I would like to say that YES, Ravel-fan and I are in partnership in making these planes for all of you to enjoy. :thumb:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
 

Rhaven Blaack

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Good luck with this one guys. Very promising project!

Thank you for the encouragement. It will indeed be a very promising project.

This is my first attempt at "TRUE" designing (and I am having fun with it).
I am trying to make the parts as easy as possible to assemble, while still making it look good, look like some thing that would work, and look like it would could have been the "next generation" of fighters.

*NOTE* The Mk-IV will be a separate model from Martin Saenger's TF. (Right now this design is on the back burner do to design issues and other problems.)
Once I am finish with it and am ready to release it, I will see if he is interested in adding it to his site for download, not only that but I will upload it here for download as well.
 

ThunderChild

Active Member
I'm positive that Martin Saenger will help out. After all, he was kind enough to provide a home for my WarHawk design. Your models will feel right at home there!
 

Rhaven Blaack

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I am also working on an interior cockpit for both the two-seater and the four-seater.

*NOTE* These will not be canon interior cockpits, do to the fact that I have not been able to find accurate pictures of either one.

I am open to any suggestions or if anyone has accurate pictures that they want to share, I would love to use them (if it is OK).
 

silveroxide

Senior Member
Cockpit

I am also working on an interior cockpit for both the two-seater and the four-seater.

*NOTE* These will not be canon interior cockpits, do to the fact that I have not been able to find accurate pictures of either one.

I am open to any suggestions or if anyone has accurate pictures that they want to share, I would love to use them (if it is OK).


Here is the best that I can do for now but it gives you a fair view shot of the two seater version. There is the escape pod for the fighter and the Canopy slides forward. I assumed that it tilted up from the drawings. I also have the schematics for the front landing gear but it is copyrighted. I hope that these pics help out some.
 

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Rhaven Blaack

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Silveroxide,

Thank you very much for these wonderful (and yes very helpful) pictures.

I do have a four-seater A-6 picture that I am thinking of using.

I would like your opinion about it.

s6002991.jpg

Thank you for your help.
 

Revell-Fan

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I'm positive that Martin Saenger will help out. After all, he was kind enough to provide a home for my WarHawk design. Your models will feel right at home there!

Hello, Thunderchild!

Nice to see you here. YOUR WARHAWK IS A MASTERPIECE! :thumb::thumb::thumb:
I couldn't have done it better. The shape and the textures are great.

If you believe it or not, I was about to design the ship myself. I already had collected screenshots and all the pics from the web you could get. You saved me a lot of time. Thank you, thank you!:inw::inw::inw:

I hope Rhaven and I won't disappoint you and the other fans. CU!:wave:
 

Revell-Fan

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Here is the best that I can do for now but it gives you a fair view shot of the two seater version. There is the escape pod for the fighter and the Canopy slides forward. I assumed that it tilted up from the drawings. I also have the schematics for the front landing gear but it is copyrighted. I hope that these pics help out some.

Hello, silveroxide!

Thanks for the pics; I haven't seen them before (save one). I am collecting screenshots from the show and will send them to Rhaven to make the interior as authentic as possible. :thumb:
 

ThunderChild

Active Member
Thanks for the kind words RF! I'm really looking forward to see this project of yours.

My second build ever was the thunderfighter and it's looking a bit sad after years of playing, I was thinking of building another. Then you guys started this thread. Good timing! :D
I'm sure you'll present the world with a masterpiece! Good luck guys!
 

Rhaven Blaack

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TC,

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

aussie
Here is to hoping that everything will come out right. *Fingers Crossed*
 

Kjev

Active Member
Awesome mods! I haven't built this ship yet, but it's always been on my list. Has anyone ever considered doing some of the other ships in the series?
 

Rhaven Blaack

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Kjev,

For the most part, it is a very easy model to build. It is also very accerate in its design. Martin Saenger did a FANTASTIC job with it. I would have to say I like it better then the pl****c models that are out there (especially for those who want to modify it in any way).
So if you are looking at building it, then just do it and I am quite certain that everyone would love to see the build thread.
 

Rhaven Blaack

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Well ladies and gentlemen, I have finished the the initial design of the "EXTRA PARTS" for the MK-III Thunderfighter FSW.
I am starting the initial test build. The model will be in Black and White (no paint scheme). I will post photos soon.
 

Rhaven Blaack

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Update!!!

Greeting Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here is an update of my prgress on the "EXTRA PART" for the MK-III Thunderfighter FSW. I have started the initial test build. (Yes the model is being built in B&W scheme). Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure. I know that I have not gotten to the good parts yet, but I should be posting them in my next update.

(Just to let everyone know, I have not started designing the interior cockpit yet. I wanted to make certain that the parts for the MK-III are ready for building. I will start the interior once I have finished this.)

MK-III TF-FSW EXTRA PARTS TEST BUILD 1.jpg

MK-III TF-FSW EXTRA PARTS TEST BUILD 2.jpg

MK-III TF-FSW EXTRA PARTS TEST BUILD 3.jpg

MK-III TF-FSW EXTRA PARTS TEST BUILD 4.jpg

Enjoy!!!
 

silveroxide

Senior Member
So far so good. When I did this part, I laminated the inside walls about 3X, and got rid of the tabs. But then Again, that is my technique for building strong models for heavy usage or for moving around a lot. Keep it up and waiting to see that interior. (is it the two seater or the four seater?)
 
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