U.F.O. Interceptor - 1/12 Scale Paper Model

mtrappett

Well-Known Member
U.F.O. Interceptor - 1/12 Scale Paper Model

This is the build thread for my version of UHUs U.F.O. Interceptor paper model. As you will see this is quite a different beast. The size of the model has been increased to approximately four times larger. This makes it about 1/10 - 1/12 scale. The model is still made from paper but has been reinforced and strengthened in every area using various methods utilizing balsa wood, cardboard, plastic card, and pretty much anything that is laying around that looks like it would work for the job.

The finished model is studio scale and could be used to recreate some of the scenes from the classic series. I may try that in the future. I also added various electronics including LEDs, Fiber Optics, radio control, and other goodies still in the works.

Starting off by cutting out the "skeleton" of the fuselage. This will be reinforced to take the additional weight of the larger model with all of the electronics.
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I cut additional holes for the electronics and fiber optics. There was quite a bit of pre-planning needed to ensure it could take all the needed items.
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Jumping ahead a little to give a taste of things to come... here are the pilots seats. These will be modified to accept "real" harnesses.
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This was one of my favorite builds. The seats are kinda cool... even a slight wear mark because of the pilots head!
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The joystick needed to be heftier! I made it from some crazy straws.
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The finished joystick ready for installation.
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All pinned-up while the glue dries. I laminated the pieces depending on the thickness/strength needed. Usually about two or three layers worked good.
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Some things needed to be changed because there were batter ways of doing things for the larger scale. I used super-glue to hold instantly, follwed with white PVS glue to add some rigidity. If more strength was needed, epoxy glue was used. Spray on glue to bond the lamination's.
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This was a model I dreamed of having since I was a kid :)
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Jumping ahead a bit again in the following few pics. Here's that canister looking thing that hangs in the cockpit next to the pilot's head. I made it out of balsa wood and plastic rods.
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I love the picture imports on this site! They are nice and big and clear! Thank you! I laminated the controls on the dashboard to give them a 3D affect. I also used fiber-optics to illuminate the small lights on the bulkhead, and the Interceptor's dashboard. (The pilots build will be at the end).
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You might notice the other lights on the dashboard are tiny jewels that are super-glued into place. The catch any light that is going on around really well. You can see the pilot has legs, and shiny boots :) He can be removed if desired.
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Lots of LEDs and fiber-optics to run through the body. The fiber optics have to be taken care of because they can break if too tight a curve is attempted.
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I used thinner wire eventually as the thicker stuff wastes space.
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Time for the nose construction.
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Canopy construction. I used a piece of brass tubing curved to match the top of the canopy and was eventually super-glued in place.
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The underbelly of the fuselage.
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Above the pilot's head is the telescope unit. It provides the pilot with a rear view of the craft. Kind of like a rear view missor in the car ;)
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Lights on for testing!
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This was a reference I used throughout the build.
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zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
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Fiber Optics rule!! My '73 Mercedes 450 SL has the whole instrument pod lit with a 1/4 in diameter optic, and the bulk is in the center colum, next to the shifter, easy to service. ;)
 

mtrappett

Well-Known Member
Fiber Optics rule!! My '73 Mercedes 450 SL has the whole instrument pod lit with a 1/4 in diameter optic, and the bulk is in the center colum, next to the shifter, easy to service. ;)
Yes, I totally agree! They enable so many possibilities for us with the models.
 

mtrappett

Well-Known Member
I love the Interceptor's design from Mike Trim and Derek Meddings :bowdown:. It's like a single-seater, get the job done kinda thing!
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I used an old micro-chip for the unit behind the pilot's head.
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Ah, good view of some of the fiber-optics in action here!
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Bit more of a close-up of the cockpit detail in action, The rear view telescope with the three lenses.
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Starting to build up the sides of the body.
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Here's the underside of the body. Lots of additional holes for wiring and fibers.
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The central wire support for the canopy. Also the brass tube in place. This was the most intricate and difficult part.
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A custom made hinge for the job.
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Tricky, tricky! Lots of clamps to hold it all together while the glue dries.
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Adding the corner pieces to the edges of the frame.
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The canopy is operated via a bowden-cable setup with a couple of bell-cranks. The blue tube carries wiring from front to rear.
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Underside of body - nose area.
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Time to test the canopy for fitment and adjust accordingly. The brass tube allows for tweaking.
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Extra support needed here to prevent squash when you handle the model.
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Slits in the parts to allow butt-jointing the edges together with no overlapping. Paper glued below to avoid unsightly joints. Any defects are easily apparent due to the shiny finish of the panels.
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Cutouts for the high-velocity machine guns at the front.
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These are the actual machine guns. These are illuminated with orange lights to simulate firing.
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Machine guns in place.
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Holes all ready for LEDs to be inserted, and wired-up:yesyes:
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Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
This is a BEAUTIFUL build! It is an EXCELLENT guild as well for anyone who wants to build this model!!!
 

mtrappett

Well-Known Member
This is the reference build for this model. Even without the lighting, It set the bar. :)
Thank you so much for the kind words Zathros! We've been having some issues where we are currently staying, and other such health issues so I haven't felt too great lately.
 
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