AMT's Eagle 1 from Space 1999

micahrogers · Jun 15, 2014

I was in the shed going thru the stash of plastic kits wondering what to do next and this crumpled old box was starring at me all the time. After about 10 minutes of searching I looked again and said "allrighty then"

This is what the top of the box looked like after I got it inside.

as you can see it got quite mangled in the years it's been in storage.

The instructions are intact

and the decals are still there.

I just hope the are intact.

And the parts in the box all laid out.

but alas it's not 100% intact...

one part got broken in half.
so I'll try gluing the broken part back together.

I'll take plenty of pics and keep Y'all updated.

micahrogers · Jun 15, 2014

And now for the $64.00 question, do I build it Out Of Box, and just paint it to simulate the recessed areas like I did when I built this kit 30 years ago. Or do I perform Plastic Surgery, and cut out the frames and scratch build the inner structure? any ideas?

Cforrest900 · Jun 15, 2014

Depends on how much time you have to work on it. It would make the difference between a good looking model and a great one. If you have the time and the patience I'd say go for the "plastic surgery" option

micahrogers · Jun 15, 2014

That's just it... the way I've been building these things I'm rapidly running out of space to display them. I'm leaning toward the surgery and scratch build option.

micahrogers · Jun 15, 2014

So having made the decision, Plastic Surgery commences.
The first of a couple hundred .5mm holes drilled to define the panels to be cut out.

And a quick internet search turned up this image of the inner structure.

Now I have to fix diner, then drill a couple hundred more holes.

zathros · Jun 16, 2014

I think I would "Go for it' as much as you can. This is a very nice model.

Rhaven Blaack · Jun 16, 2014

That box looks like it has been to hell and back. I am VERY SURPRISED that everything is still intact.
I am glad that you decided to go with the plastic surgery option. I think that you will wind up with better results and a GREAT looking model in the end!!!

micahrogers · Jun 16, 2014

Rhaven Blaack said:
That box looks like it has been to hell and back. I am VERY SURPRISED that everything is still intact.
I am glad that you decided to go with the plastic surgery option. I think that you will wind up with better results and a GREAT looking model in the end!!!

There was one piece that was broken, but I was able to glue it back together. A rough day at work today but off tomorrow so I'll might get the surgery knocked out tomorrow. I'll take plenty of pics and post them.

I just love the new look and the way it operates, 10 pics in one post Woo Hoo.

micahrogers · Jun 17, 2014

A mid day update.
I have all the panels that will be removed defined by drilling 0.5mm holes, about 300 or so.
I'm working now on removing the panels.
Here are a couple before and after pics.

The front control pod has the cockpit windows removed .

and the pod exteriors.

and the interconnecting door panels.

More updates to come

Ron Caudillo · Jun 17, 2014

I've always liked this ship. Looking forward to seeing how creative you can be with it.

Best Regards,

micahrogers · Jun 17, 2014

And the Plastic Surgery is done,

I still have some clean up to do, but all things considered, I happy with these results.
and a couple pics of the pieces just stuck together to give an idea of how it's gonna look.

Now the hard part starts, the scratch building. Since I opened the command pods windows I guess I need to come up with a couple pilots and seats... maybe even light it?

Rhaven Blaack · Jun 17, 2014

These pieces are looking really good!!!
I am looking forward to seeing how this will come together!!!

mcusanelli · Jun 18, 2014

Micah,
This is looking fantastic! Amazing how much better it looks with the framework cut out. I think I'm going to have to get this kit again, you've really inspired me ! Can't wait to see how it comes out!

micahrogers · Jun 18, 2014

mcusanelli said:
Micah,
This is looking fantastic! Amazing how much better it looks with the framework cut out. I think I'm going to have to get this kit again, you've really inspired me ! Can't wait to see how it comes out!

Round 2 aka Polar Lights just re released this kit and it can be found new for $25 USD or so. Don't get caught up in an EBay thing for this kit.

mcusanelli · Jun 19, 2014

Thanks Micah! I actually just ordered it from my buddy who owns the local hobby shop, I always try to get things from him first, I know he can really use the business. After seeing your progress, I remembered what a nice kit this was, and how much can be done with it. Are you going to modify the landing gear legs....If I remember correctly, the kit pads have a simple leg that plugs into a small box structure, when in reality, it's like a little cage, with a small scissor shock absorber thing (very technical language, I know...) Wouldn't be too hard to do, I plan on doing this to mine.

micahrogers · Jun 19, 2014

mcusanelli said:
Are you going to modify the landing gear legs....If I remember correctly, the kit pads have a simple leg that plugs into a small box structure, when in reality, it's like a little cage, with a small scissor shock absorber thing (very technical language, I know...) Wouldn't be too hard to do, I plan on doing this to mine.

I am going to try and fix everything that I can, take my time and do it as right as I can. The landing struts should be fairly easy, possibly using landing gear scissors from aircraft kits

I've already noticed another area that I had to open up to get the look as good as I can. and it's got some BAD seams that I've found and started filling, but these seams could be from it being in storage for 14 + years.

micahrogers · Jun 19, 2014

I' decided to open more areas of the cage structure , I found this pic on the net

which shows the opening behind the command pod, so I opened this area up.

And here is a shot of that ghastly seam that I found and filled.

so this is the state it sits in as of now...

more updates to come.

micahrogers · Jun 19, 2014

Okay, it's official, I've designed my first Paper model part

alright so it's a box, but it's measured then drawn then cut and folded, then ARgghhh :banghead: I forgot to take paper thickness into account.
so redraw cut fold and Razza Frazzin, :banghead::banghead: I forgot the line thickness...
then finally a finished part

and a final test fit,

this will work, and for mcusanelli if you want the part for your build it's 20.25mm tall by 30.75mm wide by 40mm long and the lines were drawn with a 1.0mm pen.
and now to make two of them without lines and grebbelie them out.

micahrogers · Jun 22, 2014

Onward and downward at this stage of the build. work commences on the landing gear.
I found this pic on the internet which shows the landing gear rather well.