"David Jones" concept Thunder Fighter (1:50 scale)

[Rhaven Blaack]

Greetings ladies and Gentlemen,

It is time for another (YES, another) Thunder Fighter build. I know that you are (probably) saying: "WOW! Another Thunder Fighter!" Yes, I know that I have built more of these things and (more than likely) know the model far better than @Martin Saenger does, and you are (more than likely) right.
With that being said, as several of you know, I had built the majority of them when I was in Eastern Europe and was unable to bring them back with me, when I had moved back to the US. So, I have decided that I am going to rebuild all three of the canon versions, the "David Jones" concept version (which is what I am working on now), and the MK-III FSW (fan based) version (which I have already built) in 1:50 scale.

This drawing of the "David Jones" concept version was one of the early versions that was submitted for the Thunder Fighter (Starfighter) for Buck Roger in the 25th Century.


This model was designed by @Revell-Fan (based on the original Thunder Fighter model that was designed by Martin Saenger).


I started with the seat.




Moving on to the cockpit. I have decided to make it a single seat version.
The cockpit interior is complete (minus the front console, which will be added later).












There is more to come! So please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[zathros]

Really sweet! You've got those cockpits down!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Really sweet! You've got those cockpits down!

Thank you sir!!!

 

[mijob]

That's a verry clean cockpit build. :King:

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

That's a verry clean cockpit build. :King:

Thank you sir!!!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

It is now time for another update! There are a few differences in the texture as well as a few parts that look a little different. So let's get started.

I worked on the main body (formers) sections.


I attached the top half of the engine sections.






I raised some of the panels.


Both halves now have the engine sections attached (with greebling).


I decided to laminate the supports for the under section of the main body to about 1mm and put them in place.


The under section of the main body is fully attached.


Both halves are ready for assembly.


Both halves are together.




Please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[micahrogers]

Nice job on the new addition to the Thunderfighter fleet.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Nice job on the new addition to the Thunderfighter fleet.

Thank you sir!!!
My plan is to make all of them (5 in all) in 1:50 scale.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is a small update.

Here are the Pulsar Laser cannon vents. As you can see, I was able to recess and angle them to make them look more "realist" and screen accurate.




The Pulsar Laser cannon vents are attached.




Please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[mijob]

Looks verry good. thumbsup

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Moving on to the main body.

Starting with the top skin.

I attached the cockpit tub (and the rear panel


The top skin is attached, as well as the rest of the rear body section. I also louvred the rear vents.


The bottom skin is attached (minus the landing gear section. That will be added later).


I added a few more grebbles.




I attached the back plates and the greebling.




Next are the engine exhausts and front (pulsar laser cannons) sponsons.

Please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[Revell-Fan]

Really cool!

 

[micahrogers]

Looking great!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Thank you both!!!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is another update.

I have moved to the engine exhausts.

Here are the parts for the engine exhausts.


The first exhaust is finished.


Both exhausts are now finished.




Here is a comparison between the two exhausts.
As you can see, the one on the left the the regular exhausts. On the right, is this exhaust. The one major difference between the two., is the indented sections are missing. I raised the panels that are in place.


Both exhausts are now attached.


Please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[beuch]

thumbsup

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is the main console system. I augmented a few of the details of the different display panels.


The main console system is in place.






Next will be the front sponsons (pulsar laser cannon systems).

Please say tune to your local Earth Directorate broadcasting channels for more updates.

 

[micahrogers]

Where can I find this in 1/48th to sit beside my Viper?

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Where can I find this in 1/48th to sit beside my Viper?

I printed the original template at 64% (which actually makes it 1:50 scale).

 

[Revell-Fan]

@micahrogers : A very easy way is to import the pages in CorelDraw and rescale them to 64%, then print them.



That might even enable you to print two pages on one sheet.

Another way is to change the printing resolution of the single parts pages. Do not change the page size. If you scale down the parts pages the texture may get smudged, especially when it wasn't rendered at 300 dpi like in this case. The pages of the TF come at 202,997 dpi:



This will print the model in 1/32 scale. To get it in 1/48 you have to change the resolution to 202,997 x 48 / 32 = 304,5 dpi (317,183 dpi for 1/50 scale). This will keep the original quality of the graphics intact, the details are printed finer.

Turning the pages into a PDF using PDFill to print that resulting PDF at a smaller rate is a bit fiddly. You'll have to resize the canvas of the single pages to A4 first in Gimp and then export it as A4 with no margins and no spaces between pages. I won't go into detail on this because the two options above are much easier.