Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - Visual Effects Model Maker - Hatchet Fighter/Pirate Fighter/Draconia Fighter

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Main Page.

Testing a possible engine effect at the Glenco Model Shop.

Pete pressed an extra casting of the Hatchet Fighter into wet concrete from a recent plumbing repair.

Under construction.

Bottom.

Rear.

Front.

Bottom.

Front.

Pete Gerard, original Model Shop supervisor, writes about the design process of the Hatchet Fighter... This is one of 5 Hatchet Fighter mockups I pieced together, from Colin Cantwell's original 2D renderings. They were pinned together from pieces of 4 Lb. urethane foam, which was faster for me than carving would have been, considering its complex form. This is the version Colin selected, from which next we made a slightly larger wood pattern. The set designers and construction supervisor on the lot kept pestering David Jones and me for working drawings, so they could build the full-sized fighter. We had no such drawings made up, but I sent them instead a casting from our preliminary mold, from which they had to draw their construction plans. This wasn't protocol by any means, and our high-handed methods angered them, but it dramatizes the differences between how Hartland functioned versus the more orthodox methods of studio set construction. Naturally there was a deadline for principal photography, and we had forced them into a lot of overtime while the miniature was being developed. We had inadvertently reversed the order in which these things are done, and it didn't exactly endear us to those in the Black Tower.

Support this Web Site I hope that you find this web site helpful. This web site was designed and built by a former Universal Hartland Model Maker for your benefit. I don't allow paid advertising. This web site is for your benefit and enjoyment and I make no profit on it. For ten years it has been supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven't been many the last few years. I can no longer run it without help. Alternative funding is needed. A non-tax deductable donation helps cover the cost of operating this web site and may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal.
Buy my Photographs or Art.	Or donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.	If you are in the need of a designer, please see my portfolio site www.kesigndesign.com. or Set Design Portfolio.

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2000 - 2022, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website or any other print media.