avatar_seadude

SPACE: 1999 Alpha Moonbase as military base?

Started by seadude, September 20, 2014, 02:17:14 PM

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seadude

September 20, 2014, 02:17:14 PM
I recently picked up the re-released Space: 1999 Alpha Moonbase........
http://round2models.com/models/mpc/space-1999-base
........from a local hobby shop a week ago.
My plans for this kit however are to turn it into a WHAT IF military moonbase with extra gun turrets, missile launchers, and maybe some extra buildings and/or launch/landing pads. But first, I want to make the plastic vacuformed base a little better. I'm open to suggestions. I was originally thinking of laying down some model railroad scenery to better represent the lunar terrain. I bought a few packages of the following:

Light Grey Fine Ballast, Item # B74
http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/BAL-LG/page/1
Grey Fine Ballast, Item # B75
http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/BAL-G/page/1

I'm not sure whether to use the light grey or the regular grey, or to mix both types? The "Fine" quality is probably close in size to granules of sugar.
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

scooter

#1
September 20, 2014, 02:39:14 PM
I say "Sure, why not?"  As for the ballast, mix the two and see how it looks
The F-106- 26 December 1956 to 8 August 1988
Gone But Not Forgotten

QuoteOh are you from Wales ?? Do you know a fella named Jonah ?? He used to live in whales for a while.
— Groucho Marx

My dA page: Scooternjng

kerick

#2
September 21, 2014, 04:09:35 PM
Depending on what part of the moon's surface the base is located, I think the mix might be good. Lunar "soil" is basalt rock that has been pounded by meteors for billions of years. This tends to produce a fine grained soil that is almost a powder in some areas. Also very glassy and highly reflective of sunlight. Around craters rocks of various sizes would also be found of course.
" Somewhere, between half true, and completely crazy, is a rainbow of nice colours "
Tophe the Wise

Weaver

#3
September 21, 2014, 05:44:21 PM
Given that the base model is 1/1800th scale, wouldn't any powder material be too big for the "soil"? Surely at that scale matt light grey paint would be most appropriate? Of course the scatter would be excellent for rocks and detail.
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."
 - Sandman: A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Neil Gaiman

"I dunno, I'm making this up as I go."
 - Indiana Jones

seadude

#4
September 21, 2014, 06:44:38 PM
And I'm not going to build/add the Mission Control Center to the moonbase either. I just thought of a different plan last night for using that. ;) The Mission Control Center that has all the figures, desks, chairs, etc. will be used for another future diorama - i.e.  an Area 51 hangar diorama with a captured flying saucer, and the MCC as a "side laboratory" where the figures (scientists) are studying the saucer. ;)
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

Captain Canada

#5
September 21, 2014, 07:22:03 PM
That's a great idea....I say go for it, and You Can Do It !

:thumbsup:
CANADA KICKS arse !!!!

Long Live the Commonwealth !!!
Vive les Canadiens !
Where's my beer ?

Dizzyfugu

#6
September 22, 2014, 01:03:51 AM
Quote from: Weaver on September 21, 2014, 05:44:21 PM
Given that the base model is 1/1800th scale, wouldn't any powder material be too big for the "soil"? Surely at that scale matt light grey paint would be most appropriate? Of course the scatter would be excellent for rocks and detail.

Second that. At that small scale, any pigment might look like a rock; I'd assume that even the bare surface you put some paint on will have to be very smooth - but a simple acrylic paint (maybe even just grey primer?) should suffice.

Joe C-P

#7
September 22, 2014, 03:19:52 PM
The surface of the Moon is actually close in color to asphalt. The apparent brightness is due to the nearly non-existent atmosphere. It is highly reflective, though, for what it doesn't absorb.
Of course, your diorama won't be in a near-vacuum, unless you're _really_ hardcore.  ;)
For rocks, perhaps small irregular granite and lava pieces.
In want of hobby space!  The kitchen table is never stable.  Still managing to get some building done.

seadude

#8
October 18, 2014, 05:02:14 PM
Been working on my moonbase idea today and I've come to another conclusion: What do I do for gun and missile emplacements? The moonbase kit itself is about 1/1800 scale. All I have to work with is either rob some sort of decent looking 1/700 scale guns from some spare kits, or use some extra 1/4105 scale Battlestar Galactica gun turrets I bought. When I place the Galactica turrets next to some buildings, they seem a tad too large.
Any other thoughts?
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#9
October 19, 2014, 06:52:52 AM
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

scooter

#10
October 19, 2014, 07:43:06 AM
Quote from: seadude on October 19, 2014, 06:52:52 AM


I wouldn't be surprised if they over-scaled the guns to make them visible.

The F-106- 26 December 1956 to 8 August 1988
Gone But Not Forgotten

QuoteOh are you from Wales ?? Do you know a fella named Jonah ?? He used to live in whales for a while.
— Groucho Marx

My dA page: Scooternjng
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