2023 Buildups: The Mondoshawan

[Squidy53]

No. 1 THE MUTANT

I've posted a few builds last year but as buildup posts have been quiet lately I thought I might share the rest. I'm comfortable being a middling builder so don't be afraid to share your efforts!

This is the 1/12 Menagarie Metalunan Mutant by Tony McVey and supplied by Alchemy Works. This kit is from 1994! but it is still an excellent build. Very little clean up and the detail and part fit are great. The casting is by Randy of LilMonster.

There are a number of kits of this beastie available (https://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=125638) including one currently by Atlantis Hobbies. The CH Gallery has a very nice selection of these kits including other very nice buildups of this kit: https://theclubhouse1.net/piwigo/index.php?/search/9563. If you're a member of the Gallery make sure you're logged on separately.

I really like McVey's take on the Metaluna Mutant from 'This Island Earth'. The original was designed in part by Millicent Patrick and had first been proposed as the Xenomorph in 'It Came From Outer Space' but was passed over.



McVey's Mutant dispenses with the somewhat goofy pants and belt and gives the body far more texture. I drew my color scheme from those of certain crabs.



Excuse my photography skills - there's more variation in the color on the real thing. I don't have a model photo set up and I just use my phone and remove the background with Canva.

I'll post others from 2023 in coming days. How about posting one of your own?

[DEADMAN]

That looks Great!

[LOBOREX]

Very cool work.

[bucketfoot-al]

Now it REALLY looks like a creepy insect! Nice build up - never saw McVey's take on this critter!

[barad_dur]

Excellent ! I reallly like the brown tones - I think brown always makes creatures look more real and lifelike

Looking forward to seeing more of your work

[tay666]

This looks great!
I love the color tones, and the way there is almost a glowing effect to the face that gives it some life.
And those gloss black eyes just give it so much menace.

[bucketfoot-al]

This looks great!
I love the color tones, and the way there is almost a glowing effect to the face that gives it some life.
And those gloss black eyes just give it so much menace.

Yes! You put to words what I couldn't quite put my finger on re: the eyes!

[tay666]

Yeah, that still doesn't sum up the feeling, but it was the best word I could come up with.

[Trekkriffic]

Excellent work. The glossy eyes really have …. It. That’s it! The eyes have IT! Seriously, great color choice and well done. The detailing really pops.

[Squidy53]

Thank you gentlemen for your kind and encouraging words.

[Squidy53]

No. 2 BART'N.STEIN

The quick-n-fun Bart'n-stein model kit with Boris the Spider on the base by Mike Parks of Mad Labs Models.



He looks so much better 'in the flesh'. Why do photos always bring out unseen faults?

[bucketfoot-al]

Oh that Bart SImpson is so well done - beautiful paint up!!!

[overspray]

Love both so far, keep 'em coming.

[barad_dur]

Hah, very fun!
Please show us more

[tay666]

Ooooo!
That's NICE.

Love the greenish hue, as well as the highlights on the face.

[Squidy53]

No. 3 THE SPACE ARK



An alternate launch site to that in When Worlds Collide (1951). Built around the Lunar Models Space Ark kit with ramp (https://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=125637). I connected a plastisheet construction/launch platform to the ramp and used various parts like the cranes and buildings from a small-scale shipyard kit. The trucks are those tiny lead ones. The "mountain" has a cardboard and foam core covered with plaster with lots of cork for walls and many, many cork boulders and rocks. There are 1/1000th scale "people" some of which can be glimpsed on a platform by the engines in the top view (bottom middle). But the scale is a bit all over the place. Anyhow a lot of fun not meant to be taken too seriously.

I might do another version of this with the Pegasus Space Ark kit and the Para Graphix Under Construction Conversion set. That's my idea of cool.

[barad_dur]

Wow - Steve - that looks great!
Including that building really gives the spaceship a realistic feel and scale.
Thanks for sharing you cool work with us !

[overspray]

Wow, the hits just keep coming! Looks amazing and I'll bet it was a fun build.

[bucketfoot-al]

That is amazing. Knew instantly what it was from - and it looks pretty hefty too, despite the 1/1000 scale!

Beautiful detail work on the rocks/cliffs - agree with Barad_dur about the building - and trucks - giving a sense of scale! More, please!

[tay666]

Now that is an ambitious build!
And very well executed.