We must be strong and brave
One day years ago, I was listening to Jeff Wayne’s excellent musical version of “The War of the Worlds”: specifically, the stirring sequence where the ironclad Thunderchild manages to destroy one two Martian War Machines before being sunk. Suddenly, my brain cross-linked it with the premise of the “Space Cruiser Yamato” series, where humanity builds a gifted spacefold drive into the hulk of the World War II battleship, and thus was born the idea for the ether flyer Thunderchild.
Miraculously, I found the rare model kit of the ironclad featured on Wayne’s album cover, and combined that with unused interior detail pieces from a Yamato kit. Plane, helicopter, and mecha bits from the parts box joined the fray, and I even added lights from a craft store set. The result won a couple awards, and praise from modelmaker David Merriman, but repeated changes of domicile took their toll on that poor creation. Soon, the ship the Martians couldn’t keep down was in pieces in my closet, and only grainy scans of lost photos remained to show all the hard work.
Well, Commodore Professor Coalsack’s creation has risen again, like an unstoppable movie franchise. A good friend will soon be taking some high-quality photos for me, but who can wait? I give you the mostly repaired Thunderchild! The pictures are clickable for a closer view…
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Kitbashed Thunderchild model, profile Until recently in pieces as a result of too many changes of residence, this is the repaired ether flyer Thunderchild. Several of the small guns visible at this angle have lost their barrels and still need replacements. For some reason, the large solar accumulator sail always looks bigger in photos than it does in real life. |
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Kitbashed Thunderchild model, starboard bow Here’s a good view of the bridge, forward lightning cannon, starboard flight stabilizer, and of course the Etheric Wave Projector embedded in the bow. I’m sure the EWP does nothing for the ship’s performance as a surface naval vessel, but the famed Space Cruiser Yamato didn’t care, so I shan’t. |
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Kitbashed Thunderchild model, starboard stern From this angle, one can see the Viewing Room, the aft lightning cannon (damaged and under repair), a nearby crewman still in his space armor, and the Etheric Propellor (one of many items that lights up, if the wiring can be fixed). Beneath the ship is the main antenna cluster, and visible on the ground are piping and tankage used at this emergency repair station. |
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Kitbashed Thunderchild model, oncoming view The classic Yamato angle. I can barely look at this without wanting to hum, “We’re off… to outer space…” Complete coincidence that the lightning cannon is pointed right at the camera. At some point, I should Photoshop out the repair station and cheap backdrop, and add in a starfield for this one. |
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
It’s nice to see the old girl going back into service. I may have to see if I can find a Missouri kit to get turrets to put the New Jersey back into service. Even if the scales don’t match, Photoshop can take care of that. It would make a nice “Yamato and Andromeda” scene.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
Yep, a starfield would help a lot in the last one.
Didn’t the WotW version take out two Martian War Machines? One with gunfire, the other by a (mutual-kill) ram?
The background for the RPG we’re running out here has a “Thunderchild” in it: it was a low-tech metal-and-thruster starship involved in a battle between advanced organic-and-magic-tech foes. Turned the tide with a suicide ram maneuver, just like the original 🙂 In game-continuity, The pilot of one of the organic ships (Washu) was so impressed she designed her next class of (Oh-kis) to use ram attacks.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
You are correct; I just checked my (1962) hard copy. I was thinking that the gun attack and the ram were on the same machine, but they were indeed on two separate ones.
I started building a successor ship, a hypersonic interplanetary areospace plane; but the inspiration wasn’t there, and it’s now in the parts box.
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
I would love to see that print! When Chris takes shots with better lighting and backdrop, I’d be pleased to send originals along to you!
On an only vaguely related note, I’m fairly certain you have almost all of the completed Yeager prop collection – do you also have the U.S.S. McKay and damaged U.S.S. Pathfinder builds, or are they still hiding in a box at Kentland?
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.
Definitely have the fragments of Pathfinder. May have McKay as well.
Word from Wonderfest is that Round 2 is going to release an upgraded, more accurate Reliant model, complete with enough decaling to do the aztec pattern across the hull without surgical level masking work.
There’s now a garage kit in 1/2500 scale (three ship Enterprise set) of the Federation II class. With some concessions (a B-type Excelsior for the Richmond) it’s possible to build all the original Batron and most of the Next Gen one.