Fresh off the assembly line!

[ub52]

Growing up, I cut my sci-fi reading teeth on the likes of Isaac Asimov, E.A. van Vogt and E.E. Doc Smith. I'm talking early 60's here. My favorite author at the time though was Edgar Rice Burroughs. While I was a fan of Tarzan it was his science fiction writings that captured my youthful imagination the most, especially his books on the exploits of John Carter Warlord of Mars. The principle means of large-scale defense on Mars (or Barsoom as it was called by the inhabitants) fell to the Naval fleets of each country. These fleets were not of the sea going variety though, as there was barely enough water on Mars to sustain life’s needs let alone suspend a flotilla of war vessels in pursuit of an enemy. No, the navies of the planet were comprised of all manner of flying craft, from battle ships and cruisers down to the single seat speedster. These did not fly in the manner of our aircraft here on Earth, by lift created from a fixed wing, but were floated aloft by means of a special ray in the light spectrum. This ray, when capture into the so-called buoyancy tanks onboard the vessel, allowed the craft to ascend to any altitude of the pilots’ choosing. Propulsion was provided propellers at the rear of the craft.

Now, with this little bit of background given, I’d like to present my rendition of the smallest of these Barsoomian flying craft, the single seat speedster. Mind you, some forty years have past since the original propeller driven craft were developed, so this newest model, fresh off the assembly line, and still needing some details, is outfitted with the latest in jet propulsion.

-ub52

[gpdesigner]

Really nice reflections you have going on there,
the lines are unconventional, but that is what gives it it's flair..
nice work

[Hiraghm]

Ah, yes, the Grandmasters. I'm still looking for "The Weapon Shops of Isher", by Van Vogt. I once read the book, but all I have now is a short story that takes place in the village of Glay. I've been wanting to do a rendering of a Weapons Shop, with the proud magical sign out front, "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free", something art-deco.

But I've never read the Lensman stories. When you first started talking, I at-first thought that's what the scene would be, of a Lensman. My only knowledge of "Doc" Smith is from a tribute to him by Heinlein called, "Larger Than Life".

The writers I grew up reading included primarily Heinlein and Asimov, with some Clarke and George O. Smith in there. Mostly, I read Analog, Galaxy, Asimov's and Fantasy and Science Fiction magazines.

I love the way you've brought your model up-to-date while retaining the chrome-and-leather period look. Y'know, "propellor" means something that propels, it doesn't have to be a traditional airscrew. So I think your turbojet looking engines are perfect.

What's next on the agenda? The Foundation Library? Ooh... How about the ice moon landing on Mars from "The Martian Way"?
Or an outside view of the damaged spaceliner in the asteroid belt from "Marooned Off Vesta?" Or are you going to stick with Burroughs for now?

[ub52]

I'm still looking for "The Weapon Shops of Isher", by Van Vogt

Dude, $0.99 at Amazon. Lookee here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671431293/qid=1051418801/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-5389844-5129717?v=glance&s=books&n=507846).

When I got married my wife talked me into letting go of 2 or 3 oversized packing boxes full of scifi paperbacks I'd been collecting since the 60's. We're talking probably somewhere around 200 to 400 books. Man, I didn't know what I had at the time. Many of those books are now out of print. About a year ago I did a search at Amazon for E.E. Doc Smiths Lensmen series and found a reseller with one set. He was asking close to $200.00 for the 7 book set.

-ub52

[gpdesigner]

OOOOpppppsss..!!!

[wbarrett26]

Very nice work.
It seems likes all the curves are sporatic but still fit perfectly.
My eyes can't focus on only one part of the model.
keep up the great work

[Hiraghm]

Whoot! Last time I checked Amazon, they didn't have it! Honest! :D

Thanks bunches! Now go model some more stuff :D

[cathuria]

It looks like it could be a lot of fun -- but what do you do with your feet?
And glad to see something from another Burroughs fan. It makes me want to go re-read the series -- again. And model something...

[ub52]

Originally posted by cathuria
It looks like it could be a lot of fun -- but what do you do with your feet?...

This seems to be a common question. Well, the intent is that the rider or pilot would be leaning forward with his or her legs stretched out behind and would fit into the openings you can see along the side of the fuselage. Similar to how you may have seen a motorcycle rider on the freeway leaning forward with his feet placed on the back pegs, the ones for a second rider.

Originally posted by cathuria
...And glad to see something from another Burroughs fan. It makes me want to go re-read the series -- again. And model something...

Before posting I wondered if there would be anyone here old enough to know who ERB was, or that he had written any other books and created characters other than Tarzan.

-ub52

[ub52]

Been working on the cockpit(for lack of a better term) area. So here is a little update.

-ub52

[lone]

nice work. been thinking about doing one of the larger ships, but i'm torn between doing that, or the Yellow Submarine - choices, choices, choices. i used to have the entire Doubleday MARS series of hardbacks - the ones with all the killer FRAZETTA artwork - wish i'd had enough sense to hold on to them. can't even find them in paperback, now.