This model was originally used in ST lll & ST lV.

Creating a master in studio scale has a big advantage, I get to use existing model kit parts for some of the components. That means there is no guessing at the proper size of the master at ‘studio scale’.

The client supplied the proper kits that were used by the movie’s FX studio to create the original tug. It was a matter of cutting some of them apart and searching for what I needed.

I did not take a bunch of pictures showing the original kit parts before modifying them, so what you see are the main hull sections well along the way to completion. The stern section is where the bulk of the kits were used to create the hull, mainly the engine area. The bow section of the lower hull and the entire upper hull are built from styrene sheet and solid plastic carved and shaped.

Pictured below is the form I created to heat bend the upper hull sections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lower hull with the F14 section in place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the F16 kit, the main intake was cast and duplicated to create the twin intakes of the model. These castings were further modified to make assembly as a kit easier. You can also see the parts used to create the upper hull detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An over view of the kit parts, minus the vac-formed windshield. Some of the kit parts used were tough to suss out, others, not so much.

 

The engine exhaust with the dome was created from scratch, as I suspect the filming model’s were as well. They sit inside the F-14 engine housings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below the tractor beam emitter parts are in place. They might be laser cut for the kit. The outer shapes do not come from kit parts. The small side hook is in place. One will go on each side for the kit. The engine domes are also in place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cockpit details were tough to nail down because the images of the filming model available are blurry and not well lit. Being able to refer to the actual kit parts that were used is the only way to re-crteate a model such as this. The pilot is in place as well. There are four pilot arms in the kit. This will make the two different pilots needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various engine parts make up this roof detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks for  looking!!