Of late my posts have been about What if…? models from WW2 in 1/35 or 1/72 scale, but tonight I finished a quick model, though one which I see is fetching tidy sums on a certain auction site, the Ark Rocket from the movie When Wolds Collide. It’s a long time since I saw the film, but the launch of the Ark, near the end of the film, stayed with me. Shape of Things to come had a cannon to shoot capsules into space, Doctor Who’s TARDIS simply phases out, (reportedly a matter of being able to save money originally) and WWC launches it’s rocket via a long rail that supposedly allowed the ship to gather speed to take off. Anyone think that the launches of V1 rockets by German in WW2 had any influence there? Anyway, having looked at the finished kit and comparing it to stills from the film, it looks spot on. There aren’t many parts to the kit so it quickly goes together. The large bas is one piece and is basically a finished vac-form plastic shell, with positions for the concrete rail supports to stand in. No filling at on for the rails and supports, and very little for the rocket itself, which I painted in my usual Humbrol Metalcote Steel. Yes, doubtless Aluminium would match the film better, but to me the steel finish looks so much better when polished up/ The film title plaque is a seperate piece and sits nicely on the base, and basically that’s it. I’ve left every separate, (Ark, rail and base) essentially to aid dusting, but since it all goes together well why not? I was happy to pay £25 when it came out, but for £70 on ebay now, I would have rather spent my money elsewhere. However, purely as a model, I’d say it was a quick, easy and vice free build that allows you to have a very retro and iconic science fiction craft from an era long before CGI and modern special effects.
Doing a quick search, Monsters in Motion has the kit for $27, and also carries the photo etch set I remembered that allows you to build — with a little surgery — the ship under construction, with the hull still open and showing ribs and framing. I remember being tempted by it when I ran across it years ago, but ultimately decided to pass.
Yes, in the US it’s far less, but in the UK you either have the option of £70 on ebay UK or £30 price plus £35-ish postage from overseas. Didn’t know MIM had it, and am unsure what they charge in postage, but to the UK I can’t see it being less than £25-£30. Yes, you can do other things with the ship, but at 1/350 it’s not that big.
That’s a great build and finish.
Haven’t seen that film in years. I’ve always had a soft spot for these old sci-fi movies.
Thanks, I know a lot of people prefer the airbrush but I just find it a lot more relaxing using the standard paint brushes, or at least the flat brush style. I might add a few more bits and bobs to the base, just have to work out what looks realistic for foliage at 1/350 scale. It did make a nice change from all the WW2 tanks and whatnot I’ve built this year, especially the massive P1000 Ratte in 1/72 scale. Just shows how various kits can be such different building experiences.
As for the film, building this did make me find it and give it a play, and while you can’t exactly compare it and others with modern sci-fi films, it’s fun to watch.