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FANTASTIC VOYAGE- THE CARTOON SERIES "VOYAGER"

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  • Member since
    September 2013
FANTASTIC VOYAGE- THE CARTOON SERIES "VOYAGER"
Posted by Tentacles on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 4:40 PM

Hello all again.

I'd like yo post my progress on the 1/72 scale Aurora/Moebius models kit version of the cartoon series FANTASTIC VOYAGE's "Voyager" flying submarine.

For those who aren't familiar with this lost subject matter, this cartoon show, based on the hit movie "Fantastic Voyage"(1966) aired from 1968 -1969 with 17 episodes and featured a sleek looking vehicle, along with its crew, that is miniaturized every episode. Aurora Models made this kit just before the series was prematurely cancelled and thus it became an extremely rare and hard to find kit. It was never re-issued. Some 30+ yrs. later, Moebius Models re-tooled the old molds and reproduced the Voyager with original box and instruction artwork for us to enjoy again.

This is a modified 2007 edition of the Moebius Models kit. A new,scratch-bilt interior and bubble-top area was modified along with upper side windows that were cut-out (this was NOT on the original kit, but seen on the show) on the hull. Red and colored foil was used through out to enhance the engine and control panel.

As with Aurora's original, the fitting of parts was not very smooth- especially the wings. Lots of putty and sanding were in order here. A fun little kit to add to my growing Aurora sci-fi line.

  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by mitsdude on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:34 PM

Unbelievable! I started this kit on Monday.

This time last night I was searching, without much success, for builds of this exact kit.

I'll definitely use this as a guide.

Nice build!

BTW, I did watch two episodes on Youtube. I was 16-17 when this came out and liked this kind of programming. However I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of this back then. It may have been one of those programs that wasn't aired in my area. I know for sure the Marvel 60's cartoons were not broadcast in my area.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:03 AM

Thanks for the comment.

Yeah, since the show had a VERY short run its no wonder that many folks don't even know of its existence. The next trick is to get a glossy white finish to it- its gotta look like a sculpture with no seams. Enjoy your build and post pictures too!

  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by mitsdude on Friday, September 19, 2014 1:39 AM

As far as the seams go I've seen worse, a lot worse! Fortunately seams on the fuselage and the tail are easy to get to and can be worked on as subassemblies. The wings will need some sanding/filing to fit snugly against the fuselage and will need only a little putty work to fill the gap.

I've noticed the plastic use to make this kit is softer than most styrene I've seen. Almost like the plastic you find in toys.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Friday, September 19, 2014 11:12 AM

I too have seen worse, however I was taken aback to find how misaligned some of the parts were in my kit. Such challenges in such a small kit though.

I  noticed the softer plastic as well- must be the Chinese formula they're using (model parts made in China). Does make it easier to sand and manipulate which is welcomed.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Friday, September 19, 2014 12:24 PM

Okay :

   Now Tentacles , are you going to show us how you got it so nice ? You know,  how many brush-strokes per figure etc. Listen here ! That is a very darned nice job ! Keep it up .    Model On    T.B.      P.S. The tease about the figures is because they don't look overloaded with paint , which isn't easy .

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Friday, September 19, 2014 10:51 PM

Well, thanks T.B. !

It wasn't too easy, however I've been "blessed" with being near-sighted and having no caffeine whatsoever LOL !!   I used good ole' Model Masters paint and some regular Testors. I don't have a working airbrush so its a rattle can for me for the exterior. Stay tuned...

Here's a photo of my secret:

i1365.photobucket.com/.../toolsofthetrade_zpsca0d25e5.jpg

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Friday, September 19, 2014 10:55 PM

Also, here's a couple more progress shots folks.

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: San Diego, CA, USA
Posted by Gerry on Thursday, September 25, 2014 10:45 PM

Looks brilliant. My favorite models are ones with great interiors. Flying sub, Spindrift, and this one, I have it but have not yet built it. I want to see how many of your ideas I want to steal.

Gerry ...Young at Heart - Other parts slightly older.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 10:21 AM

I know it's too late :

   Did you ever see a model of the ship used in the MOVIE .She's way different from this . I wonder why ?

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Earth, for now
Posted by BashMonkey on Sunday, January 18, 2015 2:08 PM
A little off topic but in the movie the Proteus was abandoned and supposedly destroyed by white blood cells except that white blood cells cannot break down metal, so logically when the effects of the shrink ray wore off shouldn't the Proteus have popped the patients skull open like a pinata when it returned to normalcy???

 ALL OF YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 10:28 PM

Just before the movie was released, famed SF author Isaac Asimov penned his story treatment of the movie addressing those very points, as well as other scientific mis-steps. His ending was different too- after all of the drama of the voyage and its purpose, the scientist still couldn't remember the secret of prolonged miniaturization. Epic fail!! LOL

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 10:48 PM

BTW, I'll be resuming my build of this model soon, time permitting.

TB,

I've heard that in order for the cartoon series to succeed, the vehicle had to be modified for it to get around more for further adventures, not unlike the purpose for the Flying Sub from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. They after all did retain the bubble top and the white coloring of the ship as sort of an homage to the movie's sub.

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by mwmodelworks on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 6:28 PM

Outstanding attention to detail! This subject often gets overlooked because of its toon origins. Thanks for giving this the attention it deserves.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Thursday, January 29, 2015 7:51 PM

When I was in school I used to watch that show every Saturday.  When Aurora brought out the kit I saved my money and every time I saved 5.00 dollars I would buy one.  When I got home from my first tour during Vietnam I found out that my mother gave away all my models and many other things to kids in the neighborhood.

How did you get the interior colors and detail? I don't remember that much about the ship's interior.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 4:04 PM

I watched a few episodes on YouTube that had some quick shots of the interior for color referencing. Aurora/ Moebius did a fair job on trying to rectify the interiors to the ship itself. Bearing in mind this was a cartoon, the interiors always seemed bigger than could possibly fit into the size of the ship represented. Think of the TARDIS from Dr. Who.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Monday, April 6, 2015 2:23 PM

Hey all,

Progress on the Voyager continues.

I've had less than ideal spray painting conditions lately so its been slowww going. I've also had to do A LOT of filling and sanding to ensure a smooth "sculptured" look, especially the wings. The left one had a 1/16" gap that had to be filled and sanded seriously so that's been hindering progress.

The gloss white surfaces do not leave any room for imperfections so for a simple kit, its posing its own unique challenges. Hope to have pictures soon!

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Monday, April 6, 2015 7:41 PM

Well, after all, it was a 60s  Aurora kit.

  • Member since
    May 2012
Posted by John Leah on Thursday, April 30, 2015 9:23 AM

That's a lot of very nice detail you have added there - its a shame some of it will be lost when the shell is added but you will always know its in there and that's what really matters - mind expanding modelling  imagination

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Friday, May 1, 2015 1:17 AM

Thanks for the comment.

When its finally done, some of that lost detail can and will be seen. With the bubble top and side windows opened up more, and with natural light  or a flashlight you'll  be able to see more inside than what was previously done. An experiment I hope that works.

  • Member since
    August 2009
Posted by Matt1864 on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 3:32 PM

The amnesia ending was the original ending in the screenplay. I am not sure when it was cut, but almost certainly was in the draft Asimov had as his baseline. 

Great Model. Love that you have included the side windows. 

Matthew 

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Tentacles on Saturday, September 22, 2018 12:05 AM

Thanks!

I hope to have new pictures soon. Life got in the way so Im just now getting back to finishing this model off after four years.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Saturday, September 22, 2018 9:16 AM

Cool subject and cool project. Sadly, I missed that cartoon when it aired. Maybe I was watching Scooby Doo. 

Thanks for sharing, will be watching.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Saturday, September 22, 2018 8:26 PM

I remember reading Asimov's story.    I know I did not see the movie until it was on tv.

The theatriacl cut aired on TCM not too long ago, and I watched that all the way through.  (And pondered what a remake would look like, especially with almost 50 years' more medical knowledge to put in, too.)

One thing I noticed was that after they were rescued, they just left it as a sucessful mission--no mention of if the Doctor remembered the fix at all.

Which might be the strongest way to end the movie.  No "attchements" for future movies as part of a "franchise" or the like.

That's 2¢ worth, spend it as you will.

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