Sunday, August 14, 2011

Buck Rogers Starfighter Kits and Studio Model Reference


Another iconic fighter a few of us still remember is that from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Screened during the 1970s to take advantage over the success of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, the show takes after the original adventure of Buck Rogers, and astronaut from the 20th Century that got catapulted into the future. Those who grew up watching this series would probably remember the show very well. I for one loved it for two reasons. The first is that it had a lot of hot women in it, and the second, well, that Starfighter kinda grew into me. Nice little ship.


The one thing that kept bugging me throughout the series ... yeah, it was them flight helmets. They look too sinisterly evil for the good guys to be wearing.


And of course then, I remember I had such a huge teenage crush over Erin Grey. Who didn't. My brother was lucky enough to see her in person at the Los Angeles Airport a long time ago.


OK, enough about women. We're suppose to be talking about that Starfighter. Here are some screen caps of the Starfighter in action.




As far as I know, there was only one plastic model kit ever produced for her and the Marauder. Unfortunately interest wasn't there then resulting in pretty bad sales, hence the entire Buck Rogers range eventually got discontinued with no other plastic model manufacturers willing to reproduce her. The kit was also never reissued unlike the Battlestar Galactica range, or at least not that I know of. 

Today, its a whole different story with new fans lobbying for more stuff. If you still had the original Monogram kit unbuild and in mint condition, that thing would probably sell for bucko bucks at eBay. The Marauder kit is still available over at CultTVMan Hobbyshop.




Picking up the wavelength from fans, a few GKs reproduced the Starfighter, and some even had improved aftermarket parts done for them. An example here is the out of production Starfighter from Fantastic Plastic.



There's even a Paper Model Starfighter. Woot!!


Well, you got the picture. So for those who already have the original Monogram kit, be warned. If you are a rivet counter (a term given to those who will only settle for a very accurate kit) this kit is going to disappoint. A better bet lies with resin kits, and they are available over at Federation Models.






 Studio Model Images after the jump.


Need reference to detail and accurize your kit, be it plastic or resin? Here are some studio model images you could use.


























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