1/26 scale Jupiter 2 with upper deck interior

Phase 1

Rigid fiberglass mold jackets were first made to support the RTV rubber silicone molding "skins".

A special non-shrinking urethane mixture was then brushed into the silicone and backed with 1 layer of matter fiber glass. The overall thickness of the casting is only 1/16". The weight the shells is only 4lbs. Next update will feature the legs and fusion-core.

Phase 2

A recent addition to the project are the extensive laser-cut acrylic interior parts. The main feature is the laser etched floor, which has all the walls marked as placement guidelines.

The interior will proceed from laser cut acrylic wall sections that will in turn become master patterns to be cast up as completed sections in resin. The wall beams will remain acrylic and feature internal white lights. The astrogator is being assembled from a myriad of acrylic laser-cut circular platters that will, like the walls, become a master pattern which can be cast from. The top section will be separate from the bottom support tube, as it was in the original stage set.

Phase 3

Since starting this project the biggest joy has been in the translation of the drafted line into that of laser cut reality. Having all the walls, wall beams, and central astrogator intricately measured and cut-out has netted a nearly perfect to stage set interpretation.

The above overviews show how quickly the presence of walls, the astrogator and a 1/26 scale figure add to the realism. The next items to be featured will be a continuation of the interior walls and detail parts. Amongst those are the highly detailed control console, and the beginnings of the freezing tubes.

Phase 4

Wall by wall, each section of this extremely detailed stage begins to reveal a genuine likeness to that of the original TV stage set.

As the individual wall units have progressed, it is easy to imagine standing within the set as it might have looked as it was being modified for TV back in 1965. The series below features the progression of the computer wall which is made up of the vital circuits, inertial guidance, and atomic clock with flight vector tape recorder.

The next series of pictures focuses on the control console. The decision was made to use a mix of laser cut levels with printed graphics to give the best overall illusion at this scale. The flight chair will have the triangular headrest added.

Phase 5

In order to really complete this intricately detailed interior, it of course needs to have its occupants. To achieve this we hired sculptor Brannon Wright to sculpt each of the Robinson, Major West, and Dr. Smith, in 1/26 scale.

Shown left to right is the group ensemble, then Penny, Judy, Maureen, Don, and Dr. Smith. Prof. Robinson is still undergoing phase 1 build-up.

All photography, © Copyright 2005, Custom Replicas