Buck Rogers – Studio Scale Draconian Marauder (Hatchet Fighter) Replica
Years ago, artist Mark Bradley patterned a replica of the adversary fighter used in in the 1979 film & TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. The fighter is the Draconian Marauder, and was referred to by actor Michael Ansara (Kane) as a “Hatchet Fighter” in the film. I must admit when the film came out that I did not like this design. Even when Monogram came out with a kit (which was fairly nice), I could not get over the departure in the design of having an upright cockpit area that stuck out in it’s tallness. I also could not get over the rear engine… which I called at the time a “shower head”. As the years progressed I began to appreciate the design more and more. It’s departure from what I enjoyed is now exactly the reason I very much enjoy this design today! Isn’t it funny how we change with age. Maybe we see more? I cannot say. In any case, I purchased a few of these kits from Mark Bradley, and not many made it out from my understanding of things. It was widely though that the studio scale model sizes were 1/24, but in late 2017, we recently discovered they are really 1/18. I asked artist Matt Meyer to build this model for the collection…. and a beautiful job he did. Replicating one of the original studio models that had only top glass for it’s window, I was very pleased with it’s finish. Matt also hand painted the Dranconian symbols on the wings. It is beautiful. There is a second studio model of this design that I want to replicate that has the full windows in front of the pilot. Inasmuch, I am in search of another kit now that we may do so.
Above: Kurt Kuhn with the Draconian Marauder Replica
Below: The studio scale Thunderfighter Replica with the studio scale Draconian Marauder Replica
