20
Jun 18
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Buck Rogers – (Studio Scale at 1/18) “Traeger’s” Thunderfighter, aka “Happy Birthday, Buck” Starfighter

This is a design worth drooling over, as it was original designed by artist Ralph McQuarrie to be the Colonial Viper for the 1978’s Battlestar Galactica. Instead, it was used for 1979’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. The standard studio scale Thunderfighter design was added to (by the Universal Hartland model makers of Buck Rogers) in order to make what was considered to be an earlier version of the advanced Thunderfighter that were flown on screen by the Earth Directorate in Buck Rogers. This one was flown by Colonel Traeger in Season 1, Episode 15… “Happy Birthday, Buck”. Thus, often referred to as the “Happy Birthday Buck” fighter model, this is the world’s first known accurate replica ever produced of this model. We have seen many attempted before this that look quite amazing, but none that actually replicate it all… like artist Dan Gurmeretz did on this replica. Utilizing the damaged model of the studio scale Thunderfighter (SEEN HERE) that R.L. Bleecker built years ago from a direct cast of an original Thunderfighter used in the 1979 series, we thought it best to use it for this design. The original Thunderfighter that R.L. Bleecker had built was badly in need of repair after being loaned out to be shown as an original cast of the filming studio model, and shipped around with a company that would soon release their own studio scale Thunderfighter replica. With that model ready to go, Dan set off with the additions needed to make it a true replica. It turned out beautifully, and has true generational ties to what was used in the television show. Pieces like this only go up in value as time passes.