Restored in 2006 (after being damaged in 2005 as an original TOS Paint Scheme), then photographed as a lighting test in early 2007 (and originally shown on MMM in 2008), this Studio Scale Klingon D7 was replicated from the “never realized” Star Trek Phase II television series. We then found out this was to be the early paint scheme of the Klingon ships intended for The Motion Picture. These specific D-7’s were the precursor ships to Star Trek The Motion Picture Klingon K’Tinga’s in the fact that they had PAINTED panels instead of the raised panel armor seen in that 1979 Film. Obtained from Scott Alexander (of Atomic City Models), artist Richard Long painted this piece based on the Studio Scale D-7 seen in the Magicam photo seen below, keeping the original Phase II (Early TMP) paint scheme so that the original idea remained true to those never seen models. The Model in the my Blue Screen photos is the ONLY one replicated known to exist today! Again, these photos were early photos taken as a lighting test for other models. I never went back to shoot this model again. It is currently on display here.
This 41 inch model was mastered by Richard Long in 2005-2006, and this was the very first cast kit from his patterns. Though it was the first cast in the world of this model kit, it was the third to be built and finished. The first two to be built (Casts #002 and #003) were finished by ILM artist John Eblan, under his company banner of “The FX Company”. This build (shown here in this posting) was painted to replicate the USS Enterprise we viewed in Star Trek: Nemesis, and at the time was one of the most complex paint schemes of any Enterprise (aside from The Motion Picture Enterprise studio model). The model used for filming the movie was a CG model, and therefore did not exist physically. We were able to obtain the CG files to closely replicate what we saw on film. Due to unforeseen mishaps over the years, eventually this model would undergo FOUR Incarnations of existence using the very same Cast parts that it was made from in the beginning. The model you see in these photos is the very first incarnation of this fine miniature.
This Version 1 (V1) Cylon Raider Studio Scale replica was masterfully built and painted by R.L. Bleecker in 2006. The studio scale kit itself was mastered off an original pyro model (used in the 1978 series) that we believe may have cast from what ICONS Replicas once sold as a Studio Scale Replica from Battlestar Galactica. Artist Mark Dickson, under Jim Key’s company, made it so. Later on, this would become a Kit which would be sold by Jesse Meyers, and then by Kit and Pattern maker Mike Salzo (MSLZ22 Models). Today the kit is sold by Kit Maker Jason Wright of JAWS Models in Australia.
Here are the Blue Screen Photos I took of this model during a few trial lighting tests. Unfortunately I never went back to actually photograph it correctly. In using different light filters during this shoot, the model looks bright, and yellowish in some shots. It was actually quite beautiful to look at in it’s grey paint scheme. Artist R.L. Bleecker even added the accurate ‘ghost’ Cylon symbol on the starboard wing that was on the original filming model. It truly added to this fine replica.
This piece was given to my dear friend, and talented modeler, Marc Elkins on December 14, 2011. A few years later, it was taken apart and rebuilt by Marc, then giving it a new paint scheme. As far as I know, this V1 Studio Scale PYRO Cylon Raider replica resides in his collection today.
Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos…
Peace be unto you.
Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated
Photo of Kurt Kuhn with the 1978 “Pyro” Cylon Raider Replica
Model Information
Owner at Time of Posting: Marc Elkins
V1 “Pyro” Kit Master Artist: Mark Dickson
Build Artist: R.L. Bleecker
Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)
Kit Once Offered By: Jesse Meyers
~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown
Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown
When Mike Salzo released the V2 studio scale X-Wing, it was much different than the Captain Cardboard X-Wing, even though it was the Captain Cardboard version that was morphed by Mike to be the V2. It was beefier, and more like the Pyro models we viewed in Star Wars in 1977. To this point, most everyone would build either RED 5 (Luke’s), or RED 2 (Wedge)… so in 2007 I asked Richard Long to build this as RED 3… Biggs Darklighter’s X-Wing. This would complete the Death Star Trench Trio I had planned on displaying together. Richard did beautiful work capturing the green tints that are on RED 3…. which is the only filmed X-Wing model to have survived filming after Episode 6 was completed. All others were blown up for the films. As we did with RED 2, we placed a new cockpit with Biggs as it’s pilot, and placed the proper droid behind him. At this point in time…. we are the first to do so world-wide with these studio replicas. This piece now resides in Germany, and in the collection of Michael Keuhner.
When Mike Salzo released the parts for the V-2 Studio Scale X-Wing, I was so completely excited that I purchased parts for 3 X-Wings from him immediately! I envisioned a trench scene large enough to have all three studio scale X-Wings within it. This diorama was also to have Vader (with his two Wing-men) in pursuit, and it was to be about 50 feet long, embedded into the floor of the display area that people may walk over it’s heavy glass top. At that time, Modeler Magic was to be opened in Las Vegas. Alas… 2008 was a tragic year on many levels for everyone… and this placed the Modeler Magic Gallery on hold. A few years before that time, Model Maker R.L. Bleecker was doing many amazing works for me, and he took on this beautiful V2 X-Wing. Robert made it the Wedge Antilles’ RED 2 X-Wing, replicating Wedge himself, and the droid that sat behind the actor in the full sized prop. When Mike Salzo created the parts for the V3 X-Wing, and I went crazy again… purchasing enough parts to make 6 of them to replicate the entire 1977 X-Wing lineup that resides here on display today. As Modeler Magic went into a holding pattern, I decided to end my vision of a floor entrenched TRENCH scene. Michael Kuehner contacted me in 2010 about wanting all three V2 studio scale X-Wings (what I call the TRENCH TRIO, and of which comprised of Red 2 (Wedge), Red 3 (Biggs) and Luke’s Red 5. I sold them to him on September 3, 2010. All three were supremely packed by a ‘white-glove’ shipper and shipped to Germany to go into Michael’s Collection. Disturbingly…. only two of them survived an International Customs Agency that became involved. Allow me to clarify this wrong-doing. One of the V2 Studio Scale X-Wings was unpacked, unwrapped, played with, destroyed (as if someone threw it into the air for it to crash on the ground), then all of the parts and packing materials were thrown back into the original container, taped up and sent on it’s way THREE MONTHS LATER when we finally identified where it was abused through a shipper investigation when it disappeared. I know… I made a run on sentence for sure.. LOL. Moving on… this was a huge disappointment for Michael and myself. Because it happened in the ‘grey’ area known as “Customs”, the shipping company no longer had control of the item and therefore we learned what happened in “Customs” stayed in “Customs”. Apparently the heavy insurance policy I had taken out on them for any issues that could arise no longer applied. Unfortunately International Customs Agencies are not held liable for anything that goes through their hands. A great loss was incurred and was very much felt.
In any case… R.L. Bleecker did wonderful work on this RED 2, and Michael has a few fantastic studio scale X-Wings in his Collection.
I photographed this Salzo V2 studio scale RED 2 directly after I received it. I showed them here on Modeler Magic back on January 8, 2009. This is basically a refresh of that original showing back then. This RED 2 was a pleasure to have in the collection, albeit a brief time, and it was a treat to photograph. I thank Robert Bleecker for his fine work, and Michael Kuehner for his patience during the Customs issue.
Enjoy the photos taken back in 2007!
Kurt Kuhn Kuhn Global Incorporated Modelers Miniatures & Magic
When Polar Lights came out with this fantastic kit in 2004, many were excited… including me. I wanted to make certain it received the best of care in it’s coming to life, so I called upon ILM model maker John Eblan. Working in his own shop at this time in Florida, The FX Company, John made this piece amazing. He placed hidden power inlets to allow me to photograph this model from it’s belly, or it’s top. For that matter… with this option, anyone could display this model hanging from above with lighting effects! This was also the first model I had seen with an actual key fob used as a remote to turn on the lighting effects John placed into it. Even the nacelle caps (Bussard Collectors) had the rotating lighting effect! I was able to finally photograph this beautiful model in 2007… which are the photos below. Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos!
Model Information
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Build Artist: John Eblan at The FX Company
From Kit Offered By: Polar Lights / Round 2 Models
When Master Replicas came out with their amazing USS Enterprise in 1:350 scale, artist Richard Long made the Botany Bay to scale with it, making for a great display. This Botany Bay was eventually re-released by Mike Salzo of MSLZ22 Models, and I believe Starship Modeler now owns these patterns. I did this shoot with a Canon Rebel SLR with an F-Stop set at 22. The Cargo Containers of the Botany Bay build here was made to be a cradle for the main body, and when shooting these models together I had not paid any attention to it’s position, as they are directional. Thus these photos show the Cargo Containers as backwards! LOL.
Model Information
Current Owner at Time of Posting: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Designed by: Matt Jefferies
This is another Master Replica triumph. The original 32.5 inch studio model was replicated beautifully. Originally designed for the 1966 Television Series “Star Trek” by Matt Jefferies, and with participation of famed Star Trek Artist, John Eaves, this piece is one that many are pleased with. Though there were the usual issues in its mass production noticed on some on the models that were delivered, the majority of them, like this one, turned out wonderfully. The Nacelles have the spinning action we all remember, and the lighting is beautiful. The soft whirring of the spinners inside is near hypnotic. A very nice display.
Model Information
Owner at Time of Posting: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)
USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Designed by: Matt Jefferies
