Hi everyone!, I have been searching for good fusion core lighting for my Polar Lights, Sfi fi Metropolis, and future Gemini xii miniatures. I know that VoodooFx has great looking light assemblies, but I have a question about light rotation direction. Do the lights spin Clockwise, or Counter clockwise viewing the model from the bottom? The filming miniatures used in Lost In Space at times showed lights spinning counter clockwise, but in MOST scenes the lights rotated clockwise. I want my lights to rotate clockwise as I believe they should be. Rick N :wave:

Hi, Rick! Rotating them clockwise is perfectly acceptable, because as you pointed out yourself, it was used in most scenes AND because that's the way you said they should be. :thumbsup:
Incidentally, just what "future Gemini XII miniature" are you referring to? I'd be interested in getting one, also. :)

My fusion core light circuit blinks counterclockwise 8 at a time but what ever looks right for YOU is all that is important, you should do it like you like it.

Hi Seaview!, The Gemini xii I was talking about is a project I will be starting on soon. My plan is to take one of my Polar Lights Jupiter 2 kits and build it up as a accurate Gemini xii by creating a shallow lower hull, enlarging the viewport, covering up all round portals and scanner hatches, main hatch lines, and enlarging the fusion core. I plan on recreating the original 12 inch filming miniature. In the next few months I will try to gather everything I will need to start this project. That is why I am looking around for fusion core lights. What would be awesome is to have the lights spin around as they did in the filming miniatures. Rick N

Hi Model Maker!, I am sure your lights look great on your Jupiter 2. For some reason though, it seems that all the light kits made have the light rotation, or blink in the counterclockwise pattern. As I had said in a another post, it would be great to have a light system that will spin around in the fusion core. I just do not know how to do that kind of electronics. I will however try to build a spinning mirror assembly for the dome, as the original filming miniatures never had dome lighting in them. It was all rotating mirrors. Rick N

Hi Rick N, Here is Ron Gross's lighting circuit diagram, I also am not good with electronics due to never having done much of it. There are light circuits that blink correctly out there. The correct pattern is 32 lights that blink 8 at a time and rotate counter clockwise. there are ways to get what you want with chasing light circuits you can salvage from toys that have some kind of lighting. here is the wiring diagram if you like. http://www.culttvman2.com/dnn/Portals/0/Gallery/Ron%20Gross/schimatic1.jpg
Bert

Hi Model Maker!, Thanks so much for your info. I will check out Ron Gross`s light circuit diagram. Lol...i must disagree with you on a couple of things though. I really believe that the lights should rotate clockwise only because that was how they were from the very start of the series as well as in most scenes I know that in some scenes the lights did spin counterclockwise. Now for the blinking pattern...for some reason all the light assemblies produced for the Jupiter 2 kits have that 8 light pattern. I know for a fact that the lights that rotated in the Jupiter 2 were in a 6 light pattern...not 8.The only exception to that was the gemini xii miniatures. They had many more lights that rotated, but I am not sure how many. I will find out. Again, thanks for the info. As soon as I am able to, I will check out Ron`s site and make a print out of his info. Rick N

Howdy Rick!


I Highly recomend The VoodoFX Lighting package for ANY Jupiter Two:thumbsup:

I used Randy's Fusion Core and Dome Light In My 2' LUNAR, My PolarLights and my 2' Sci-Fi Metropolis Jupiter Two.

Call Randy at his shop, he'll be glad to answer any questions!

Hey Beatlepaul, thanks! I will look into the VoodoFx lighting and give Randy a call. Rick N

VoodooFX does have an improved fusion core planned, but other projects have had higher priority. Think of the Pod fusion core, but larger for the J2.

Rick,
PM sent.

Rob
Iwata Padawan

Here is a You Tube Video of My Polar Lights Model With VoodoFX'S Fusion Core Lighting and Top Bubble..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QguND6xXfA


The video itself is cheesy and for fun, but you should be able to see the Quality of the Lighting Kit:thumbsup:

Hey Rick N... nice to see someone else from MA on this site.

Hi Beatlepaul, Thanks! That light system looks very good...and the lights blink clockwise, the way I want it. I do not want the dome lighting though. I will be building a spinning mirror for the bubble. Rick N

Hi Starmanmm, Thanks! Yes it is nice to see another modeler here in Massachusetts. Rick N

The SPFX models (small and 4 foot hero) BOTH had fusion core lights that rotated clockwise. The 4 foot Hero had a connected shaft from the core to the bubbles "V" shaped reflector, and both rotated the same way.

The number of lights was SIX, not 8.

I used a Micro servo to spin my fusion core lights in my Polar Lights kit.

Hi Y3a. Yes, I knew about the 6 light pattern and the clockwise rotation. I had suspected that the fusion core lights and the spinning mirrors, or v shaped reflector was connected. That reflector looks like it was a circle and folded in the middle to form a v shape. Rick N

Hi Y3a. Yes, I knew about the 6 light pattern and the clockwise rotation. I had suspected that the fusion core lights and the spinning mirrors, or v shaped reflector was connected. That reflector looks like it was a circle and folded in the middle to form a v shape. Rick N

I've got a question....what's this "spinning mirror and reflector" that you guys are talking about? Is that for the upper dome? I mean, I knew that having lights in the base of the dome like most have been manufacturing for scale models wasn't quite right.

Do you guys have any pics that show that kind of detail from the original model?

Bryan

I've got a question....what's this "spinning mirror and reflector" that you guys are talking about? Is that for the upper dome? I mean, I knew that having lights in the base of the dome like most have been manufacturing for scale models wasn't quite right.

Do you guys have any pics that show that kind of detail from the original model?

Bryan
Hi Bryan, Many people like us as well as the EXPERTS on Lost In Space have always thought that the Jupiter 2 and Gemini xii filming miniatures had dome lighting. The truth is...they did not. Many of these experts and very good modelbuilders have always used what they say was "best guess" in building there miniatures. If one looks very close at the many photos in the internet as well as pictures posted on this site of the original studio miniatures, you can see clearly that the lights in the dome was a reflector of some kind. In ALL the miniatures, the mirror assembly, or reflector looks like it was a round disk bent in the middle to form a V. I believe the lights we see in the miniatures bubble are interior light being picked up in the spinning reflector. Rick N

Hi again Bryan, If you check out Y3a`s photos you will find several pictures of the original 4 foot filming miniature. Take a look at the 4 footer in the yellow circle as well as the one with the stage hand. Now notice the bubble dome of the ship. You can see the mirror or reflector that spun along with the fusion core lights. Rick N

I've got a question....what's this "spinning mirror and reflector" that you guys are talking about? Is that for the upper dome? I mean, I knew that having lights in the base of the dome like most have been manufacturing for scale models wasn't quite right.

Do you guys have any pics that show that kind of detail from the original model?

Bryan

Within the LOS IA universe the "astrogator" thingy elevates on a hydraulic ram (maybe a telescopic ram? maybe just the top of it?) to "nest" within the top dome. I think this was only seen briefly in the pilot, but they actually had the prop do this. It's a cool concept, I don't know why they didn't use this in later episodes except the astrogator gave them something to hold onto when the ship was a-rockin.

Anyway the spinning mirror reflector was probably an attempt to show this in the filming miniature.

In a "working" model I'd leave the top dome empty unless you raise the astrogator. The astrogator dome had that spinning saucer in it (representative of the ship?) and lights around the base. I think they cannibalized a speedqueen washing machine for the parts.

(edit, I see Jim Piszar did his that way... link (http://www.culttvman2.com/dnn/Features/Articles/tabid/74/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17/Jim-Piszars-Jupiter-2-Construction.aspx))

What they didn't use in the astrogator probably found their way into the robot.

http://www.lostinspacerobot.com/images/LineUp.jpg

source (http://www.lostinspacerobot.com/index.html)

Sorry, but the Jupiter 2 Hero DID have 6 lights which are IN BACK of the scrim, under the spinning "circle, folded into a "V" shape and provided the interior lighting, and also reflected off the "Spinning "V" . as the "V" spun, it makes it look like the bubble innards are spinning opposite of the fusion core. This is an illusion.

remember, the Hero was built in 1965, waaay before radio control, LED's and such. They built the Hero with stone knives and bear rugs...

a guy that comes to culttvman chat made these lights for my 2 foot Lunar, what i like best is its remote controled, i cant choose speed, number of lights and direction and theres no switch on the hull so i didnt cut any holes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBy5MOPu_o0

Hi !, yes, the articulated 4 foor miniature as well as the Pod 4 footer did have lights behind the scrim...but not in the dome. It was all reflection. Rick N

Here is Hero with just the set lights reflecting off the bubble...

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/thumbs/Picture_28.jpg (http://photos.hobbytalk.com/showphoto.php/photo/32157)

Next see a clear shot of the "V" with illumination casting light into haze inside the bubble (Pyro incident?)

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/thumbs/Picture_16.jpg (http://photos.hobbytalk.com/showphoto.php/photo/32158)

Here is a picture of a light inside the Hero as reflected from inside and below the bubble and onto the side of the spinning "V" .

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/thumbs/Picture_24.jpg (http://photos.hobbytalk.com/showphoto.php/photo/32156)

Nice collection of shots.

Yes it is, Y3A is the man !!!!

Here's some nice footage that I found on YouTube - it's mostly blooper shots, but you can see the fusion core and dome lights in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlho57eXUc&feature=related

Bryan

BTW -

Those 3 screen grabs 'fell off' of the "Lost In Space Forever" DVD, in the shot where They change course and go to the outside shot of the Jupiter 2 pitching back n forth. You can also see light leaks in the close up of the Hero from "The Derelict" between the top of the scrim, and the top inside of the hull. Six lights inside lighting the back of the scrim, AND the landing gear leg wells when the legs extend. It matches the number spinning in the fusion core. Two motorcycle batteries in the Original Hero too... One was for the motor that spun the core and bubble "V" and the other to provide the power for the auto tail light bulbs. (we ARE talking 1960's 'Technology' here) The gear was powered from a box that controlled the up n down of the gear, and with the support wires for the model actually supplying the power to the gear system. There was also a small switch on the very back of the model mounted so you could just get to the end of the switch control. It is also visible as the Jupiter 2 rotates to leave the Derelict Space Station.

I'm not hard core about any of this.................

Anyway, get clean copies of all your SPFX clips and import them into some high quality digital format and closely examine everything you notice. Play with the brightness and contrast. Interesting things are going on inside the landing gear wells! The 4 foot Hero also has no door detail. I intend to remove all doors and hatches from my 4 footer. The 3 upper hatches WILL STAY! I need access inside in case something 'unfortunate' happens. I'm using a Jack-shaft system to provide the torque and control I need to lower the gear and open the footpad doors and raise the gear and close the footpad doors. It allows me to stop the gear in any position and it won't change that position.

Here's some nice footage that I found on YouTube - it's mostly blooper shots, but you can see the fusion core and dome lights in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlho57eXUc&feature=related

Bryan

Hi Gemini1999, Thanks for that youtube link. Yes, that was taken from a collection of bloopers. What I find interesting in that first clip is the Pod dropper 4 foot Jupiter 2 being used to film Blast Off Into Space. One can see the viewport area catching on fire! I wonder if that is why we see the more articulated 4 footer with landing legs being used for the final shooting. One can always tell which 4 foot miniature was used in any given scene. The miniature with landing legs had the fusion core lights un evenly spaced with many of the lights all on one side. The Pod dropper miniature had it`s fusion core lights spaced evenly. Rick N :wave:

The "Hero" was used for the landing gear sequences AND PYRO effects it seems. The "Pod Dropper" and the Hero shared a Fusion core sometime after the middle of year 2. The Pod Dropper also was locked off on a stand to make it so the wires supporting the pod wouldn't be swinging back n forth.

You have been looking at two different Fusion cores. A fast one mostly used with the Pod Dropper, and a slower one that linked to the spinning ""V" shape in the bubble on the Gear HERO.. The slow one was just 6 automobile back-up lights spinning in the core, but the 'fast' one was an actual Chaser system.

The pod dropper WAS NEVER USED for moving shots as it has an open top for the pod dropping mechanics.

The "Hero" was used for the landing gear sequences AND PYRO effects it seems. The "Pod Dropper" and the Hero shared a Fusion core sometime after the middle of year 2. The Pod Dropper also was locked off on a stand to make it so the wires supporting the pod wouldn't be swinging back n forth.

You have been looking at two different Fusion cores. A fast one mostly used with the Pod Dropper, and a slower one that linked to the spinning ""V" shape in the bubble on the Gear HERO.. The slow one was just 6 automobile back-up lights spinning in the core, but the 'fast' one was an actual Chaser system.

The pod dropper WAS NEVER USED for moving shots as it has an open top for the pod dropping mechanics.


Hi Y3a, Sorry, but the Pod dropper Jupiter 2 was indeed used for many moving shots.Each had it`s own fusion core light system and both had the spinning lights. At some point, the Pod dropper miniature had it`s fusion core lights reworked to what was a chasing system. As for that miniature having no top...all the 4 footers had been built so the upper roof could be removed. That was how the sfx men were able to work on or gain access to the interior of the miniatures. As for the dropping of the Pod from that 4 footer!...no real mechanics. It was all done by prop men and wires. In a blooper video I have, it shows this happening. You are right about the Pod 4 footer being locked in place for filming of the Pod. An interesting note here! As we see the Pod dropping from the Jupiter 2 miniature, take note of the round portal on the upper hull. This portal is NOT at the rear of the miniature, as most think. It is the portal located by what should be the main hatch area. Rick N :wave:

Their was ONLY ONE "Hero" Jupiter 2. It was used for all the gear shots. The back-up was used as the pod dropper. BOTH models exist. The one at the sci-fi museum is the Pod Dropper and the Hero itself had been restored and used to make the molds for the copies used at some Planet Hollywood. The hero was dropped sometime during year 2 and the fusion core shattered. The pod dropper had a chaser system so they just put it on whichever model they were filming.

It's a shame that every 2-3 years this stuff has to be re-typed for clarification. Info in LB Abbott's book discusses some of the shots and several articles have discussed the processes, studio records, and a bunch of stuff out there. The Lydeckers mentioned the control box used with the Gear Jupiter 2 in an old 70's fan mag.

Also, get a copy of "The Jupiter 2 Autopsy" so you can see whats left inside of the Hero.

...It's a shame that every 2-3 years this stuff has to be re-typed for clarification...
It's the price that has to be paid to prevent any more J2 and G12 atrocities. NEVER AGAIN! :drunk:

I would'nt touch this one with a ten foot pole!

Build the model kit and have fun with it, thats what modeling is all about!

Thanks
Randy Neubert
VoodooFX
650-568-3400

Just got around to reading the rest of this thread. Very interesting!

Rick,

let us know about the number of lights in the G12 core. In the un-aired pilot, you can see the lights come on and spin up to speed just before lift-off. That shot might give up some info.

Just got around to reading the rest of this thread. Very interesting!

Rick,

let us know about the number of lights in the G12 core. In the un-aired pilot, you can see the lights come on and spin up to speed just before lift-off. That shot might give up some info.

Hi toyroy, You bet! I intend to find out just that. As a matter of fact, I have viewed that very same lift-off scene several times. To me, it looks as though there are as many lights as there are window cut-outs of that fusion core. Still, I need to find out for sure. I will search through as many photos and stills as I can. Thanks for the tip toyroy. Rick N :wave:

Hi toyroy, You bet! I intend to find out just that. As a matter of fact, I have viewed that very same lift-off scene several times. To me, it looks as though there are as many lights as there are window cut-outs of that fusion core. Still, I need to find out for sure. I will search through as many photos and stills as I can. Thanks for the tip toyroy. Rick N :wave:

Rick -

Here's some pilot footage that includes the lift off and some in flight footage of the Jupiter 2 under it's Gemini VII guise. The speed and configuration of the fusion core lights appears to be a bit slower than that of the series and not nearly as bright also. There's something different about the effect when you compare it to footage made later on.

Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbO0l4Lbog8

I hope that helps some.

Bryan

Rick -

Here's some pilot footage that includes the lift off and some in flight footage of the Jupiter 2 under it's Gemini VII guise. The speed and configuration of the fusion core lights appears to be a bit slower than that of the series and not nearly as bright also. There's something different about the effect when you compare it to footage made later on.

Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbO0l4Lbog8

I hope that helps some.

Bryan
Hi Bryan, Thanks so much for sending me that youtube link of the Gemini xii lifting off. Things like this do help. Yes, I agree about the effect and overall look about that Pilot footage. I had read that the Lost In Space Pilot had been the most expensive footage ever shot for it`s time. The speed of rotation of lights do seem to be a bit slower then that of the series. If you are able to view the episode The Derelict, notice how bright and fast the fusion core lights spin on that little 12 inch Gemini xii. This is the miniature I have decided to try to duplicate. I should be able to start work sometime in Feb. Rick N :wave:

Also remember, most all the SPFX shots iwere filled at higher speeds and slowed down for replay.

Hi toyroy, You bet! I intend to find out just that. As a matter of fact, I have viewed that very same lift-off scene several times. To me, it looks as though there are as many lights as there are window cut-outs of that fusion core. Still, I need to find out for sure. I will search through as many photos and stills as I can. Thanks for the tip toyroy. Rick N :wave:

Well,....having taken several looks at the youtube video as well as the many pictures and stills of the 12 inch Gemini xii miniature, I can say that the fusion core does NOT have as many lights as there are cut outs in that fusion core. Looking close, it looks like the light pattern may be either 8 or 10 lights spinning around...different from the 6 light pattern on the Jupiter 2 miniatures. Still...i need to dig further! Rick N :wave:

Hey guys -

I know that we were discussing the detail within the dome earlier on and I've been trying to find some sort of pics that would illustrate it a bit. I found something on the 'net that is close in some ways (at least I know what you guys mean about the "folded thingie" now. Here it is:

http://www.customreplicas.com/images/j2ad.jpg

I know that the array of lights on the inside aren't probably correct, but I'm sure that the lighting effect must look pretty interesting.

Bryan

Hey guys -

I know that we were discussing the detail within the dome earlier on and I've been trying to find some sort of pics that would illustrate it a bit. I found something on the 'net that is close in some ways (at least I know what you guys mean about the "folded thingie" now. Here it is:

http://www.customreplicas.com/images/j2ad.jpg

I know that the array of lights on the inside aren't probably correct, but I'm sure that the lighting effect must look pretty interesting.

Bryan

Hey Bryan!, I really had to laugh a bit when looking at the picture of the dome lighting you had sent. That pic you sent is the dome of My 4 footer! I have since removed that dome lighting because it is not at all like the original of the filming miniatures. My 4 footer was built by Custom Replicas back in Jan.2000. The mirror or reflector that was in the filming miniatures looked like a round disk folded in the middle to form a kind of V shape. The size of this folded reflector was almost as large as the dome itself...not like the small mirrors that were in my 4 footer, and it should not have had the array of lights either. I want to thank you again for taking the time to dig all of this up.All the info from everyone has been a great help. LOL...i guess the internet still has pics of my Jupiter 2 still kicking around. Last month someone was selling a Lunar Models Jupiter 2 on ebay but they were using pictures of my Jupiter 2. Rick N. :wave:

Hey Bryan!, I really had to laugh a bit when looking at the picture of the dome lighting you had sent. That pic you sent is the dome of My 4 footer! I have since removed that dome lighting because it is not at all like the original of the filming miniatures. My 4 footer was built by Custom Replicas back in Jan.2000. The mirror or reflector that was in the filming miniatures looked like a round disk folded in the middle to form a kind of V shape. The size of this folded reflector was almost as large as the dome itself...not like the small mirrors that were in my 4 footer, and it should not have had the array of lights either. I want to thank you again for taking the time to dig all of this up.All the info from everyone has been a great help. LOL...i guess the internet still has pics of my Jupiter 2 still kicking around. Last month someone was selling a Lunar Models Jupiter 2 on ebay but they were using pictures of my Jupiter 2. Rick N. :wave:

Rick -

I did get that off the Custom Replicas website. That's yours, eh? Ever since I saw that website, I've been in love with the pics that they had. It's a beautiful model - I read that the model even has sliding footpad doors like the studio model has, not to mention retractable landing gear.

I'm rather envious....

Bryan

Here's a close up of the bubble on my 2 foot Looner Moddles Jupiter 2.

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/thumbs/bubble.jpg (http://photos.hobbytalk.com/showphoto.php/photo/5913)

^That looks about right.

There was one episode where you see the Jupiter 2 in flight - I think that it's from season 2...."Wild Adventure". There's a scene where Dr. Smith accidentally jettisons the fuel canisters from the ship and you see it from the top (so they don't have to show where the canisters come from), the upper dome has a light fixture in it, but it looks like a rotating strobe light for a police car or something. It doesn't exactly strobe, but you get the idea.

I've always looked at that scene and just went like "what?" when I see it.

Bryan

Rick -

I did get that off the Custom Replicas website. That's yours, eh? Ever since I saw that website, I've been in love with the pics that they had. It's a beautiful model - I read that the model even has sliding footpad doors like the studio model has, not to mention retractable landing gear.

I'm rather envious....

Bryan

Hi Bryan, Yes, my 4 footer does have the sliding footpad doors for the retractable landing legs as well as the flapper doors that are between the fusion core and the landing legs. Both scanner hatches also slide open and the miniature is rigged with the three suspension wires for flying. As for being envious, please don`t. LOL... it took me 4 years to pay for it! Rick N. :wave:

Hi Bryan, Yes, my 4 footer does have the sliding footpad doors for the retractable landing legs as well as the flapper doors that are between the fusion core and the landing legs. Both scanner hatches also slide open and the miniature is rigged with the three suspension wires for flying. As for being envious, please don`t. LOL... it took me 4 years to pay for it! Rick N. :wave:

Hi Rick,
What did they charge you for the build? I've dealt with these two guys when they were still up in "Canyon Country",CA., back in 2001,they are now in Burbank. I was looking for a model shop to build 2 full scale AARGM Missiles
(HARM upgrade) and four 1/4 scale for trade shows. I will never forget our first meeting, they showed up in a old 1990's Subaru that was on it's last legs,
dressed like they just got off an all night drink-fest. They would never give me a price, all they wanted to do is start building before I even had any idea of the cost for even one unit. After I told them, at our second meeting, they were putting the cart before the horse, and I need a quote to give to my Accounting Dept., before I could give them the go ahead, they stormed out of the meeting.... Nice work guys..... I do have to say that from the pictures from their website you got a nice unit. I just wonder how you found them to work with?
Now to get back on topic, here is my PL J-2. I built my own lighting for it and have reposted a short video. I used copper tape on two of the pads for charging the battery pack when it is on it's base. I also motorized the astrogater, I need a serious J-2 kit so I can do a proper job with..... Go to "my photos" filder for the video. I'm very sorry for the poor quality but I had to keep the file size small. Yes I know it's spinning the wrong way but when I noticed it was to late, I was done with the kit and had no time to rewire it. It's a simple fix but why? I will be stripping it out for use on my Space Pod anyway. I never like the PL J-2, too simple.....

Hi Teslabe, Wow! I must say that the people at Custom Replicas never acted that way with me. Jim Key, owner of C R was very profesional when I had contacted him via email as well as on a 1 to 1 chat on the phone. When I had asked him about a 4 foot Jupiter 2 build-up that was to be exact to the more articulated filming miniature, he gave me a quote as to it`s cost, aprox. time it would take to finish it, what would be in the miniature(lighted scrim etc.). As he continued to build my miniature, he kept me posted EVERY week, either by phone or email. He even sent my a photo booklet showing the step by step building process. Later, he sent me a video of the finished Jupiter 2 showing it lowering it`s landing legs and going into a full 3 point landing as it did in The Derelict. Jim also sent me a wonderful set of copies of the original 20th. Century Fox blueprints of both 4 foot filming miniatures...one of them showing some detail about the 10 foot miniature. As for cost!...are you sitting down? ....$9000.00. Yep!...i know! As I had said, it took me 4 years to pay for this thing. By the way...I like your Polar Lights Jupiter 2. As for being simple...well it is as is but to make it into a great model, it does take a little work. Rick N