Hello everyone,

New guy here, long time lurker, guess it was time to post.

as the title says, Underwater Lab

First, like to thank Moebius for producing these fine sci-fi vehicles
of the Irwin Allen Universe, and awaking my sleepy brain into the
world of imagination.

Here's what I'm working on:

underwater lab: this will be lighted to light the interior of
the fs from below, there are no internal lights in the fs at this
time.(that will change later) the 2 hull halves are not glued
together as you see.

also working on smaller verison for the mini fs and the aurora
fs. as you can see the grid lines in the small uwl are bad at this piont
(shaky hands), this is just a prototype.

the work continues, glad to be part of the group

also like to thank Paul at Paragrafix and Henry at Tsdsinc for their
input into this project.


Jim

that is so cool..............

That is a really neat idea!

Hey Jim,

I really like the look when it's lit - I don't think you sent me that photo before. Very spiffy!

I also like the use of the (not intended to be) removable bottom hatch for the lab's access hatch.

Now that I look closely, I see what you mean about the egg for the small one. I had thought the "eggieness" was lens distortion or somesuch.

Paul

Welcome, Jim!
I was wondering who would do the lab. Yours look awesome! I, too, like the lighted version, it solves the lighting of the interior, without a lot of work.

Welcome, Jim!
I was wondering who would do the lab. Yours look awesome! I, too, like the lighted version, it solves the lighting of the interior, without a lot of work.
Thanks,
Not really into a lot of detailed lighting, I thought this would serve the purpose for now. Haven't sealed up the fs, so after I'm done with the lab, I might try doing so extra light detailing inside.

Hey Jim,

I really like the look when it's lit - I don't think you sent me that photo before. Very spiffy!

I also like the use of the (not intended to be) removable bottom hatch for the lab's access hatch.

Now that I look closely, I see what you mean about the egg for the small one. I had thought the "eggieness" was lens distortion or somesuch.

Paul
thought I sent you a lighted one, sorry about that.

as for the egg shape, it just the bottom part of the egg.

took the mini apart, think I find a way to do the grid line, it drying now.

dome for big one is also drying.

updates later

thought I sent you a lighted one, sorry about that.

as for the egg shape, it just the bottom part of the egg.

took the mini apart, think I find a way to do the grid line, it drying now.

dome for big one is also drying.

updates later

I have to confess that until you brought it to my attention, I was not quite sure what you were talking about -- or at least, I myself was unaware that the UWL was actually something from the TV show and not your imagination. I honestly just thought you were being inventive!

But that being said, it looks great, PLUS what a great idea as far as battery storage goes!

You know, if you just want to TRY to do it with straight-line decals, I'll make up a set for you, and throw in some decal "rivets" for the project as well! Let me know -- you have my email and it would be easy enough to do!

--Henry

I have to confess that until you brought it to my attention, I was not quite sure what you were talking about -- or at least, I myself was unaware that the UWL was actually something from the TV show and not your imagination. I honestly just thought you were being inventive!

But that being said, it looks great, PLUS what a great idea as far as battery storage goes!

You know, if you just want to TRY to do it with straight-line decals, I'll make up a set for you, and throw in some decal "rivets" for the project as well! Let me know -- you have my email and it would be easy enough to do!

--Henry
Thanks, e-mail sent

here's a mini update

large uwl taking a little longer than I thought,

the mini, I have redone, and still have to do a little more to it.
here's a pic of what I've done so far, some improvements,
I know the first one was ugly, but it was a start,
this second one is better and not perfect, it's getting there.
there is also a pic of what I am using as guide from the
vttbots episode "Leviathan"


comments welcome


Jim

Getting better, Jim!

Are you planning to put all the piping on the lab?

Getting better, Jim!

Are you planning to put all the piping on the lab?
Thanks Lloyd,
it's trial and error, trial and error
it's the 1st time I tried to make something from a photo (not very good photo). I have better photos now.

for the pipes, I was thinking about it, I have plenty of spare spruce trees for the material, they're about the right size.

back to more changes.





sometimes I remember, sometimes I forget to remember, sometimes I remember to forget

Jim

Are you working with screen grabs, on photos from online? If you need screen grabs, I have them.
As for the piping, you could use colored wires, if you have some.

Are you working with screen grabs, on photos from online? If you need screen grabs, I have them.
As for the piping, you could use colored wires, if you have some.
I'm using screen grabs, thanks Paul.

colored wire: interesting idea, easier to bend to shape, have to look a see
what I have in all my old computer junk.
thanks for the idea, Lloyd.

progress will be slow this weekend as I'm working.
hopefully I can have some progress pics by middle of next week.



Jim

I love this!
A diorama and a display base for the Flying Sub.

How many episodes did this Underwater Lab appear in?

.

Ingenious. Great idea and nice work. Killing 3 - 4 birds with one stone - in this case a "Underwater Lab". Yea keep us posted as I work on my Seaview and Flying Sub, you give me more motivation to think beyond the kit...

Does anybody have an eMail address to reach Moebius with?
I sent a PM to 'Moebius' earlier but I do not know if that method is even read.
I am trying to contact them about producing clear parts for the Flying Sub and I will not proceed until I get their opinion first.
If the eMail address is not to be circulated please either PM me with it or let Moebius know I am trying to reach them- they can reach me easily.

.

Does anybody have an eMail address to reach Moebius with?
I sent a PM to 'Moebius' earlier but I do not know if that method is even read.
I am trying to contact them about producing clear parts for the Flying Sub and I will not proceed until I get their opinion first.
If the eMail address is not to be circulated please either PM me with it or let Moebius know I am trying to reach them- they can reach me easily.

.

Hi Richard, I would start here....:thumbsup:

http://moebiusmodels.com/contact_us.php

That link has only two options- Customer Service and a link to the Law firm Bradley Gross
Becker & Poliakoff. I am not certain if this question goes best to either...

.

That link has only two options- Customer Service and a link to the Law firm Bradley Gross
Becker & Poliakoff. I am not certain if this question goes best to either...

.

I think Frank would get the massage if you started with Customer Service, I know I've always got a quick reply that way. Just a thought...

Great idea and a nice job too!

The lab is in several episodes--"Leviathan," maybe the one with the Nazis and possibly one other...

Hi All,

here's some new pic of changes made


Thanks for looking




Sometimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Sometimers causes
the mind to forget to wander

Jim

Looks great!
I do not know if it is just the photos but it appears the lab and Flying Sub are two different yellows. If so- FANTASTIC! it show that they were manufactured buy different 'companies' but follow a similar set of rules. Like having different yellows at a construction site- it gives a sense of reality to the situation.

.

Looks great!
I do not know if it is just the photos but it appears the lab and Flying Sub are two different yellows. If so- FANTASTIC! it show that they were manufactured buy different 'companies' but follow a similar set of rules. Like having different yellows at a construction site- it gives a sense of reality to the situation.

.
Thanks Richard,

You're right, they are two different colors.
That was actually a mistake, when I went to buy paint for it,
I picked up the wrong color yellow, but after seeing the base
painted, I thought, okay I like it. Then seeing the dome painted,
yeah, that'll work.



Jim

Jim, it looking awesome! I like the lighting of it.
As Richard said about the yellows, I like it, too.

Jim, it looking awesome! I like the lighting of it.
As Richard said about the yellows, I like it, too.
Thanks Lloyd,

The more I looked at it with the different yellows, I liked it, too.
I had already drilled the hole in the rear leg for lighting at some future
date, as I was doing dome, I thought, put a light in it.
Glad I did.
It's still in it's rough stages, the dome is removable, to change light if need be, also have to do some more on getting it to seat better, and clean up
the edges.
detailing of the pipes and pumps will wait until I work on the base of the
large lab.
Then I'll do some detailing to both at the same time.





Sometimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Sometimers causes the mind to forget to wander


Jim

I have no idea where I got this shot of the miniature. Love what you're doing - great project!

I have no idea where I got this shot of the miniature. Love what you're doing - great project!
Thanks Starseeker,

The pic you posted, you may have gotten it from
uncleodiescollectibles web site. It's listed on the Vttbots prop
page.

This is turning out to be a fun project, making changes all the time,
and thanks to a few suggestion by other members here, it's
developing into an interesting one.
Currently working on the large lab for the moebius fs, hope to have some
pics soon




Sometimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Sometimers causes the mind to forget to wander


Jim

Hi everyone,

Thought I would post a couple of progress pics
of the large lab.
This one had to have an interior. That's why no progress
pics in a while.
Won't get much done this weekend, I'll be working all
weekend.

What do you think?

Thanks for looking








Somertimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Somertimers causes
the mind to forget to wander.

Jim

looks great,cant wait to see the results.

I like it a lot! Are you going to match the interior to a specific episode or keep it generic?

Jim, that is getting WAY too sick! (I really like it!)

Your consoles look great - you've really captured the look quite well. My only quibble is that I don't think a 50' tall scientist could fit inside ... What do you mean he couldn't have fit inside the "real" lab on the show? ;-)

Jim, you are out doing yourself. Better watch it, you might get jealous at yourself.:freak::confused:

Now you need some plant monsters inside.:eek:

Thanks for the kind words

Falcon
with my feeble skills, I'll be surprised by the results myself.
when it comes to being accurate and detailed, I'll leave to
the experts, I'm just a rookie.

Richard
I think I'm going to leave it generic for now, the pic of the
interior I got, it looks to dark, the floors and griders have a dark
metal look to them

Paul
if you're talking about the desk, thanks.
if you mean the computer consoles, I can't take credit for
them, they are from my LM Time Tunnel Dio, I wanted see what
it would look like with some kind of computers.
I will be making my own for it, also the video-phone, and
what ever else I can see to put in there.

Lloyd
Haven't turned green yet, guess I'm okay.



Jim

P.S. haven't figured out how to put your posts in my reply?
I'll figure it out eventually.

Jim - well, I had been talking about all three pieces of furniture originally, but focusing in on the desk for now you really nailed those crappy old 50s/60s metal desks.

Quick question on the hatch: is it just an optical illusion or is it a flat decal? If so, an ingenious solution to something that will only be seen through those tiny little windows.

On your PS: click on the "quote" button at the bottom-right corner of the person's post.

Jim - well, I had been talking about all three pieces of furniture originally, but focusing in on the desk for now you really nailed those crappy old 50s/60s metal desks.

Quick question on the hatch: is it just an optical illusion or is it a flat decal? If so, an ingenious solution to something that will only be seen through those tiny little windows.

On your PS: click on the "quote" button at the bottom-right corner of the person's post.
Thanks Paul,

On the hatch, I made 3 hatches, that looked like...........
ooh, never mind.

had to put something there?
then I started thinking (I know thinking is dangerous) I copied the
back hatch from the fs with my scanner and tacked it on the
escape tube for reference. I'll get back to making a hatch at some
future time.



Jim

just caught on to your thead Jim and I like what youv'e done. :thumbsup: TOP JOB!!
The sealab was in my short list of dios for my seaview but I chose a differant path and after checking out yours I'm glad I did as it would have paled significantly to yours. :)

Cheers,

Alec.

just caught on to your thead Jim and I like what youv'e done. :thumbsup: TOP JOB!!
The sealab was in my short list of dios for my seaview but I chose a differant path and after checking out yours I'm glad I did as it would have paled significantly to yours. :)

Cheers,

Alec.
Thanks Alec,

The way this project is going, I'm not sure when I might
be done with it. I keep changing things, I'll do something to it,
then look at it and change it to something else.

Don't cut yourself short, I'm sure you have talents I don't have.
My modeling skills aren't that great, but I wanted to try something
I've never done. I'm even surprising myself with the lab.
So give it try someday, you might surprise yourself, as I did.

I may have some new pics next week, doing some more changes.





Sometimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Sometimers cause
the mind to forget to wander


Jim

More changes?

If you decide to change your brain,
I have a used one in a jar, with the name A.B.Normal on it.

I am enjoying seeing your lab, so I look forward to what is instore.

More changes?

If you decide to change your brain,
I have a used one in a jar, with the name A.B.Normal on it.

I am enjoying seeing your lab, so I look forward to what is instore.





Thanks for the offer, Lloyd, I'll mark it down for reference
after this one wears out, I think I have a few miles left on it?
:lol:

Here are some new pics

Pic1 normal view

Pics 2, 3, 4 open view

note: gaps and misalignment are miscalculation in
measurements of interior to inner dome surface.

what do you think?

Thanks for looking







Sometimers causes the mind to wander and forget, Sometimers causes the
mind to forget to wander

Jim

You have done an awesome job!
I really like the half exterior and half cutaway.
What would enhance the look of it, is to have a base with sand glued to it,like the ocean floor. Maybe some plastic plants.

Pic1 normal view

Pics 2, 3, 4 open view

Ahhhh. From your emails over the past couple of weeks I was thinking you were doing the windows to be similar to the front of the Seaview. Making it a
"cutaway" removes the trouble I was anticipating for you - adding glass.

Looking forward to your next update.

Brilliant! Of everything you're done so far, the great finish, the perfect jagged lines, the interior and furniture, my favorite part is perhaps the tiniest - the TV phone. Looking great.

Very well done!

You have done an awesome job!
I really like the half exterior and half cutaway.
What would enhance the look of it, is to have a base with sand glued to it,like the ocean floor. Maybe some plastic plants.
Thanks Lloyd,

didn't think about the base,
plastic plants-------mmmmm

Ahhhh. From your emails over the past couple of weeks I was thinking you were doing the windows to be similar to the front of the Seaview. Making it a
"cutaway" removes the trouble I was anticipating for you - adding glass.

Looking forward to your next update.
Thanks Paul,
originally, was just going to do just the center cutout,
wasn't enough to view inside, it was better than the tiny
windows, but not enough, so I went with the 3 big cutouts.

glass would be ideal, however, I think if I can find some good
clear plastic, that way I can form it to curve of the dome.

Brilliant! Of everything you're done so far, the great finish, the perfect jagged lines, the interior and furniture, my favorite part is perhaps the tiniest - the TV phone. Looking great.
Thanks Starseeker,

I'm trying to improve the interior as much as possible,
have a few more idea's to try after I correct grider alignment
and taller walls.

Very well done!
Thanks Richard,

Glad you're enjoying the build.