Norman,
I liked what I saw at Wonderfest and looking forward in getting a few of the figures. Keep us up to date:)

I saw Norman's stuff at Wonderfest as well... very nice looking stuff. Don't forget to send me photos and info (and review kits! :D ) for the Toy Shop column, Norman!

Hmmmm, Those figures are OK, but not great. Id give them a C, C+ maybe.

Sideshow has set the bar pretty high. If these guys want play in this game, they need to do more than tweak.

Hello to all. I am new to this forum. I would like to take the time to go over a few points regarding the LIS action figure line. I am involved in the prototyping of these figures and I work directly with Norman Sockwell concerning these figures. In response to "From Beyond's" comment. I would like to know why you feel the figures are only okay? So far the Dr. Smith and John Robinson have been change to more accurately resemble the actors. The major West is still in being "tweaked" as we speak.
Yes, Sideshow has set the standards for the 1/6th scale figures when it comes to t.v shows, horror, science fiction, and fantasy characters and I fully respect their great work but even some of their paint jobs and scultps aren't the best. Example - Buffy and Halle Berry. Mind you, this is just my opinion. Also, some of their Universal Monster characters heads are just a tad too big but still, they are great! I am also a collector so I can speak from both sides of the spectrum. I also understand that you can't please everyone and from the response from the collectors and fans from Wonderfest, we are doing a great job on our end. We will do whatever it takes to make these the best likeness to the characters as possible!
The projected price for these figures is $69.99 which is very resonable.
How real is Sci-Fi Metropolis? Well I guess the only thing to say is that the proof is in the puddin'. Anyone can talk a mean game and I could write everyone here to sleep. When the figures actually ship and the fans receive them, then you will see how real Sci-Fi Metropolis is.
Norman is very busy as so as I but I will try and take some of the load of of Norman and answer as many questions as I possible can. We are working very hard trying to make the best LIS products ever!
Thank you for comments and constructive criticism.

the 2 foot jupiter 2 will be around $265 ? that is a pretty good deal, are the legs fixed or will there be a "retractable" option on the landing gear ?

any additional pictures of the jupiter 2's norman ?

I heard chatter that Norm had a METAL J2 at Wonderfest ... :eek:

Was that just the paint job/ABS dye color or is Norm really making a METAL hull J2 ??? :cool:

If so , what size?

Thanks,

Mike

It was metal (brushed aluminum?) and it was BIG (24", I think).
Yowza.

It is a spun aluminum 2 foot (24") Jupiter 2 with aluminum landing legs. It will come with a derilict interior that is able to come out and be replaced with a complete upper interior that will be made available at a later date.



I heard chatter that Norm had a METAL J2 at Wonderfest ... :eek:

Was that just the paint job/ABS dye color or is Norm really making a METAL hull J2 ??? :cool:

If so , what size?

Thanks,

Mike

In response to "From Beyond's" comment. I would like to know why you feel the figures are only okay? .
2 words: personal opinion.

Sorry if I offended you but if Im being honest I have to say they are OK. I saw them at WF too & theyre good, they dont look fan-made but they dont knock my socks off either. Like I said, the standard has been set by Sideshow. And companies like Takara are going even further with articulation & costume design.

But I understand youre not really trying to compete in the figures market; youve got a LIS item marketed to LIS collectors. So the Sideshow comparison might not be a fair one.

It is a spun aluminum 2 foot (24") Jupiter 2 with aluminum landing legs. It will come with a derilict interior that is able to come out and be replaced with a complete upper interior that will be made available at a later date.
I am confused....your website said thermo-formed and abs. You are now saying spun aluminum. You also stated a $265.00 price for this.

Could you please clearify?

2 foot: made out of ?
4 foot: made out of ?

etc,

Thanks

Heik-
They'll be doing both ABS and Metal.

Heik-
They'll be doing both ABS and Metal.
Any knowlege of cost and which sizes?

Sci-Fi Metropolis is making a 2 foot J2 kit and build up made out of ABS. The price for the kit will be around $265.00
The price for the built-up hasn't been set yet.
There will also be a 4' J2 kit also made out of ABS. The price hasn't been set for that yet.
Norman will also offer a 2' rotocast resin J2 build up for those that want it out of resin. Price not set yet.

The metal J2 at the show is a spun aluminum built up. It is part of the platinum series which includes the 1/2 scale B9. These pieces are Sci-Fi Metropolis' high end collectibles.

I hope this clears everything up.



I am confused....your website said thermo-formed and abs. You are now saying spun aluminum. You also stated a $265.00 price for this.

Could you please clearify?

2 foot: made out of ?
4 foot: made out of ?

etc,

Thanks

From Beyond, please understand there was no offense taken. Yes, Sideshow has set the standards and yes, I am using their standards to make the best possible action figure for this series. The articualtion in our bodies is better than the side show figures. Our clothes are equal, if not better than Sideshows'. If I'm not mistaken, Takara's figures are a lot more expensive than Sideshows and ours.
And yes, we are trying to compete in the figure market. Any all comments regarding the LIS action figures are more than welcomed. Since you only gave us a C to C+, I just wanted to know what would make these figures an A to A+ in your eyes?
Anyone with comments, suggestions, or criticism can either e-mail personally or on this board. My goal is to make the best damn Lost in Space figures.



2 words: personal opinion.

Sorry if I offended you but if Im being honest I have to say they are OK. I saw them at WF too & theyre good, they dont look fan-made but they dont knock my socks off either. Like I said, the standard has been set by Sideshow. And companies like Takara are going even further with articulation & costume design.

But I understand youre not really trying to compete in the figures market; youve got a LIS item marketed to LIS collectors. So the Sideshow comparison might not be a fair one.

Is there any date as to when the 2' Jupiter Two will be made available? I want to get one of these,and I check your site often.No new updates.Can it be pre ordered?Sorry if I am a bit impatient, but I have been waiting for this stuff a long time! High Regards,Mark

does it need to be built, or does it come fully assembled ?

The ABS 2' J2 kit is expected to be available for pre-order in approx. three weeks. Norman is putting the final touches on the derelict interior.

Is there any date as to when the 2' Jupiter Two will be made available? I want to get one of these,and I check your site often.No new updates.Can it be pre ordered?Sorry if I am a bit impatient, but I have been waiting for this stuff a long time! High Regards,Mark

The 2' J2 kit is eaxactly that...a kit. It will have to be assembled but rest assure, it will be much more easier than the LM and far superior. You won't have to spend weeks on trying to re-inforce the two hulls to avoid warping. Sci-Fi Metropolis will also be offering a built-up serive for those that are not into the model making end of things. The price for that service will be available approx. the same time pre-orders for the 2' kit are taken.




does it need to be built, or does it come fully assembled ?

what exactly IS the "derelict interior ??

The one with the two figures standing in the viewport with the scrim behind them.

ok i know that one, thats what i want !!!!

So when will the figures be avaible?

Great! Two to three weeks. OK ,so is there a way we can submit our E-Mail address or something to be notified?Also , will the kit include Two figures to represent the Derelict interior?And will the landing gear be retractable? Will it include the fusion core and top bubble lighting? High Regards, Mark

The Jupiter 2 SPFX model had FOUR figures in the window in the Derelict. Who does the research??

Your right Y3a. However, that scene takes place when the Jupiter 2 is leaving theDerelict ship. When it gets pulled in ,there are only Two figures in the Viewport! Major West, Who is seated at the Central computer in the viewport,and Prof. Robinson who is leaning on West's flight couch.So either way is right. Regards, Mark

By the way,Those photos that someone posted from Wonderfest showing the Lost in Space figures looks cool!Again Can't wait for this stuff! Regards, Mark

So when will the figures be avaible?

The first wave of figures; 3rd season John Robinson, 3rd season, Prof. Smith, and the Keeper should be available for pre-order in approx. 3 weeks. They should be ready to ship Sept. - Oct. 2004

Great! Two to three weeks. OK ,so is there a way we can submit our E-Mail address or something to be notified?Also , will the kit include Two figures to represent the Derelict interior?And will the landing gear be retractable? Will it include the fusion core and top bubble lighting? High Regards, Mark

At this time there are no plans to make any figures for the 2' J2. That doesn't mean we won't. Right now Norman has a lot on his plate.
The landing legs can be retracted manually.
Sci-Fi Metropolis will also have available their own fusion core lighting system that will fit their own 2' J2. It will available the same time the 2' J2 kit.

I have still not seen anything about wether the fusion core and dome lights will be with the kit, or separate?.

Also, for you LIS fans that have FS 2002 or 2004, there is a great (FREE) download of the J2 at simviation.com under the MISC section. Very cool...enjoy!

<< When it gets pulled in ,there are only Two figures in the Viewport! >>

You only get to see the 12 inch model when it first gets pulled into the Derelict. When hovering before setdown, all 4 figures are there, it's just a different lighting. The fusion core would have to be removed and the figures manipulated throught the fusion core hole. the 4 geared hero didn't have a removable roof until after City Beneath the Sea.

are the lighting circuits going to come with it or are they going to be aftermarket options ? and what about the 4 footer ???

Ok, how do you know so much about the Jupiter 2?!?
You already showed how the bubble top worked. Now show us how the landing gear worked on the hero prop.


<< When it gets pulled in ,there are only Two figures in the Viewport! >>

You only get to see the 12 inch model when it first gets pulled into the Derelict. When hovering before setdown, all 4 figures are there, it's just a different lighting. The fusion core would have to be removed and the figures manipulated throught the fusion core hole. the 4 geared hero didn't have a removable roof until after City Beneath the Sea.

springs and pulleys. weak springs on doors, heavy springs on gear with a connected pulley system that rolled the lazy susan arrangement of the pad door opening and then let the gear down. the model could NOT support itself on the gear, it was more of a string puppet. the pulley system was controlled by a motor inside, which was powerd by 2 of the 3 support wires. a control box was used in conjunction with the 4 foot hero. Shame the hero was gutted for CBTS. Never was restored completly.

The thing I'm curious about are the other J2 miniatues mentioned on the SciFiMetropolis site: I'm more into the idea of the 12 or 18 inch versions than a two or four footer. Are those still a going concern?

D.

The Jupiter 2 SPFX model had FOUR figures in the window in the Derelict. Who does the research??

That's a nice clear picture Y ! :thumbsup:

Mike

... the 4 geared hero didn't have a removable roof until after City Beneath the Sea.

Jay Gowey doesn't agree with that assesment.

The Hero also has a patch where the pod door was located. Without having been there , I cannot say for certain - but it *appears* that they may have attempted to use the Hero for the pod launches , cutting the hull and then realizing it was too difficult with all the other chains, pullies etc for the gear ... that they then went to the second 4 footer. They very well could have "popped the top" on the Hero when they cut the pod bay door in the Hero's hull.

What is clear is the Hero had a pod bay door cut into it , that would obviously have been before CBTS.

The Jupiter 2 SPFX model had FOUR figures in the window in the Derelict. Who does the research??

Derelict Pic 4 People (http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=9629)

Y -

Notice all those "Veins" with the typical Scrim pattern?

What do you suppose those are? Wires casting there shadow on the back of the scrim from the interior lighting source ?? :eek:

That's a nice pic you got - was it off the DVD or something? :thumbsup:

Mike

I think it's a wire frame that casts shadows on the transparent rear material (plastic/glass/cloth??) so you can't easily see the little hatch in the center top of that part. It seems to be about 1/2 inch in front of the part with that hatch.

I also noticed the sanded look to the bottom of the footpads. Did they forget to paint them? I

t's a shame that most modelers went for the LED look of their model Jupiter 2's, when the actual spinning bulb lights look more like the real SPFX model, and while mechanical, should be a good low tech challenge to make for a model without a 'real' upper deck to get in the way. I did one on the 2nd of 3 Jupiter 2 models I built in the late 90's.

They produced three 4 foot models:

1. The landing gear Hero with mechanical spinning fusion core lighting and bubble spinner attached.

2. Pod dropping model without gear, and with chaser fusion core, and independant bubble spinner. Model was on a stand, not supported by wires. Pod was dropped by onboard motor & pulley.

3. Pyro model, light weight and with re-enforced bottom without gear or pod doors woking. Used for the explosions.

4. and unused hull was stored in the old bewitched house and is the only hull without damage due to having windows cut int it and used in CBTS. I have pictures of THAT hull, with the flat spot on top similar to the Gemini 12 hull.

Show any and all pictures please Y3a!

yep please do

They produced three 4 foot models:

1. The landing gear Hero with mechanical spinning fusion core lighting and bubble spinner attached.




... with patched space pod bay doors. :D

They produced three 4 foot models:


4. and unused hull was stored in the old bewitched house and is the only hull without damage due to having windows cut int it and used in CBTS. I have pictures of THAT hull, with the flat spot on top similar to the Gemini 12 hull.


"Flat Spot" ... now this sounds familiar .... forget where I heard this reference before ... is there an earlier thread on here somewhere where this is mentioned?
:freak:

How do you know it was in the bewitched house? Is that in Lydeckers book or something? :cool:

The question is WHEN was the pod door patched? Did they try to reconcile the pod dropper and landing gear hero AFTER LIS was cancelled???

The question is WHEN was the pod door patched? Did they try to reconcile the pod dropper and landing gear hero AFTER LIS was cancelled???

I think a better question is when was the pod bay door CUT rather than patched.

I don't see why they would do anything to it After LIS - thought they just stuck 'em in storage until hacking them up for CBTS.

Unless you can unequiviically provide evidence/proof of when it was cut & then patched - you cannot rule out the possibilities.

So now you have to consider the "probabilities" based upon knowledge of how they (prop-shops) did things back then . I don't have the answers , but I also don't rule anything out either. :)

They got put back together after CBTS, but many of the parts were missing, so some stuff never worked correctly again. I hear someone took the original fusion core innards so the chaser was the only reference of that part left, and the gear stuff was missing(inside mechanics) and the original scrim interior stuff was gone too. What ever happened to the entire 12 inch model?? The people who made the original models were gone by the time (early 70's) that the models were put together again for some display. It's a shame the hulls were deformed by the cutting of those windows, so the hull copies made from those hulls are technically incorrect. ONLY the single untouched hull, originally sent to the properties dept storage survived intact. It never had any cuts to it for windows, bubbles, or gear.

Y -

I heard that they stored the electrical componants seperate from the props and that a lot of the parts were stripped & use in other projects... ?

That lil J2 prop is probably "The Biggest" mystery , there seems to be no trace of it whatsoever - someone probably stuck it under the coat and walked out with it.

This "untouched" "Bewitched" J2 hull , wouldn't be the same one that was sold on ebay last year ... Steph's ... is it ? Is THAT the shell you are talking about?

Mike

Is THIS the Shell you mean ? http://jupiter2.freeyellow.com/root/4ftj2eby.jpg

Mike

Yep, that's it. It has the LB Abbott approval on the bottom, the fiberglass work/style is typical 1960's, and it shows the wear of a prop that was that old. The fusion core piece is a later part.

are the lighting circuits going to come with it or are they going to be aftermarket options ? and what about the 4 footer ???

Sci-Fi Metropolis will be offering their own lighting circut for the 12" J2, 18" J2, 2' J2, and 4' J2. The lighting circut will be sold seperately... The 4' J2 will be available sometime in the fourth quarter 2004. Pre-orders approx. Sept.- Oct. 2004.