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 12" and 18" J2s will be available probably mid to late 2005.

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.

Y -

Did Steph tell you all that , or is there some corresponding documentation (Fox Archives @ UCLA perhaps) that confirms that ?

I mean do you have some reference material (to LB Abbott approval) that matches up to whatever symbol is on the bottom?

Is all your info coming from one source , or is it a collaboration of multiple sources that all fit together ?

Most interesting about that Bewitched house.

Mike

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.

Any ballpark figures for the cost of a stripped down 4 foot J2 Hull ?? :eek:

Would such a thing even be available? Or is the idea to sell a "complete" 4 foot kit? By complete , perhaps a hull and a fusion core ring and a window insert ?

Legs , lights , interior etc... would maybe be sold seperately as "accessories" ?

Thanks!

Mike

They got put back together after CBTS...


Y -

When you say "They" , what are you referring to? Just the Hero ? Or BOTH 4 foot J2's? We see Jein's J2 after he got it from Fox and it was still all cut up with the CBTS windows etc...

Do you just mean they put the Hero J2 back together again for display?

Which J2's are you talking about that got put back together by Fox?

Thanks :)

Mike

whoever re-built the 4 foot hero an put it on the gantry. Would that be Jein???

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?

For me its the blank GI Joe stare. Interestingly it works for John, but the other 2 head sculpts need a little more expression, especially for a character like Dr. Smith. Maybe an upward glance or even that devilish sneer Smith would get when he was up to no good. A raised eyebrow or the intense peeled eyes for Don maybe?

Again, no offense meant, just my 2 cents. And my opinion is in the minority here, everyone else is raving about these figures & the the Wonderfest response was obviously good. So, just MHO.

whoever re-built the 4 foot hero an put it on the gantry. Would that be Jein???

:confused:

The Hero was never on the gantry ....

That was the 4 foot pod dropper J2 that Jein had .

The Hero took a totally different route out of Fox to it's present day location than did Jein's J2 and the launch pad. :(

What time period are you referring to the hero being on the launch pad? Maybe we are thinking to different periods of time or something? :confused:

Mike

early 70's according to photos on the model builders ref. vault. maybe it WAS the pod dropper, but it was built JUST to drop the pod, no other tricks except holding the chaser fusion core. 3 of the hulls were used in LIS, not 2. the hero was dropped and the gear never workd smoothly again. later they made a deeper lower hull to validate the pod etc.

Hi Y3a,

Been checking out Phil's site , but I don't see any references to the photo's being dated in the 70's :confused:

I'm looking Here (http://www.cloudster.com/Sets&Vehicles/JupiterII/JuptiterIImodel.htm) particularily. Am I looking in the wrong spot?

The J2 in the launch pad pictured on Phil's site is definately Jein's J2 with the space pod doors , sans landing gear cut-outs. But it did have other details too , the upper deck and lower deck interiors (meaning directly inside the upper and lower view ports) three flight consoles in the upper deck viewport and even the lower viewport protection screen.

What we can deduct from Phil's pix -

1. That is NOT the Hero on the pad (no landing gear cut-outs on that hull).

2. It is NOT the 4 foot Gemini XII prop (for obvious reasons) main one noted
by Phil : It doesn't sit snuggly in the cradle because it was made for the
"thinner" hulled pilot version (Gemini XII).

3. Greg Jein owned the launch cradle at this time , he also owned a 4 foot J2
miniature. These are both Jein's props.

4. Jein's J2 had pod bay doors that were shown opened(that's actually from
other various pix of Jein's J2 not shown on Phi's site (http://jupiter2.freeyellow.com/TempStuff/jeinpod6.jpg) ).

So are we in agreement that this is indeed the "pod dropper" J2 that you are talking about Y ?

And if so , you also agree that the Hero J2 (http://www.lostintoys.com/museum/j2prop.html) today , is here - belonging to Azarian... ?

And that the Bunderick J2 (shown earlier in this thread) is the Fourth , untouched , unused 4th J2 ?

Therefore (leaving out the 4 foot Gemini XII) the only currently un-located 4 foot J2 miniature is the "pyro" J2 out of your list of "known 4 foot J2's" ?

I am just trying to make sure we are on the same page here as to which J2 is which , basically through the process of elimination.

Mike

The pyro version may have been destroyed during CBTS???

The "Hero" with gear has the typical photo error of NOT locating the legs pivot point, and therefore making the leg look longer, and having one more cut-out visible than you saw when the gear extended during "The Derelict" The darker area was never touched up- because it wasn't easily attainable during painting. The model didn't have visible control panels during the Derelict either. A wire frame seems to have been in front of the scrim about 1/2 inch or so originally... possibly to throw off the looker from seeing the small hatch in the srim.

The Bunderick J2 (shown earlier in this thread) is the Fourth , untouched , unused 4th J2 ?

I think THAT hull was a backup for possible recasts, in case another hull was damaged. It was never used, just stored. It DOES have the classic flat top. I want to know more about the mechanical spinning fusion core lights and bubble lights. I also want to see where all the mounting. brackets inside the model are. it's logical that the working scanner hatches really allow access to the flying wires.

Does Robert Kinoshita still have the small four inch J2? I remember a photo in one of the early Starlogs showing him holding it in his hand. It was made for the scene where you see the J2 head-on entering the derelict. Does anyone know if it was used in anyother effects scenes?

David.

... I also want to see where all the mounting. brackets inside the model are. it's logical that the working scanner hatches really allow access to the flying wires.

Where do you plan/hope to get these views from ???

The pyro version may have been destroyed during CBTS???

The "Hero" with gear has the typical photo error of NOT locating the legs pivot point, and therefore making the leg look longer, and having one more cut-out visible than you saw when the gear extended during "The Derelict" The darker area was never touched up- because it wasn't easily attainable during painting. The model didn't have visible control panels during the Derelict either. A wire frame seems to have been in front of the scrim about 1/2 inch or so originally... possibly to throw off the looker from seeing the small hatch in the srim.


4. Jein's J2 had pod bay doors that were shown opened(that's actually from other various pix of Jein's J2 not shown on Phi's site ).

So are we in agreement that this is indeed the "pod dropper" J2 that you are talking about Y ?

Mike- YEP, It's probably the pod dropper, with the found parts put back.

The J2 Autopsy may provide interior shots of bracket positions.





David- the 12 inch model was filmed inside the Derelict. The little model is a SFMA vacufom kit from the late 80's. The 12 inch job had a cameo role in "Wish upon a star" you can see the holes where they unscrewed teh parts of the derelict for filming as it rotated around.

Thanks Y !

Now I got a pretty good grasp of where you're coming from. :thumbsup:

Mike

David- the 12 inch model was filmed inside the Derelict. The little model is a SFMA vacufom kit from the late 80's. The 12 inch job had a cameo role in "Wish upon a star" you can see the holes where they unscrewed teh parts of the derelict for filming as it rotated around.
According to the article this was made for the LIS tv show, it was used in the scene where you are looking out of the Derelict's entrance tunnel as the J2 is pulled in. The photo shows Mr Kinoshita is holding it between his thumb and first finger, it was only about four inches in diameter. Wasn't the SFMA kit six, or eight inches in diameter?

I think that this was one of the early Starlogs from the late 70's, and I believe it was an interview with Mr Kinoshita.

David.

I've got that same Starlog!! But that model is the SFMA one....I have one too! The 12 inch one is specified in the shooting script.

The 12 inch model was used for all 3 seasons of far away shots of the Jupiter 2. It was the model you saw outside the derelict, and being tossed to and fro thru the force fields etc, and it has no figures or control consoles or landing gear. It is occasionally seen with a lower viewport open. It has a slower blinking light as a bubble instead of the rotating mirrors deal the 4 footer had. It seems to have either a wind-up mech for the fusion core or a single gear drive motor. the fusion core has a symetrical look, without blown bulbs like the larger 4 foot's earlier 6 bulb arrangement.

I actually like the profile of the smaller model better than the 4 footer or the TEN FOOTER..(sound of can of worms being opened)

According to the article this was made for the LIS tv show, it was used in the scene where you are looking out of the Derelict's entrance tunnel as the J2 is pulled in. The photo shows Mr Kinoshita is holding it between his thumb and first finger, it was only about four inches in diameter. Wasn't the SFMA kit six, or eight inches in diameter?

I think that this was one of the early Starlogs from the late 70's, and I believe it was an interview with Mr Kinoshita.

David.
I don't have the Starlog article , but I suspect it is written by Mike Clark &/or Bill Cotter...

I checked with both, and they report it is neither a prop or an SFMA kit :

The model was actually smaller than four inches...I believe it's only 3" across. It is made out of Resin.
It was issued in an extremely limited edition by Richard Messman, who was a
friend of mine and a big Lost In Space fan. Richard arranged for a talented
model builder to hand-make them ."

It doesn't belong to Bob Kinoshita - it was just brought along for a photoshoot to accompany the article.

It is also used in the RobotMemories video with some SFX - so I guess, in a way, you could call it a "prop" - lol - just not the one you thought it was. :p

Mike

I actually like the profile of the smaller model better than the 4 footer or the TEN FOOTER..(sound of can of worms being opened)
Okay Y - I'll bite :devil:

What reference are you using to determine a profile for the 10 footer?

I've seen only 1 photo of it before - and you can't grasp the true profile from that picture ...

Are you going by blueprint profiles ?

.... or some other reference?

And , of course - if it is some other reference ... WHAT is it? ;)

Mike

was the 10 foot model ever actually used??? Seems a pretty big model to move around on wires. I've never seen any of it except a single photo. I even wonder if it was a fan produced model. Do plans exist for the construction?

Sci-Fi metropolis will offer a 4' J2 kit that will include the landing legs, fusion core, bubble, and derilict interior. They will also offer the lighting circut for the 4' J2. No price at thsi time. The 4' probably won't be available until the end of this year/early next year.


Any ballpark figures for the cost of a stripped down 4 foot J2 Hull ?? :eek:

Would such a thing even be available? Or is the idea to sell a "complete" 4 foot kit? By complete , perhaps a hull and a fusion core ring and a window insert ?

Legs , lights , interior etc... would maybe be sold seperately as "accessories" ?

Thanks!

Mike

I agree with you on the expressions. The prototypes that have been seen on the Sci-Fi Metropolis site as well as the convention are still prototypes and are subject to change. We've been working very hard changing some of the sculpts to reflect a bit more expression such a Smith. We will be posting pics in a few weeks and if everyone liked the first sculpts, you're gonna love the new ones.

For me its the blank GI Joe stare. Interestingly it works for John, but the other 2 head sculpts need a little more expression, especially for a character like Dr. Smith. Maybe an upward glance or even that devilish sneer Smith would get when he was up to no good. A raised eyebrow or the intense peeled eyes for Don maybe?

Again, no offense meant, just my 2 cents. And my opinion is in the minority here, everyone else is raving about these figures & the the Wonderfest response was obviously good. So, just MHO.

was the 10 foot model ever actually used??? Seems a pretty big model to move around on wires. I've never seen any of it except a single photo. I even wonder if it was a fan produced model. Do plans exist for the construction?

Y -

Almost everyone (99.9 %) I have talked to says "No" it was never used (or at least never shown on film during the series - maybe it was attempted and ended up on the cutting room floor??).

On the Fox plans for the 48" Jupiter 2 (and also the plans for changes in profile of the Gemini XII hull to the Jupiter 2 style profile) are references for BOTH 4 Foot scale and 10 Foot Scale miniatures. They defiinately had it on their minds at least. Some details on the 10 footer were to be "Functional" where as not intended to be so, on the 4 foot scale models (referring to the "CANTILEVER PLATFORM" - the platform that slides out from beneath the main hatch we see during the Robinson's Space Walks for example).

If it was a fan-built ship (I highly doubt it) it had to be done very early on because the earliest I heard of it was just after the Fox Lot Auctions and it's storage in a warehouse near LAX. And at that point it was "aged" too - it was years old already.

The blueprint references and the "sighting near LAX" story is all found in the
10 Foot Jupiter 2 (http://jupiter2.freeyellow.com/10foot/10ftj2.htm) section on my site at jup2.com . The blueprint references are found specifically in the "Design" section.

The info there is kind of old now and not quite the most accurate - but still gives a pretty good background history of this little known prop.

I'm still working on learning more about it , but it's a looong drawn out process and I am at the mercy of the generousity of it's current owner and the folks I happen to find who have 1st or 2nd hand knowledge of this prop.

Mike

Sci-Fi metropolis will offer a 4' J2 kit that will include the landing legs, fusion core, bubble, and derilict interior. They will also offer the lighting circut for the 4' J2. No price at thsi time. The 4' probably won't be available until the end of this year/early next year.


Thank you for the additional information . I have a feeling this one will be a most popular kit! :thumbsup:

I imagine "Shipping" cost is going to be a bear though. I imagine "Freight" only. :eek: (that's not a question - just thinking aloud).

Probably getting too detailed here , but in regards to the landing gear ... are they planned to be static or will they be able to open and close into the ship?
Are they designed more along the lines of a Polar Light's landing gear ( either on the ship or off the ship) - I doubt this - OR perhaps more along the lines of the Trendmaster's J2 Playset that had manual retractable landing gear?

Will this be up to the builder of the kit , or will it be part of the functionality built into the kit?

If you cannot say at this time - I understand.

Thanks again, :wave:

Mike

I hope the landing gear has a method of locking in up or down position, and a way to connect a motor/winch set-up. I'd do my OWN fusion core and bubble lighting effects and I hope they do a really crude set of figures like the original had. I also hope they do a well thought out job of hanging brackets inside the model instead of some method that would warp the model over time.

The legs will be able to open and close. When they are open, the builder will have to make a few minor adjutments so that the legs stay open.
Regarding s&h for the 4 foot J2. Well there is no pricing for that yet but it will have to be freighted and insured.


Thank you for the additional information . I have a feeling this one will be a most popular kit! :thumbsup:

I imagine "Shipping" cost is going to be a bear though. I imagine "Freight" only. :eek: (that's not a question - just thinking aloud).

Probably getting too detailed here , but in regards to the landing gear ... are they planned to be static or will they be able to open and close into the ship?
Are they designed more along the lines of a Polar Light's landing gear ( either on the ship or off the ship) - I doubt this - OR perhaps more along the lines of the Trendmaster's J2 Playset that had manual retractable landing gear?

Will this be up to the builder of the kit , or will it be part of the functionality built into the kit?

If you cannot say at this time - I understand.

Thanks again, :wave:

Mike

Are they doing a replica of the SPFX model or a model of the Jupiter 2?

The SPFX model won't have the spots inside the gear wells etc.

Are they doing a replica of the SPFX model or a model of the Jupiter 2?

The SPFX model won't have the spots inside the gear wells etc.
I can't speak for them , but typically J2 replicas are more models of the Jupiter 2 rather than replicas of the SPFX miniature - meaning more of a combination prop with the added details we are accustomed to seeing on the set J2 , such as main hatch and the latches and buttons to open and close the hatch ... etc...

If I were a betting man - I'd bet there going to follow along these lines somewhat as well (Plus going by their 24" J2 patterns - I can see these details are on that version already ;) ).

Now we just have to wait and hear what RobotRus says.

Mike

And you would win that bet Mike. All versions of the J2 will be exactly the same except the size. If you already saw the patterns for the 2' J2, you know the indept detail Norman has put into his patterns to make them the very best Jupiter 2 ever made. And I'm not just saying that...The 4' J2 will have the very same detail. The only difference would of course be the size.

I can't speak for them , but typically J2 replicas are more models of the Jupiter 2 rather than replicas of the SPFX miniature - meaning more of a combination prop with the added details we are accustomed to seeing on the set J2 , such as main hatch and the latches and buttons to open and close the hatch ... etc...

If I were a betting man - I'd bet there going to follow along these lines somewhat as well (Plus going by their 24" J2 patterns - I can see these details are on that version already ;) ).

Now we just have to wait and hear what RobotRus says.

Mike

And you would win that bet Mike. All versions of the J2 will be exactly the same except the size. If you already saw the patterns for the 2' J2, you know the indept detail Norman has put into his patterns to make them the very best Jupiter 2 ever made. And I'm not just saying that...The 4' J2 will have the very same detail. The only difference would of course be the size.

Thanks again for the info! :thumbsup:

And tonights winning megabucks numbers will be : 3 , 16 , 29 .... :lol:

Mike

any estimate on the cost of the 4 foot jupiter 2 ?

Mike,

This 3" miniature was the same one I mentioned to you by email last year...thanks for finally clearing up the mystery on that one, guys...I was going nuts for weeks looking for any kind of reference. It seemed to me a 3" miniature was logical for the derelict due to the size of the actual derelict prop (about 6 or 7 feet, wasn't it mike?) but then again...I guess you couldn't pack those lights in something so small back then LMAO.

Cheers, Mike...glad to see you active here.

Rich Taylor

The Derelict model is about 8 feet long, and the 1 foot Jupiter 2 model fits inside when the doors open. Watch the segment as the J2 flys by from the outside, and count how many J2 lengths it takes to cover the Derelict model. I have 8 photos done in slow motion that I used to calculate the length based on the 1 foot model. The SAME model you see in Wish upon a Star. The shooting script also called for a 1 foot model. they didn't HAVE bright small lights in the mid 1960's for there to be a practical 3" model. It would have been small in relation to the flying wires too, and would have required a faster film speed to make those wires vanish.

So when will they be taking preorders for the figures and will it be on the Scfimet web site? I guess that I am getting anxious:thumbsup:

We are pushing to start taking preorders for the first three LIS actions figures: 3rd season John Robinson, 3rd Season Dr. Smith, and the Keeper within 45 days. We are trying to get thess figures ready for shipping by October 2004.
A link on Sci-Fi Metroplois will take you to where you can pre-order not only the figures but everything else from Sci-Fi Metropolis.

Thanks

So when will they be taking preorders for the figures and will it be on the Scfimet web site? I guess that I am getting anxious:thumbsup:

Thanks for the information:thumbsup:. Will you be making an annoucment on on this board when you will start taking pre-orders?

I will personally make a post here letting everyone know about the pre-orders on the action figures and the 2' ABS Jupiter 2 kit.



Thanks for the information:thumbsup:. Will you be making an annoucment on on this board when you will start taking pre-orders?

Great! Again I can't wait for this to happen. Regards

how much assembly will be required on the jupiter 2's, 2 foot and 4 foot ? and how soon after the 2 footer comes out will the 4 footer follow ? this is absolutely great news !!!
Bert

The Derelict model is about 8 feet long, and the 1 foot Jupiter 2 model fits inside when the doors open. Watch the segment as the J2 flys by from the outside, and count how many J2 lengths it takes to cover the Derelict model. I have 8 photos done in slow motion that I used to calculate the length based on the 1 foot model. The SAME model you see in Wish upon a Star. The shooting script also called for a 1 foot model. they didn't HAVE bright small lights in the mid 1960's for there to be a practical 3" model. It would have been small in relation to the flying wires too, and would have required a faster film speed to make those wires vanish.

Hey Y -

I did the same exact thing as you described to guess-timate the approximate size of the Derelict ship!
About how many lil J2's does it take to cover the length of the Derelict... one , two , three ... :lol:

Also , I was then told :

A TRUE Irwin Allen fan would remember that the Derelict miniature was also used as an alien ship in "Voyage" (The Terrible Toys) and appeared alongside the 8 foot Seaview miniature. The ship is about the same size as the 8 foot Seaview.

So if anyone has "Voyage" on tape they might want to check out that episode (The Terrible Toys) , just for the fun of it. Screen grabs would be nice too.

To share. ;)

Mike

[QUOTE=Jupiter-2]Hey Y -
A TRUE Irwin Allen fan would remember that the Derelict miniature was also used as an alien ship in "Voyage" (The Terrible Toys) and appeared alongside the 8 foot Seaview miniature. The ship is about the same size as the 8 foot Seaview.

If memory serves correctly, the full-sized "derelict" ship was used in several episodes as an "alien computer device" thing-a-mabob :drunk: in different caves and other alien "HQ" sets. A second season episode that comes immediately to mind is "Cave Of The Wizards", which also featured the 4' Jupiter II model as a "fixture" . Another episode that it MIGHT have been used in was season ones' "Follow The Leader", but I might be mistaken.

Not that much assembly will have to go into one of a Sci-Fi Metropolis' J2 kits. Norman has taken so much time and effort to make this, not only the most accurate J2 to date, but also to limit the time spent on re-inforcing the hull structure. Unlike the LM kits which are not only inaccurate but also a ton of time and labor had to be spent on reinforcing the upper and lower hulls so they wouldn't warp, which never actually worked. Anyone that has worked on a LM J2 kit knows exactly what I'm referring to.
Hopefully within three weeks the 2' J2 kit will be made available. The 4' J2 should follow either by the end of the year or early next year...that is unless there is a "huge" demand for it sooner. "hint...hint..."

how much assembly will be required on the jupiter 2's, 2 foot and 4 foot ? and how soon after the 2 footer comes out will the 4 footer follow ? this is absolutely great news !!!
Bert

that is great news !!!! i can't wait for the release of both kits !!!

... Unlike the LM kits which are not only inaccurate but also a ton of time and labor had to be spent on reinforcing the upper and lower hulls so they wouldn't warp, which never actually worked. ...
Hopefully within three weeks the 2' J2 kit will be made available. The 4' J2 should follow either by the end of the year or early next year...that is unless there is a "huge" demand for it sooner. "hint...hint..."

The hull of the 4' version - it too will be ABS Plastic?

No concerns of gluing two 4' diameter shells together and having it hold tight?

Will/would a fiberglass hull be made available at some point?

Possibility?

Thanks,
Mike

how WOULD you get those 4 ft. hulls together ?

How about Crazy Glue :lol:

OMG ROBOT!!!!!!!

It is a well known fact that the trendmaster J2 was THE most popular selling item they ever had. It is also a well known fact that the PL J2 was a super smash!!!

These kits will far surpass the PL model in quality SO YOU CAN BET YOUR POWER PACK that your J2's selling will far surpass anything offered before PROVIDING you can keep up with the demand.

Thanks in advance.

Has anyone heard if we can starting ordering the figures yet:)