GERRY ANDERSON’S UFO ALIEN SPACECRAFT STEAMPUNK’D
The prop was made for the 2023 Steampunks in Space event at The National Space Centre in Leicester – with the aim of building a Steampunk version of the alien spacecraft which featured in Gerry Anderson’s 1970 TV series UFO…
…but in true Steampunk fashion using recycled bits and bobs and not spending a penny.
The Derek Medding-designed spacecraft, with it’s see-through bodywork lent itself comfortably to the make which comprised basically of milk bottle tops for the circumference fins, along with a supermarket-bought clear plastic profiteroles container and a plastic Xmas pudding bowl forming the body.
A spray coat of basecoat black followed by a dusting of rose gold. An old plastic sink drain came in handy to dress the top of the UFO while the 8 fins were finished with 2 designs of plastic cogs.
The lunar landscape began as a sheet of polystyrene packaging, with inverted jar lid ‘artistically’ arranged to form moon craters.
Here’s a painted, pre-glued, laid out version, trying a different device for the UFO’s top.
With lunar landscape built up by spreading grey tile grout to the crater jar lids and ‘styrene base, and the fins now attached to the body with plastic kitchen cabinet connectors, it was pretty much done. A remotely switched battery-operated cabinet light set within the body added an eerie UFO glow.
And here’s the finished model on display at Steampunks in Space 2023…
And receiving the ultimate accolade. One of my proudest moments. A thumbs up from the Master Model Maker himself – the supremely gifted genius that is – Herr Doktor!
