The staff of Quantum Mechanix gets to see the neatest things this side of the ‘verse. They recently got a tour at Universal Studios, and they came across a massive model of our favorite Firefly class ship, Serenity.
About three months ago, while getting a very rare tour of the Universal archives, we came across something tucked into a corner and covered in plastic that made our hearts skip a beat: a highly-detailed 12-foot-long filming model of the Reaverized Serenity. We could hardly believe what we were seeing!
As many Browncoats know, there has been a rumor around for years that a filming miniature used for the crash scene on Mr. Universe’s planet. But that rumor was either denied as either being totally false, or that the miniature used was a simple styrofoam model. As you can see from the picture below, it does exist and is about as far from a “simple” model as you could imagine.
The archivists were generous enough to let us come back last month with a camera and crew to fully document the model – ALL 12 FEET OF HER! So, to start off the New Year right, we wanted to introduce you to the biggest, most impressive Serenity ever made (QMx designer Hawk included for scale).
Check out more pics in the gallery below.
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German model maker Robert Gulpan has been creating miniature examples on high-end cars since the 1990s – but it will be hard, if not impossible to top his latest offering: a 1:8 scale model of the Lamborghini Aventador which is apparently worth $4.7 million – a fact that is only more stunning when you consider that the actual car is only around $400K.
The mini Aventador was handcrafted from the original blueprints and boasts a carbon fiber chassis lined with a 1/1000 mm thread of solid gold, as well as diamond encrusted seats and wheels created out of a platinum and gold alloy. If you have $5 Million of disposable income laying around that you would like to invest in a dustable, the model is expected to go up for auction in New York this December.
(via Wired)
Seriously though—don’t “say cheese” around this thing or you might inhale it.
This mini model DSLR can’t actually take photos of course, but it is highly detailed despite being only 1/6 the size of your standard camera. It even features detachable lenses.
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The latest zinc alloy space shuttle model from Bandai features the Endeavour—the craft that will fly the final mission off the space shuttle program in 2011.
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As you can see on his personal website, Australian artist Peter Hennessey has a thing for NASA. Specifically, he likes to re-create NASA hardware to scale using laser-cut plywood and steel. His latest creation, “My Hubble”, is a full-scale model of the telescope, and it was designed without the aid of 3D modeling software. All it took was 7 images, Adobe Illustrator and about 3 months to cut and assemble the pieces.
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What? $69 per inch? Hahaha…immature innuendo. But seriously, I’m an adult dammit—and that’s absurd.
Indeed, this 29-inch long Batmobile replica from the Tim Burton era will set you back $2000. And the worst part is it’s not R/C controlled or anything—it just sits there on the base as a constant and painful reminder of what other things you could have bought with $2000.
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I don’t quite understand the point behind a Transformers 1/9th scale bike model, but it exists nonetheless. I suppose when you have a major summer blockbuster action movie on deck, it is crucial that you capture the all important bike enthusiast demographic if you want to win at the box office. The Decepticon version is pictured after the break.
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If you’ve traded in your dream of owning a stock car, a Ferrari F1, or a Dragster for the comfort and affordability of a station wagon, there’s only one thing to do… make station wagons look cool. Throw out all of your old car models and start from scratch with this limited edition DIY station wagon, making it the cornerstone of a whole new collection. Once you have a few on display, brag about them when your buddies come over. You could say things like: “Yeah, that one there is a 1989 Ford Country Squire with the imitation wood paneling. Ya know they had 5.0 Liter V8s? Yup, those puppies could haul a whole lotta kids. Now come check out my 1948 Woodie.”
Product Page: (Coming Soon $75)
There have probably been several Back to the Future Delorean toy replicas produced over the last 20+ years, but I doubt that any of them were as elaborate as this new version from Diamond Select Toys. It’s 14-inches long and features working lights, detailed moving parts and sound effects from the films.
Product Page ($34—July Pre-Order)
Even though the F-117 Nighthawk has been retired, you can still pick up this giant 50″ x 61″ x 10″ model and display one of the coolest designs in aviation history. And, like most model enthusiasts, you’ll probably have to fight the urge to play with it like a child; pretending to launch little missiles while making obnoxious engine and explosion noises. Other aircraft models are also available, from the Fokker Triplane to the F-16. Additional photos are available after the break.
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