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Jack Wendt's scratchbuilt ISSCV from S:AAB

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Scratchbuilt ISSCV

In issue # 24 of Sci-fi and Fantasy Models, from England, there is a fairly good blueprint of 2 of the main models for the series Space; above and beyond. The blueprints are of the original concept for the fighter and the transport ship referred to as a Inter Solar System Cargo Vehicle, ISSCV for short. The main differences between the original concept and what was used in the cgi segments are:

The blueprints show the cockpit to be shaped sort of like a huey attack helicopter, whereas the CGI version was more sloped like a "cab forward designed minivan." This is the best way I can describe it.

The wing mounted engines in the blueprints resemble a modified egg, whereas the CGI versions are shaped more like a cone with the bottom removed.

There are several other small differences, such as the number and shape of the windows on the cargo module. The blueprints and the scene where the stars of the show are on Mars are rectangular with oval windows. The number changed from 2 to 4 windows per side. The later versions had about 6 angles per window and had guns sticking out of some of the windows.

Some versions also had side mounted doors in the extension of the cargo pod. I reckon the variations were due to what that particular cargo pod was designed for.

The number of vanes in the intake of the wing mounted engines were different form the blue prints to the CGI version. The blue prints show 2 small engine cones directly under the cockpit. I chose to leave these off. There is a resin kit of this as well as several other props from the series. I purchased a Chig fighter, but opted to build this from scratch. The resin kit also follows the construction of the model based on the blueprints.

The only parts that were "kit bashed" on my model are the intakes for the wing mounted engines. Because I did not have any spoked wheels in my parts box that looked similar, I purchased a set of 4 chrome wheels and modified 2 of these extensively. The wheels cost about $9 and was half of the expense for the entire model. I used part of a disposable lighter for the lnb on the radar dish. I used a "magnet" used in acupuncture for the light mounted in the center of the wing. The wing mounted engines and the 2 lower rear engines started off as wooden Easter eggs that I modified on my lathe. These eggs were left over from my Space Precinct patrol car. I never throw anything away.

The rear engine cones are from the part that makes a bottle of pills child proof. That inside part of the lid that you can pop out. The engine cones for the 2 wing mounted and lower rear mounted engine were shaped over the tip of the same Easter eggs that had been removed.

The rest of the ship is from sheet and tube styrene. The leading and trailing edge of the wing was made from tubing cut down the center. This is a curbside model; no interior. I used acetate that was painted black on one side for the glass of the cockpit. Paint one side gloss black and glue the painted side to the model with white glue or epoxy glue. This gives a excellent glass look. The small windows of the cargo pod are cut from decal sheets. Left over decals from other models for the lettering and numbers to designate this particular ship. I used a pencil to put a lot of the panel lines on the model.

The model is 10" long and about 7" wide. Cost was probably around $25 or less. I think mine is more accurate than the resin model that is available but as I said, it is not exactly like what is seen in the series. It took several hours to build. I may one day build the transport part of this ship based on the cgi version, but that will be another day, or year, or decade.

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