06
Jun 15
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1/48 (~28″) Millennium Falcon – Hasbro/Randy Cooper/308 Bits – Museum Conversion by Marc Elkins

“Available in November 2014 exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com, the massive Star Wars Hero Series Millennium Falcon (approximate retail price of $59.99) measures over two-feet-long, and features a rotating radar dish and moving cannon. Check out the gallery below for a special early look at the fastest — and biggest — hunk of junk in the galaxy.”

ABOVE: The Original Toy Promotional Photos from Walmart.

The above statements and photos were shown on StarWars.com when this amazing toy was going to be made available through the U.S. based company of Walmart in 2014. This would be the first time a large scale Millennium Falcon toy would be offered that was scaled correctly to itself, not misshapen in some way for action figures to fit, and was only a few inches shy of being studio scale! It’s length being approximately 28″ makes this piece a solid 1/48 scale replica once it was remade by Marc Elkins. So many model builders and model makers grabbed up as many of these as they could, as we all knew it was a gift that was not going to be offered forever. With the price stated above, one simply could not lose. It was a great toy for everyone, and now it would make great displays for those who would turn them into something much more… like this one shown here today.

Using the main hull of the toy, Marc obtained the parts enhancement kit that Randy Cooper created just for this toy’s conversion, as well as the fantastic 3D printed cockpit from 308 Bits which fit perfectly. Lets face it, for any discerning person in this art form, a toy is still a toy until one adds the correct details and and properly weathered paint and body work that makes a museum replica magically appear. A toy is essentially a model made for playtime, no matter what age one may be. Marc worked his great talents on this piece, making it shine. From the interior and mandible lighting, to its engines… this is an amazing piece, complete with enhanced weathered damage and markings that make the Millennium Falcon truly appear. The photos show up close shots of his fine detailed work. Even the Kool Shade covered intakes are done beautifully. The turrets look beautiful, and they move appropriately. Marc even placed the barrel holes in these tiny cannon parts. As you look at the photos, you will notice that I turned the turret cannons upside down so that the top ‘bump’ part actually sits toward the canopy when the turrets are not in use. I had to do this because of the positioning of the turret mount itself. When they are placed right side up, with the ‘bump’ part on the top, the cannons sit with the barrels angled upward, taking away from the proper look of the Millennium Falcon whether in flight, or landed. Turning that part over allowed the the turret barrels to sit more correctly, and though not perfectly,… it looks marvelous. I wish to thank Marc Elkins for his amazing work, and Randy Cooper and Antonio Regidor of 308 Bits for their making enhancement parts for this magnificent piece. I also wish to thank Hasbro and Disney for making this great toy in the proper shape that we all love. Finding one of these toys is now rare… and they are very valuable on their own, especially after a conversion like this. I recommend grabbing one if you find one.

Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated

ABOVE: Kurt Kuhn with the 1:48 Millennium Falcon

Model Information

Scale & Size: 1:48 at ~28″ Long X ~20″ Wide.

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: Marc Elkins

Blue Screen Photos by: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Parts Offered By: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits

Pattern Work: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits, Marc Elkins

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

2020 Estimated Value: $9,000 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

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Kurt Kuhn

USA

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Marc Elkins

USA

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Randy Cooper

USA

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308 Bits – Antonio Regidor

USA

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Hasbro Toys

USA

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12
Jan 14
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World’s FIRST Studio Scale USS Defiant NX-74205 Replica

When Richard Long began his pattern work on this amazing model years ago, I felt lucky to be on the list whom would get this piece. Today, I know I am lucky to have one as only 3 were made according to Richard, and what you see here is number 1 of those 3 made. After Dana Moss cast the resin parts and laid up the fiberglass for this piece, Richard then a made basic build and paint up of this piece in time to be seen at 2013’s Wonderfest. After it’s successful debut, Richard brought it home and I assigned it to artist Dan Grumeretz to basically rebuild it, adding the lighting, windows, extra details and painted markings. While some of the markings are decals, some are also painted on. Since this is a smaller Starship, utilizing fiber optic for the windows would not work for it’s scale, so Dan used clear acrylic rods for the even lighting of the windows…. somewhat like what fiber optics accomplish. Dan also did the red vinyl tape job for the stripes, finishing it for display here in the Collection. I thank all artists involved, including Star Trek’s Doug Drexler for assisting Richard with the design in order to get the shape and markings correct. I am very pleased with the result of this replica.

BELOW: Kurt Kuhn with the studio scale model for size comparison.

Model Information

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: Dan Grumeretz

Parts Made By: Richard Long / Dana Moss / with Doug Drexler’s Input

~Hours Vested to Final Display: ~500

2020 Estimated Value: $45,000 USD

Current Appraised Value: TBD

Kurt Kuhn

KUHN GLOBAL INCORPORATED

USA

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Dan Grumeretz

USA

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Richard Long

SOVEREIGN REPLICAS

USA

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Dana Moss

USA

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Doug Drexler

USA

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15
Dec 12
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(2012) 1:650 Star Trek: INSURRECTION – Enterprise 1701-E (2007 Cast #001, Incarnation #003)

As stated in October 2007: This 41 inch model was mastered by Richard Long in 2005-2006, and this was the very first cast kit from his patterns. Though it was the first cast in the world of this model kit, it was the third to be built and finished. The first two (Casts #002 and #003) were built and finished by ILM artist John Eblan, under his company banner of “The FX Company”.

The first Kuhn Global build, using Cast #001 (which I refer to as “Incarnation #001), was first painted in 2007 to replicate the USS Enterprise we viewed in Star Trek: Nemesis. Sadly, while on display, the secondary hull buckled, causing the model to fall forward, thus damaging the model significantly. I then discovered that there was no armature built into the model for strength and stability. The Enterprise 1701-E is extremely front heavy being that it’s saucer section makes up most of the model. With the model significantly damaged, in 2012, artist Marc Elkins took on the commission to fix this fantastic piece, taking it apart, and placing an armature inside of it. After doing so, he re-painted all the damaged areas and presented it to me. It was beautiful, and can be seen in one of the videos I made of my visit to see Marc. This model representation was never photographed in front of the Blue Screen, and is what I call “Incarnation #002” of this fine piece. Shortly after receiving the fixed model from Marc, the Port side Bussard Collector on the Nacelle stopped working, as it’s lights were no longer lighting. Something had disconnected, or shorted out. Instead of having Mark take it apart again, I asked Marc to instead place a battle damaged paint job on it, then making it a replica miniature of the 1701-E from Star Trek: Insurrection. The battle damaged Insurrection 1701-E is what I now refer to as “Incarnation #003”, and is what you see photos of here in this posting. Of course this would not the end of this model’s journey. Due to unforeseen mishaps over the years, eventually this model would undergo a total of FOUR Incarnations of existence using the very same Cast parts that it was made from in the beginning. The model you see in these photos is the third incarnation of this fine miniature. Marc Elkins did OUTSTANDING work!

—Click HERE to View the 2007 INCARNATION #001—

—Click HERE to View the 2022 INCARNATION #004 (With Albert Siow as Owner)—

Kurt Kuhn with the Battle Damaged 41″ Insurrection 1701-E (2012)

Model Information

Owner at Time of Posting: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)

USS Enterprise NCC 1701-E Designed by: John Eaves

Kit Master & Build Artist: Richard Long

Re-Build Artist: Marc Elkins

Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)

Kit Once Offered By: Sovereign Replicas

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Now ~$17,500 USD

2020 Estimated Value: $25,000 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

Kurt Kuhn

KUHN GLOBAL INCORPORATED

USA

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Marc Elkins

USA

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Richard Long

SOVEREIGN REPLICAS

USA

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John Eaves

USA

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07
Jul 12
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37 Inch – Battlestar Columbia BS-37

This beautiful model was scratch built by artist Clifton Simmons to resemble both new series and old series styled Battlestars. He achieved the look fantastically. This model did not come with lighting installed, so I used a small flashlight for the bays when taking the photos. The engine lighting I quickly photo-shopped in. Please excuse my mistakes there… lol. I was thrilled to have this for the time that I did, and like Cliff with regard to his own creation, I miss it being here. This fantastic piece now resides in Hong Kong…. the the Richard Sung Collection.

08
Feb 10
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ESB Sketchbook Inspired – Imperial Cutter INTRACTIBLE

About a decade ago, I tasked artist R.L. Bleecker with building this piece. It would be a larger version of a small model he scratch built while in a shop we had running at that time. This model design was inspired by the Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero’s 1980 released book…”The Empire Strikes Back Sketchbook”, and it was of the initial sketch for the Super Star Destroyer EXECUTOR. Being a Veteran of the United States Navy himself, Robert had classified what he built as a “Cutter”… an Imperial Cutter. When I saw what he had created in that smaller model, and he confirmed where his inspiration came from (as I recognized it as well), it was clear a larger version must be built…. and so he did. This one we would name the Imperial Cutter INTRACTIBLE. This model actually has parts used (the engine bells) that are from a real U.S. military aircraft. Robert used many recognizable items for the communications and jamming equipment on top of the model. This model represents what practical use may have been of this type of vessel in the Empire’s Imperial Fleet. As a back story, we developed this: Measuring slightly less long than the 752 meter ACCLAIMATOR Star Destroyer Class, the new 686 meter PERSISTANT Class Imperial Cutter INTRACTIBLE is the second version of this new Imperial weapon. This makes this vessel, if it were real, to be just over 1/3 the full length of the basic Imperial Star Destroyers we know (ie Devastator and Avenger). The model itself is 27 inches long which bring this piece to the 1:1000 scale exactly. Robert did a magnificent job creating this piece.

…The Empire Strikes Back Sketchbook and Sketch that inspired this build…

Model Information

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Scratch Build Artist: Robert L. Bleecker

~Hours Vested to Final Display: 300

2020 Estimated Value: $25,000 USD

Current Appraised Value: TBD

… and my Blue Screen Photos of the Intractible…

16
Aug 09
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1/18 Darth Vader TIE Fighter X-1

In June 2009, famed artist Lasse Henning created an amazing kit in 1/18 scale! Of note: This 1/18 size I have always referred to as “Super Scale”, with anything larger as being “Mega Scale”. When I first came into this art form, one of the first artists I came to appreciate and watch frequently was Lasse Henning. His work inspired nearly everything I have in the collection today that has been created by equally appreciated and fantastic artists world-wide. Lasse has always amazed me with his work, and continues to do so today. I have known him now for two decades (20 years), and my jaw still drops when he creates something new. We had originally shown this beautiful model here on Modelers Miniatures & Magic back on August 19, 2009. Today I am showing this amazing model once more that Lasse made for me, again with the Blue Screen photos I took of it that have been utilized for many things we have all may have viewed… including a Calendar.

Back in 2009, when Lasse informed us all that he was creating a 1:18 Vader TIE kit, I contacted him immediately for this commission. I had been waiting for an artist to come up with either a studio scale replica, or larger. At that time, artist Chris Kelly had offered a fantastic studio scale kit, and again at that time it was “out of production”, and thus unobtainable. Lasse’s kit is much larger than the 1:24 (studio scale) model in it’s 1:18 scale (SUPER SCALE)! You can see in the photo below that the TIE ball is nearly as large as my head,.. and I am actually pressing my jaw along the rim of the back of the model itself! IT IS HUGE!! And… IT IS QUALITY! It looks as if it is a plastic injected kit… nice and crisp in every detail! AMAZING! This is one of the crowning pieces that I am honored to show in the collection! Not many of these kits were made by Lasse, keeping their value high. Thank you Lasse for you incredible work, and contributions to the excellence of this art form!

Above: Kurt Kuhn with the Lasse Henning 1/18 Darth Vader TIE Fighter X-1

Model Information

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: Lasse Henning

Kit Offered By: Lasse Henning’s “The Model Shoppe”

Kit Pattern Work: Lasse Henning

~Hours Vested to Final Display:250

Total Vested Cost: $1,590 USD

Current Estimated Value: $2,000 USD

Current Appraised Value: $2,000 USD

18
Dec 08
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eFX 1/24 X-Wing (China Paint Prototype #1)

I had the great pleasure of being sent one of eFX’s studio scale sized X-Wing’s that they offered in order to give it an honest review. I did so (SEEN HERE). I was also granted the pleasure of taking Blue Screen Photos of it, which you see here today. Everything I had to tell of this model is in the review. I can say that it was a pleasure to photograph, as it challenged me a bit more than usual with it’s immovability on it’s short stand. That stated…. I am grateful of eFX for allowing me to do so.
Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated
Modelers Miniatures & Magic

17
Dec 08
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1/24 Darth Vader ETA3 Fighter with Hyperdrive

This fantastic design was scratch & bash built by artist Barry Murray. I must admit that I very much love what Barry did here, mixing the ETA and Jedi wedge-shaped fighter designs together. Adding the fantastically designed, and magnetically attached Hyperdrive unit gave this piece that extra something that brought us all further into it’s design. This was described to me by Barry as being the vehicle Darth Vader hunted down the remaining Jedi with after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Barry did an excellent job!
This piece now resides in the Hector Rosales Collection.

This piece has a 2018 Modeler Magic appraised value of $2,000 USD

Kurt Kuhn with the ETA3 Fighter with Hyperdrive

11
Oct 08
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Blue 7 Studio Scale (1/24) X-Wing

This beautiful piece was built from a cast kit that has original lineage back to the PYRO Models used in 1977’s STAR WARS. Cast obtained from Scott Alexander of Atomic City Models, this piece originally began life as a closed wing version of RED Leader, painted by Scott Alexander himself. I had not seen any closed wing X-Wings made before this time… though there may have been some somewhere. Sadly, Red Leader had a bit of an accident, and then was sent to artist R.L. Bleecker to re-build. Robert took this closed wing X-Wing and made it amazing as he changed the red stripes to blue… just as the original models began life as. We had yet to see anything past Red 6 in wing identification, so Robert came up with what you see here… a solid block to indicate up to 6, plus a single strip to make it Blue 7. Again, nobody had done anything past Red 6 at that time, which made this highly unique. Then there was the fact he made the stripes blue… which again nobody had been doing at that time. Soon after we found some photos of the Red 12 studio model, and it’s markings. Robert also made the R2 unit have a clear dome, with a Pilot at it’s stick that could possibly be Lando Calrissian? It is for you to decide!

Fantastic work all the way around. It was a blast to photograph back then (2008). Never the less… this stands on it’s own as a great display.

I would like to thank both Scott Alexander and Robert Bleecker for their excellence in bringing this to life. Especially R.L. Bleecker for his great imaginative skills.

Above: Kurt Kuhn with the Studio Scale BLUE 7 X-Wing

Model Information

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: Re-Build by R.L. Bleecker

Parts Mastered & Once Offered By: Atomic City Models

~Hours Vested to Final Display: 250

Total Vested Cost: Unknown

Current Estimated Value: $2,800 USD

Current Appraised Value: TBD

01
Oct 08
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1:32 Mk7 Colonial Viper

The 2003 Ron Moore reboot of Battlestar Galactica took us into a completely different imagined arena of the already fantastic 1978 Glen Larson television show and 1979 film. With this re-imagining came new designs of the ships we all loved. One of those models was from the conceptual art of Eric Chu, then digitally made by the artists at ZOIC, many of whom are very known, and shown on my Modelers Miniatures & Magic site. The model shown here today is of the Mk7 Colonial Viper design, and to my knowledge was the first parts made of it by Rob Durham. It is 1:32 and was built up by artist Chris Dobinson. It is beautiful with it’s detailing and weathering. Chris even managed to make the tiny pilot helmet look as if it were lit, when it is not.
Below are my Blue Screen Photos of the 1:32 Mk7 miniature that I took of it when I received it back in October 2008. I actually showed this piece on Modelers Miniatures & Magic back on March 27, 2009… 5 months after receiving it. I must admit that it was a pleasure to photograph this piece in so many different angles. While some angles are better than others, all are still magnificent. Chris did amazing work here and I am grateful.