29
Sep 07
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Studio Scale V1 “PYRO” Cylon Raider Replica from the 1978 Series…Battlestar Galactica

This Version 1 (V1) Cylon Raider Studio Scale replica was masterfully built and painted by R.L. Bleecker in 2006. The studio scale kit itself was mastered off an original pyro model (used in the 1978 series) that we believe may have cast from what ICONS Replicas once sold as a Studio Scale Replica from Battlestar Galactica. Artist Mark Dickson, under Jim Key’s company, made it so. Later on, this would become a Kit which would be sold by Jesse Meyers, and then by Kit and Pattern maker Mike Salzo (MSLZ22 Models). Today the kit is sold by Kit Maker Jason Wright of JAWS Models in Australia.

Here are the Blue Screen Photos I took of this model during a few trial lighting tests. Unfortunately I never went back to actually photograph it correctly. In using different light filters during this shoot, the model looks bright, and yellowish in some shots. It was actually quite beautiful to look at in it’s grey paint scheme. Artist R.L. Bleecker even added the accurate ‘ghost’ Cylon symbol on the starboard wing that was on the original filming model. It truly added to this fine replica.

This piece was given to my dear friend, and talented modeler, Marc Elkins on December 14, 2011. A few years later, it was taken apart and rebuilt by Marc, then giving it a new paint scheme. As far as I know, this V1 Studio Scale PYRO Cylon Raider replica resides in his collection today.

Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos…

Peace be unto you.

Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated

Photo of Kurt Kuhn with the 1978 “Pyro” Cylon Raider Replica

Model Information

Owner at Time of Posting: Marc Elkins

V1 “Pyro” Kit Master Artist: Mark Dickson

Build Artist: R.L. Bleecker

Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)

Kit Once Offered By: Jesse Meyers

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown

2020 Estimated Value: $2,000 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

Kurt Kuhn

KUHN GLOBAL INCORPORATED

USA

**

R.L. “Bob” Bleecker

USA

**

Marc Elkins

USA

**

ICONS Replicas

USA

**

Jim Key

CUSTOM REPLICAS

USA

**

Mark Dickson

USA

**

Jesse Meyers

USA

**

Mike Salzo

MSLZ22 Models

USA

**

22
Sep 07
-

Salzo V2 Studio Scale RED 3 (Biggs Darklighter)

When Mike Salzo released the V2 studio scale X-Wing, it was much different than the Captain Cardboard X-Wing, even though it was the Captain Cardboard version that was morphed by Mike to be the V2. It was beefier, and more like the Pyro models we viewed in Star Wars in 1977. To this point, most everyone would build either RED 5 (Luke’s), or RED 2 (Wedge)… so in 2007 I asked Richard Long to build this as RED 3… Biggs Darklighter’s X-Wing. This would complete the Death Star Trench Trio I had planned on displaying together. Richard did beautiful work capturing the green tints that are on RED 3…. which is the only filmed X-Wing model to have survived filming after Episode 6 was completed. All others were blown up for the films. As we did with RED 2, we placed a new cockpit with Biggs as it’s pilot, and placed the proper droid behind him. At this point in time…. we are the first to do so world-wide with these studio replicas. This piece now resides in Germany, and in the collection of Michael Keuhner.

Click HERE to View the V2 RED 2 X-Wing

Click HERE to View the V2 RED 5 X-Wing (Coming Soon)

Kurt Kuhn with the Studio Scale V2 RED 3 X-Wing

Model Information

Owner at Time of Posting: Michael Kuehner

Master Pattern Artist: Mike Salzo (From Scott Alexander’s Patterns)

Re-Build Artist: Richard Long

Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)

Parts Once Offered By: Mike Salzo of MSLZ22 Models

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown

2020 Estimated Value: $2,800 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

Kurt Kuhn

USA

**

Richard Long

USA

**

MSLZ22 MODELS

Mike Salzo

USA

**

Michael Kuehner

GERMANY

18
Sep 07
-

Salzo V2 Studio Scale RED 2 X-Wing (Wedge Antilles)

When Mike Salzo released the parts for the V-2 Studio Scale X-Wing, I was so completely excited that I purchased parts for 3 X-Wings from him immediately! I envisioned a trench scene large enough to have all three studio scale X-Wings within it. This diorama was also to have Vader (with his two Wing-men) in pursuit, and it was to be about 50 feet long, embedded into the floor of the display area that people may walk over it’s heavy glass top. At that time, Modeler Magic was to be opened in Las Vegas. Alas… 2008 was a tragic year on many levels for everyone… and this placed the Modeler Magic Gallery on hold. A few years before that time, Model Maker R.L. Bleecker was doing many amazing works for me, and he took on this beautiful V2 X-Wing. Robert made it the Wedge Antilles’ RED 2 X-Wing, replicating Wedge himself, and the droid that sat behind the actor in the full sized prop. When Mike Salzo created the parts for the V3 X-Wing, and I went crazy again… purchasing enough parts to make 6 of them to replicate the entire 1977 X-Wing lineup that resides here on display today. As Modeler Magic went into a holding pattern, I decided to end my vision of a floor entrenched TRENCH scene. Michael Kuehner contacted me in 2010 about wanting all three V2 studio scale X-Wings (what I call the TRENCH TRIO, and of which comprised of Red 2 (Wedge), Red 3 (Biggs) and Luke’s Red 5. I sold them to him on September 3, 2010. All three were supremely packed by a ‘white-glove’ shipper and shipped to Germany to go into Michael’s Collection. Disturbingly…. only two of them survived an International Customs Agency that became involved. Allow me to clarify this wrong-doing. One of the V2 Studio Scale X-Wings was unpacked, unwrapped, played with, destroyed (as if someone threw it into the air for it to crash on the ground), then all of the parts and packing materials were thrown back into the original container, taped up and sent on it’s way THREE MONTHS LATER when we finally identified where it was abused through a shipper investigation when it disappeared. I know… I made a run on sentence for sure.. LOL. Moving on… this was a huge disappointment for Michael and myself. Because it happened in the ‘grey’ area known as “Customs”, the shipping company no longer had control of the item and therefore we learned what happened in “Customs” stayed in “Customs”. Apparently the heavy insurance policy I had taken out on them for any issues that could arise no longer applied. Unfortunately International Customs Agencies are not held liable for anything that goes through their hands. A great loss was incurred and was very much felt.

In any case… R.L. Bleecker did wonderful work on this RED 2, and Michael has a few fantastic studio scale X-Wings in his Collection.

I photographed this Salzo V2 studio scale RED 2 directly after I received it. I showed them here on Modeler Magic back on January 8, 2009. This is basically a refresh of that original showing back then. This RED 2 was a pleasure to have in the collection, albeit a brief time, and it was a treat to photograph. I thank Robert Bleecker for his fine work, and Michael Kuehner for his patience during the Customs issue.

Enjoy the photos taken back in 2007!

Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated
Modelers Miniatures & Magic

Click HERE to View the V2 RED 3 X-Wing

Click HERE to View the V2 RED 5 X-Wing (Coming Soon)

Model Information

Owner at Time of Posting: Michael Kuehner

Master Pattern Artist: Mike Salzo (From Scott Alexander’s Patterns)

Re-Build Artist: R.L. Bleecker

Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn (Kuhn Global)

Parts Once Offered By: Mike Salzo of MSLZ22 Models

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown

2020 Estimated Value:$2,800 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

Kurt Kuhn

USA

**

Robert Leslie Bleecker

Montana, USA

**

MSLZ22 MODELS

Mike Salzo

USA

**

Michael Kuehner

GERMANY

03
Sep 07
-

1:350 (Over 25 Inch) Enterprise NX-01 Miniature Replica from Star Trek: ENTERPRISE

When Polar Lights came out with this fantastic kit in 2004, many were excited… including me. I wanted to make certain it received the best of care in it’s coming to life, so I called upon ILM model maker John Eblan. Working in his own shop at this time in Florida, The FX Company, John made this piece amazing. He placed hidden power inlets to allow me to photograph this model from it’s belly, or it’s top. For that matter… with this option, anyone could display this model hanging from above with lighting effects! This was also the first model I had seen with an actual key fob used as a remote to turn on the lighting effects John placed into it. Even the nacelle caps (Bussard Collectors) had the rotating lighting effect! I was able to finally photograph this beautiful model in 2007… which are the photos below. Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos!