I had shown the studio scale Cylon Raider “Pyro” version that had become a kit soon after Jim Key and Mark Dickson had released it. This one shown here today was patterned by artist Mike Salzo to be more like the “Hero” model that we viewed in the series and film. There are differences that you will view in another post placing them side by side.
Artist R.L. Bleecker was again behind how this piece turned out. He did wonderful work.
This piece has a 2016 Modeler Magic appraised value of $2,500 USD
Kuhn Global “Hero” Cylon Raider Blue Screen Photos by Kurt Kuhn
This beautiful model was patterned by artist Tobias Rubom, then built by artist R.L. Bleecker, whom did a fantastic job. Every detail was carefully replicated. Artist Dan Grumeretz made the pilot figures exact to the originals used in filming.
As you can see I took as many angles and lighting effects as I thought would be good to allow for use. That stated, after I initially released these blue screen shots, Star Wars artist Chris Trevas contacted me to use them for a poster he was doing for Star Wars Celebration for Lucasfilm. I will show that poster soon in another posting. On the poster, it showed us looking over the shoulder of Boba Fett as the Millennium Falcon was escorted into Cloud City. The Cloud Cars seen in that official poster are taken from these photos.
The reason this Cloud Car is labeled #1 is due to this being the first we had shown, and the first that was ever known to have been replicated. There are now many that have these in their own collections, with kit makers making own releases from time to time in different sizes.
Pardon my look in this, I was taking blue screen photos of these models so much, that I decided never to wear the same hate twice, so I wore my beanie I picked up in Scotland!
This piece would eventually be shown in the collection of Hector Rosales in the USA.
This piece has a 2016 Modeler Magic appraised value of $3,500 USD
Mastered by artist Richard Long, this was the very first replica of this model in a larger size, and was to scale with the Polar Lights USS Enterprise Refit kit. The paint was replicated as close as possible with the reference available (as new reference is always showing up). Notice the spot lights on the engine housing that light up the Klingon symbol on the hull’s wing area. For it’s size… this is masterful. This was Richard Longs’s 1/350 K’Tinga Kit Cast # 001.
This piece has a 2016 Modeler Magic appraised value of $4,000 USD
Pictured above: Kurt Kuhn used this model to recreate the Klingon Opening Battle Scene from Star Trek The Motion Picture.
The Boba Fett Helmet is one prop that stands out as a ‘grail’ item for many… including me. This helmet is premium, and is hard to find by this company. They did a fantastic job re-creating that “look” of the original filming prop. Even the targeting bar swivels down to reveal a lit targeting screen with flashing lights. Of the 1500 that were produced world-wide, this is number 171. In most cases, if a Boba Fett helmet replica is offered in the art form, it is most likely re-cast from the original Master Replicas helmet. It is that good. Of course, many prop collectors out there will disagree on this, but it is usually the one people turn to when they want this helmet design.
This beast was made for the very first kit patterned by Michael Miles Artistry. He was in contact with Producer Tom DeSanto during it’s development which I funded. I ended up getting a few casts from it, albeit not as many as I had paid for. Unfortunately, with unknown circumstance, there were many that did not get their orders fulfilled by MMA. Of the 3 casts I received, one I gave to R.L. Bleecker (whom then gave one to his friend), and then built one for himself. This one you see here is #001 and was built by artist Dave Martis. In speaking with Tom DeSanto about the Battlestar Film he and Brian Singer are planning, (as we were discussing of making a 12 foot updated Galactica model for the film), I went ahead and sent Tom this model, which he keeps in his office today.
This piece has a 2018 Modeler Magic appraised value of $2,500 USD
BELOW: A Composite created utilizing my Blue Screen Photos by the artist RIDER
This Mk II Colonial Viper is 1:20 scale, and was built and painted by artist R.L. Bleecker from the FM Model Company kit (Frank Cerney and Moeslund Mortensen). Being that there were no physical models made for the 2003 re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, it was up to someone to develop a pattern and sell the kit. Frank and Moe did just that. R.L. “Bob” Bleecker did an amazing job replicating the CG model, as you can see from the comparison photo below. Of course that is me again in the photo during the model shoot.
This piece has a 2020 Modeler Magic appraised value of $1,200 USD
Photo of Kurt Kuhn with the MkII Viper Model
One of the ZOIC renders of the actual Viper used in Battlestar Galactica
What color are TIE Fighter’s? This has been a question asked by many, and argued by many more. After all… in 1977’s Star Wars, they appeared to be GREY! Yet in The Empire Strikes Back, they appeared BLUE! Original Star Wars Artist Lorne Peterson answers…. “They are BLUE!”. We proved this by taking a few shots back in 2006 of the studio scale TIE Fighter under different lighting conditions. We must remember that Star Wars was innovative in many ways, including cinematography. They shot the models against blue screen backdrops just as I do today, but technology improved along the way. I lit an area the models were placed under with bright blue lighting, giving the ever present white lighting we view in Star Wars for all their space scenes. As I did so, the TIE Fighter’s blue color washed out before my eyes, making the model appear grey. Amazing! For me to actually show the TIE Fighter’s in their natural blue, I changed to a warmer color lighting, and in doing so, there they were in their beautiful ESB looking blue color. These two were made from the NICE-N Model Designs first generation offering, and built by famed R.L. Bleecker. They are beautiful to view in person. One of these now resides in Hong Kong, in the collection of Richard Sung.
Below: Kurt Kuhn with two Studio Scale TIE Fighters
The 32 inch (Studio Scale) Millennium Falcon – Harrison Ford Signature Edition. One of the most known models in the Star Wars universe of fandom. When Master Replicas announced they were going to release a replica to the public, it was thought it could not be done due to the many parts involved, as well as it’s immense size. Partnering up with Frank Cerney, Morten Moeslund, and Jason Eaton, Master Replicas was able to reproduce (with close accuracy) this famous model. This now resides in Hong Kong, in the Richard Sung Collection.
This piece, in the edition it is, has a 2018 Modeler Magic appraised value of $15,000 USD
Photo of Kurt Kuhn with the Master Replicas Millennium Falcon
Randy Cooper is well known in the industry as an outstanding model and prop maker for many films we have viewed. When he patterned this Tantive, I was all over it! This piece was built by R.L. Bleecker, and even utilized by Lucasfilm when they asked me to take a specific blue screen photo angle of it, in very specific lighting. They would use my photo to create a painting by Chris Trevas that would end up being a Star Wars TOPPS Card. Fantastic!
Above:Kurt Kuhn with the 27″ Cooper Blockade Runner (Tantive IV)
Model Information
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Build Artist: R.L. Bleecker
Kit Offered By: Randy Cooper Models
Kit Pattern Work: Randy Cooper
~Hours Vested to Final Display:200
Total Vested Cost: $1,800 USD
Current Estimated Value: $2,000 USD
Current Appraised Value: $2,000 USD
Below:Chris Trevas initial sketch for the TOPPS Card
Below:The Kuhn Global Blue Screen Photo Chris Trevas requested, and utilized for the TOPPS Card
This Romulan Warbird was the first replica attempt I has ever seen. Made by New York artist Michael Provenzano, we took quick photos of this model, and had issue with keeping reflection off of it’s surface. Michael donated this piece. It is quite nice. Michael did a great job with the complex shape of this model’s hull design.
This piece has a 2016 Modeler Magic appraised value of $4,000 USD
Photo of Kurt Kuhn with the Provenzano made Romulan Warbird
