Buck Rogers STARFIGHTER Monogram Model Kit Building & Customizing

[@Gentleman_Jester]

Best space fighter design ever! 40 years old and it still looks so cool. The only thing that even comes close is the original Colonial Viper.

[@robgonzo]

Both designed by Ralph McQuarrie I believe.

[@survivaloptions4999]

Ralph is a very distant cousin on my mom's side. I guess sci-fi is in our blood. I'm also super fond of the F302 from Stargate SG1.

[@dewapd1169]

Star Blazers 2199 Cosmo Falcons are badass!! So are the Cosmo Tiger 2's

[@dannyr2976]

I love, LOVE the BRIT25thC Starfighter design. Simply STUNNING!!!

[@kenmcclain1499]

The Viper is my favorite.

[@ito2791]

I loved watching this as a kid. Seeing this model kit, I believe this starfighter design still holds up today.

[@modeler5]

Agree!😁👍✨

[@blackc1479]

Excellent job all around, especially the dingying up, makes it feel so much more realistic

[@luigivincenz3843]

SAME. My kids love it. Got the entire 2 seasons and Gil Gerard is underrated. The Starfighter IMHO, better than the Viper. Man, I never forgot how hot Pamela hensley (Ardala) and Erin Grey were. No wonder my uncles back then went back into the room when Ardala appears during those episodes.

[@johnmince6311]

The Thunderfighter and the Hatchetfighter designs still hold up today. Pure genius!

[@mikesacklyn2372]

The best part of this build is the cost to buy one of these acient kits is in the hundreds of dollars IF you can find one for sale. Our guy here just tears right into it the way it should be built....bravo!

[@modeler5]

😁👍✨

[@Chrsly]

and boy were the results worth it

[@VulpisFoxfire]

This is one those kits that you want to see someone duplicate with a 3D printer.

[@mikem67]

I wish that kit would be released again. Really nice for its age.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Probably one of the most beloved Sci-Fi space-aero fighter designs of all time. It would not look out of place in any other sci-fi setting with other franchises.

[@modeler5]

Yes, definitely!😊👍

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@modeler5 lovely work, I especially liked how you mat blacked the body to bring out the panel lines and weathering effects.

[@glenmaxwell3465]

Fantastic series this deserves a proper reboot

[@just_another_brick_in_the_wall]

Denzel would be Buck Rogers and some kween would be Wilma ... Twiki would sing rap all day long. No , better leave it alone.

[@juangalton999]

I'm tired of reboots. Let's just use it as inspiration and make something new

[@bruthamann5697]

Negative. We are tired of reboots.

[@luigivincenz3843]

Leave it alone. Gil Gerard was an underrated leading man for a series back then. I re-watched it again with my kids. Kids loved it. No, I did not watch it just to see / reminisce Erin Grey in her skin tight space suit. No sirree (whistling)

[@davidhill1268]

Just my opinion, but I think this is the best designed starfighter ever

[@glrasshopper]

The Thunderfighter is certainly in the top 3 coolest designs for me, even if it is utterly impractical (heat, fuel, center of gravity, etc). FYI, The Viper MKII, and the Starfury are the other ones on my top list.

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

The Thunderfighter! Ralph McQuarrie's prototype for the Starhound Viper! Glen Larson loved it so much, he revived it and gave it to Buck! 🚀🚀🚀

[@c4blew]

That´s why I always wanted a BSG-Buck Rogers crossover. Instead of visiting earth in our timeline, as in the show, it would´ve been so much more believable if the Galactica had arrived at the earth of the Buck Rogers timeline!

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

@@c4blew - There are many who feel the same way! (I would still have liked to have seen Troy & Dillon introduced at some point though.) Just imagine those Vipers and Thunderfighters in formation!

[@williamripke982]

Completely immersed in this from beginning to end. Fantastic job. Skill off the charts. Inspirational as well. Keep up the great work 💯💪

[@modeler5]

Thank you so much!😊✨

[@rhavenscraftingcorner7625]

That looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! You did a FNATASTIC JOB on this project!

[@modeler5]

Thanks!😁✌️✨

[@Chilly_Billy]

This model is a bit worn compared to the clean examples seen in the show, but I like it greatly nonetheless. I think this is what the ship would look like after re-entering the atmosphere for landing. It's a beautiful model.

[@jimbrust486]

I agree with others here way more realistic versus what was on the show. Great looking!

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😊

[@marcosoliveira8731]

Beautiful piece! Love you channel .

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😁✨

[@WatchingTrainsGoBy-PassingTime]

This is one of the best paints I've eer seen an a model. Quite often people over do it and despite there being so much weathering on this model, it's done to perfection.

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😁✨

[@ChoneyNation]

What a great build, loved the show as a kid

[@garysprandel1817]

Wish YT allowed photo posting to show my build. Finally got around to building some of the someday closet kits and the Thunderfighter had sat waiting since 18ish year old me picked it up at the local Kmart back when it was new. I did end up taking the time and used some bits of styrene to fix the " space La Z Boy " cockpit to look a lot more like the actual seen on TV cockpit as well as did the gun barrels and nose gear. Since I scanned the 40 plus year old decals just in case I added some no step warnings, a DANGER ION STREAM warnings for the lower pylons and a Captain William " Buck " Rogers for the lower canopy edge as well as a few more " realistic " touches like adding nav and landing lights in appropriate locations. Did weather it a bit but lighter except around the drive pod exhaust,some chipping on edges and soot around the gun ports. Funny thing was posting WIP photos and being asked if I knew the kit was going for about 400 bucks these days....oh well bought it to build it.

[@modeler5]

Wow! You seem to have done a lot of customizing and detailing👍 I think many others would be interested in seeing your model too so if you manage to post it online somewhere, please do share the link😁👍

[@davidbuffum4887]

Awesome job. I watched this on tv when it came out and built the same model but mine looked no where as good as yours. I wish I had your talent.

[@modeler5]

Thanks!😊✨

[@viceroy7792]

Super Nice!! I love this ship - this is the best weathering job I have ever seen on a Buck Roger's Starfighter. Excellent.

[@modeler5]

Thank you!!😁✨

[@langdolin]

I loved the show when I was a kid. This reminds me of those times. Thanks. Now I want the kit.

[@m1a1hm]

I know how you feel.

[@Chilly_Billy]

Be prepared to pay quite a bit for one.

[@stuartconnelly5397]

I had the die cast toy. Airwolf was another great series.

[@modeler5]

Thanks for watching! I bought this kit long time ago and nowadays these old kits are becoming rare and has become pricey but hopefully you will be able to find one with a reasonable price😊

[@Mithranos]

I built this model but forgot until this video. Thanks and good work.

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😁✨

[@ralphlyons8020]

Just found your channel. Nice build. Can’t believe how much that kit is going for. I enjoy watching others techniques. I’ll go watch some more of your videos. Thanks!

[@irish3335]

I have a junk kit version of this fighter I want to build, great motivation yours is the best version I have seen so far! Well done thanks for sharing

[@modeler5]

Thank you! Good luck building the kit😁👍

[@gstealer11]

Those opening shots are fantastic!

[@RainerNSR7]

Excellent work and music well done 👍

[@masterod1]

Very nice build. Love it. Thank you for sharing.

[@Bob-b7x6v]

Way to make an ancient dog do amazing tricks

[@modeler5]

😂😂😂

[@barryf7253]

There are lots of cool looking space ships from the sci fi shows of TV and film. The Buck Rogers starfighter is one.

[@doubleheadedeagle6769]

Looks like the shooting model. Amazing.

[@diyfireking]

As always a masterpiece ✨✨

[@ncc17701a]

Great work!

[@GatchamanG4]

Beautiful build! ❤👍

[@modeler5]

Thanks!😁✨

[@ScaleAutoGarage]

I remember building this one as kit and thinking it was so huge! It is a big kit even looking at it now. And that stand, so pointy! haha. Great work. Thanks for the memories.

[@modeler5]

Thanks for watching!😁✨

[@SMDoktorPepper]

The Draconian Raider was a cool kit too

[@MrAlystor]

Great job I love it

[@sleeplessknight99]

Nice! Good job on this model of the Star Wars Expanded Universe I-7 Howlrunner. 😉

[@paulharris7660]

One of the best ship designs, along with the bsg viper and not forgetting the B5 star fury

[@terrytraylor874]

Need to see more from this era. Great build.

[@modeler5]

Thanks! My next video will definitely be a kit from the same era so please stay tuned!😁

[@colonelklink53]

Excellent work and video!!

[@m1a1hm]

Awesome work!!

[@survivaloptions4999]

In the mid 80s this kit was re-released in black resin and labeled "stealth fighter" with USAF decals. The F117 Nighthawk had been operational since 1983 but was not made public until 1988, so it was anyone's guess what an actual stealth fighter looked like.

[@starsiegeplayer]

Looks nice. I think I would like building one of these if the surviving kits weren't so darn expensive.

[@SkyrayModels]

Great work.

[@scifiguy26]

Nice 👍🏾 you brought life to that old model kit

[@gpgpgpgp1000]

For such a cheesy (and cheesecake) show, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century had two of the coolest starfighter designs. I have built each, and would build different variants if the kits weren't so expensive and rare.

[@LoPigs-q8e]

congratulations! i've been modeling for years, but watching your video brought me back to the essence of modeling. comparing it to that of the "professionals," with tweezers, wacky accessories, pre and post shading, photoetching, 0.2 tip and 3.5 bar pressure and other such crap you can tell that this is what real modeling is. in their videos they just try to sell their sponsors' products and not share a model. bravo, keep it up. subscribed

[@modeler5]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for your compliment and thanks for subscribing😁🙌✨

[@MrFrackme123]

OUTSTANDING!!!

[@dbenci2071]

Nice, round2 needs to re run that kit.

[@rebelsatcloudnine]

This was a very interesting video, I really enjoyed watching the weathering process as it produced a very interesting and unique effects. Thanks for making this video :) This is one of the kits I'm hoping will come back onto the market one day as it looks like a lot of fun to build.

[@modeler5]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed. Definitely was fun to build 😁👍

[@mattylovin1]

I wish they’d release this kit again

[@MartinFutter70]

Stunning job

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😁✨

[@stop619]

Nice work! I leaned a lot, thank you.

[@millenniumf1138]

Man, I really want to build this fighter! It's too bad the prices for one still in box are so outrageous. I hope Revell re-releases it someday with new decals and possibly a better cockpit.

[@juantio4895]

I discover your chanel, and congratulations for a great talent, great results and very beatifull, detailed an cinematographic work, looks like real film. i follow your chanel!!! my best from Peru!!!!!

[@modeler5]

Thanks so much for your kind words and thanks for subscribing all the way from Peru!😁✨

[@karenburns3516]

Keep up work like this your channel should just grow and grow.❤

[@modeler5]

Thanks for your support😁👍✨

[@youownittakeit]

Great job, wow!

[@Bob-b7x6v]

Twiki: Now that's a Thunder Fighter. Biki-biki-biki...

[@MrAlubenco]

😮 👍!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@modeler5]

Thanks for watching!!😁✨

[@MrAlubenco]

@@modeler5 my man it's my pleasure!

[@MarkGreen-uy9em]

Nice job mate. 😊

[@justinthorsson]

nice very nice,what i want to know is why monogram had never re released this would it be due to licensing costs?

[@christopherpeterson7695]

Twiki is diggin' this.

[@Belzediel]

Nice build. Only thing, it's weathered for a used world aesthetic. The BR20C universe is really clean. Personal taste and all that. Might look too toy-like if it were painted to studio I guess. Either way, nice build.

[@modeler5]

Thanks!

[@crazyeddie2221]

I remember watching Buck Rogers on the telly many moons ago, always had a thing for the Princess and Colonel Deering. Really like your model, extremely well done :)

[@modeler5]

Thank you!😁

[@rickbase833]

Every 13 year old like myself did.

[@chichiboypumpi]

Ralph's design is good the cockpit looks better than any of the rebel fighters' in SW.

[@Bob-b7x6v]

You put more work into those bright ID bands than the rest of the paint job... 😵‍💫

[@modeler5]

😂…just had to get those colors perfect!

[@VulpisFoxfire]

The all-black color scheme reminds me of an old Estes model rocket kit, the Blackhawk starfighter...which was basically the Buck Rogers Starfighter, but with two long body tubes and standard nosecones instead of the BE one's conical engines.

[@modeler5]

Interesting!😀👍

[@VulpisFoxfire]

@@modeler5 Yeah, too bad Estes has given up on nearly all of the *interesting* model designs they used to have, and just do variations on the basic missle-style 'body tube, nose and fins' anymore. And of course, back in the day it was..Centauri, I think it was that did an actual Thunderfighter and a Maruader kit. You can (or at least could) find plans of those and the Blackhawk online on retro model rocket sites, but I haven't checked in a while.

[@awclark3]

Dang, I thought snow speeder in Star Wars looked familiar. The just repainted Buck Rogers.

[@jorgeveliz721]

awesome!!!!!

[@mossadon]

Maaaaaan.....i want one of these kits ! Someone needs to license it and bring it back. Even a Limited Edition. ...then i'd hold THIS build as THE standard by which to paint it. DaaaAAAAAAam i'm a lil Jeremy Jealous over here !

[@bizkubis]

I miss childhood

[@MGB-learning]

Great video

[@vfxtutswithdan1893]

I think I built this model kit as a kid many decades ago, but it didn't come out looking like this.

[@SamHain-o4l]

Thoughts on if could fly ?

[@thekeepgames]

Love to see you list the tools you use, such as the glue. Looks like Tamiya, but you have put dye in it?

[@modeler5]

For the dark colored glue I’m using a black color fluid type glue such as Mr. Cement SPB from Creos. It will be easier to see if the glue has filled the gaps when using this kind of dark glue👍

[@IHRZGHKIP]

Why can't Revell re-release this kit? It would sell. Same goes for the Gunstar from "The Last Starfighter". How has that never been a model kit?

[@TryptychUK]

Fantastic paint job. What is the tip you use on the Dremel to wear away the edges?

[@modeler5]

Thanks!😁 I’m using a ceramic tile drill bit.

[@TryptychUK]

@@modeler5 I must get one!

[@NealStandley]

Watched the series from beginning to end, yeah I'm probably showing my age

[@PlasticCrackCollectibles]

very kool

[@maxbrandt6]

Where on earth did you find a completely unbuilt Buck Rogers Thunderfighter kit?! These are as rare as a hen's tooth and very expensive. Well, you did an awesome job on it!

[@modeler5]

I’ve been collecting these old kits since long long time ago and they were definitely not as rare or pricey as now! Bought most of them off auction sites here in Japan🙂

[@maxbrandt6]

@@modeler5 I find that fascinating.

[@GenVirtu]

If I remember correctly, Glenn Larson who produced Battlestar Galactica, this ship was supposed to be the colonial Viper. But the OG viper was designed that won. Which was iconic. Since Glenn Larson also produced Buck Rodgers, he reuse this ship for for that show.

[@modeler5]

Yes, interesting fact! Didn’t know until someone mentioned that in the comments here😊👍

[@doctor49152]

yes, the two forward prongs were supposed the like the fangs of a viper.

[@IntergalacticDustBunny]

I read somewhere that the Buck Rogers Starfighter was an unused concept for the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper, but I'm not sure where I read it, or if it's actually true. Regardless, excellent build.

[@modeler5]

Thanks!😊 And yes, some has mentioned that too in the comments here regarding the Colonial Viper & Starfighter “connection”👍

[@tydra74]

superb

[@vger9084]

Can you imagine this fighter battling the Cylons instead of the Viper in Battlestar Galactica.

[@chrisolsen5280]

So to do this model and send it to Texas would cost $200+model cost+shipping? 30000yen? If that's the case, I may be interested in that if I can find one of the models! (Edit: Your Klingon ship looks nice!! I would love a Model of the Miranda!) 007's car/sub looks great also and the "Alvin" type submersible!

[@modeler5]

Thanks! This Starfighter model will take a lot of time to build & paint so I will not be able to build for sell at the moment😌

[@chichiboypumpi]

They've adopted the used-universe in that show, too bad the 2nd season wasn't as good.

[@N2mesnob]

I'm no pro so I wish their was some audio to explain certain things. Like I was always told to paint after everything is assembled. And what was in that bottle, looked like he was using super thin paint to seal the edges as a way to glue everything together.

[@modeler5]

If I did the audio it would be in Japanese though (as I cannot speak English that fluently)…so might not be much of a help and it will take too much time to translate everything into English so sorry about the no audio. But for my future videos I will try to add more text explanations👍 For the content of the bottle, if you see me using it after putting together the parts to seal them, it is a fluid type glue.

[@N2mesnob]

@@modeler5 no worries the video was fine and your work looks awesome. I am just too inexperienced to know certain things about paint and I want to get better. If I am understanding you and before not after you put pieces together and you place the glue on the seams and not between the pieces?

[@modeler5]

@N2mesnob Thanks!😊 And that’s correct. I’m using a fluid type glue which basically runs like water (and not like gel) so the glue will pour into the seam gaps and seal them together. I use it after joining the parts and not before - this is the way to use this kind of glue👍

[@N2mesnob]

@@modeler5 does that hold stronger than putting it in between? Does it not cause runs? I would think it would cause strikes you would have to sand later. My other concern is also if the pieces had gap and getting it on my fingers leaving fingerprints from holding it. You're probably good to the point you don't worry about that though.

[@modeler5]

@N2mesnob It’s not like it’s stronger but it’s a matter of convenience. It’s faster and easier to glue it that way and this glue is really thin and dries up quickly so you don’t have to worry about it running all over the place or getting your fingerprints on it. But I usually weather at the end so it will all get covered anyway. You’ll get hold of it after using it a few times🙂

[@henryhall975]

Looks like that starwars space ship in rise of Skywalker…

[@sonosoloio]

a long time ago they produced kits with fantastic subjects like this, as well as the starfury from babylon 5 and many others and now nothing, they are currently impossible to find unless you want to pay their weight in gold 😭

[@modeler5]

Exactly! 😣

[@Sierra-Golf-19]

Interesting Fact that you may not know. The Buck Rogers Starfighter was originally designed as The Colonial Viper for Battlestar Galactica. However it was rejected in favour of the Viper we all know today. It has since been resurrected into Battlestar Galactica as the Kobolian Taipan anti capital ship fighter in the Video Game Battlestar Galactica Deadlock.

[@modeler5]

Very interesting😃 Didn’t know about all those facts. Thanks for sharing😊👍✨

[@danieldemattosgoncalves1702]

Linda!

[@rolandgiroszasz163]

💯👍💥

[@modeler5]

😁🙌✨

[@galberlimacosta388]

Escala???

[@modeler5]

This is a non scale model kit…the length after built is 28.5 cm / 11.2 inches.

[@mothygryphon9111]

Dude. I totally wouldve broken shit taking the masking off. Lol.

[@modeler5]

😅

[@carljhirst]

It looks so mean, that it should be on the wrong side. I remember his buddy Hawk. The Talons of his ship ripped through it, killing his wife.

[@jimi71smw]

someone has a lot of money to buy that old kit, they don't go cheap on ebay these days

[@modeler5]

Bought mine long long time ago…after checking ebay since you mentioned, so glad I made that choice way back then😅

[@mikepeterson9362]

Soooo, black streaks across the long axis of the ship? In space? Where there's no air to cause streaks? Yeah John Dykstra didn't do that, and there's a reason . But you are definitely talented, I gotta give you that.

[@modeler5]

I don’t try to make these kit exactly as shown in the shows. There are already many people making these kits like that so I want to make something different. You’re like those who are criticizing and saying that Starwars have it all wrong as there shouldn’t be that kind of explosions in space where there are no air. That wouldn’t be fun. In my opinion I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to make these kits. I understand those who want to make these kits exactly as shown in the shows but I think it is very narrow minded to think that is the only correct way to make it or everything should be subjected to physical law. We should be able to express our work freely otherwise it would be a boring world and art would not exist. When making his movies, John Dykstra has received a lot of criticism like yours based on all kind of ‘logic’ as well and I’m sure he felt horrible. I am purposely making those black lines and adding lots of weathering. I don’t think my work is perfect either as there are still many other different ways to color and build these kits. I just want to show others that there are different ways to make and paint these kits. There are some that leave comments like you - it shouldn’t be this dirty, there shouldn’t be that kind of scratch or rust etc, and I usually ignore them but this time I just want to say that you can have your opinion but to think that you’re correct and I’m wrong is very narrow minded and that your kind of thinking will make the model kit hobby world very small and boring and make the model kit manufacturers go bankrupt. In my opinion everyone can make and paint these kits however they want as that’s where all the fun is. I’m a big fan of sci-fi and I’m not doing this out of ignorance, I know what I’m doing. If everything is done based on logic there will be no fun and no one should decide that that is the only correct way.

[@modeler5]

@TheSighphiguy For my opinion, you can read my reply to the original comment.

[@mikepeterson9362]

@@modeler5 Well, I absolutely agree with you. One of the best things about model building is that there's a ton of freedom to build what you like. There's an artistic latitude to it that I find incredibly liberating -- no two kits ever come out the same. That's why I've been building for 50 years. The difference between you an me though, is that I'm not trying to make money on KZbin doing it. So I hope you'll forgive me when I say that I didn't need your permission to have an opinion of your work. You literally make money from my comments and I make nothing from yours. So as long as you're here, that's the way of things and I'm good with it. Sound good?

[@modeler5]

@mikepeterson9362 Never said you need my permission to express your opinion though, but anyway…50 years of model building, sounds like a real veteran modeler, impressive👍

[@Bob-b7x6v]

So. Much. Tape...

[@Richardbillig-zn3zc]

Prefect design for TIN MEtal .two large Jews top toy Horizontal Parrel between pilot cockpit. The Tin top boil water no radioactive waste. The lobestone help Tin top spin faster. The heat is absorb by Lobestone . The Lobestone have Copper coil wires surround by Aluminum to release heat and light. The Tin top has in top a top a steel freezer . Snow and ice inside freezer to make An Aurora .there is a Genartor on top of closed Freezer. engines are lay Horizontal barrel aside to Cockpit.The two points in front of engine can let in good radiowaves radiation. Thank you Buck Rogers cast and crew. Thank you for sharing. I have no money to pay. I offer by Sharing my fate. God faith help me walk .

[@MindsMouth]

Snow speeder 🙄🙄🙄

[@zarander]

I'm ashamed as a sci fi fan of 40yrs I don't know what this is.......

[@modeler5]

Nevertheless, the design of this ship is really cool, wouldn’t you agree?😊

[@dangeary2134]

Don’t be ashamed. It’s before your time…. This came out in the 70s.