Studio Scale GALACTICA build- Australia

NOTE: NBC Universal Television Group granted gratis use license for the Theme from Battlestar Galactica: Saga of a Star World", Composed and Conducted by Stu Phillips and Performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
Term: 20 Years from September 20, 2011 through September 20, 2021
Territory: Worldwide
This is a non profit hobby video. No copyright infringement intended, video for entertainment and showcasing my almost 14 year project!
Here it is, eleven years of blood, sweat, tears and an empty wallet and STILL not completed! I've put this little movie together for fun and as a thank you to all of my friends worldwide who have been involved in my project in some way or another. I couldn't have done it without you guys. Thanks, your kindness and generosity!
Mike, Australia

[@terrywest111]

This is the Galactica I grew up with! This is waaaaaaaaaay better looking than the more recent version.

[@richardmoloney689]

I'm the same as you. However, when I watched the mini series it blew my mind. Different times, my friend. I love both models.

[@MrSFSTUDIOS]

Agreed! This one always reminded me of a crocodile.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks so much for the kind words guys. There is a studio scale kit for the Base Star available but be prepared to pay for exacting detail. Buildups shown at the RPF and Resin Illuminati. The new Raider was the late Cricket, my little construction supervisor.:( And yes, that is the Falcon in there, sent by a friend who builds large star destroyer models! Simon, maybe sometime we can get the four Aussie Battlestar models together in the same room for a photo shoot. That would be E P I C !

[@carlosallende2595]

Oh yes please, make that happen. I can't believe that you're just over the border in SA, I'd love to meet you some time I'm over visiting my Mother in her nursing home. Battlestar Galactica is easily my favourite film, watched it way more times than Star Wars (I love the original three of those too), I've probably watched BSG TOS more times even than Richard Hatch, I'm just a tragic for BSG. When I first watched Lloyd Bridges as a kid I was furious that he (as Commander Cain) undermined Adama, and only realised recently how much of a hero he actually was, The Pegasus was another awesome ship and crew. Some of my favourite Galactica crew, (after Apollo and Starbuck) were Flight Sergeant Jolly, and Boomer, everything would have fallen apart were it not for those two characters. I have tried to track info on the guy that played Jolly, but nothing much available, last I found out he was a cleaning contractor, but I don't know how true that is! I still see the original "Boomer" on the odd TV shows. I truly am blown away with the scale and effort of the work that you have dedicated to this project, and even more, that you're another Aussie havin a crack. Unber-flipping-lievable!

[@briansaxby5357]

​@@carlosallende2595 I believe that the person who played Jolly has passed away

[@carlosallende2595]

@@briansaxby5357 Too sad when our favourites depart!

[@alcd6333]

In the original novel by Glen Larson, Galactica was supposed to be as large as a planet. They scaled it down to be about the size of a city - still very impressive for a star-ship. Your model is fantastic, very intricately detailed. I agree with the comments saying it should be used in a new feature film, and possibly even a series.

[@LastBattlestar]

Wow, thank you all for the kind comments. I haven't looked at them for quite a while and I really appreciate your words. Galactica still not finished but has undergone more reworking to a much higher and more accurate standard. probably 90% done now, lighting is next on the list. This video badly needs an update! The Original Battlestar Galactica Models group on Facebook is a good place to belp start a project or simply see all the fantastic pics and info from the old show that people contribute. Cheers!

[@ablemagawitch]

Still in 2010, when you @LastBattlestar #LastBattlestar uploaded this , you would in 8 yarns ,or in Earthling speak that 8 years, later, you'ld have 56,694 views and only 3 left on that music license? I hope NBC Universal Television Group extended that license indefinitely, and and are very impressed with your work. Great Job on this build and details over the years. Let alone the technology from when you started to now, is amazing for led advancements and ability to insert multicolored leds that can be programmed to chase, flash and act as each individual light....

[@AngryMarine-il6ej]

Dude...that is a 'frakkin' awesome job. Even my model making skill couldn't match that.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks guys, it took a while but the video is back up! My grateful thanks to original series composer Stu Phillips and Shelli Hill from NBC Universal for taking the time to personally respond to my requests and helping me to show the video once again. Both great people. So say we all! Mike

[@tbrunner23]

Absolutely amazing and proves my point that CGI can’t come anywhere close to the realism than the real thing! Thanks for sharing!

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks and you're welcome. Part 2 shows a huge improvement on the model.🙂

[@WiseMagus]

had a small chuckle when I saw the Millenium Falcon sitting on the hanger deck. Love it!

[@ablemagawitch]

There Two Falcons...Star War's fan head explodes, then references deep cannon that such ships where built as a series at one time. So then the cannon timeline and their head in restored in space and time. For those too impatient to watch it all see kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnfWi5Jpd6-haKcm24s Still in 2010, when you @LastBattlestar #LastBattlestar uploaded this , you would in 8 yarns ,or in Earthling speak that 8 years, later, you'ld have 56,694 views and only 3 left on that music license? I hope NBC Universal Television Group extended that license indefinitely, and and are very impressed with your work. Great Job on this build and details over the years. Let alone the technology from when you started to now, is amazing for led advancements and ability to insert multicolored leds that can be programmed to chase, flash and act as each individual light....

[@Name-ps9fx]

All the best series/genres embrace crossovers. 👍🏼😌

[@Bill23799]

Australian for : " Supersize it mate " You guys have done a fantastic job. This beautiful Battlestar deserves to be used for filming exteriors as part of some great Battlestar Galactica fanmade film.

[@TheRetroShed]

Stunning work there! Always loved the design of the Battlestar’s.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks! Check out my channel for a major rebuild video.

[@gunplanut]

Incredible, over a decade of work. Always wanted to make my own ship from a wood and plastic base with parts taken from tank, ship and aircraft parts. I have to hand it to you; this is how they made all the classic ships from the 70's.

[@WalterDWormack214]

It really does my heart good to see that there are shiprights out there who are diligently keeping the the Galactica alive. If Commander Adama, had you guys on his side, the rag-tag fleet could've taken back the colonies!

[@nicholasdickens2801]

WOW! That is just... I'm speechless. Fantastic. Brilliant job.

[@jimfrazzitta4218]

Brilliant job! From this veteran Galactican, I thank you for your efforts. It does my heart good to see this. Your work captures the essence of the Battlestar Galactica down to its most minute details. I believe this calls for a toast of ambrosia!

[@TK0332]

Beyond total AWSOME !!!!! I have always been more the Star Wars, lets just say uber geek. But my first and all time favorite ship will be the Galactica. Total respect to your art and time.

[@FatHead1979]

Wow - Amazing work! Now, time to watch part 2 of the build/rebuild!

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks, it gets better.😀

[@Starbuckin]

Absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! You are one gifted and dedicated man! She's BEAUTIFUL, MAJESTIC, and otherwise beyond words! The detail is breathtaking! I can hardly wait to see some (HD) screenclips of this baby!

[@ZENITH-tr8xy]

Gotta say thought the original one looked way cooler than the newest version of it, way to go guys.

[@thomasjoseph5876]

This is pretty cool. I have been trying, off and on for the better part of a decade to find a life-sized Colonial Viper that a guy built in the early 1980s in a suburb of Minneapolis. It was very detailed and even had a 350 v-8 Chevy engine in it so he could literally "drive it" around. It lit up, had the Colonial Viper sound effects, and drove (very slow speed because the wheel system was under the landing pads). It did everything but fly. The guy built it from a copy of plans he bought at a movie memorabilia shop in Hollywood that were used to build the life-sized Colonial Vipers on the tv show. He died 20-30 years or so ago and I talked with his kids but they claim to not know what happened to it. I think they had it hauled off for scrap after he died because they hated that he built stuff like this because people called him crazy and they felt it reflected onto them as well. I do know others came looking for it and offered crazy amounts of money to buy it but it was already gone by then. One of the people that came looking for it was Richard Hatch who played Apollo on the tv show. This guy had also built several cars from movies and tv including the original Bat Car, the Munsters Jalopy, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and several more. He would drive some of them to local town parades. I wish I could at least have gotten hold of the blueprints he had for the Colonial Viper. Mysteriously, his house which was packed full of stuff (hoarder), burnt down 3 days after his funeral and his kids sold the land off shortly after that. Now it is a big housing development.

[@LastBattlestar]

Wow, that's an interesting story, thanks for sharing. I've seen a pic of a wheeled Viper, pretty cool!

[@nickstavrakas2629]

I still remember the first time I saw this on that Sunday night back in September 1978.

[@jamesbetteridge211]

Seeing that ship build, along with that music, brings a tear to the eye. Well Done!!

[@mematron]

This is a thing of beauty. Even from the first 3 pictures at the start of the video, I could tell that you had captured the essence of the show and movie magic.

[@TacoSpock]

AWESOME! As a model builder going back to the mid 1970's (and a teen watching original BG...) I recognize quite a few Tamiya parts on your build. This must be close to original scale as I presume they too used model kits from the day to build their filming model. At any rate, I know how hard it is just to put a 1/35th kit together, let alone research something like this and replicate it by hand. My hat is off to you sir!

[@mikecrabtree8200]

Very VERY well done. A lot of heart and soul went in to that, it’s easy to see. The attention to detail is amazing.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks, a lot of blood sweat and tears in it, literally!

[@ryandaveking]

@LastBattlestar, thanks for the info on the original studio model's website. I wish there were more info about how it was acquired and where it's been for all these years. I think it's a great idea and I'm very excited to see your new video of your model as it looks today. As much as I love the montage from this video's collection of pics, I would love to see you upload an actual video of your ship with lots of details being told(narrated) by you as you pan slowly across the whole ship. That an

[@LastBattlestar]

@nbit69 Hey, thanks for the kind comments! I don't have any real deadline for the build. It's actually been set back a few years as I rebuild and re-detail major sections more accurately as reference images of the original ship have become available. I guess that's what models are all about: the enjoyment is the build time itself....Feel free to check out the build thread at Resin Illuminati, but be prepared for a LONG read! Cheers, Mike

[@mr.mittenimort2533]

Heroes for my childhood heart. Greets from Germany.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thankyou and G'day from Australia!🙂

[@carstenkoloc5226]

Battlestar Australia.👍👍🥁🚀🚀Great Model-Scale

[@danielsinclair1368]

You did a brilliant job thank you for showing your beautiful ship I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT BATTLESTAR GALACTICA the music and everything ... I used to have blue prints to the GALACTICA AND THE COLONIAL VIPER A LONG TIME AGO IM GOING TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE

[@blackterminal]

I absolutely love this. Well done and thanks for appropriate music

[@charlesmorgan7219]

This is the best battlestar model i have ever seen...save the studio original...and this is coming from a fellow scratch model builder. An A1 top notch build...bravo guys.

[@LastBattlestar]

Well, I do have a studio scale Cylon Raider and Colonial Movers shown at Resin Illuminati, so I'm getting there! Hopefully a Galactica shuttle soon. You can also check out my large Moldy Crow, Aliens APC and B wing models there too :) The original Galactica 'miniature' has been restored along with various other studio models. You can see them at battlebuck dotcom. Thanks for the comments! Mike

[@LastBattlestar]

@darkmuppetmaster Thanks mate. You'll never know what you can achieve until you try! This is my first major build and I've learned a LOT along the way. Don't think about it or worry about where to put it when finished, they are just excuses to keep us from building our dreams. Just go for it! Mike

[@gammaechofoundationproductions]

Hey, awesome job, there buddy! I admire your tenacity and persistence on this project. I can't wait to see it finish! Also, I like the shot with the parakeet, it's a nice touch. :)

[@vikj1255]

Wow, just wow. This got the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Always Loved this ship. And your level of detail! How?

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks! The detail matches the model kit parts used on the original. There are others who did far more research and spent money in the effort to correctly ID it all. It's ongoing after 20 plus years.

[@LastBattlestar]

If you check my part two video, I took it all up another notch and did it right.😀

[@leonlionheart5927]

You are insane.... But we need such guys. FANTASTIC WORK!!! Speachless...

[@raymondgerlach3148]

That's amazing. I also loved the Milinium Falcon on the landing deck. Overall, beautiful. 💝🎆🎇😀

[@ThomasGrillo]

Extremely well done. Thanks for showing the battlestar build to us.

[@ryandaveking]

Amazing, impressive, majestic achievement. It's about the perfect size not only for working on but mostly for displaying when completed. This work of art/passion deserves to be in a museum or better, in my house. I wouldn't be at all surprised if once completed that you could get upwards of $15000 for it at auction. Makes me wonder when the show wrapped up what became of the original studio model. Congrats on the top quality job you did with it and thanks for sharing this montage.

[@mactuna]

One great piece you have made!!! I wish I can have a look at your master pieace. I'm also in Australia on the Gold Coast and love making models like you do.

[@LastBattlestar]

@subron6er Thanks mate, a lot of us in our generation were really inspired by the skills of the old school movie model makers in the 70s and 80s. I don't think there has been such a paradigm shift since to inspire younger generations? Maybe CGI, but it ain't the same as seeing a large scale model in person. I'd love to see your builds- please drop in at Resin Illuminati and show us what you are building! Mike

[@pablobianchi7464]

The Best...congratulations...👏👏👏

[@DaytonB67]

This is far more than just impressive. It goes well beyond the boundaries of a simple hobby, let alone that of a passion. It's beyond all of that. It's a life's work in progress. A true masterpiece. All I can think of at the moment is "wow!". May I ask how many kits you had to bash for all the details? And of course... how much does it weigh? What will you do with it once it's finally complete to your satisfaction? - if ever... Again... wow...

[@anthonystark3959]

Fascinating....just fascinating

[@renegadebiker24]

Greetings from the state of Arkansas in the USA. Battlestar Galactica was my favorite show during my childhood as well. You are extremely talented. I now collect the eaglemoss replicas from that show, and even have the original show on DVD, that I got from Amazon. GREAT JOB!!! Have you ever thought about making it in to a remote controlled vehicle?

[@stevenblount5113]

OMG, what a gorgeous model! I've been building models since I was a wee one, but I can't even imagine how difficult this project was for you. Kudos, man! Very nice video -- thank you for sharing with us!

[@ray24051]

Wow that is dedication I've heard that its a small club, the number of people that have made studio scale Galacticas awesome job.

[@jcwoodman5285]

Brilliant!🤗

[@genisonkobe]

The work of a lifetime. A dream come true! Congratulations!!!!

[@jamessommer6077]

Absolutely amazing,what a beautiful build.

[@festalongreyhawkshorts4sho645]

Great job! I built one that was 4 foot long, but used crappy materials & hot glue & it fell apart after 2 years😞. Lol.

[@LastBattlestar]

I originally built a 4 footer also. But then the accuracy bug bit and I had to build it right and do the old girl justice!

[@subseeker]

Thing of beauty! Thanks for sharing!

[@scifieric]

Outstanding work!

[@StojaKostajnica]

HEAVEN! AWESOME. I'm speachless. Please show the final stage!!!!

[@LastBattlestar]

Absolutely!

[@guardian1326]

It is truly a thing of love and beauty.

[@richardmoloney689]

This is serious. Brilliant. A work of genius

[@pablobianchi7464]

Majestuosa y poderosa...fuerte y protectora....muestro hogar en el espacio..y finalmente encontramos el planeta tierra..

[@SS-cv6lq]

Try to build that now with the current price of models. Time for the 3d printers. Nice work, a giant undertaking to say the least.

[@LastBattlestar]

I purchased and made hundreds of resin kit part castings for this. Yes, it would be serious dollars to use all original model kit parts! Watch the part 2 video on my channel for big upgrades!

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

Hell of a build!

[@LastBattlestar]

Thankyou Jason. Part 2 on my channel is even better.🙂

[@kevinmkraft]

Holy crap!!! This is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks mate, be sure to check out part 2 on my channel. Big improvements!

[@kevinmkraft]

@@LastBattlestar Hard to believe you could improve on such breathtaking work, but I'll check it out! Thanks!

[@rogeriodearaujobonito6377]

Superb work !

[@DistantEarlyWarning611]

That is absolutely SIIIIICKKK!!!!! (in a real good way) I love it! Incredible detail! I gotta see the end result.

[@harveyprince3628]

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL !!!

[@SansP3ur]

You have me on the edge of my seat with geek-inspired excitement ... Have you finished it yet?!?

[@LastBattlestar]

@nosajj12345 The Galactica was supposed to be a mile long, but the scale fits a nautical mile much better. The model is approx 1/960 scale. Thanks for looking! Mike

[@Lt.Mingus69]

Dear lord this is awesome.

[@LastBattlestar]

Thanks! Part 2 is better!😀

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

The original ship looks so much better than the commercially available model (which of course I own!) and the new design from the reboot on SciFi.

[@subron6er]

That is really neat, I just started something similar on the motion picture Enterprise, hope to have it finished in a few years,, It will be a 6' model.. Like you I grew up with this stuff, now 48 I am a dedicated large scale model building freak,, Sci Fi that is... very nice. Steeljaws game room 2 ,, Jeff.

[@ralphreinhardt6020]

Awesome job!!!

[@darkmuppetmaster]

@LastBattlestar WOW...fantastic model sir... thanks for posting the vid... I've been looking for years to get my hands on some accurate blueprints but can't seem to find any anywhere. Your skill and determinate is inspiring, I can't wait to start building mine although I don't expect it to be half as good as yours.

[@modeler308]

I did a six foot version using the 17.5" Monogram model as a pattern. No lighting but I still made GOOD money on it when sold. I MAY have to do another one,...after I finish my 6ft Star Trek USS Enterprise. (original series 1701)

[@planetamikel]

Wow, is a monster, I like it.

[@mcsdaver]

Amazing work. I am sured your R2 will look just as amazing.

[@LastBattlestar]

@DMaustrap Ha ha, launch that bird indeed! We lost my little shipyard construction manager, Cricket, not long ago and I miss not having her around to supervise the build. :( But thanks guys, your kind comments really make my day! Mike

[@LastBattlestar]

@spacemouse1 The support armature is square aluminium (or alooominum for the US folk :)) tube, miranti timber frame for the main body section, MDF for the engine box walls and 2mm styrene sheet bulkheads in the head and landing bays. Simple, cheap and easily workable materials. The model is relatively light for it's size.

[@LastBattlestar]

@DMaustrap Ha ha, launch that bird indeed! We lost my little shipyard costruction manager, Cricket, not long ago and I miss not having her around to supervise the build. :( But thanks guys, your kind coments really make my day! Mike

[@PropStrike]

So..... when are you getting started on the other 220 ships in the civilian fleet? :)

[@LastBattlestar]

I do have a highly accurate studio scale Colonial Movers ship built as well. 95% done, do I ever finish anything?😀

[@WalterDWormack214]

You must have made a lot of shopping trips to Japan! I recently learned from watching KZbin.com videos on scale modeling in Japan, that one can go to certain hobby stores, and find plastic model kit parts, from various hobby kits, literally just sitting in bins as spare parts!

[@msh6865]

Amazing, just fantastic. Truly a work of art. Very well done.

[@915nabi]

you should be in hollywood working at a special effect company if you have skills like this. Awesome mate. Awesome!

[@wesmander]

Wow , awesome work dude , bet you got through a ton of plastic kits in you’re build !

[@LastBattlestar]

You don't want to know...😀

[@blockmasterscott]

Wow, I cannot stress enough just how I am impressed with what you did. I'm serious, that model is awesome.

[@LastBattlestar]

@915nabi Thanks for the kind comment. A pity effects have gone nearly completely computer generated these days. All that development and it still looks fake....I guess I'm from the Star Wars generation, we were blown away by this sort of thing as kids and now have the ability to recreate it for ourselves. I know plenty of other dedicated modellers keeping the tradition alive. Grow up but NEVER grow old!:) Mike

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Much as CGI has advanced filmmaking. If and when that BG movie gets going, THIS is the model that ought to be used for filming against a green screen. Or scanned even into a computer for a digital replica (yet still film the movie's SFX with the model however) and what have you. If only i had the space in my house for a model like that? oh baby.

[@lothean2099]

I hated this video. Made me so jealous. Couldn't stand to watch how beautiful that ship is. Damn you.

[@billmatthews2463]

That parakeet: is that the "Great Bird of the Galaxy" they spoke about in Star Trek?

[@LastBattlestar]

Hah, hah, that was Cricket, RIP.😀

[@LastBattlestar]

Hah, it has been in progress for some time! Charles Adams (star-art) at studio scale modelers dot com can supply you with blueprints. They have been over a decade of research- mine was built from an early version of his and Jim Creveling's, the builder of the first completed Gal replica a decade ago. Detailing is from studying 100s of pics of the original model, resin kit part casting and purchasing dozens of model kits to match the greeblie detail done way back in 1978!

[@mactuna]

@LastBattlestar HAHAHA, Millenium Falcon!! Ibuilt quite few of them uot of plastic sheets few years back. Love them.

[@thomasgrillo4673]

Enjoyed the look at your in progress shots. Thanks. Keep up the great works!.

[@MrStarfighter14]

Jaw dropping amazing job!!!

[@rrzackman6672]

It’s funny that at the start of this video the sound track you use is Also the sound track of the start of a tv show from England called UFO but still a very cool build 👍

[@lunhil12]

Incredible, monumental.

[@florentfloby9994]

verry good job congratulation

[@wraith01mg]

blown away! trully amazing.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

With just the hint of the oboes i was excited

[@manmonkee]

AARGH the Giant Deadly Space Budgie!!!, seriously, great model.

[@isfj1009]

Just awesome!!! Awesome!

[@rendolfh.7849]

Amazing! You should make an 3D scan and sell that, so others can print it out on a 3D printer. Would love to build one that way.

[@tydra74]

AWSOME MASTERPIECE... respect

[@sithlordwerewolf]

FANTASTIC!!!!

[@LastBattlestar]

@915nabi Thanks for the kind comment. A pity SFX have gone nearly completely CGI these days. All that development and it still looks fake....I guess I'm from the Star Wars generation, we were blown away by this sort of thing as kids and now have the ability to recreate it for ourselves. I know plenty of other dedicated modellers keeping the tradition alive. Grow up but NEVER grow old!:) Mike

[@LastBattlestar]

Hah, FINALLY someone noticed the Falcon parked in there! :)