Well, in a way. The Proxima
Centauri kit is designed to represent the first ever ship
to explore beyond our solar system. Her mission is to
travel to our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, and
to see if there are any habitable planets there.
The "history"
part? Well, the story behind this ship and this mission
is that it all took place in the PAST for the current members
of the United Solar Planetary Federation, as depicted
in so many of our other futuristic kits (check'em out,
there's an exciting back-story to many of them in the universe
of the USPF).
This historic mission is being
celebrated on the 200th anniversary of her launch from earth
orbit with a crew of 83 officers, scientist and other crew.
Her discovery of habitable planets,
establishment of the first colony and the mysterious loss of 20 of
the crew on the fateful return mission.
Discover
the true beginnings of what becomes the largest political union of
races in the known galaxy! The faltering steps towards
independence as we explore the outer reaches of near space on our
quest to spread knowledge and add diversity to our lives!
Fly
the Proxima Centauri!
The Proxima Centauri kit
features:
Large balsa nose cone
Balsa tube adapter (transition)
4 plastic rod details
Large fins
Large sheet of colorful water
slide decals!
Standing nearly 3 feet tall, the
Proxima Centauri is a must for any enthusiast of future
possibilities and the idea that we not only WILL go out there, we
MUST go out there!
Create your own universe,
adventures and explorations as you build and fly the "future
historic" vessel, the Proxima Centauri!
Enjoy
the short photo album below. Click on a thumbnail image to
bring up a full size picture in this frame. Use your
browsers BACK button to return to this page.
Graphic
of the final version of the Proxima Centauri kit, made
during product development.
Photo
of the front and back of the first kits off of the
production line!
Figure
9 from the assembly instructions showing the unique engine
mount used for this kit
Mounting
of the large fins (cut from a template) in this kit shows
how they contour into the engine mount shrouds for a very
interesting look.
Laser
cut details (fin flairs) decorate the forward part of the
lower tube and act as anchor points for the plastic rods
that sweep up to the fin tips.
Tony
Vincent, CMASS, did me the honor of building a BEAUTIFUL
show version of the Proxima Centauri using all of the
actual kit parts. This is the actual model used as
the photo subject found on the kit cover art. A
simply beautiful job of assembly, finish and decal
application. Thank you Tony!
Photo by Tony Vincent.
These
next 4 shots show the Proxima Centauri from all 4
sides. This series can serve as an aid in placing
decals (NOTE: A fully detail decal placement sheet is
included with the kit instructions)
Photo by Tony Vincent.
Side
2 of 4
Photo by Tony Vincent.
Side
3 of 4
Photo by Tony Vincent.
Side
4 of 4
Photo by Tony Vincent.
Close
up of the mid-body decal detail. This is the
"Communications Module".
Photo by Tony Vincent.
Close
up of the Fin Flair area near the lower (balsa)
transition.
