It’s crazy time at QMx. Last week’s launch of the Kaylee maquette was our single most-successful product launch ever. Seriously, over three-quarters of the entire edition evaporated in the first 72 hours.
Meanwhile, we’re ramping up for what’s looking to be our biggest live event since we started going to cons – Creation Entertainment’s Serenity show in Burbank, Calif., November 22-23. We’ve got at least two (and possibly up to four) new product intros at the show along with several prop sessions and celebrity appearances – including Jane Espenson who will be signing copies of her Finding Serenity and Serenity Found books at our booth along with doing a session on writing Battlestar Galactica.
Fact is, we’ve got so much in the works for that show, it probably warrants it’s own post (note to self: write post on Creation show).
With so much happening right now, it’s easy for stuff to get lost in shuffle. Or perhaps I should say shuttle? Because we hit a major milestone in the Serenity replica project in the last week, and one that I think is well worth noting: The sculpt of the Serenity Shuttle is finished!
Wolvster declared them done last week and sent a box full of master casts down to The FX Company who are developing the paint masters even as we speak. If everything goes well, we should have photos of the first mastered units for you within a month. In fact, there’s a distinct possibility you’ll be able to see one of these lovelies fully pimped out at Creation. Just in case meeting Jane, seeing a bunch of as yet undisclosed new products and hearing Marian Call live isn’t enough to get you to beautiful downtown Burbank.
Here’s some pics of the shuttle master cast. Ain’t she purdy?
Wolvster has done a great job of consolidating the shuttle down to just three parts. And before you ask, the wings will not move in the final build – too easy to break resin this small and thin.
Underside of the shuttle – note both the intake and landing jets.
The, um. money shot. (Okay, I know, there’s a special place in Hell for people who make bad puns, too.)
Our shuttles don’t land on a dime, but they do stare down quarters pretty good (yes, I know, special Hell.)
Just, please, tell me that the final replica will have a separate shuttle as well as the docked ones. Please!!!!
Congratulations on the quick sale of so many Kaylees. She’ll be the Tickle Me Elmo of the Browncoats this holiday season.
That said, the shuttles are certainly a milestone indeed and I look forward to the color version with my usual fanatic enthusiasm.
Sweet! Will you consider making a run of shuttles to be sold separately? Just curious. And if so, could you, would you make them with the wings extended?
Nice work.
Very cool!
*can;t wait for my Kaylee Maquette*
That is great news on the Serenity Replica sculpts! We will be holding our collective breaths waiting to see pics of the masters. The shuttle looks fantastic. I’m always amazed at the amount of detail Wolvster can get on these tiny details. All the shots of the shuttle show the wings in flight mode. Will they be permanently in the stowed position and mounted to Serenity?
Dang it I wish I could make it to Creation
Temporarily
Jim in Nusco, Italy
All this talk of the Creation Con is making me sad…I can’t go!! But I’ll be very excited to read about the new products online (fingers crossed for more Blue Sun Travel posters…!). Great looking shuttles – I can’t wait to see the whole thing finished!
i love the work as always, but i’ll have to go with Sean there. will the wings be open or folded back as to dock those little water bugs?
Hey there Sean and John – The plan right now is to have one shuttle docked, and the other (Inara’s) to be “in flight”. So, you should have one with the wings closed and one with them open. That’s the plan, anyway.
Therese – Not sure, maybe? Kinda want to get the paint master done first.
But, I think there’s a definite, possible, likely chance to see one of the masters turn up as a prize in a future FFSW contest.
“The plan right now is to have one shuttle docked, and the other (Inara’s) to be “in flight”. So, you should have one with the wings closed and one with them open. ”
Really? I think it’d be better to have the non-Inara shuttle perma-docked, and have the Inara shuttle removable [with a wings out version incl. if they're too small to have working flip wings]. That way those that want their firefly looking ‘intact’ for interplanetary are happy, and those wanting a more diorama-esque atmospheric separation are happy, too.
BTW, have you discussed a ballpark figure of cost? I mean, with this crazy level of detail it’s likely to make my credit card wince in pain, so I’d like to have an idea of what I should put aside, or build towards.
Thanks! All the hard work is appreciated.
Nice article. Thanks.
Eugene
Hi Taurin -
Well, the reasons I’m leaning toward having Inara’s shuttle in flight is two-fold: As near as I can tell shuttle #! was only ever used once in Out of Gas, while Inara’s shuttle was always flying off for, um, client meetings.
The other more practical reason is Inara’s shuttle has more detailing in the decal design, and I want to show it off
I’m in aggrement with Taurin on this. I want my Firefly to have both shuttles with the wings folded, the Inara shuttle should be removable with a second Inara shuttle with the wings extended so I have the option to display it either way. Is there an estimate as to what this wonder will cost? I am on a limited (retiered)income, and will need to save up for this as it is a must have.
I’m not saying don’t have a removable, or wings extended, Inara shuttle. I’m looking forward to the one WITH your incredible decal design detail. I’m just suggesting that if the shuttle is too tiny for working flip-out wings, then there should be both a dockable [removable] folded-wing Inara shuttle and a wing extended Inara shuttle, so Serenity can either be displayed with two docked shuttles for interplanetary flight, or one docked shuttle, an empty shuttle dock, and a wings-extended, Inara shuttle off to visit a client. A non-removable shuttle 2 is a given. So; a clip-in [dockable] wings-folded Inara shuttle, and a wings extended Inara shuttle [assuming, because of the size, they can't be one and the same]. I hope that’s clearer.
Hi Taurin – No, I get what you’re sayin’ and it’s a good idea. We’ll take a look at what options we can include once we’re done with the master build.
As for pricing, we’re just not far enough along in the development process to guess at prices. And I’d rather give you no info than bad info on an issue as important as price.
Thanks!
Having two version of an Inara shuttle would be great but could add a level of complexity when you consider the extending docking clamps. QMx would probably have to add a mechanism that the dock able Inara shuttle would have to clip into then slide in. The whole thing is probably too tiny to make that work without being very breakable. With the sculpts complete and molds made, it may be too late at this point.
jim in Italy
It’s cool you got the ISV Cerberus t-shirt out. Thanks!
However, I’m still wondering if you are going to put out the FFSW t-shirt that was discussed here in the past.
You know, with the blue circle and the FFSW logo, etc. on the front, and the Firefly wireframe and specs on the back, both in the cool glowing blue like on the site, on a black T-shirt or hoodie?
I still one (or more) of those.
Looking Cool!
The wonderful products on QMX are of the finest quality, I have bought the new T-shirts, 12th Cav. patches, Replica Pistol, Battle of Serenity bumper sticker, Bank money, Ship Papers, and finally Serenity Blue Prints.
Never in my life have I seen such attention to detail, and accuracy in my life. I am a fan, and I have been rewarded with the finest fan items you can find.
Thank you for the continuing memories….Harold Lewis