Masterpiece Models

Replacement Tailights for Classic Cars

Jo — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:51:42 +0000

New 1960 Chrysler New Yorker tail lights for a Custom Car

The Problem

Our friend Al Worley brought us an interesting problem to solve, a set of badly worn tail lights from his very custom Chrysler new yorker.

Notice the Crazing

The Solution

After receiving the lenses we were able to determine that most of the crazing was internal on the lenses. We were able to create a clear putty using

melted acrylic to fill in a crack in one lens, once that cured we cleaned and polished the lenses. Once the lenses were ready we created temporary molds and cast them out of a clear red tinted urethane.

The Result

Two exact replicas of the original taillights and a very happy customer.

Look at that smiling face

Dashboard for the consumer electronics show

admi — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Challenge
Our friends at Bay Area Exhibits, called us and asked if we could make a dash board,
that could highlight a product for their customer’s electronics. This was for the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas.
They sent us this image and asked if we could replicate this as a tactile display, and stay within a specific budget and short lead time.
Solution
In order to stay within their budget and time line we suggested that we get a used modern dashboard.

We took images of several dashboards from a local wrecking yard the Customer decided on the 2005 Honda minivan dash. By using an existing dashboard it solved several engineering, fabrication and timing issues.

Result
The result came out to a very compact lightweight display that the end user could mount their
electronics into. The final result of this project is Masterpiece Models was able to create a display that was within the customers budget and very short timeline. We received notice from the customer that the display was well received and their show was very successful.

The next time your company has a need for a fast turn around advertising display please consider Masterpiece Models for all of your exhibit needs.

Aircraft Carrier for the Quatar Museum Authority

admi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:27:00 +0000

Last April the Artist Khalil Rabah Commissioned Masterpiece Models to fabricate an 11′ long version of a Nimitz Class aircraft Carrier. His vision was to turn an aircraft carrier into a farm that produces Strawberry’s and tomatoes representing his country’s farming plight. It was an interesting project that brought several interpretative and cultural obstacles that had be solved.
At masterpiece Models we were able to bridge the language barrier and provide the customer with the realization of his artistic vision.

According to the Palestinian Museum of Natural History
“Model of a military aircraft carrier transformed into a farm and factory for tomato-paste and strawberry jam. The shape of the carrier resembles that of the Gaza strip, where restrictions apply to the export of local-grown tomatoes and strawberries. A huge oil painting depicting an advertisement for this ship-turned-factory hangs in the background. On supermarket shelves, jam-jars and tomato-paste cans are on display for the viewer to take“

This model took approximately 90 working days to build out of formed styrene plastic and cast resin. Our creative team was able to create this masterpiece within the budget and timeline set forth by the client.

International space Station for the Kansas Cosmosphere

admi — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000

in Early 2011 we were contracted by the Kansas cosmosphere to fabricate a 1/48th scale replica of the International space Station this was an interesting build due to the fact the Space Station is ever changing. The final model was almost 9′ across it now hangs proudly in their Museum.

New Mini Castle for the National Park Service

admi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:03:02 +0000

Our friends at Formations asked Masterpiece Models to create a scale replica of Castle Williams as it looked when it was completed in 1811. This is for a larger exhibit at theGovernors Island national Park. The model was created using historical data and images of the fort as it looks today. Since the model was largely round our team was able to make sections of which were sent to our Casting Department to be cast out of a urethane resin. This model will be sitting outside for most of the summer months and will be be tactile, so it had to be made to take abuse from the sun and people. Overall this project came out beautifully and our customer is very pleased with the outcome. We would like to give special thanks to Rick Lawler, Ric Keen and Bruce Bowman for their craftsmanship on this project, and of course our casting team that spent hours and hours casting up the parts of this magnificent replica.

High Flying Displays The M.O.S.T

admi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:10:26 +0000

Masterpiece Models certainly kicked off the new year with a BANG with the completion of a number of very large, and impressive displays. The centerpiece(s) of the project were a interactive F16 fighter jet operated from the controls of a full sized cockpit along with a 36 foot Atlas V rocket.

A big “well done” to our project manager Bob for wading though stacks of circuit boards and endless wires in making a truly remarkable F16 interactive experience. From the full sized cockpit the customer will be able to control the plane….turning, climbing, banking…..wheels down….it’s all there to enjoy. Other features of the display include back-lit cockpit gauges, laser cross-hairs on the HUD, engine sound, simulated thrust through the use of LED’s – and perhaps the most comfortable ejector seat one could hope for. (Thanks to Ed.)

Atlas Rocket at the MOST

F16 at the MOST

Across our parking lot in building “A” work simultaneously was proceeding on our Largest Model to date – a 36ft replica of the Atlas V Rocket. For nearly 5 months our “Rawket Men” (Ben, Alex, and Matt) worked their larger than life magic turning ordinary materials into this centerpiece display.

As with the F16 this rocket is loaded with extra features. The boosters are all fitted with LED clusters that are synchronized with an internal sound system that really can shake the foundation around you. 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 ….. Lift Off!

Load ‘em up, move ‘em out!

When our projects are ready to ship it is always an important day for us…the long hours of research and building have finally come to fruition with a final product to be proud of.

Sometimes, however, getting our projects to the customer can be as big a project as the models themselves. A project of this size required a “all hands on deck” effort as the entire staff of Masterpiece Models chipped in to help load the project into the rear of a semi truck headed for it’s destination some 3000 miles away.

Today everything goes according to plan – even the weather had decided to cooperate. With the help of a hi-lift and some strong backs the projects are loaded onto the truck.

18′ LA Class Submarine – US Submarine Force Museum

admi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:16:08 +0000

Masterpiece Models responded to a request for quote from the US Navy to quote on an 18′ long replica of a Los Angles class attack sub cutaway model. This model is to replace an aging model that is already in the US Submarine Force Museumin Groton CT. Since this Submarine is still in active duty finding blueprints was a bit of
trouble. after scouring the internet and being turned down by the Navy. We found the blueprints in the most unlikely of places, an RC Boat Newsgroup. considering the blueprints are supposed to be Top Secret.

The models construction is out of 1/8″ styrene sheet formed over urethane foam plugs. The hull sections are then glued together creating the overall shape.

The images below represent the progress of the interior decks and bulkheads. Just an FYI: this post is for the gang at the Subcommittee Message boards please visit the Subcommitte it is a great site for anything and everything related to Submarines.

We are now on the final stretch of the LA Class Submarine for the US NAVY Submarine Force Museum. We will be shipping the model on February 13th for arrival on the 18th of February.

Due to a lack of information on the still classified sub. We can only guess at what
the sub really looks like inside. We did have some interior images but budget constraints only allowed us to place so much detail

Aft of the periscopes

Back up diesel engines the empty space above will be the galley and ward rooms

Reactor Room

Maneuvering Room

Captains Quarters

Crew Bunks

Forward Part of the Main Engine Room

Rick working away

Special thanks to Bob, Ed, Ric, Don, Bruce and Rick for the effort put forth on this project

That Freedom Might Live New introductory price

admi — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:57:00 +0000

THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE

To Honor those Heroes that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country
and our freedom, Masterpiece Models presents the Soldiers Cross. A portion of each sale will be donated to one of the following organizations of your choice. Please specify your charity of choice at check out. Intrepid Fallen heroes Fund, Fisher House Foundation, Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans.

You can order at this link THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE

New Mini Castle for the National Park Service

admi — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Our friends at Formations asked Masterpiece Models to create a scale replica of Castle Williams as it looked when it was completed in 1811. This is for a larger exhibit at the Governors Island national Park. The model was created using historical data and images of the fort as it looks today. Since the model was largely round our team was able to make sections of which were sent to our Casting Department to be cast out of a urethane resin. This model will be sitting outside for most of the summer months and will be be tactile, so it had to be made to take abuse from the sun and people. Overall this project came out beautifully and our customer is very pleased with the outcome. We would like to give special thanks to Rick Lawler, Ric Keen and Bruce Bowman for their craftsmanship on this project, and of course our casting team that spent hours and hours casting up the parts of this magnificent replica.

Castle Williams Governors Island National Park

Sustainable Energy House for Clackamas County

admi — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Michael Piper of Clackamas County Asked Masterpiece Models to create a replica of an energy efficient home. This model depicts a Home built in the 1970′s and a home built today showing the comparisons of how framing and insulation has advanced in the last 40 years. This model was completed in 30 working days by our team lead by Rick lawler.