Mars Odyssey transporter E.P. - scale 1/225

Based on a painting by the outstanding artist Peter Elson (1947–1998)—*A Martian Odyssey*—this was an opportunity to create a model that would be out of the ordinary...

The scale chosen was 1/225, which was closest to the size of the craft...

The goal isn't to recreate it down to the last detail, but to draw inspiration from the illustration...

The Revell "Luchs" kit is perfect for getting started on the base model. The model will have eight wheels instead of six!

First things first, the upper section: given the model’s appearance, I decided to reverse the upper section—moving it from the back to the front on the base chassis. This leaves the engine compartment open, allowing me to create an exit ramp for the vehicles stored inside...

Much of the hull has been sanded down, including the driver's turret and the holes cut out to accommodate the crew's hemispheres. The bases are from the “Millennium Falcon”; their details allow for a realistic simulation of the rigging and equipment. The masts come from various parts in the surplus box...

The lower section: The chassis is built exactly as shown in the assembly plan. However, the interior will be modified; the central aisle is reserved for the crew, while most of the space is set aside for the cargo hold. Here again, parts from the surplus box will be used to add details, including photo-etched floors. The rear section—reserved for the engine—will not be detailed...

A view showing the ramp unfolding to unload vehicles...

Painting the crew quarters with Humbrol 65...

...Dry-brush with white and paint the cargo hold with 31...

We'll continue working on the details of the upper section. Two openings are cut out at the front...

Painting the inside of the hull...

The figurines

Figures from the Preiser brand, designed for "Z" scale trains, will be used to enhance the scenery...

Orange-red for deck and response personnel, green for technical and command personnel...

Painting/Interiors

Finishing the interior painting with Umbra-based washes and placing the figures...

Installing and gluing the inverted hull to the frame...
Filling in the imperfections will result in a smooth, perfect hull...
The next step is to "cover" the sides, using the drawing as a guide. We use plastic strips from Evergreen...
"The bodywork" is finished. Many details are being added to the masts and the hull...

Details of the masts and the main radar platform...
Various vehicles will be added to the scene, including the "Spacebus" and the "loader"...

Painting

Applying white acrylic spray paint to the model...

Humbrol Base: 70 - 178 British Scarlett - 60...

Black for the frame and wheels...

La maquette est terminée, prête à être collée sur son socle...

Vehicles

The various vehicles and accessories created to enhance the set. The large half-spheres are made from packaging materials, and the small ones from airplane canopies...

Le tracteur d'exploration, peinture terminée...

The exploration tractor—paint job complete...

The wheels will be painted with earth-toned pastel powder and matte black brushed paint to make the rubber stand out...
The floor is simple, made using standard techniques—plaster, render, white glue...

Here, an acrylic-painted background was added to match the painter's original work, and the floor was also repainted...