Sending outerspace in to Cairo

Challenge: For a new science and technology museum in Cairo, Egypt, Masterpiece Models was hired by Nick Proach Models to build two space-themed models. The first, a 1/12 scale replica of a NASA shuttle cockpit, required intricate detail sculpting of the crew members and on-board electronics.

The second, a 1/4 scale replica of a Boeing 601 communication satellite, put the team's interpretive vision to the test when recreating this highly guarded piece of equipment.

Solution: Using the above images as their references, Masterpiece Models translated the satellite into three dimensions. "When you’re looking at one angle, you know what shapes are going to do in 3-dimensions after you’ve been building models for a while," John Geigle said. "You train yourself to forget how these complex things work and just break it down to colors and shapes."

An interior shot of the Model cockpit

All the pieces were sculpted or made from custom molds. Taking a simple-but-effective approach to the solar panels, Masterpiece Models printed decals that mimicked the play of light off actual solar cells.


The shuttle not only had to mimic detail in small scale, it also needed astronaut figures to give life to the model. Masterpiece Models used a trick of taking an existing action figure and breaking it into parts that can then be cast and used to mold new figures in different shapes. The clothes and faces of the astronauts were all hand sculpted. "Even though the resulting figures look nothing like the original, it's a great way to save time and keep things in proportion," John Geigle said.



Result: The museum is still in development, but Masterpiece Models has already been in contact with the Exhibits Director about possibly making other space-related models. Many thanks to Nick Proach Models and Design Craftsmen, who recommended Masterpiece Models.