Updated: October 15, 2005

CUSTOMIZED POLAR LIGHTS LOST IN SPACE ROBOT BY GEMINI MODEL BUILD-UP STUDIOS:

The Aurora Lost In Space Robot produced during the run of the series was reissued by Polar Lights. While the chest section was re-sculpted when it was included in their original Dr. Smith & B-9 Robot kit, some of the original inaccuracies still exist. By using the reissue of the original 1968 Aurora model and adding the new chest piece with some of my own modifications, I have built one which more closely resembles the Robot used in color episodes of the series.

MODIFICATIONS & DETAILING:

Bubble, Neck & Collar When I first looked at photos of the original Aurora Robot, I immediately noticed that the biggest inaccuracy was the flexible stem which connects the bubble. The original kit part is cone shaped. I sawed this off and attached an appropriately sized piece of ribbed plastic rod. The inside of the bubble was painted silver and detailed with dry transfer dots and dashes to simulate the “mechanical brain”. 3 small yellow colored pinheads were cut and glued to the top of this part to recreate the inner workings of the bubble. The “ears” were painted the proper color on one side and silver on the other.

TORSO:

With the detailing of the chest plate already taken care of, the torso was painted in silver automotive paint and a clear top coat added. I decided I did not care for the pose of the arms so I cut them to the proper length to retract them. When these were puttied and sanded the arms were painted automotive gunmetal and drybrushed with a lighter shade to add some highlight. The claws were not the same size and improperly shaped and angles so these were cut and sanded and then filed. After painting them a gloss red, the claws were attached. I discarded the lightening bolt. The chest plate was airbrushed gunmetal and all round and square buttons hand detailed the correct color using transparent acrylic paint. I chose not to paint the voice box.

LEGS & TREAD SECTION:

The legs and tread section were built straight from the box. After assembly, sanding and puttying were completed, the piece was airbrushed silver and then masked and the leg bellows were painted the same color as the arms. The bottom of the tread section was subtly weathered with pastels and sealed with clear top coat to simulate dust and sand. The treads were painted, applied and then drybrushed in dark gray.

BASE:

The rocky base was painted in several reddish earth tones using Apple Barrel acrylics with darker washes and lighter drybrushed shades.

ORDER INFORMATION:

The cost of this project is $200.00 (not including kit) plus shipping. Paint scheme for 1st season Robot is also available. For any comments or questions regarding this or any other project, please e-mail me at geminibuildups@aol.com or visit the website at: www.geminibuildupstudios.com