So as part of my background research into all things UFO SHADO Mobile and Moonbase Defence Vehicle related I discovered that a number of the parts & decals used on the original Mobile tracked vehicles studio models used in the series came from model kits of the time (late 1960's) - The Moonbase Defence Vehicle didn't appear to have any markings on it whatsoever..?
1/40 scale Honest John Rocket Launcher by Life-Like or Adams
1/24 scale Gemini Capsule by Revell
1/40 scale Tillie-the-Toiler Anti-aircraft gun by Life-Like or Adams
1/40 scale Scissors Bridge & M-48 Tank Launcher by Revell
1/24 scale James Bond Autogyro by Airfix
1/21 scale Long Tom by Tamiya
1/72 scale B29 Superfortress by Airfix
1/72 scale Scammel Tank Transporter by Airfix
1/32 scale H-43b Huskie helicopter by Testors
Faller B-255
Now as the 3D printer kit of the Mobile vehicle I have ordered will incorporate the vast majority of the hard details as part of the print then my attention was drawn to sourcing the decals used, which as can be seen from the diagram were sourced from a number of the kits listed above.
After many weeks of research I eventually stumbled across a web site called "JBOT Decals" (
www.jbot.ca) which appeared to have a complete decal sheet for all the various Mobile vehicle variants used in the TV show in various scales including Studio scale. However on closer investigation I discovered that the web site was no longer trading as the owner (Jim Botaitis) of the site and the creator of all the decals listed had unfortunately retired due to ill-health back in 2018.
So as a firm believer in the old adage "if you don't ask you dont get" I reached out to Jim to see if I could purchase the art work....well to cut a long story short I was very grateful when he agreed to my proposal and I have now the rights to reproduce the studio scale UFO SHADO Mobile decals. By the way although Jim doesn't operate commercially any longer he does still produce as a pastime a large number of high quality blueprints of mostly Sci-Fi vessels which are available for free download (although a small donation wouldn't go amiss), so if you are a Star Trek or Star Wars fan I strongly encourage you to have a look as they are truly stunning pieces of art in their own right.
Now all I need to do is find a decal printer that can produce white decals...although I may be able to use lining tape or mask and paint some of simpler lines.
There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but once there the view is pretty much the same.
