Moebius Models 1/350 The Derelict Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

In the October 1997, the Robison family launched from Earth in the Jupiter 2 to reach Alpha Centauri, but their robot had been sabotaged and shortly after departure, it sent the Jupiter 2 into the unknown. So opened Lost in Space, a new space adventure television series that premiered one full season before the Star Trek. In the second episode of that first season, the Jupiter 2 encountered an unknown spacecraft much larger than theirs that appeared lifeless until the hangar bay opened and pulled the Jupiter 2 inside. That episode, entitled 'The Derelict' would be their first encounter with an alien species (but certainly not the last).

Moebius Models had announced that the Lost in Space: The Derelict kit would be coming and I wasn't sure what to expect. Moebius Models has already produced a 1/32 scale Jupiter 2, the Chariot and Space Pod in 1/24 scale, and had announced previously that the Chariot and Space Pod would also be released in 1/32 scale to compliment the spacecraft. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on 14 parts trees (duplicate trees not shown) plus six additional gray shapes for the hull, plus six trees of clear parts. Also included is a dye-cut printed cardboard 'stage' which replicates the interior of the ship as seen in that episode.

The Derelict can be built with the hangar bay 'doors' open or closed. If open, that cardboard 'stage' is mounted inside. The model sits on a hemispherical dome stand held up by one of the metal rods also included in the kit. There are three Jupiter 2 spacecraft included in the kit, though only one is used. You have the option of posing the Jupiter 2 with the landing gear down for sitting on that stage inside the craft or with the gear up for display outside. Should you wish to display the Derelict with the doors closed or with the Jupiter 2 outside the craft, there are two options to pose the Jupiter 2 outside using the other metal rod included in the kit.

According to the instructions, there are no color photos of the studio model of the Derelict, so they offer some ideas and suggest you try your own approach to finishing the model. Screen grabs from that episode show a metallic textured external surface, so this is going to be a fun opportunity to try out some different weathering techniques. The clear parts provided in the kit for the thrusters and deflectors provide an opportunity to light this ship if you wish. Of course it wasn't lit in the TV episode, but the opportunity is there.

The Jupiter 2 is molded in clear so with some careful masking, you can run a light pipe out to the ship from the Derelict and illuminate it as well. Possibilities...

Now that Moebius Models has run through most of the subjects from its Battlestar Galactica (old and new) universe, it is nice to see them resume the Lost in Space theme again. Perhaps they'll consider some nicely sculpted figures in 1/32 scale for the Jupiter 2 as well as the upcoming Space Pod and Chariot kits.

My sincere thanks to Moebius Models for this review sample!