NOTES ON THE TERRA V
Master Model Maker Jack McKirgan Talks About Space Patrol's Most Well Known Spaceship
The story on the restoration of the Terra V model is fascinating.
Jean-Noel Bassior, who is the leading historian of Space Patrol, knowing of my modeling
skills from both amateur and professional work (about 25 years ago I worked on a couple of
little films called Star Wars IV and V), proposed to the owner of the model, Beth Flood,
sister of the late Lyn Osborne, that the deteriorating model be restored. After some
understandable hesitation, Beth contacted me and we arranged for its shipment to me. It
took about 10 months of on and off work (between a house-fire and work duties) to complete
the job, but it should be good for another 50 years or more! The complete story will be
published in Modelers' Resource Magazine sometime in early 2000.
To date, I have determined that there were at least five distinctly different versions of
the Terra V and maybe more. Although I am no draftsman, I am producing drawings of each of
the ship types used in the program. The evolution of the Terra V will be a big project all
by itself! The version that I presently produce as a model is what I call the Mk. 1, the
very first version and the one the Ed Kemmer holds up in one of the famous publicity
shots. I have also found that the woodworking shop in the studio came up with some neat
variations of several other ship types.
-- Jack McKirgan
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