Finished Photos of Masterpiece Models 1/48 Scale Luna Spaceship Diorama From the Movie Destination Moon

[BarleyBop]

Now I'm curious...

According to Wikipedia:
"Explorers on the Moon is the seventeenth volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The story was serialised weekly in Belgium's Tintin magazine from October 1952 to December 1953 before being published in a collected volume by Casterman in 1954."

Apparently though, there was a prequel that I hadn't read! So it's a close call:

"Destination Moon is the sixteenth volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The story was initially serialised weekly in Belgium's Tintin magazine from March to September 1950 and April to October 1952 before being published in a collected volume by Casterman in 1953. "

 

[OldManModeler]

Nicely done.
Maybe your next foray.... I am considering it myself...



One of the greatest films of all time.

 

[BarleyBop]

One of the greatest films of all time.

Now that's some serious diorama!

Cheers!

 

[Phillip1]

BarleyBop-I did not realize the the TinTin series was so old. This is interesting. In the articles I have read about the making of Destination Moon, the story idea came from well known Sci-Fi author Robert Heinlein in 1950. I have never read any articles where people associated with Destination Moon ever credited or referenced the Belgium cartoon. I have not been able to find the name of any "art director" that might have designed the ship but I feel sure it was loosely based on the shape of the German V-2 rocket.

OldManModelle-I agree that short film amazing and fun to watch, especially in color and with modern music dubbed in for sound. Years ago the rock group Smashing Pumkins made a music video for their song "Tonight, Tonight" where they reproduced most of the scenes from "A Trip To The Moon". It is a great video and you will like it if you like the original film.

Below are a few "behind the the scenes" movie stills for your viewing pleasure...

 

[BarleyBop]

Nice! Thanks for the follow-up!
Of course none of this takes away from the fabulous job you did on that gorgeous piece of 50s futurism!
...and not so far-fetched, with booster rockets now coming back to land 'on their feet'!

Cheers!

 

[rokket2001]

Really nice and well done. Good movie and book (go Robert Heinlein!)

 

[airdave]

As much as I LOVE the old TinTin books, I see no connection between "On a marché sur la Lune" and the movie Destination Moon.
Not only did the movie appear years before the TinTin book, it's an American production with an original screenplay.
I doubt those Hollywood types even heard of Herge or TinTin! lol

And yes, Sci Fi author Robert Heinlein contributed to the screenplay.
He is one of three credited writers of this original documentary-like story.
However he did publish a short story based on the screenplay after the film.
The film was not based on any earlier Heinlein book but I'm sure they pulled ideas.

The space craft in the film and book have the same tapered cylinder that every spaceship design (in books and films) up to that point has had,
even before Nazis created the V2. (Although I agree the V2 inspired many different designs after the war, since it's a proven concept).
Every other part of the rocket designs are different, but again inspired by simple physical expectations, so there are similarities.
The Astronaut's in the film and TinTin book wear different spacesuits, of different colours, with very different helmets.

And then there's the titles:
Destination Moon and On a marché sur la Lune*
*(which roughly translates to "Walking on the Moon" - has anyone told? The Police that their song has....nevermind)
Apparently the English title translation for this book was "Explorers on the Moon", so... different.

"Destination Moon" translates to "I'm going for the Cheese, honey!"

 

[airdave]

Phillip, that behind-the-scenes photo is amazing!
As are the paintings by Chesley Bonestell for this film.
The background art must have been one of his.
Just look at that massive backdrop painting!!

BarleyBop-I did not realize the the TinTin series was so old. This is interesting. In the articles I have read about the making of Destination Moon, the story idea came from well known Sci-Fi author Robert Heinlein in 1950. I have never read any articles where people associated with Destination Moon ever credited or referenced the Belgium cartoon. I have not been able to find the name of any "art director" that might have designed the ship but I feel sure it was loosely based on the shape of the German V-2 rocket.

View attachment 132617

 

[Phillip1]

rokket2001-Thanks for the compliments!

airdave-Thanks for the good comments. Although I have always thought the acting and dialog in the movie is terrible, the music soundtrack and background sets are top notch!

Phillip1