Agora Models 1/16 Scale Orca

[Phillip1]

Wtshark-I just found this thread and think it is fantastic! For many years I have been wanting a decent size Orca model kit to build. The 1/87 scale size is just too small. You are doing design a great job on the build so far. The extra details you are scratch-building are 1st Class! Your presentation and photos are top-notch too! I will look up the Agora site and review what they offer-but I am scared I might faint when I see the pricing after seeing the quality of the product. Really looking forward to your next post and following this build!

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

Wtshark-I just found this thread and think it is fantastic! For many years I have been wanting a decent size Orca model kit to build. The 1/87 scale size is just too small. You are doing design a great job on the build so far. The extra details you are scratch-building are 1st Class! Your presentation and photos are top-notch too! I will look up the Agora site and review what they offer-but I am scared I might faint when I see the pricing after seeing the quality of the product. Really looking forward to your next post and following this build!

Phillip1

Phillip,
Thanks so much for such high praise, I too have desperately wanted an Orca for display, the few resin/garage kits that came out were either sub-par or were sold out before they were offered to the public.
Having said that, Agora's Orca is above and beyond. This is my 3rd Agora build, it was my gateway back into model building when I started with their No Time to Die Aston Martin DB5. These are museum quality, and the price is high, I won't argue that. The perks of paying so much are Agora's customer service is top-notch. Any issue I have had, (broken or missing parts, etc. and there have been very few) has been addressed with no questions asked. When I asked for extra parts, they are happy to send them to me for the cost of shipping, which is $15.00 USD to the US.
Also, there have been some issues, some of the fit of some parts can be tough, the DB5 had a number of fit issues, which were discussed at length on Agora's forum, if you'd like to see some amazing scratch building and fabrication of the Orca, you should head over there and look, there are few guys building the Orca who are basically repainting it from the bow to stern, along with making some incredible details.
Once I'd completed the DB5, I bought the Corvette and completed that last year. The Orca was just released in January of this year and I am building it as the packs arrive. I am on Pack 6, which I am about to start posting.
Agora offers options, which is nice for such a large investment, from "Accelerated Packs" which offer all of the model at once, to a 12 and 24 month option, spacing out the payments accordingly.
Because I have been so happy with Agora, I opted to purchase the Collector's Edition, for the increased price to get the figures along with a few other options.
I hope you can find a way to make having your own 1/16 scale Orca, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a PM. I do not work for them, I am just a great fan.

 

[WtShark]

Pack 6 arrived a few weeks ago and I began the assembly process this morning.
Slow start, first, we assemble the winch for the mast, then the boom.
The boom had a nasty mold seam on it so I sanded it away and added some paint to both cover the seam and weather the boom.
I also found this old Verlinden camo net, which I think I'll use to suspend along the cabin roof and drape along the front of the cabin to match the interior scenes. I'm not 100% sure on the scale, and may opt to get a larger net. We'll see.
For now, here's the work thus far.

 

[Phillip1]

Phillip,
Thanks so much for such high praise, I too have desperately wanted an Orca for display, the few resin/garage kits that came out were either sub-par or were sold out before they were offered to the public.
Having said that, Agora's Orca is above and beyond. This is my 3rd Agora build, it was my gateway back into model building when I started with their No Time to Die Aston Martin DB5. These are museum quality, and the price is high, I won't argue that. The perks of paying so much are Agora's customer service is top-notch. Any issue I have had, (broken or missing parts, etc. and there have been very few) has been addressed with no questions asked. When I asked for extra parts, they are happy to send them to me for the cost of shipping, which is $15.00 USD to the US.
Also, there have been some issues, some of the fit of some parts can be tough, the DB5 had a number of fit issues, which were discussed at length on Agora's forum, if you'd like to see some amazing scratch building and fabrication of the Orca, you should head over there and look, there are few guys building the Orca who are basically repainting it from the bow to stern, along with making some incredible details.
Once I'd completed the DB5, I bought the Corvette and completed that last year. The Orca was just released in January of this year and I am building it as the packs arrive. I am on Pack 6, which I am about to start posting.
Agora offers options, which is nice for such a large investment, from "Accelerated Packs" which offer all of the model at once, to a 12 and 24 month option, spacing out the payments accordingly.
Because I have been so happy with Agora, I opted to purchase the Collector's Edition, for the increased price to get the figures along with a few other options.
I hope you can find a way to make having your own 1/16 scale Orca, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a PM. I do not work for them, I am just a great fan.

WtShark-Thanks for the taking the time and giving such a detailed response. I did go and review the Agora website as you suggested. Their kits are gorgeous and very expensive, but I think the price matches up well to to the quality of the products (and customer service per your testimony). I hope one day a can purchase the Orca kit but in addition to financial restraints, I also currently have no room in any of the glass display cases I own for a model this large. Until I clear up these issues I will just have to be content with following your excellent build!

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

WtShark-Thanks for the taking the time and giving such a detailed response. I did go and review the Agora website as you suggested. Their kits are gorgeous and very expensive, but I think the price matches up well to to the quality of the products (and customer service per your testimony). I hope one day a can purchase the Orca kit but in addition to financial restraints, I also currently have no room in any of the glass display cases I own for a model this large. Until I clear up these issues I will just have to be content with following your excellent build!

Phillip1

You're very welcome, I'm in a similar predicament with space for this build- I'm still not sure where it will go, but I'll find a spot!
I also understand it's a HUGE investment, and not one to be taken lightly, from one Jaws fan to another, I hope you find a way to get yourself one someday soon and enjoy building this impressive model of the one and only Orca-
Thanks for following along- I hope you continue to enjoy it!

 

[WtShark]

This morning we move to attaching the boom to the mast, this uses a fixed swivel point, attached with a screw and a block, with some chain.

We assemble and install a block, to attach the top of the boom to the mast. A cool assembly and it looks great, will need some weathering.

Then we move onto the gunwales, these see some action in the movie, Quint grabs his bat to destroy the radio when Chief Brody is asking for help, and he pulls one of the flying gaffs from this area as well. I weathered these heavily, adding dirt, salt and scratches/wear to them.
I started adding some color to the cockpit deck, but I'd like to wait until I receive the engine hatch cover(s) and access panels. I did use one of the micro pens to add some dark brown to the seams. I also added some slight discolorations to the decking to break up the color. I'll add more weathering once we're further along, I'll also need to paint the deck with Ak's Ultra Matte to ensure the cabin floor matches.

The brown I used between the deck boards is very subtle, the camera doesn't really show it, black was too stark, and the brown was just enough to hint at the slots of the boards.

Bits of color, from red-brown to darker browns. Some blacks, whites and blending in.

The gunwales are a lot of this Pack, and they're pretty involved, adding cleats, clips and deck supports all tie it together. Then we affix the deck and gunwales to the cabin.

Every build gets to a point where I have to start getting creative to store it. The assemblies get larger and bigger and bigger bins come into play. I prefer to keep the parts/assemblies in closed bins or boxes in between assembly, this keeps them protected and out of the way until the next Pack comes in.
I'm not quite finished with Pack 6 yet, still have the Starboard gunwale to assemble and affix.

I've got to build the Starboard gunwale still, to all told this pack will run about 8 hours of time, including the paint work. If you were assembling right OOB, it'd be shorter. It's starting to have character and look like the Orca.

 

[WtShark]

Last photo from this morning- The Port gunwale is attached to the deck/cabin assembly.
The other side will need some blood, from the chum bucket, where Brody mutters; "I can go slow ahead, come down here and slow ahead some of this sh*%" and we see the shark for the first time.

 

[BarleyBop]

Looking great! Every little detail building suspense!

 

[kevin]

This keeps getting better and better.


" that's a twenty footer, ".......
" twenty five, three tons on him"

 

[WtShark]

This keeps getting better and better.


" that's a twenty footer, ".......
" twenty five, three tons on him"

Thanks

"You ever have one do this before?"
"No"......

 

[WtShark]

Looking great! Every little detail building suspense!

Thank you Barley!

 

[kevin]

It's been awhile, but I went back and checked out the Agora website. I went to check on pricing for the Orca, but damn, I am really eyeballing the USS CONSTITUTION model, what a work of art.

 

[Ron2]

It's been awhile, but I went back and checked out the Agora website. I went to check on pricing for the Orca, but damn, I am really eyeballing the USS CONSTITUTION model, what a work of art.

I liked the Apache but I can't justify that kind of money for a model.

 

[Phillip1]

WtShark-Nice work! Are the parts being sent painted, or are they manufactured in the colors we see? If they are painted then it looks like a really nice finish.

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

WtShark-Nice work! Are the parts being sent painted, or are they manufactured in the colors we see? If they are painted then it looks like a really nice finish.

Phillip1

Parts are sent painted in the finish you see, for the most part. I am adding weathering and altering some colors with washes and matte finishes, but im going pretty minimal, its not really necessary.
You could assemble it as is and not add a thing, itd be a clean, new Orca.
I'm adding weathering and character, also adding some additional details not included, or improving them, such as the books.

 

[WtShark]

And Pack 6 is a wrap.
Not the most interesting or involved Pack thus far, but we are able to start to see the overall "presence" of the boat.
Last step was pretty much identical to the previous few, assembling and installing the Starboard side gunwale.
I added some more paint and weathering, and a bit of red in the corner, (to later support the chum bucket, where Brody is dumping chum).

I also roughly aligned the bigger pieces to give me an idea as to the overall size of this model, it will be big.

Pack 7 should be here in the next 3 weeks or so, provided they're still shipping them out on time.

 

[wjbrandel]

Man that is looking good

 

[Phillip1]

WtShark-I guess it is not really required to say "Your gonna need a bigger boat", because from these last photos it appears what you are building is big enough!

Phillip1

 

[Phillip1]

WtShark-FYI, on eBay I just saw 3D Printing kits for a Jaws-Orca Sinking Diorama available in 1/40 and 1/20 scales. Both kits have 80 pieces and include Brody and Quint figures. I tried to include finished build photos of the listing but was not successful. The build up is impressive.

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

WtShark-FYI, on eBay I just saw 3D Printing kits for a Jaws-Orca Sinking Diorama available in 1/40 and 1/20 scales. Both kits have 80 pieces and include Brody and Quint figures. I tried to include finished build photos of the listing but was not successful. The build up is impressive.

Phillip1

That's great.
I just went and looked at it- Pretty nice, it looks very similar to the McFarlane "Movie Maniacs" diorama, made in the mid 90's. I picked one up back then to have and kept it as an investment, but the model being offered is very close to that. I see the prices for it (the Mcfarlane boxed sets) are still in the 300 to 1000 dollar range. The price for the resin kit isn't bad. Would be a nice build up too (as you stated).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/398031594720?_skw=McFarlane+Jaws&itmmeta=01KXE8V6QHVR35XWAFE8EYAQD7&hash=item5cac8824e0:g:cAcAAeSw~oRqI2PC&itmprp=enc:AQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xCXpPfzqbLzuMbGXqp9kY+PiG3KSOuSKcaWk3UTHnAY6anPlwLcshLLe39DtL5zLCJGmPugVyPb8dU0DEk+FXXRGO9lyKUI/Q7TCytOctuNoUs7pAzhZh7aUrrQFZ18/BYBuvYp218/g8FS3Lu1cP7/2BFDmoBwnkKtyWPJoCBs8R110Cfk4r/qg02HCzByHNHCpkjETJgW8onlhTb7MsV5IaDW5o4jaan+rDtIESKQvgxkupzmGC2YR6DK2l8deC4=|tkp:Bk9SR4zs7MjrZw

I've got most of the other Orca versions, Lego, Matchbox and the Artitec, though I haven't built the 1/87 scale version yet.
Maybe with Agora's release and renewed interest there will be more resin/garage kits available.

I do like the Stannarts resin Bruce kit, but I haven't bought one, I may at some point. It'd be nice to have one and build it up, though like you I am pretty much out of room.
Thanks for passing along the info!!

 

[Phillip1]

WtShark-You are welcome for the information heads-up. Boy! From what you have collected you are really a huge fan of Jaws-Orca. It is a very iconic boat!

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

As I am between Packs and haven't decided what my next build will be I figured I'd try to make some 1/16 scale Narragansett Lager beer cans, Quint's preferred beverage.
I needed to determine the size- so I mathed as hard as I could, and totally cheated using Google, giving me some spot on dimensions for a 1/16 scale beer can.
I printed a test print, and went through all of my alum. and brass tubing/rod, and of course, couldn't find the right size. I need a .14" wide tube. I went through my sprue bag and found a piece of chrome sprue. I cut out a piece and glued it up and this'll work. I'll clean up the print, and cut some sized bits of sprue and may even try to make a crushed one or two.
I'm wondering if it may be better to print the labels on a sheet of the decal paper I picked up, I'd need to paint the tube/sprue white, or an off-white and then affix the decal. I dunno- I'll ponder it.

Let's drink to our legs!!

 

[BarleyBop]

Let's drink

Way to go... Now I'm a little thirsty!

 

[WtShark]

Way to go... Now I'm a little thirsty!

Cheers!
Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women!

 

[kevin]

Looking good. That's a beer I have not had for a long time, along with PBR.


"What am I going to tell the kids ?"...... "Tell them I'm going fishing. "

 

[Phillip1]

Very nice!

Phillip1

 

[WtShark]

Looking good. That's a beer I have not had for a long time, along with PBR.


"What am I going to tell the kids ?"...... "Tell them I'm going fishing. "

"Hello Chief, I see you got your rubbers".
"Here lies the body of Mary Lee, died at the age of 103, for 15 years she kept her virginity, not a bad record for this vicinity".