Marx Moon Base Terrain Piece Greg Liska our very good friend Greg Liska has an interesting project. A friend gave him three moon bases to change one into a Martian landscape. The moon terrain piece was part of the Marx Operation Moon Base Playset. It was issued in 1962. The play set was in a large box measuring 31 inches by 23 inches by 7 inches. The main piece was a vacuum form base. Outside was a moon landscape. The inside was the moon base for the astronauts. Here you could put your furniture and other equipment. Finish the inside were two rockets to shoot out the holes in the top. You can see more about the playset here.
Marx Moon Base Terrain Piece Greg Liska The Project
Here is what Greg had to say on this project.
I came into 3 Marx Operation Moon Base terrain pieces. The deal was that I restore 2 of them and I keep one for myself. One of the paint jobs had to be a (1950’s view of a) Martian landscape. They were presumed to be land fill finds, however after I cleaned them, they turned out to all be factory painted, but the paint jobs were off from the mark by over an inch. The crater shadows didn’t line up, etc. I’d owned 2 of these pieces in the past, and I don’t remember either of them being that far off.
Cleaning them was nasty. They had been stored with some sort of blue paper or material between them and the stuff had largely disintegrated and stuck to the pieces. The edges were chipped, too. I stiffened and strengthened them with aluminum tape along the edges and undersides.
The photos don’t do justice to the end result. It’s night and the reflection of my basement lighting makes it look too glossy. If I use a flash, it looks even glossier. If I don’t, it looks way too dark. As to the original paint job, I’d always loved it, but my son, girl friend and daughter, say it looks no more like the Moon than my yard. It’s too green. I’ve been told I now can keep the Two terrain pieces for myself and I need to add water to the Martian landscape. I’ll take suggestions on that and yes, we know that’s not realistic. We figure a thousand cheesy Sci-Fi films can’t be wrong. Now I’m torn as to whether I should paint the 2 remaining originals.
Where is the water going to be?
Greg, I can help you with that.
The water will be drizzling down from the heights and down the dome-shaped portion. I see a few possible locations for that. I’m interested in hearing your suggestions. I’ve never used the hobby water stuff and I could paint it convincingly, coating it with gloss lacquer to make it look wet.
Greg, You want Modge Podge Gloss medium. Buy it at Michaels with 40% off coupon.
A jar will last you for all 3 pieces. It’s basically very thick glue, that’s glossy.
Some Elmers and a few toothpicks
If you want drips, grab a handful of thin, clear, fishing line.
Shoot me a PM and I’ll walk you through it.
I’ll hit you up tomorrow. I’m wondering if I can tint it, too.
What about a aquarium pump!?
🙂
Eek! I don’t want to use real water! That won’t send through the mail very well, either.
LOL.
Just giving some thoughts.I do not know if you are shipping out what.Sorry.
But small pump empty is not heavy.:-) 🙂 🙂
Any how wish good luck w paint work.
I had used clear corrugated wrapping plastic w blue paint back ground to simulate rivers too.
For me paint is too fake to resemble either fire or water ,both moving effect ,but those are my eyes and view only please.
I’ve used both shiny Modge Podge and liquid acrylic resin to achieve fairly decent water results.
I meant gloss – had a brain vapor lock there.
Is there any advantage of one over another? Can they be tinted?
yes modge podge can be tinted with ink. One drop goes a LONNNNNNNNNG way.
Best best it to paint underneath it. Darker in the middle, lighter at the edges.
Dark gray/brown would do it under a drip or small stream.