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General Section => General Joe Talk => Topic started by: TheCheznit8 on May 03, 2012, 03:03:06 PM

Title: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: TheCheznit8 on May 03, 2012, 03:03:06 PM
Hey all,

I picked up some parts for the Whale from the 80s Toy Expo a while back and was wondering if someone could confirm this for me; 

Are the parts from the water mocassin compatible with the Whale?  Im thinking of the fan and fan parts, the turret for the gunner and the cannons.  I figure because theyre expensive to acquire, I might look into other options, like swapping parts that could fit.

 
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: akpayne on May 03, 2012, 03:35:43 PM
They are different sizes -the probably could be moded to fit, but you would really have to kit bash them together.  If mine weren't in storage I would take some pictures of the size difference.

The vertical and horizontal fan parts for the Whale are really fragile, and feel as if looking at them funny they might break.
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: ARROW on May 03, 2012, 05:10:42 PM
They are different sizes -the probably could be moded to fit, but you would really have to kit bash them together.  If mine weren't in storage I would take some pictures of the size difference.

The vertical and horizontal fan parts for the Whale are really fragile, and feel as if looking at them funny they might break.


Yep, they are completely different items--I, too, considered the Water Moccasin for cannibalization but it was a no-go. I've been trying to complete my WHALE for about 2 years now, and the vane assemblies are the hardest part of this--as the parts are VERY FRAGILE (as said). I've pretty much given up on finding enough intact parts and I'm shifting my hunt to finding a complete WHALE instead. I figure the cost of completing the one I have will be MORE ( for just those vane parts!) than finding a intact one.  Crazy.


That all said, the WHALE with just the shroud rings and the prop blades looks okay for display, without the vane assemblies. Just be mindful that the waxy plastic the shroud rings are made of DOES deteriorate over time, and the small tabs that slot into the WHALE hull can shear off ( mine mostly have).
I tellya, if a secondary caster made a restoration set of those parts for the fans, I'd buy a set to complete this thing--but that's certainly a pipe-dream itself.
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: TheCheznit8 on May 03, 2012, 10:56:15 PM
Yeah, Im just going to continue looking for the pieces I need, but If I see a nice whale at a toy show, Ill have to consider picking it up! 

I know there are some guys out there who make repro parts, like the fan blades and such.  Yeah it would be nice if someone casted the whole fan assembly.

Im also looking into gluing or fixing the shroud rings together with some kind of connecting piece, have to figure out what to use for that.  Your right the waxy plastic doesnt really help that cause!

Still its such a nice piece when its complete. 
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: ARROW on May 04, 2012, 12:00:20 AM
Yeah, Im just going to continue looking for the pieces I need, but If I see a nice whale at a toy show, Ill have to consider picking it up! 

I know there are some guys out there who make repro parts, like the fan blades and such.  Yeah it would be nice if someone casted the whole fan assembly.

Im also looking into gluing or fixing the shroud rings together with some kind of connecting piece, have to figure out what to use for that.  Your right the waxy plastic doesnt really help that cause!

Still its such a nice piece when its complete.

Initially, I though about doll-house hinges on the vertical vanes, because the weak point on them is the hinges and the waxy plastic. The problem would be in securing the hinges to the plastic--the screws might be too long for the thickness of the vanes. Given how the plastic really resist most glues, and gets so frangible over time...I'm thinking of rebuilding the whole assembly from scratch using better materials. I'd use the parts I have as templates for size, and detail up things as I go. It could be marginally to considerably cheaper cost-wise, less frustrating and I'd get results quicker and have more satisfaction at the end of it. It would NOT be original parts though, and not be sell-able as an authentic item--but at least it would be intact.

Now, I just have to find some of the parts I put aside.......<sigh>
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: BHMike on May 04, 2012, 04:54:12 AM
I think HJL might have some WHALE parts. I know I do, I'm constantly shipping WHALE parts out - www.bountyhuntertoys.com. You might even want to check JoeParts. Try the site sponsors.
Title: Re: The Whale and Whale parts
Post by: TheCheznit8 on May 04, 2012, 02:03:18 PM
Awesome great input guys.