SID... Space Intruder Detector

Maintaining Scan for Interesting Models.

This is yet another resin kit built for a Florida client from the Gerry Anderson classic series UFO released in 1970.

SID was seen in every episode of the show but was a satellite that really didn’t do much except sit in orbit around the Earth during the fictional year of 1980 to inform the top secret organization 'SHADO’ (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organization, who conspicuously emblazoned their name on all of their vehicles!) of approaching “U-foes” as they approached Earth with usually nefarious intentions. Often some rather spectacular battles would result during the run of the series which was a special effects masterpiece for the time despite the… well, rather silly premise and plot lines.

This kit was quite well mastered and competently cast by the UK garage kit manufacturer “UNCL”, given the lack of information available for the subject. As far as is known, the original filming miniature for the show was long lost, thus very little documentation for the satellite remains. The kit was produced some years ago before the Blu Rays of the show were released which might have revealed a little more information. But in my opinion, this is an excellent representation of the fictional subject.

Not really much can be said about the kit construction except that it needed to be adapted a bit so that the various spindly bits which would have been destroyed during shipping could be removed and reassembled by the client. The relevant parts were drilled and pinned to allow for a kind of snap-together assembly after it had been finished.

The following pictures show the progression as it was built and photographed.

The parts as cast straight from the box:

Various antennae and sensor dishes were assembled and drilled using a pin vise so the parts could be pressed into place without glue. Some of the parts were cast in pewter or white metal.

Test fitting the various components:

The sub-assemblies are sprayed with grey primer to detect flaws and prepare for the main white colour coat:

Sub assemblies receive their colour coat and a stand is scratch-built from MDF and acrylic rod:

Most parts shown here are fully painted, and ready for weathering. Red stripes were done using pinstripe tape sliced to varying widths.

The finished model on its stand measures, including the long antenna at the rear, about 14-1/2” long:

Shot against a black velvet backdrop and lit strategically, the model looks very much as it appeared in the TV show.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the model. It was an interesting project that was very satisfying to build.