Gizmodo Australia » models

1:35,000 Scale Working Model Train Might Be The World’s Smallest

Sean Fallon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:02:00 +0000

David Smith believes he has build the world’s smallest working train, and based on the images and video I wouldn’t doubt that claim. Apparently, it is 35,000 times smaller than the real deal.

Of course, it would have been more legit as a model train if it ran on its own mini engine instead of a rotating external motor, but since nano machines of that calibre are not readily available, I will have to call this build impressive nonetheless. [James River Branch via Engadget]

Are Asus And Moko Teaming Up To Sell Underwear?

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:20:10 +0000

Is this weird marketing campaign between Moko and Asus encouraging me to buy an EeePC or Calvin Klein undies? Or am I supposed to donate some shirts to these girls so they don’t have to wear those tiny things?

Seriously. What are they selling here? [moko via NetbookReviews - Thanks, Matt!]

Back In The Day, Patents Actually Meant Something

Dan Nosowitz — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:30:00 +0000

From 1790 until 1870, patent applications had to also include a miniature model, less than 12 square inches in size, along with the idea. We wish the policy were still around, at least to weed out the more ridiculous ideas.

Today, tech companies are some of the worst offenders in patent application, filing crazy patents for any half-baked idea they can think up, without the slightest regard for whether an object can actually be made. That’s not even going into patents for basic ideas like Page Up/Page Down keys. Questionable patents aside, the strict miniaturization policy might have finally given us an iPhone Nano.

The days of physical patents are over, but some are still collecting the rare miniature versions, including the roller skate and paper clip. They’re pretty cool, especially if you’re as big a paper clip fanatic as I am. [Wired]

RMS Titanic Naval Tragedies Are Coming To A Poolside Near You

Jack Loftus — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Rejoice, for the super rich have found a way to recreate the terrible Titanic tragedy in their over-sized luxury bath tubs.

Or, if you’re interested, this remote control RMS Titanic is a mere $US2,500 away.

What do you get for that lofty sum? Well, aside from the inevitable date with an ice cube you’re already planning in your heads right now, you’ll get a six-foot 1:150 scale model that’s been hand crafted from 300 pieces over the course of 400 man hours.

Some of those 300 pieces sound pretty impressive too, like the real mahogany and cedar used in the superstructure and detailing. The three propellers guide this Titanic lite around at 5mph for up to three hours. [Hammacher Schlemmer via OhGizmo]

Stuka Aeroplane Kit Is a Flying Carpet, Literally

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:20:00 +0000

My career in model making finished with a P-51 Mustang which ended looking like Dick Dastardly’s aeroplane with an epoxy overdose. Fortunately, this JU87-G Stuka carpet kit by Katharina Wahl doesn’t require any glue. [Mocoloco]

Briefcase-Contained Model Train Set Makes You Look Like a Businessman When You Clearly Are Not

Adam Frucci — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:40:00 +0000

I want a briefcase-contained model train set not because I’m into trains, but because I want to open it on an aeroplane tray table and see people’s reactions. Unfortunately, it’s $US1,500. [PaulSmith via Awesomer]

Largest Scale Model Rocket In History Blasts Off on April 25th

Sean Fallon — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:20:00 +0000

At over 11 metres tall and 725kg, designer Steve Eves hopes his custom-built rocket will blast off into the record books as the biggest scale model in history when it launches on April 25th.

That’s right—this 1/10 scale model of the Saturn V rocket can actually fly thanks to eight 13,000ns N-Class motors and a single 77,000ns P-Class motor producing 8,000 pounds of thrust. If all goes well, the single stage flight will top out at 900-1200 metres and return to Earth via parachute.

Will Eves $US25,000 baby succeed as the original Saturn V rocket did in 1969, or will it crash in a spectacular and potentially deadly fashion? Either way, I hope there is some good video. [Rocketry Planet via Likecool via OhGizmo]

Lego Battleship Yamato Is Biggest Lego Ship Ever

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:10:06 +0000

Like its real counterpart, this Battleship Yamato is the biggest Lego ship ever constructed. At 6.7m long, it took 6 years and 4 months to complete by one of our Lego contest winners. [Updated]

New Asimo Action Figures Are Heads Better than Old Asimos Action Figures

Mark Wilson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:20:35 +0000

It’s easy to lump Asimo into a stagnant pile of clips demonstrating a short robot waving, dancing and rolling down stairs since 2004. But as these 1/8 scale ~~dolls~~ action figures show, he’s improved.

Honda has designed the latest Asimo to be thinner, taller, and carry a smaller backpack than Asimo of yore. And he gets a neck that can tilt. The result is a robot (or in this case, robotic action figure) that looks considerably less like an astronaut and more like a human…even if he’s still no robot model.

The 6-inch action figure is available for about $US20 in Japan. Tempting, but I’ll stick with my anatomically modded Barbies for now. [Robot Watch via BotJunie]

World’s Largest Model Covers 1,100 Square Metres, Uses 300,000 LEDs

Jesus Diaz — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:30:27 +0000

As I watched this video of the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany, my mind went from mild amusement to surprising awe to absolute astonishment. At 1,100 square feet, the world’s largest model defies belief:

It took 500,000 working hours to build, going from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden to North America, through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—complete with the Grand Canyon, 20-foot tall Swiss mountains, and:

• 800 trains.
• Over 10,000 train cars in total, running several hundred kilometers every day.
• One train is 47.5 feet long.
• Over 170 computer controlled cars.
• More than 200,000 people (there’s all kinds of things here, even a crime scene).
• Controlled by 40 computers.
• 200 cameras control the premises.
• Day and night lighting simulator.
• 300,000 computer-controlled LEDs

They are opening an airport this year, which has taken 2.5 years to build. If you are not impressed after watching the video, seriously, I don’t know what will. Oh, wait, I know: This thing even has a fully working model whorehouse, casinos, and a secret underground base.

I rest my case. [Miniatur Wunderland]