NEW TPE GRP "80's" TYJ

[watcher]

So TPE are now offering the TYJ in solid GRP/Fiberglass!

The web site still only shows the pictures of the stunning timber one as constructed by Simon Nash though, but TPE have just added a video to their YouTube showing the GRP TYJ....

Taken some screen grabs from the video...

 

[asheffie]

That is rather... underwhelming...?

All their other TARDISs look very close to the authentic BBC prop, to the point where you might mistake it for the real thing at first glance.

This on the other hand immediately stands out as a replica. Maybe it's just a bad paint job? Their previous non-GRP version (like the one @soniced-up has) looked much better to me.

Disappointing as I was very close to pulling the trigger on getting one.

 

[davidnagel]

Its not terrible is it really. but it does look like an idealised version of the prop over making sure the finer rivet-counting details are correct.
It looks very neat and tidy. I can't detect any texturing on it but I guess it could be the quality of the images/video.

 

[soniced-up]

That is rather... underwhelming...?

All their other TARDISs look very close to the authentic BBC prop, to the point where you might mistake it for the real thing at first glance.

This on the other hand immediately stands out as a replica. Maybe it's just a bad paint job? Their previous non-GRP version (like the one @soniced-up has) looked much better to me.

Disappointing as I was very close to pulling the trigger on getting one.

It looks a bit like the Dapol model to me.

I’ve got to agree with @asheffie, it’s a little underwhelming and not as screen accurate- I’m wondering if that is deliberate for this build shown.

 

[Beee]

It looks a bit like the Dapol model to me.

I’ve got to agree with @asheffie, it’s a little underwhelming and not as screen accurate- I’m wondering if that is deliberate for this build shown.

I'd argue it looks more like the toys we see out of Character Options than anything, that angled base SCREAMS that was part of the reference.

However, it is also just wrong in many places as well, it feels closer to a fan's reconstruction during the early days of this forum, circa 2005, than a TPE, especially compared to their other work.

Pretty disappointing personally.

 

[davidnagel]

Slanted base could be a client request, if its permanently in the garden, rain needs to not sit on the flatter parts... but given the roof and signboxes I dunno...

 

[asheffie]

it feels closer to a fan's reconstruction during the early days of this forum, circa 2005, than a TPE, especially compared to their other work.

Yep, that's exactly how I would describe it!

When I first reached out to Ian at TPE back in May asking about this GRP TARDIS, and saying that I was potentially interested but I needed to see some good photos first, and that I was also tempted to just build my own as I wanted something that looked and felt like the real thing, his exact response was: "Thanks for getting in touch about the tardis. It would be best for you wait for better photos and maybe build your own. Your interest has been appreciated though". I can't help but I wonder if he knew at that time it wasn't going to turn out that well.

The thing is, it doesn't seem that far off. I feel that with a better paint job, a bit of texturing, and some weathering, maybe it could look good?

 

[kingpin]

I'm sure we would've given it some wiggle room with the knowledge that this was effectively a prototype, but even in the smaller details, it just feels off... The thickness of the frame on the phone panel, and the Brachacki-style lamp is really glaring (The lack of a fresnel can be given a free pass, but not making the lamp housing round with three support struts... It's those details that show the effort and the research).

 

[watcher]

Some better pictures of the TPE TYJ!
Looks better here, and certainly has all the correct detailings round the doors & steps etc.

@Mike Verta Would you be able to do some of your photo geometry on this and see what exactly is wrong with it?

From my casual eye the window frames are too narrow and the sign boxes aren’t deep enough…

 

[vtalanov98]

Well! From what I can see, it's the tiny details that together make it look rather weird...

Roof
Its top tier is taller than it should be, while post caps are too short

Top Signs
They're just fine, but it feels like they should be put a little lower

Walls
Panels and windows look too narrow, but that's not because they're too narrow - that's because the horizontal rails are too thin! They look more like the Newbery box's rails (especially with that really pronounced bevel). Window frames are indeed too thin, and so is the center divider

Base
Now, that's an obvious one

 

[watcher]

Anyone here good with photoshop?

Was hoping someone would be able to photoshop TYJ doors onto the front of this box?
And if your feeling really skilful, match the colour

End goal is that I’m trying to visualise if this can be made more accurate with the correct doors/walls

 

[vtalanov98]

Anyone here good with photoshop?

Was hoping someone would be able to photoshop TYJ doors onto the front of this box?
And if your feeling really skilful, match the colour

End goal is that I’m trying to visualise if this can be made more accurate with the correct doors/walls

How about this? Please excuse the crudity of this sketch I took the front doors from the TYJ which was at the Experience. I also noticed (at least it felt like it) that this TPE replica is slightly wider that the actual TYJ (if we keep the same corner post height). Not sure, we need Mike to confirm!

 

[angelus lupus]

Forgive my saying, but if you'd need to change the doors, walls, base and (as it seems) posts, in order to make this accurate... well, wouldn't it be easier to build from scratch?