The moulds for "Fireball Junior" turned on the lathe. These are pressed through heated plastic sheet sandwiched between 2 plywood cut-outs, to right of picture. The wooden mould is then pressed through the centre thus creating the shape; one in Perspex and one in ABS sheet.

The final rear rocket exhaust, the main body's side fin moulds and the joined up sides and fins of "Fireball Junior".

The main body of "Fireball" is made from ABS tubes (available from EMA Model Supplies)

The tapered tube has had a v-shaped piece cut out of it which allows the plastic to in on itself thus creating a taper.

The rear main jet exhaust made from turned Perspex and aluminium, with brass tubes around the widest section. This was to match the original 7ft model used in the show.

Fireball Junior with all its main components assembled. Note the cockpit spars on the canopy done with silver tape.

"Fireball Junior" in primer ready for its main top colour coats of paint.

"Fireball Junior" in grey primer. Note the interior detail made to match the original puppet sized set

"Fireball Junior" and the main rear side fins of the model. These were press-moulded in the same way as the 2 halves of "Fireball Junior".

Another view of the components as they are assembled. Note the inside of the side fins with have their jet nozzles in place, and the wings which now have their dividing sections in place.

I made the rear and under-wing jet cowlings and "blisters" in wood, and finished these to a fine finish before taking rubber moulds from them. From these I cast the final parts in resin.

All the main components ready for assembly, including the main top fin fabricated in 1.5mm ABS sheet plastic.

The main body in primer grey with all the rocket nozzles and blisters in place.

Like the original, "Fireball Junior" is made so that it detaches. Note the fine interior painted detail in the cabin and the wooden top cabin mould in the foreground, whilst the press-moulded top canopy has now been fitted.

Checking the fitting of "Fireball Junior" which is held on with a magnet!

The finished model, sprayed in silver with the red and yellow sections & stripes now added. These were masked up and sprayed on last.

The finished "Fireball Junior" with the cabin detail complete and some slight weathering done with graphite pencil. I had to have the lettering made specially.

Built to approx 1/72nd scale the finished model is 40 inches long

From this angle "Fireball XL5" looks just SO powerful!