The Wand Company's Fallout Fusion Flea: A Collector's Dream Unveiled
IGN had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Barnardo, Co-Founder and Director of The Wand Company, about their upcoming release, the Fallout Fusion Flea Die-Cast Replica. This exclusive interview sheds light on the creative process behind this highly anticipated collectible.
But here's where it gets controversial... some fans argue that authenticity is key, while others prioritize creativity and imagination. So, which side are you on? Let's dive in and explore the fascinating journey of bringing the Fusion Flea to life!
A Childhood Passion Turned Into a Lifelong Pursuit
Chris Barnardo's love for cars and their intricate designs began at a young age. From building car kits as a child to tinkering with his own vehicle on weekends, his passion for automotive engineering has only grown stronger. It's no surprise that the unique and exciting vehicles of the Fallout universe captured his imagination. Barnardo shares his dream of one day building a life-sized, drivable Fusion Flea, and creating these 1:18 scale replicas is the perfect starting point.
The Creative Journey: From Concept to Reality
At The Wand Company, Barnardo has worked on a diverse range of licensed proplica products. However, the Flea project offered a unique creative approach. Unlike most of their projects, which involve complex electronics development, the Fusion Fleas allowed Barnardo to focus on the creative side, bringing in-universe concepts to life in a distilled and simplified manner.
Introducing the Desert Sandtrack Flea: A Visionary Variant
The concept of the Desert Sandtrack Flea variant emerged as an extension of the original Flea design. Building upon the military scout Flea, which was a painted version of the basic model, the team at The Wand Company wanted to push the boundaries and explore the Flea's potential in harsher environments. The result is a stunning evolution of the standard Flea body, featuring chunky tires, a caterpillar track, and a low windshield. It's a perfect blend of functionality and imagination, bringing the Fallout universe to life in a whole new way.
Authenticity Meets Imagination: Achieving Model Fidelity
To ensure the model's fidelity, The Wand Company studied the original sketches created by the Fallout team. With no suitable reference for the engines and running gear, they designed these components to fit the Fallout universe's aesthetic, drawing inspiration from other machines where the workings are more visible. It's a delicate balance between authenticity and creative freedom, and The Wand Company has mastered this art.
The Design Process Unveiled: A Step-by-Step Journey
The design process varies from Flea to Flea, but for the Desert Sandtrack Flea, it all started with a Fallout in-universe magazine called Hot Rodder. This inspired the team to imagine how the basic Flea form could be evolved for different environments. After initial sketches, they create a detailed 3D model, which is then submitted to Bethesda for approval. Once approved, the model is passed to the factory, where the magic happens. The process for die-cast metal cars differs from their other projects, as they send the designer CAD to the factory, who then designs the actual manufacturing geometry.
Overcoming Challenges: Technical and Design Hurdles
Two main challenges arose during the development of the Desert Sandtrack Flea variant. The first was transitioning from three button cells to a single AAA battery to power the LED, requiring clever electronics to boost the voltage. The second challenge was painting the intricate camo pattern, which involved multiple applications of each color to ensure coverage and a seamless fit. Despite these hurdles, the end result is a stunning and highly collectible piece.
Packaging as Storytelling: A Collector's Delight
For Barnardo, the packaging is a fun and creative aspect of the project. With a background in graphic illustration, he loves drawing the manuals and rendering the Fleas in different positions for the packaging. Building the look is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but with the added challenge of designing the pieces as you go. The packaging tells a story, making each Flea a highly collectible piece for fans.
Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
Working on the Fusion Flea project has taught Barnardo the importance of listening to fan feedback. He realizes that people love these little cars and wants to create more of them. With so many gorgeous things to bring to life in the Fallout universe, Barnardo has a wish list of future projects, including a Station Wagon and a Rocket 69. The possibilities are endless in this rich fantasy world.
Rarity and Limited Editions: A Delicate Balance
When designing limited-edition items, rarity is a key consideration. Some Fusion Fleas have sold for thousands of dollars on the secondhand market, which influences the design process to some extent. However, The Wand Company ensures that each design is only produced in one manufacturing run, maintaining the rarity that fans desire while still giving collectors a chance to build their collections.
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