cormadepanda wrote:Can I have a tank with a big gun?
You can have whatever your heart desires... I'm thinking that this tank will have it's typical main gun, which is not one of the biggest in-game I'm afraid.
I do however, have plans for the secondary weapons and I will try to make the whole tank look as deadly as possible. (don't know how yet )
Theophony wrote:My ideas of a tank is something huge, heavily armored, and not good o be in the way of. I also believe they MUST have treads. I know some games have grav tanks, but those are just gun carriages to me. Tanks need to take a pounding and be able to give it back in spades.
It will have treads. I may change something about the armour / body of the tank (as it's not the prettiest of tanks, imo), not sure how much I'll change it by though. I've not had a good look through the box yet to see what possibilities there are.
It's more of a medium tank as I look at it, so it's not the heaviest / scariest of beasts. But "not good to be in the way of" is something I want to convey with it's looks. Some kind of understated menace I think would work well (again, how ).
I'm still working on the junk pile. I can tell you that it's now taller than a Guardian and fills the 60mm limit...
Also, I've had some syringes delivered and they have made the casting easier in many ways.
and I found some latex gloves while looking for something else, so they now keep my fingers cleaner.
That is all for now. There will be some proper madness soon when I get a chance to have a look at this tank. Keep the ideas coming.
Casey's Law wrote: Looking forward to it. I feel like we talked about this tank a few moons ago but I don't want to go back and confirm. I'd like the surprise!
I did post up some fluff when I bought the kit and there was a lot of talk about tanks while I was building the WS.
Not long now, I've finished building the junk pile and it's just painting and a few little additions left.
Hi, sorry for going quiet for a while. I have been busy casting things and painting junk.
I noticed a few days ago that one part of the resin was going cloudy as it starts to hydrolyse, so I have been using it before it becomes unusable.
So that's something else to keep in mind when casting; once open, it won't last long. Although, the more you open it the faster it will go off... Again, I know of a simple piece of lab equipment that would help this and don't have access to any more...
But I've very nearly finished it all off and the junk pile is nearing completion. So I can start thinking about this tank very soon.
I Noticed that with the resin I use, it dosent keep for that long,
so I have to plan ahead what I'm going to cast, before I buy it, and then make sure I use it all .
I wonder if one could make their own humidity control booth for the resins in England, like what cigar afficianados do for their their collections of smokeables, but to help stabilize their resin materials?
hk1x1 wrote:I Noticed that with the resin I use, it dosent keep for that long, so I have to plan ahead what I'm going to cast, before I buy it, and then make sure I use it all .
That is indeed the way to go.
OneManNoodles wrote:In our climate some curse the humidity for pains in their knees, others for clouding their resin!
I've been thinking of getting (or making) a hygrometer then just casting when the humidity is lowest.
The toilets and boxes look great the engineer in me likes that you've labeled the sides 'X, Y & Z'
best of luck with your junk pile
Welcome OneManNoodles. Thanks. Yeah, I had to use those letters, it's the only thing that makes sense... Ta. Although hopefully I've not messed it up trying some peeling paint... I have to wait for it to dry and see if it works... Good luck to you too.
shasolenzabi wrote:I wonder if one could make their own humidity control booth for the resins in England, like what cigar afficianados do for their their collections of smokeables, but to help stabilize their resin materials?
Ha yeah that's probably more trouble that it's worth though. I was thinking of: Either a separating funnel
Spoiler:
Or a Burette
Spoiler:
With a drying tube on top
Spoiler:
I've used up the last of the resin, although the ratio was way off on the last pour, so that probably won't come out well. *shrugs* I've had a tidy, just the junk to finish and then I shall start tank-ing this up... Or is that getting tanked up...
Theophony wrote:Dr. H gets tanked can't wait to see what comes out of the mad scientists head. Waiting to see attacked grab tank from ancient sissy eldar days.
It'll be a little bit longer as the peeling paint experiment didn't work and I've had to re-paint that part. I'll do something different with it instead.
shasolenzabi wrote:Good tools for small scale humidity controls!
You say small, but those separating funnels go up to at least 5 litres (I've used one)...
Theophony wrote: Dr. H gets tanked can't wait to see what comes out of the mad scientists head. Waiting to see attacked grab tank from ancient sissy eldar days.
obviously my iPhone struck again. Should have been a tracked grav tank all of those were in my autocorrect before the newest update the other day , wonder if that reset to original.
Everything came in perfect condition! even the damaged bitz!
I think they are fantastic! The Thanksgiving holiday weekend was busy with my mom visiting and all, but I'll take pics and play with them sometime today I hope.
Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcelent.
I look forward to seeing what you do with them.
I'll start thinking about matching sinks soon, so leave space for them.
Anyway, I think I've finished the junk pile. I may tease you all with a picture later, once I've had a look over it and actually taken some good pictures. So with that all done, I can now focus on tank like things.
By means of warming you (and myself) up to such a major undertaking...
Spoiler:
The squad leader for the ratling squad approached his commanding officer. "Sir, the enemy on the east flank appear to have a tank." "Yes yes, and the south group have a wave serpent. Why are you telling me this?" "Sir, it's not an Eldar construct." "Now that is noteworthy. We have reports that there are more than just those skinny xeno' scum moving about as well." "Sir, I have personally seen Astartes from several chapters moving side-by-side with Eldar and Orks." "Damn them traitor legions!" "Sir, these were from... loyal chapters" "What in the name of the Emperor is going on out there?"
A guardsman entered the bunker, saluted the officer and handed him a report. "Thank you, dismissed." The guardsman leaves, but hears the officer from the far side of the thick door. "THERE'S TYRANIDS AS WELL!!!" "Sir..." the squad leader continued "...this tank... er..." "WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT A BLASTED TANK!" "Sir, it has several... modifications... from the standard template design" "Oh, just to add to the heresy..." said the officer, calming down a little "Have you ascertained anything of use, or is it the usual spikes and chains thing?" "Sir, there appears to be a great deal of functionality in it's design..." "Like what?" "Can't say, Sir. I didn't get a good look at it myself, but the second squad are tracking it now." "I want a report about this asap" "Yes Sir." "At least it's not these walker things we heard about from that jungle planet last rotation" "No Sir, no reports of such things." The officer sighed. "Good. Now get on to that tank."
I have a friend that casts resin in the dead of winter. maybe it's the low humidity? The only time he's had a problem w/ the casts is when he didn't mix enough material to fill the mold. Tricky formula apparently.
Skalk Bloodaxe wrote: I have a friend that casts resin in the dead of winter. maybe it's the low humidity? The only time he's had a problem w/ the casts is when he didn't mix enough material to fill the mold. Tricky formula apparently.
It's only the one component of the resin that reacts with water. However, understanding the chemistry doesn't stop it happening... I thought about attaching some silica gel to the inside of the lid, but just decided that it's easier to use the resin before it goes off.
All the casts I've done throughout have been fine except for when I either didn't mix enough, didn't quite get the right ratio in the mix or I was too slow in adding it to the mould in question.
In other news, there was a few little things to touch up on the junk. That is now done, the photos have been taken and it can now go on the shelf to collect it's share in dust... (I'm definitely getting some glass enclosed shelves when I have money and space).
I said that I would show a teaser picture, so here's a cog;
I shall now tidy my space and start pulling out tank bits. Then I'll be able to give you all a better idea of what I'm planning...
Looking good dude. I think you do amazing paint work considering the paints you use.
Thanks, Cam.
It's interesting that they are seen as being difficult for use on miniatures. I'm learning all the time, but I don't see them as a handicap (for lack of a better word). In some cases, they may be advantageous to use instead of water-based paint (washes and blending, for example. Not to mention, cheaper ). For now, I'm happy with them.
Viktor von Domm wrote:how come that the doc has the exact same cog on his junk pile that i have on mine too???...i do smell a fishy intrigue...
Ha. I even had a choice of two cogs that I had pulled out (and only had space for one in the end) and didn't stop to think which one to use, just grabbed one and stuck it on.
how long till we see a cameo of said tank ? (nice lil piece of fluff there...expecially when the bugs were covered )
It's nice to have a bit of fun with some fluff again (been a while). There will be more... when I know what will actually be included.
I have been looking at the kit (and the various other bits of plastic I have) and trying to come up with a plan of attack.
I may start by dry-fitting the hull together and see where I can add or subtract things.
On that note, I'm still surprised at how small the vehicle models are. I forget when I'm looking at pictures online. I've got a 1:12 model motorcycle that's larger in all dimensions except width and that's no where near my largest of models...
So, soon...sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
well...i feel like an old grunt repeating my words...but i like scratchbuilding vehicles just because afterwards i have the feeling that actually my models would be able to sit inside and fight with these vehicles than what GW tries to tell us there "toys" are supposed to be...i have a 1:35 coach and it has even bigger horses than a leman russ is ^^
Yeah, that was part of the reason I added seats to the interior of the wave serpent. There's still only half the number it's supposed to have, but wasn't much more I could do.
This tank has no such worries though, as it doesn't carry troops. Just a "crew". Which raised a few questions.
I'm currently thinking of a driver and a gunner. No need for a commander, when commands are beamed directly into their heads...
That's probably the best thing about making an army that steps outside the bounds of the "rules" of a sci-fi universe. I can get away with almost anything because, mad scientist.
I'm now looking at the rough shape of said tank and thinking of modifications that would make the men-come-robots of Mars VERY angry...
My Khadrovians are loyal to their ideal of the Emperor as has been taught from their roots so long ago, but they are very much out of step with the Imperium and the High Lords and the tech cult they have is also out of step with Mars
The different tanks, the different walkers some of larger and better armor than standard sentinels, weapons and armor for the men, the way their own internal security=Inquisition made their own power armored soldiers, many things about my Khadrovians sets them apart as well, including the idea of the planetary systems electing an overall ruler of the entire set up every so many years instead ot hereditary governor of the collective of systems that make up the Konfederation.
I may even do fluff announcing the renaming of the organization: Khadrovian Union of United Republics, K.U.U.R. or Khadrovian Union for short
There's being out of step, and then there's doing a silly walk with clown shoes on...with hob-nailed soles...and steel toe-caps
Sounds good, do it.
I want to do something with the sides of this tank, but not sure what yet. I may start throwing some ideas about soon and some fluff and maybe actually tell you what tank I'm working on...maybe.
...some clues to it's identity and some of my potential changes (see if you can guess what it is): Initial reports from the other squad.
Spoiler:
Report code 0111000001110010: The unidentified armoured vehicle (chassis to be confirmed) is conveyed on tracks (confirmed by tread pattern). Approximate weight of between 60 and 80 tonnes (based on indentations) and body width of approximately 3.5 to 4 metres (based on track spacing).
Approximate damage output indicates an autocannon or equivalent, supplemented by a high-rate-of-fire weapon (similar to that of a heavy bolter or autocannon) and an energy weapon of unknown type (possibly linked to sounds of thunder audible in the area).
The vehicle has left evidence of being used in an aggressive manner: One case of a building being breached by the vehicle and many cases of flora and fauna being impacted, moved considerable distances and dissected by what appears to be a moderately sharp implement (more so than would be expected from a simple dozer blade), not used with the same finesse as that seen by the Dark Eldar but more than the blunt force of the Orks.
Report code 0110010101100100: Further clues to the identity and position of the unidentified tank have been obtained from interviews of local habitants. Transcripts of the more useful parts are attached below. Voice 1, (Imperial): "Tell him what you told me about the... tank." Voice 2, (Local, female): "Th...the monster?" Voice 1: "Yeah, it's a tank. Tell him about the monster. What is it with these locals?" Voice 3, (Imperial): "Beats me. Just describe what you saw, this thing will record what you have to say." Voice 2: "It... It has these eyes. They burn so brightly and they search you out, find you, and then it chase you." Voice 1: "Tell him what you call it." Voice 2: "Here, we call him El Diablo Cazador" Voice 1: "and we know what that means, sound familiar?" Voice 3: "Yeah, probably a better name for that tank really" ... Voice 1: "Then what happened?" Voice 4, (Local, male): "There was a loud noise, like a howl, but more than just animal... Then El Cazador, he came crashing through the trees, knocking them over, cutting them down. It spat thunder at our truck and turned it into fire, had we been inside at the time, El Cazador would have had us roasted. I lay on my back, stunned, and my wife, my dearest... she ran, he chased her..." ... Voice 2: "...and then you fired upon the tank?" Voice 5, (Local, male): "Yes, we were afraid and didn't mean to, we were surprised to find it sat there quietly in the glade and raised our weapons without thinking." Voice 2: "What happened next?" Voice 5: "Our bullets bounced off El Cazador's hide and it angered him. He raised his shield and chased us..." ...
He He. I have to talk it up as the basic machine isn't that scary really... But it hopefully will be when I've finished it and I've written more fluff that shows just how mean it gets...
This does give away what the tank is (if you haven't already guessed from the clues above, or by looking at the OP of this blog...yep, there was a clue there all along) Points are still available for anyone pointing out the popular culture references in the fluff
Spoiler:
"Sir, we have received a transmission from the squad tracking the tank."
"Good. Have they found it yet?"
"er... Yes Sir... kind of.."
"Spit it out lad"
"Well, Sir... it's probably just best that you listen to the recording..."
The young sergeant hands the commanding officer the recording and leaves the room while the officer is still processing the unusual response. He decides to leave the matter for now and will talk to the sergeant later, after he's assessed this recording...
It starts with a synthesised voice of the recorder; "Recorded 22:04 local time BZ356.3P-0"
This is followed by a brief pause, some static and then the recording starts.
"We have tracked the tank known as El Cazador to the small town of Yaut-ja to the south east of HQ. We have yet to positively identify the chassis of the tank yet, but all indications point to Human in origin and not Xeno' or demonic.
A voice in the background can be heard "Point has sighted it, Sir"
"Ah, we have visual. I'll leave the com' open as we observe."
*Sounds of movement and hushed orders.*
"It is positioned inside a building. All that is visible is an unusual dozer blade and the tip of what appears to be an autocannon. No lights are on and there doesn't appear to be any indication that the engines are running. Maybe the crew have disembarked for some reason, we could catch them unawares here."
*More sounds of movement*
"We have changed position and can now see a little of the front of the tank, it's shape is definitely reminiscent of Astartes design, but is not a mark of armour I recognise. If it is a rhino chassis, it's been abused to such an extent that the machine spirit must be in great pain."
*Quiet sounds of movement and then a brief pause*
"We are advancing on the tank in two groups, as we still can not see any crew outside the tank we will have to be careful, all is quiet"
Also, those that are a little squeamish may want to avoid the end of this piece...
Spoiler:
*A pause and then a distant metallic chime, as if someone has just kicked a tin can*
"The lights are on! And they've moved to focus on the other group. They're like eyes... It's moving... incredibly fast, almost like an animal... It's charging the other group..."
*There is a roar of engine, a blast of a horn and then the sounds of a tank crashing into a brick building, followed by shouts*
"I can't tell if any of the squad are hurt, too much dust... Yes, there's one, he looks ok."
*The sound of a large-calibre rapid-fire gun can be heard*
"Man down, Alpha team... Attack that tank"
*The sounds of the attack can be heard, together with shouts and the sounds of the tank extracting itself from the building*
Raising his voice above the noises. "It has a turret and was at least originally a preda..."
*All other noises are drowned out by a deafening thunderclap. This is followed by automatic weapon sounds and then only the sounds of the tank's engines idling and heavy breathing are left*
The laboured breathing becomes faster and there are some sounds of movement. "The squad is lost, no survivors..." Sounds of the tank slowly moving closer can be heard in the background. "...last known coordinates for the tank are at my position"
The tank is much closer now, the concrete and pebbles can be heard cracking under it's weight.
The heavy breathing suddenly becomes much faster and the last sounds received are those of breaking bones...
The synthesised voice of the recorder signifies the end of the recording; "Signal lost 22:13 local time BZ368.2D-2"
Viktor von Domm wrote: ok....i think the name now fits for once the true nature of the tanks beast character...a true predator...not the luke warm version the marines use^^
Exactly. With a name like that, it has to live up to it...
Viktor von Domm wrote: well....your fluff bodycount is already a testimony to it´s name
Lol, yeah it's not as funny as most of the rest of my fluff. But that's madness for you, equal parts amusement and horror. It also wasn't all that long ago when I read "Christine", so a little of that came through.
It'll be a while before I get to the more dangerous side of this tank though, as there is much interior to fill.
I'm thinking an Ork would fit well as the driver (hence it's aggressive driving).
I'm undecided on a gunner though... there's a choice of SM, Eldar or Tau (as an Ork is already driving, Kroot aren't really tank people and Tyranids aren't very shooty beings...relatively). My first impression is Tau, as they are the shooty army, what better for a gunner???
I think a multi race approach to a tank crew would finally fix the whole menagerie of difference into one fighting force! Good idea!
As for the driver gunner part...tau, human and ork and of course superhuman are your true options...
Although...imagine a feral nid as the gunner...you'd be the very first modeller to try this stunt on this planet methinks...
In the Dan Abnett Graphic Novel: Titanicus a Titan gets infected by nids..it was enough to make the Loyalist Princeps in the story poop his mind-link a bit
That is true. But I've used all my Genestealers, so will likely be a Termagant.
dsteingass wrote:In the Dan Abnett Graphic Novel: Titanicus a Titan gets infected by nids..it was enough to make the Loyalist Princeps in the story poop his mind-link a bit
Interesting. In what way "infected", just found their way inside and started nibbling wires or taking control of bits?
Viktor von Domm wrote:Temptation is a very strong vibe in hobby Beside...I think this combo would be as cool as it gets concerning your special chaotic army setting...
I have been meaning to go back and do a couple more of the remaining tyranids, so would be a step in that direction.
So, a few thoughts on the tank: Inside, the dividing wall with the door is out. And the driver will be built in the front half of the hull. He will, naturally, be wired in to the tank's systems (Imagine like the human batteries in The Matrix, but without the goo). I'm unsure if he'll keep some or all of his limbs...
The rear half of the interior will be for the gunner, ammo and support structure (as the information I can find tells me that the troop carrying capacity was sacrificed for these, to allow the sponson weapons and increased armour rating).
While a mention the sponsons, I'm thinking of making them enclosed, like on WWI tanks and not the flimsy dangling weapons it comes with (they'd likely be snapped off with all the driving through buildings and stuff ). This will reduce the range of motion of the "main" sponson weapons. Why "main", you ask, If they can only fire forward/sideways and the normal Predator can fire backwards, I'm thinking of adding some small machine guns to the rear of the sponsons like this below:
Spoiler:
Also, while I'm in that area, I'm thinking of removing the front exhausts. This will give me more room for the sponsons and add to a different but still recognisable shape of the original tank. And potentially give more room for some tank-art... There will be fluff to explain the changes in the engine layout (as well as all the other changes...)
What else... The turret. I'm quite happy with the shape of the turret so it will be kept (mostly) as-is. I will however, be making the interior of that as well. Which leads to a question, The box that you're supposed to stick on the back of the turret, is that supposed to be where the ammo is stored for the auto-loader? Because that will dictate how the inside will be built...
The very first job I can see though, is making a floor for the front half of the interior...
Talking of the front of the tank, the slits for the driver (why is there two for only one driver...) will be replaced with one, set in a working hatch. I will then add some more eye-like spot-lamp type headlights either side of that, on that front plate, not on the track-guards. And then there will also be the dozer-blade-from-hell... or at least a more vicious-looking one than normal.
That'll do for now. Thoughts, ideas, suggestions and answers to the question are welcome.
Skalk Bloodaxe wrote: I got the 'Christine' ref right off but you outted it before I could post.
Nice fluff. I hope they capture it for the STC info.
Good good. I might save the Christine name for a future daemon engine. May even give that a rule where it starts each game heavily damaged and then repairs itself and gets better and faster as the game goes on... (because the odometer runs backwards).
There's no capturing this beast. The Scientist installs all his equipment (and army personnel) with teleportation devices for retrieval purposes.
Well, they (two Emperors and a squad of Warhounds) were stomping through a chitenous horde, focusing on a biotitan, when one of the Emperor titans took a hit to the leg or lower torso, then something crawled in and started killing off the Engineer and others and then took it over system by system.
And furthermore, an Assassin pumped up w/ Polymorphine had already infiltrated the Scientist's entourage and has been reporting his activities for weeks. The Assassin is currently awaiting orders to terminate subject.
I actually have a bit of fluff already written about an assassin/spy that found his way onto The Scientist's ship. Not shared it on DDakka yet. I was saving it until I came to make an assassin for the army, but I can post it up if people want?
and if you're not following my commission blog, I'll share this here as well:
Well, also beware, any Khadrovian troops you may find one day is equipped with their reminder book, one drilled into them from childhood regarding the Khadrovian way, the Khadrovian crimson book. All Khadrovians are encouraged to have and read their own copies whenever they have free time to read.
Camkierhi wrote:That is truly boggin'......
AWESOME.
Ruglud wrote:Eeew, that toilet reminds me of the local train station lav... Nasty...
Thanks people. That's probably the best reception a toilet can expect to receive.
As I said, the floor at the front of the tank was the first thing to do. I've been looking for a use of a net bag (for garlic) I acquired, for ages and finally it's found it's calling.
I had to use pegs to hold it stretched out while I glued it in place.
Then it was just trimmed to fit.
I'll cover the edges eventually and there probably won't be much of it to see by the end, but painted "metal" it should do the job.
I can now think about the driver and his surroundings...
May I introduce you to the crew.
I haven't touched the Termi yet, but the Ork is on the operating table.
I chose his pieces for their relative plainness as I intend to add quite a bit to him so armour plates etc. would get in the way.
His right arm was chosen for ease of chopping (as shown). This will have many wires coming out to connect to things for controlling the tank.
An interesting challenge has shown up from this is that inside the tank I have 28mm from the floor to the roof and the Ork from his bum to the top of his head/shoulders is 20-24mm... meaning that I have about 4mm in which to make a seat for him to sit on... I'm thinking of a bucket seat.
Yeah. It fits well with how I plan on playing the army (should I eventually get there). I have another army-wide rule called, for the moment, "Who put him in charge?" which give various good or bad random actions on the roll of 2D6. In essence I'm aiming for an army that will be confusing to play against, but harms itself as much as it does the enemy...
Driver update:
So, I ended up aiming for a "basic" tank seat for him with minimal ergonomics etc... (I'm sure modern tanks have lovely seats, but think back to the earliest tanks), and the seat has ended up as a kind of office chair caricature.
The seat of it was made from two bits of sprue (naturally) that were cut in half lengthways (the other way from how I did the planks for the hut) and then arranged in a square with the angled sides in towards the centre to give it a dip in the middle.
Then coved that with a square of "leather".
Then added a length of sprue to the underside and placed the two halves of a plastic ring (from a piece of a piece of a soap dispenser) either side of that to give it a swivel-able look to it.
The back rest is just a conveniently shaped piece of (yep, you guessed it) sprue.
You can see that he now fits inside the tank nicely and once I've done a little tidying of the seat I can start assembling him and then his surroundings. You will also be able to tell that he is ready to be pushing some pedals with his feel, notice that it's the right foot that is fully extended...
I've also rotated his wrist on the left arm (because he's going to be using some levers) and it will also require some shoulder work to bring the arm out.
Needs lumbar support dude, it's not good for Occupational health and safety! I'll be back to make sure you remedy this later! and yes I'll have my clipboard to look professional!
nerdfest09 wrote: Needs lumbar support dude, it's not good for Occupational health and safety! I'll be back to make sure you remedy this later! and yes I'll have my clipboard to look professional!
But it does have lumbar support... it's the only bit of support that it does have... The various electrodes that will be attached to him will ensure his continuing comfort and safety...
Yeah. It fits well with how I plan on playing the army (should I eventually get there). I have another army-wide rule called, for the moment, "Who put him in charge?" which give various good or bad random actions on the roll of 2D6. In essence I'm aiming for an army that will be confusing to play against, but harms itself as much as it does the enemy...
shasolenzabi wrote:That sounds cool, like the old Madboys rules.
Fun(ny) and cool are the aims.
Theophony wrote:Looking good, don't or get the fuzzy dice in the mirror for the driver, or would they be leather made from a squig
Maybe I will add some fuzzy dice... They will have to hang from a monitor as there are no mirrors in a tank (no rear window to look out of).
The driver now has his arms and head (to go with his legs) and is stuck on his seat.
The leavers are just blu-tacked in to give the idea (you'll need to imagine the pedals and all the other bits yourself).
I now need to decide where to position him to give myself room to make the other controls/computers/displays/cabling/etc... and leave room for the gunner in the back...
Camkierhi wrote: Looking brilliant, I would put him slightly to one side. maybe his left. Allow room for a gunner view port at least.
Excellent work on him BTW, if you need any ork parts please shout me, I have LOTS.
Thanks dude. I hadn't considered letting the gunner see the light of day as the info I found on the tank says that the weapons are aimed by the gunner through the attached optics. So "no window for him" said I. Also, with my plans for the headlights of the tank, the drivers hatch/viewport/window will be largely central. But a little asymmetry may happen depending on what I build to surround the driver.
Well I have a whole battleforce of Orks that have yet to be used, so I'm ok for now. But thanks, I'll keep it in mind.
Also, here's a little fun fluff to lead into the actual details of the tank...
Spoiler:
On a dark, dark planet, in a dark, dark city ruin, in a dark, dark building, in the corner of a dark, dark workshop, The Scientist sat amongst the pieces of a tank. "One bolt..." He said. "Another bolt..." He continued. "A washer... A gear... A dry-sump, electronic, limited-slip differential..." He stands up and investigates a pile of fabric that his chief engineer had pulled from the tank hull during the strip-down. "The remains of what appears to be a large feline... mostly decomposed... no use to me, but..." He pauses to think "Igor!" He shouts. "Yeth Masth-duh" Came the reply from a hunched over Ork in an ill-fitting lab coat. "Take this and give it to one of the Kroot, see if he can get anything out of it" "K, Boss... er.. Yeth Masss-der" The Ork shuffles off, dragging the remains. The Scientist turned back to the tank pieces "Where was I... ah yes..." He bends over, "A bolt..."
...Much later... "...and one final tread piece ...So what does that make?" Said The Scientist. "A tank?" opined the chief engineer as he scratched his green scalp in confusion. "Yes, but what is the final tally, no... never mind, doesn't matter. Do you know what we will make with these and other parts?" Said The Scientist. "Not a giant rabbit, where da boyz could hide in and we could leave it by the..." Started the engineer eagerly. "No, no." Interrupted The Scientist. "No, we shall build... A Tank." "So why did we take it apart in the first place if we gonna put it back together again?" Asked the engineer. "So that we may learn about it's construction and improve upon it... remember the lesson last week?" Said The Scientist. "The one wiv the bite-y one and all dem wirez?" Asked the engineer with a little glimmer of understanding creeping into his face. "Yessss, my little green friend. It's such a shame that your tiny little mind can't hold more... I could have made you a genius, but you would have lost that little bit of yourself that makes you the engineer that you are." The Scientist reminisced. "Fanks Boss" Said the engineer, saluting with a bemused look on his face again.
"Right, you remember where all the bits go now, don't you?" Asked The Scientist. "Nope" Replied the Ork with a large grin on his face that said this had to be the right answer. The Scientist looking into his chief engineer's eyes* draws in a deep breath and said in an authoritative manner "Good, I'll draw you a picture. Where's that crayon...".
*Which is a strange thing to watch, as The Ork believes he is looking up to a larger Ork, while he is actually looking down to an average sized human, who at the same time has to look up to the Ork but make it look like he is looking down on a shorter being, just to maintain the illusion and because he finds it fun.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, as Skalk's Junk pile contest approaches the end (there's still time to enter) I will add a little tease out and show you the pieces that I selected to make mine from. However, not all these pieces made it onto the final piece...
Still a couple of days to go. Get piling that junk.
Indeed it is.
You've got mine already though. Looking forward to the big reveal. The few that have shown all have looked good.
Anyway, back to the driver. And what do all drivers need?
Pedals!!!
I've also started working on the driver console thing and I've chopped the front hull piece in two (to be rid of the two windows but keep the lower portion).
To make your driver's console you will need:
The usual modelling supplies,
A leftover aircraft cockpit display panel,
and some thin plastic or card.
Take your display panel and cut it up a bit to bring the central section up at an angle to the controls. Glue this to the wall of your tank in a convenient position for your driver.
Use the thin plastic/card to enclose the lower part of the panel. Use a little putty to fill the curved gaps at the rear of the panel (because you can't be arsed to make curved sides to the whole thing from putty all the way to the floor).
Use more thin plastic to make a "removable" electrical panel access door thing (you know the ones with the little hole just big enough to fit one finger in and threaten to either break or cut your finger or both).
Then remember that the Ork truck comes with a plate which has a nice lightning bolt on and add that too.
Add rivets to taste.
Also notice that I've changed to interior door arrangements...
Thanks Moltar.
There are many many more levels to add to this model and hopefully they will continue to be awesome.
I'm planning on leaving very little flat surfaces on the interior, so there will be something added to either side of the display there and cables all over the place.
I've just looked at the underside (inside) of the upper hull... Why do they not put any detail on the roof?! They make a token effort on the floor and walls, but the roof is just a negative of the outside... So, can add that to the list of things to do...
dsteingass wrote:This is gonna be badass!
I love the shifters especially
Thanks Dave.
Yep, (total dyslexia blank on the word I actually wanted to use here) thanks to a model helicopter kit that the panel quite possibly also came from (as it's the same plastic).
Littletower wrote:Seems you will be taking fine tunning and detailing to a whole new level here!
Will be following (and note taking).
Keep it coming!
Thanks. Ja, that's what I try to do with every model I make these days. Why build a plain box when you can craft one with as many details that can fit. It's also why my models take ages to reach completion (but the journey is the fun part)...
shasolenzabi wrote: Hmm, once all painted, will you use clear plastic fro the driver windows so one can see inside?
I'm planning on a working (maybe just open) hatch in front of the driver and one or both of the hatches above him will work and the back door will still open. And I will probably leave the turret (with or without the mounting rectangle) removable. So it should be pretty accessible.
But will all those different angles, I will have to make sure to fill all the corners as well as the inside of the front and roof pieces.
As with the Wave serpent, I will likely have details that go beyond what is visible, but they will all be documented here before it is sealed.
nerdfest09 wrote: I gotta say that is really well done dude! :-) looks brilliant!
Thanks dude. I'm glad you're all liking this so far.
And while I try to decide what to do on the opposing wall of the tank...
Skalk's junk pile contest has closed and the entrant's junk is becoming available to view. So I can now reveal to you, right here, right now, My Junk!
First picture shows all the individual pieces that I used and where I got them from.
I was very careful to document the build, taking pictures after nearly every addition. I took my time and tried each piece in nearly every position until I found the perfect piece it's perfect place. All the while trying to make it look like it had just been thrown together...
...However, before I show you more, I need to explain how it ended up as it did. During the build up to the competition, there was much talk about what constituted a junk pile and, more importantly, what Skalk wanted/would have liked to see in the finished pieces.
During this time it was mentioned that the (real life) junk used to make the model is best kept as non-scale pieces (as in minimise the use of scale things, such as boxes or other model parts) and this led to my decision to not use any scale pieces in the build. Which meant I didn't use any of the miscast boxes or toilets that you may have expected me to use, although they were both in the plan until late in the build stages.
Also, it was mentioned that is would be good to make the (scale) junk look as if it had either been placed/left there or otherwise accumulated in that position. So I decided to just make a simple pile of junk pieces and not make a "something" out of junk or any major scale junked thing. Just a pile of individual pieces of junk... however, it still needed to be more than just a pile...
...Related to this it was mentioned that it would be good to incorporate a "story" into the piece, to somehow explain how the pieces of junk came to be where they are.
While considering this, there was a little comment (I believe by Skalk) about maybe incorporating something living in the pile. The examples given were a ripper or a squig. or something small like a rat.
This thought stuck with me and together with the above "Story" element, I came to the reason that the junk had found it's way into a pile, was that someone had decided to live there and make the junk his/her home (from home, maybe?). But I wanted it to still look like a simple pile of junk from some angles and only when you look at it in the right way, can you see it's actually a shelter.
So, for this build I had to make and paint the base before I could even start piling the junk up and I also had to solve the problem of how to build a shelter from separate pieces without it looking like it was defying gravity.
The base was started with my usual coating of dried paint and then I added a small pile of sprue scrapings (still saved from the hut build). This was mostly covered with a piece of textured paper (that is found closing bags of potatoes). With the addition of a small burnt out fire the base was complete and was painted up to look like a sheet of fabric over a pile of hay/straw on a ground of mud and rocks.
Then I used the large piece of plastic (from a cassette player) and a couple of matchsticks to create the "base" of the shelter, upon which everything else would be leaning up against or piled on top of. The remaining pieces were then added, one at a time, over and around the shelter to create the pile. With the exception of one piece...
The final piece was a bead (as used for a bead necklace). This was hidden inside the large pipe because in every good scrapheap/junk pile there is always a hidden gem... so I hid a gem...
So below is a series of pictures that show how it was built up. Also note that the junk pile was left separate from the base so that I could paint the underside easily.
And these are the "final" wip photos
Once the build was complete, I started painting everything in a "rust" base colour with the intention of painting a few bits as other materials at the end. But during, I decided that the person could be a scrap metal dealer and so it could all be rusty metal (as I quite liked the rust colours I achieved), so I ended up
*Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh damn bsod! Curse you Microsoft!*
Where was I? So I ended up making this model an experiment in various rust colours, from dark brown/reds to bright orange.
Here it is, in all it's glory (Guardian number 5 was available for modelling to show the scale). and some alternate angles.
shasolenzabi wrote: Hmm, once all painted, will you use clear plastic fro the driver windows so one can see inside?
I'm planning on a working (maybe just open) hatch in front of the driver and one or both of the hatches above him will work and the back door will still open. And I will probably leave the turret (with or without the mounting rectangle) removable. So it should be pretty accessible.
But will all those different angles, I will have to make sure to fill all the corners as well as the inside of the front and roof pieces.
As with the Wave serpent, I will likely have details that go beyond what is visible, but they will all be documented here before it is sealed.
On the junk pile again, public voting is required for the Daemon Prince prize. Have a look over the entrants and vote for your favourite piece (by PM to Skalk).
Today's update shows that I don't always pull off an awesome look on the first attempt. I wanted to layer up some card to give just some simple surface details to the blank spaces of the interior hull.
I first went for stripes/ridges and broke them up with a rectangle and vertical lines (top left)...
Having glued the pieces on, I sat back and looked at it for quite a while. But I could not decide what it was meant to be or where it was going.
Without direction, I could not excuse it's need to be there or look like it did.
Coupled with the lines not quite being straight and the spacing not being even (on purpose, for no particular reason)...
I wasn't feeling it, so off it came. Although it did nicely fill the dip in the surface there (there's two more dips at the rear that will need fixing when I get there).
I replaced it with squares and rectangles in various layers and with a few added rivets, maybe hinges and a lick of paint, I think it looks like a good tank interior.
This now brings me to a point in the build where I need the hull pieces of the tank glued together.
The next step for the driver's area is to glue in the driver and start attaching wires and cables to him, from him and around him and the cabin.
However, if I glue the tank together, it will make the work on the gunner more difficult.
So the next job is to start work on the gunner and his area...
I'm planning a major re-pose of the termagant, so there is a great deal of chopping in his near future. I may even have to get the putty out too.
first...I apologize... I am atm crawling my way back ontop of my backlog hill I left while my hobby mojo got drained due to school and other issues from me...I am again on top of one of these...(hobby mojo that is )
but now I have to look through what has happened while I was away...
and you made a pile of scrap... for the junk comp you should have made a pile of...wait for it...JUNK...not scrap... no seriously...looks awesome...the graffiti is super!
and to sum it up in one small sentence that will never be equal to what you did on the tank... looks very promising all that detail...and I love how you continuously break up all those flat SM surfaces! will be a killer of a paintjob...but there you are^^
first...I apologize... I am atm crawling my way back ontop of my backlog hill I left while my hobby mojo got drained due to school and other issues from me...I am again on top of one of these...(hobby mojo that is )
but now I have to look through what has happened while I was away...
No worries. Good to have you back.
Hope the issues weren't too bad and are now sorted.
and you made a pile of scrap... for the junk comp you should have made a pile of...wait for it...JUNK...not scrap... no seriously...looks awesome...the graffiti is super!
Yeah. It did start as junk, but as the story behind it developed it evolved into scrap.
After all, scrap is to junk, what flowers are to weeds... maybe... Thanks. The graffiti was an interesting challenge. I spent quite a while just looking at and practising various graffiti "fonts" before settling on the one I used. Then it was painting it, building it outwards and then going back over it to make it neat... then adding the rust streaks to make it less neat...
and to sum it up in one small sentence that will never be equal to what you did on the tank... looks very promising all that detail...and I love how you continuously break up all those flat SM surfaces! will be a killer of a paintjob...but there you are^^
Thanks.
The flat surfaces are in abundance in the front of the tank as that's usually an enclosed box, so zero detail from GW there. Even where they have added detail inside it's still pretty sparse, but it at least gives me something to work with...
Having done the Wave serpent, I'm less intimidated by the prospect of painting it all. But it will be quite a job when I get there. The inside will, of course, be painted before the outside is finished (or probably even started), but is still quite a way off yet.
Please (please) tell me that you're not going to button all that awesome work up. You crafted pedals for him! And gauges, etc are coming. Unfortunately I can see you doing extensive work in converting, creating, and painting the interior and then cap it up w/ exception to a tiny little slit in the front armor that he can look through.
Skalk Bloodaxe wrote:Please (please) tell me that you're not going to button all that awesome work up. You crafted pedals for him! And gauges, etc are coming. Unfortunately I can see you doing extensive work in converting, creating, and painting the interior and then cap it up w/ exception to a tiny little slit in the front armor that he can look through.
Do not worry Skalk. There are plenty of hatches in the kit that will provide angles to view the interior and I've yet to even plan, never mind build, the hatch in the front plate (so that the driver can feel the breeze on his skin on occasion ) that should give a nice view too. Plus, I'll probably leave the turret removable (which will also allow people to view the inside of the turret ).
And anyway, some of the details will probably only look good with limited lighting (like X-files)...
Viktor von Domm wrote:I think the good doc is not that mean to his audience
*Insert maniacal laughter of your choice here*
shasolenzabi wrote:He can with his proven skills, make it so the center top could come off and reveal his Gubbinz work.
Glad you have such faith in my abilities.
Just to be nice (Vik ) here's a picture of the driver in his sufficiently cramped cockpit:
I've finished off the detailing with a few scattered rivets/buttons (depending on how they end up being painted) and a little hinge made from a short length of thick copper wire. Pretty much all that is left is the wires and cables...
...and on that note, I've started the gunner.
Chopped up and laid out in the possible final pose (minus the main arms), if you can imagine the other leg and arm attached where they should be.
I was going to have him sitting on the floor, but bending the tail any further would probably break it. So squatting it is. I've added a wedge of sprue into the knee gap and that will be carved down to shape once the glue has set.
cormadepanda wrote:Well like you claim your rhino is pure mad. I like it. As far as the gaunt i think squatting will be fine. Maybe give him a bone like he is a pet?
Thanks Comrade.
lol, shame I didn't choose an open-mouthed head for him. Maybe I'll give him a lead/leash though...
Camkierhi wrote:Looking awesome.
Squatting gaunt no worries with your abilities.
Thanks Cam.
Although I have discovered an issue with the squatting pose which I should have thought about from the start...
...especially after the whole driver's seat thing...
...he's now too tall the fit in the tank...
Not to worry, I'll just make that portion of the tank taller. How, I'm not sure yet. I haven't even decided if I want the turret positioned mid- or rear-wards on the tank...
Although, from the amount of changes needed to raise that part of the tank and give it angled sides, because that's what tanks are supposed to have (Can't be helped about the actual sides of the tank, I did consider it...), I may be completely rebuilding that part. So I can position the turret wherever I want.
Don't need to worry about it yet though. Still have to install the gunner and his equipment first... not to mention decide how to make his tail fit in too...
Who would have thought it would be difficult to fit 2 bodies in a tank that can transport 12...
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, all the pictures are up for the junk pile competition.
So if you haven't had a look and voted for your favourite piece, check it out
Camkierhi wrote:I think i would shift his head and neck forward and down, and curl his tail around himself. Make him fit a bit better.Looks great though.
(Sorry been away, BT was out for a couple days.)
No worries, can't be helped when the Warp internet forsakes you.
Bringing the head down would be a lot of work for a couple of mm. (although, yes, raising a whole section of the tanks roof is not a trivial job either. You can remind me of this when I get there... )
It will be slightly lower that shown when it's glued on and not blu-tacked though.
and I quite like the alert look it gives him, considering he'll also be holding on to a railing with his little arms (both being necessary with an Ork driving ).
The tail isn't a huge problem actually. Where he stands and what I surround him with will all be inter-dependant and he does fit in ok as it is.
I may have to resort to heating and cooling if I need it more curved (it's straighter there than it was when I first bent it).
Curled around himself would be good if I had got him sitting, but he'll need it when standing (again with an Ork driving ).
I shall save that idea for a future model with a longer tail...
cormadepanda wrote:I think he should have his head sticking out a hatch like a good old dog. And she should be name doga.
You can take the modeller out of the Ork army, but not the Ork out of the modeller...
I really want everything about this tank to exude menace and a head with lolling tongue is a bit too comical for this one.
I will save that as a good use for one of the rippers (that I can't takeseriously)
Theophony wrote: Go old school razorback with the pilot spot behind the guns and have him in there. Definitely needs to be painted like a damnation though.
It's not a bad idea. I'll keep it in mind if I really struggle to get it to work inside.
I don't want it being confused with a razorback though, and it might with that arrangement.
Also, being sat outside is probably not great if your driver is keen on going through buildings...
I have puttied-up the gunner's backside... Needs a little sanding and it should be fine, although at the moment (with the white milliput) it does look like it's wearing a nappy...
Not a lot to show today then.
Keep the ideas coming though. It's all taken on board and if it's not used now, it'll be saved for the future. Thanks.
In other news...
I've done a little cake decorating today and I've built the next commission job.
Ruglud wrote: Now then, are you sure you didn't just pick a load of rusty gubbins out of a bin and stick them on a base??
Thanks. I'm glad it looks realistic enough for that.
Although, there are three pieces of actual rusty metal on there that I didn't do anything other than stick them on.
If they don't stand out from all the painted rust, then job's a goodun.
Tank is looking very interesting - I have nothing to offer as I'm very confused, but I know you'll make it work
I hope that's a "good" sort of confused (the kind that my army is designed to create) and not a "bad" (what the hell do you think you're doing) kind of confused...
There is a lot more detail to add that will show how the whole tank works, but I can explain something if you have a specific question.
No progress today, been busy with other things (namely, making a table centre thing for Christmas out of real holly. If you're gentle, it doesn't hurt that much...)
Ruglud wrote: Now then, are you sure you didn't just pick a load of rusty gubbins out of a bin and stick them on a base??
Thanks. I'm glad it looks realistic enough for that.
Although, there are three pieces of actual rusty metal on there that I didn't do anything other than stick them on.
If they don't stand out from all the painted rust, then job's a goodun.
Ahha - there you go - awesome though, wouldn't be able to tell the real from the mimic...
Tank is looking very interesting - I have nothing to offer as I'm very confused, but I know you'll make it work
I hope that's a "good" sort of confused (the kind that my army is designed to create) and not a "bad" (what the hell do you think you're doing) kind of confused...
There is a lot more detail to add that will show how the whole tank works, but I can explain something if you have a specific question.
No, that's fine, my confusion is how this all fits together, but I like the slow reveal which explains it all as you go. And your ste-by-step tutorials are always the icing on the cake for me Anyway, I'm permanently in a state of confusion so all is good
No progress today, been busy with other things (namely, making a table centre thing for Christmas out of real holly. If you're gentle, it doesn't hurt that much...)
Christmas table decorations? I haven't seen one of those since the mid 80s, we had a log with some fake snow and a scrawny looking plastic Robin (the bird, not Batman's little mate) - wanna see photos as it's making me all nostalgic about my yoof
Ruglud wrote: Ahha - there you go - awesome though, wouldn't be able to tell the real from the mimic...
Cool. That's what I wanted. Together with a wide variety of rust colours.
No, that's fine, my confusion is how this all fits together, but I like the slow reveal which explains it all as you go.
K. It will all make sense in the end.
It all fits together ... in ... by ... ? ... It all fits together ... because I tell it to, with liberal helpings of cutting and putty and imagination... Like most of my models here, I have a rough idea of where I'm going with it and then I look through all the bits and bitz and pieces and see if I have anything that fits what I want to make in shape. If I do, I use it with a little modification (often to make it fit). If I can't find what I want, I make it from scratch. Or a combination of the two...
The things I use and the space I have to work in usually define what the final product looks like (I remain flexible with the look in my mind, so long as it looks like it works how I imagine).
And your ste-by-step tutorials are always the icing on the cake for me
Nice to know that people enjoy the stream of conciousness that is my blog. I've learnt a lot from other blogs where people share all that they do, be it good or bad (in fact you can often learn as much, if not more, from something that didn't work right than something that worked as expected).
So, I like to give something back and it's nice to talk to people that have an interest in the same area.
Hopefully you all understand what I say. I don't get that many questions about my models, so either everyone is in the same state of confusion as you, Ruglud, or I'm explaining myself well...
No progress today, been busy with other things (namely, making a table centre thing for Christmas out of real holly. If you're gentle, it doesn't hurt that much...)
Christmas table decorations? I haven't seen one of those since the mid 80s, we had a log with some fake snow and a scrawny looking plastic Robin (the bird, not Batman's little mate) - wanna see photos as it's making me all nostalgic about my yoof
I'll try and sneak a picture in here when there's more to show (it just looks like a pile of holly at the moment in spite of the amount of work I put in to make it that shape)
So, as there's been no pictures here for a little while, it's time for an update on the tank...
I knew I would find a better use for the random bits that I cut off the Wave serpent...table legs.
The rest is made up of card, some sprue and the other cockpit panel I found. There's much more to add (and has been added since) that will make this look more functional. There's also quite a bit of filling to do and I need to add a railing of some kind for the gunner to cling on to...
And I've added the strip to hide the edge of the new floor I added at the start...
A length of card and rivets made from water filter beads (nice and rounded so you don't trip on them ).
I may add some to the blank space on the original floor too.
I also bent the gunner's tail as much as it's going to get using hot and cold water. If it needs bending further, I'm going to need higher temperatures or just chop, re-glue and carve... we will see when it comes to sticking him in.
Best of luck in the terrain comp, IMO your's has be best rust (rust being a common feature of all the entrants).
Thanks mate. Maybe I am in with a shot of winning something then. With the sheer volume of rust on mine I was bound to get some of them right. Good luck with your's too. It's a tough contest at all levels.
On that note, to all you readers out there: The voting for the Daemon Prince prize is still ongoing and needs your vote. Go, go now, do it...
Though by now I have come to expect nothing less from you I still have to say the detail you are putting into the interior of the tank is impressive, I really enjoy your builds.
Skalk Bloodaxe wrote: Though by now I have come to expect nothing less from you I still have to say the detail you are putting into the interior of the tank is impressive, I really enjoy your builds.
Thanks Skalk. So do I. You can say that I'm getting my money's worth out of my models. I always bought models by looking at the number of pieces, as more pieces meant a more challenging build. But those sort of models are built to-the-letter from the instructions, now I've discovered converting/scratch-building of sci-fi models (that can therefore look however you like), it's opened up a whole new level of challenge to model making that I didn't know was possible before.
So, more detail = more pieces = greater challenge = more fun.
On that note, I did add the second strip of rivets to the floor and the use of these water filter beads gave me an idea while working on the gunner's panel...
...You can use the same technique to add buttons/switches
I also realised while making this, that it looks a great deal like the controls for an electron microscope...curious...
Next job is to add railing and then fill the gaps.
I'm in two minds about whether to fill behind the upright part of the controls (the light grey bit). On the one hand, it'll be nice a neat and will make me happy. On the other hand, it'll be really tricky, slightly unnecessary, will look fine as it is inside the tank and I'm not sure how to actually do it... thoughts?
monkeytroll wrote: Never know when you might need to do a bit of microscopy when out in the field. Sure the mad scientist is aware of that...
Yeah, but I can't see a Tyranid being much good at it no matter however much training you give it... It's also missing the large upright cylinder that is the actual microscope. They are quite fun to play with though, especially when you realise what ~100000x magnification is and how small the thing you are looking at is...
As to filling, could you get away with a thin plasticard strip glued to the cosole edges?
Possible, but you have to make it fit around a curved surface that's at an angle to the wall... would need some very accurate cutting.
The railings went on easily so here's some more pictures that will show you the gap behind the panel and how I'm thinking about positioning the gunner.
I may actually bend his tail the other way now I can see him standing in there...bugger...
Throw some milliput or greenstuff in the gap to fill it, then you can shape and it'll look like it's made to measure. Cool looking set-up, makes me think he's about to play the latest flight simulator.
I'd also be tempted to fill the gaps under the legs, maybe make a curved plate effect slightly large in diameter then the leg feet?
Ruglud wrote: Throw some milliput or greenstuff in the gap to fill it, then you can shape and it'll look like it's made to measure. Cool looking set-up, makes me think he's about to play the latest flight simulator.
Thanks Ruglud.
Yeah, that was my first plan. I just didn't want to keep pushing loads of putty behind there (or get it smooth and then it fall in). I may jam in a load of junk first to roughly fill the space and then smooth over with putty when I do the underside of the console.
I'd also be tempted to fill the gaps under the legs, maybe make a curved plate effect slightly large in diameter then the leg feet?
You mean where the legs meet the floor?
I hadn't thought about that yet, but I may add a thin plate (riveted to the floor) under them.
(p.s. I hope things get better round your way soon)
Yeah, I was thinking of maybe a 2mm strip that didn't quite connect to the wall but would give that impression when viewed, but looking at the side view that probably wouldn't work. go with the Ruglud's suggestion of gs/milliput, or even blu-tac and pva in there as it doesn't have to hold up to any handling.
I'll disagree with the right honourable Ruglud though and say I prefer the open legged look for the console
And I think I'd cut his tail off completely and sculpt a new one curving down to the floor on his left side.....
edit: Actually I think I midunderstood him there, I thought he meant make it a solid console......
monkeytroll wrote: Yeah, I was thinking of maybe a 2mm strip that didn't quite connect to the wall but would give that impression when viewed, but looking at the side view that probably wouldn't work. go with the Ruglud's suggestion of gs/milliput, or even blu-tac and pva in there as it doesn't have to hold up to any handling.
Yeah, I realised that the front-on view didn't really give you the full picture of the gap.
I'll give it a go with some putty.
Note also that it overlaps with the door pillar. That may also complicate matters...
I'll disagree with the right honourable Ruglud though and say I prefer the open legged look for the console
edit: Actually I think I midunderstood him there, I thought he meant make it a solid console......
That was also my first impression of what he said. But I think he means a floor-plate.
And I think I'd cut his tail off completely and sculpt a new one curving down to the floor on his left side.....
If I end up snapping it off when bending it the other way I may end up doing that...
I do want it to remain in the air though, as it's for balance.
Ruglud wrote: Throw some milliput or greenstuff in the gap to fill it, then you can shape and it'll look like it's made to measure. Cool looking set-up, makes me think he's about to play the latest flight simulator.
Thanks Ruglud. Yeah, that was my first plan. I just didn't want to keep pushing loads of putty behind there (or get it smooth and then it fall in). I may jam in a load of junk first to roughly fill the space and then smooth over with putty when I do the underside of the console.
Stick some putty in roughly, not too much and slightly lower than the finished edge.Let it set then go back and do another layer on top for the detail / smoothing
I'd also be tempted to fill the gaps under the legs, maybe make a curved plate effect slightly large in diameter then the leg feet?
You mean where the legs meet the floor? I hadn't thought about that yet, but I may add a thin plate (riveted to the floor) under them.
(p.s. I hope things get better round your way soon)
Yep, sorry - see below for clarification... and thanks, fingers are crossed here, although outlook isn't great...
Dr H wrote:
monkeytroll wrote: Yeah, I was thinking of maybe a 2mm strip that didn't quite connect to the wall but would give that impression when viewed, but looking at the side view that probably wouldn't work. go with the Ruglud's suggestion of gs/milliput, or even blu-tac and pva in there as it doesn't have to hold up to any handling.
Yeah, I realised that the front-on view didn't really give you the full picture of the gap. I'll give it a go with some putty. Note also that it overlaps with the door pillar. That may also complicate matters...
I'll disagree with the right honourable Ruglud though and say I prefer the open legged look for the console
edit: Actually I think I midunderstood him there, I thought he meant make it a solid console......
That was also my first impression of what he said. But I think he means a floor-plate.
Yeah, sorry for vagueness, a plate on the floor so that the grooves uner the leg are also filled and mae it look like it's riveted down firmly... I also like the idea though of a thin edge strip around the console to give it a nice finished look
K. I shall do something about that when I get there.
I have filled in the back of the panel. I squirted a bit of PVA in and then pushed in a load of sprue shavings (from the hut) and then left it a little while for the PVA to set (maybe) and then I set about filling the edges of the table and the sides of the panel.
I also added a small screen that seem to show up in lots of tank interior pictures that I've been looking at. Aside from a little more tidying of the putty and a few wires/cables (and the floor plates ), I think I can call this part done. ...and maybe some more rivets too...
Next job is to do something with the other side of the tank that will be behind the gunner...
I'm thinking some kind of ammo storage... Ja oder Nein?
This may be because I had to idea to make a load of shells for the autocannon (I even found a thing that was the right size and shape, although I dunno what I did with it... ) and there's no way there is enough room for the stated 120 rounds in the little box on the back of the turret...
Now that I have recovered from the food and drink of Christmas, I'm back...
I did manage to read over your blogs yesterday and today, but was too much of a zombie to post any replies. I shall work through the backlog soon, you have not been forgotten.
Camkierhi wrote:Merry Christmas.
You brilliant interior is making me feel very inadequate.
Thanks Cam, hope you had a good Christmas.
Do not feel inadequate, you are worthy. Strive for greater and greater detail and add it one piece at a time (that's all I do).
lone dirty dog wrote:Nice work that is one complex and detailed instrument panel
Thanks LDD.
When you decide to make an instrument panel you have to accept that it will require a lot of small and complex details. It's easier than it looks, as you just add them piece by piece and build it up.
The most difficult piece to add was actually the angled section in the middle (all the buttons and things were easy in comparison). I had to use a thin piece of wire to hold it up while I glued it on and then pulled the wire out (the gap underneath was thinner than my usual tweezers).
love the invasion of the dinner table sure the misses is impressed Merry Christmas
No Mrs "Dr H" here, but Mum was pleased with it. Hope you had a good Christmas too.
alabamaheretic wrote:merry christmas doc!
Thanks. Hope you had a good Christmas as well.
your tank is gonna looks tits when youg et done you have high expectations to live up to after the wave serpent build.
i expect no less that perfection
keep up the good work man.
Thanks. Yeah, each new model has to live up to the previous model and take the next step. No cutting corners here, unless that corner doesn't fit...
I aim for as near to perfect as I can get with every model. If I can look at it and think "I could not have done any better", then I'm happy with it. If something doesn't live up to my expectations (like the interior detailing earlier), then I change it before moving on.
Right, so no actual progress yet. I'm still pondering the final corner of the interior...
However, in other news:
I didn't expect any hobby related presents this year. I asked for books and CDs as I already have quite a backlog of untouched plastic, but had read all my books and it's always nice to extend my CD collection. Then I opened the presents from one of my brothers and I find this:
Together with a helping hand, this contains many various blades (some of which look quite evil ) and some poky things, a couple of saw blades, some gouging and shaping tools (one of which would have been really useful for the front of the Tainted Toilet cistern), a sanding block, a plane and a balsa wood stripping tool ( ) and handles for all the blades... all in a carry case.
It'll be a while before I find a use for everything, but many very useful things there.
In order to decide upon the final position of the gunner, I needed to get that tail bent in the other direction (it seems to have decided on a curve that it's happy with, so that's what I'm working with...), and I needed to decide what I was going to do about this ammo thing...
So once the tail had made up it's mind to be slightly less bent than I told it to be, I found that I could have the space provided by the alcove out to the depth of the seat/cupboards that is moulded into the interior. This means I can't build out far like in the front or the gunner's control panel, but I can now start designing storage for ammo...
There needs to be ammo represented for both the sponsons AND the main gun. Whereas for the sponsons I can get away with some kind of container to house ammunition, the main gun has shells (supposedly about the size of a marine's fist). This meant that I needed to make shells...
My first idea was to try and cast some using my Oyumaru as I thought it would be easier to keep casting them up than carving them all the time... I was wrong, none of the casts I tried worked so I ended up carving some from a piece of round sprue and the carving turned out to be easier and quicker...
On a side note the evil-looking curved blade in the new set is actually really good for the sort of carving where you pull towards your thumb. The length and curvature of the blade makes me think that it's made for this... Plenty of carving with a new sharp blade = zero cuts... very impressed, I will get more when I need them.
So the carved shells are shown in the picture below.
I need to decide on how to add the shell casing look to them. I'm thinking either wrapping paper round them, or just carving in a line or two round them... Thoughts?
And because a picture of some pointy bits of plastic wasn't going to be very exciting to look at I added a mock-up of the gunner with an arm.
I don't know yet if it will be resting on the console (as it is here), or be on the buttons/dials of the console (which may require a little cutting).
In other news;
You may remember being mentioned, a little competition that had been running recently, that involved making a pile of junk.
Well, my little pile of scrap metal actually won 1st place in my category! I was not expecting that. With the very high level of the other competitors I would have been surprised with any prize.
I now need to think about designs for dispensing of these shells...
I've tested out the one shell with some paper wrapped round it, glued with superglue and then a little light sanding.
In order to see if the effect works I had to paint it...
As these will be situated within some kind of mechanical structure I won't add a bottom to the casing.
If it becomes visible in a certain position I'll add a disk of card/plastic to the bottom.
that set of blade looks very good... in fact I had my eye on none of these sets for quite a long time too... the ones with the plastic apparatus in black around the blades...far left and far right at the bottom of the pic is supposed to be for very thin strip making... something I assure you will come in extra handy... you´ll soon be able to not ever look at evergreen stuff again
the shells looks very good... tho a bottom small disc for that extra detail will be a good idea...if needed...
Viktor von Domm wrote:that set of blade looks very good... in fact I had my eye on none of these sets for quite a long time too... the ones with the plastic apparatus in black around the blades...far left and far right at the bottom of the pic is supposed to be for very thin strip making... something I assure you will come in extra handy... you´ll soon be able to not ever look at evergreen stuff again
Cool. Good to know. I will definitely find a use for everything.
merry belated Christmas doc and a happy new year
Ta. Same to you dude.
shasolenzabi wrote:Steel rounds for AP
dsteingass wrote:It looks EXACTLY like a shell!
the shells looks very good... tho a bottom small disc for that extra detail will be a good idea...if needed...
Good good. I will continue onwards now that they have been OKed (I had actually already made more shells anyway, but it's nice to know that they look the part).
I have tried making the dispenser for the shells today, but I'm not feeling it. So I will try again...
Camkierhi wrote: Shell looks great, your patience for carving these out is amazing. Again just like the hut, you show infinate patience to detail.
The carving of the tips were actually really quick and easy, using round sprue helped. Get a point and then sand it smooth...done. It's a bit more time consuming wrapping paper neatly round each one, but worth it.
Thanks.
To think that I considered (before I started) somehow casting up the full 120 shells and then building a rack for them inside the tank. There's no way it would fit...
Oh and congrats on the catergory win, great result, great model. For once I did not even get a mention. Was a very good competition.
Thanks. It was a very close competition at every level. I get the feeling that it was only a few points or brush-strokes for any piece to have taken a prize over another.
Talking of comps!!!!
Indeed, talking of competitions; Everyone pay attention,
If you haven't noticed yet, the next round of the -=I_=-eague terrain competition is soon to start (run by Camkierhi, so that's another competition he can't win ).
You can find the thread via the link in my sig' (it's the one that says "Terrain Competition" )
I will however have to sit this one out (which therefore gives the rest of you a better chance of winning ) as I don't really have the space to keep building terrain pieces I also don't have the space to work on another project on my modelling board with the tank and some commission pieces (which really need some more attention ).
Also, Beebopdrums2424 is also running a competition to paint a simple guardsman. So check that out too, there's still time to compete.
cormadepanda wrote:So many comps these days. Happy holidays.
You're not wrong. It seems that it would be possible to do nothing but competitions constantly. I need some down time between competitions to relax a bit. I do keep my eye on the various competitions running and I may dip into more in the future, if the timing's right.
I also just don't have the space for too many projects on the go at once. The individual pieces of the current tank I'm working on don't all fit in my working space all at once and I have next to zero space to put things aside. So, for now, I have to do one or two things at a time.
Cam, Vik and Bama: Thanks and a Happy new year to you.
Happy New Year everyone! May 2014 bring you nice things and happy times.
I will certainly continue to bring you many more mad, crazy, weird, wonderful (hopefully) and unexpected things.
On that note:
I'm now happier with where the ammo dispenser is going and I have something to show for it...
Top pic' is the first, aborted, attempt. Just wasn't feeling it and I wanted something more... sci fi...
So the other pictures show you the early makings of the new dispenser. I'm aiming for it to end up looking like a serpentine channel. So it will get a little bulking up on the sides and will look all nice and curvy, like.
The bottom picture is a scale shot of the shells and to show what the dispenser looks like on the inside.
Might I suggest (though maybe late, unless you are planning on more shells), instead of carving the sprue, fixing a length of round sprue to a power drill and turning it - at relatively low speed - against a sanding block to shape it? And lightly pressing against one of those blades while turning, lathe wise, would serve for carving the dents.
Speaking of which, maybe adding a second groove near the bottom of the casing? That could help with the workings of an auto-loader and/or case extractor, if it were a concern...
Littletower wrote:Shells and dispenser look great.
Might I suggest (though maybe late, unless you are planning on more shells), instead of carving the sprue, fixing a length of round sprue to a power drill and turning it - at relatively low speed - against a sanding block to shape it? And lightly pressing against one of those blades while turning, lathe wise, would serve for carving the dents.
Speaking of which, maybe adding a second groove near the bottom of the casing? That could help with the workings of an auto-loader and/or case extractor, if it were a concern...
Cheers, and happy new year to you too.
Thanks LT. Yeah, that would work well, good idea.
I carved about 12 of them and have only wrapped these 5. Some of the others will find a use in the turret. (when I get there)
I'll do something with the bottom end on any shells that it will be visible for.
I should probably do an empty one or two as well...
cormadepanda wrote:I like the progress dr. I enjoy the dispenser a lot.
Love the dispenser. You have given me the bug, off to have an itch.
And I have used Littletowers suggestion in the past and it works pretty well, about the only thing is you need stiff stock material, if it's too flexible it can flick around on you. I used the acrylic rod as opposed to the styrene when I did it. Just for future reference, if you want to do another 1000 rounds say.
Looking great here though, your rounds look spot on.
Camkierhi wrote: Love the dispenser. You have given me the bug, off to have an itch.
Good good.
Thanks. There's much more to do on it and that will hopefully make it even better.
And I have used Littletowers suggestion in the past and it works pretty well, about the only thing is you need stiff stock material, if it's too flexible it can flick around on you. I used the acrylic rod as opposed to the styrene when I did it. Just for future reference, if you want to do another 1000 rounds say.
Looking great here though, your rounds look spot on.
Thanks Vik. Glad you think so. Hopefully it will look even more so once I've added the surface details. That comes next, because I've finished the body of the dispenser...
The last two shells are both visible, so I had to add bottom ends to them both.
Just a piece of plastic, glued on, sanded to shape, drill the dimple for the hammer and painted on the ring as I couldn't carve it (I did try).
So, as I said, surface details to be added to it and then that's done.
I now have to start thinking about other sections of the tank...
I can't do the spare ammo for the sponson weapon(s), until I know what form they will take. Which needs the sponsons built first...
I will also need to plan, at least, the removal of the exhaust from the outside of the tank before I can plan the sponsons...
Also need to fill the gaps that the removal of the interior doors left...
I still have the inside of the front and roof of the tank before I can add the final details to the interior...
I need to re-build the front plate of the tank (with it's hatch) before I can do the inside of it...
I can't finish the gunner until his surroundings have been finished, and that needs...
The spare ammo placed...
The sides of the tank attached to the floor of the tank (with added plates beneath the console legs)...
The roof above him detailed (as he may be reaching up to something up there)...
And that needs the roof of the tank extended up so that the gunner actually fits in...
Once that's all together, I can then finish the last details of the inside (that's wires and cables...) and probably paint it before closing the hull and starting on the outside...
I have a quite troublesome question... have you thought about a RL lightsource inside the tank? there will be so much cool work gone to waste if it wont be seen... of course removable top option aside...
and then... since there is a nid gunner... wouldn´t a nid turret be a good choice too?... sort of a new take on the automated working turret?...
the shells looks really good by the way... very convincing... we went with the family for a little scavenging walk... and we found lots of spent 9mm shells... blank cartridges...and I can now rightfully assure, you did an astonishing well done job on these!
and the dispenser looks the part in each minuscule bit too... something you could think of for a new casting project too
Viktor von Domm wrote: I have a quite troublesome question... have you thought about a RL lightsource inside the tank? there will be so much cool work gone to waste if it wont be seen... of course removable top option aside...
It's an interesting thought.
It would be tricky, but not impossible, because I would have to fit all the workings (well switch and battery) into the side pieces of the tank.
For now, I will say; no. But I will review it when I have finished the interior and we can see what the visibility is like without a light and I can still add one before sticking the roof on.
and then... since there is a nid gunner... wouldn´t a nid turret be a good choice too?... sort of a new take on the automated working turret?...
Also an interesting thought. But that does take the tank away from being a recognisable Predator.
Also, if the turret is alive, there's no need for a gunner...
And, from the whole kit, I like the Predator turret the most. But I do have an interesting idea for making it a little WWII in it's looks that you may or may not like... I will save that idea for the future though. A living turret of some kind...
the shells looks really good by the way... very convincing... we went with the family for a little scavenging walk... and we found lots of spent 9mm shells... blank cartridges...and I can now rightfully assure, you did an astonishing well done job on these!
Thanks. I'm only working from images, so it's good to know.
and the dispenser looks the part in each minuscule bit too... something you could think of for a new casting project too
Oh, really... I'll add it to the list and make a better version (there's quite a few things that need fixing on this one and it'll need to be in parts to cast) on my next casting adventure.
yeah... a plan to assemble casted bits for the dispenser would be the best option
as for the other points... I totally agree... this makes no real sense then... and the turrets of the predator are indeed a very good looking part of the tank...
but since you like the ideas I am very glad you will use them for later projects ^^
Yep, added to the list and highlighted as something to try soon together with the sinks (I should get around to them before Dave goes elsewhere... ).
but since you like the ideas I am very glad you will use them for later projects
I'm forever adding ideas to my list of future ideas (which is approaching it's fourth page...) and I've only ticked one thing off the list since I started making it (the living Auspex). So many ideas, so little time...
Your sponson ammo is dependant on the weapon, are you intending to have the weapons swappable? And what about using Vik's excellent idea on the sponsons, Nid acid sprayers instead of flamers. And the gunner being a nid would have a "hive"link to the sponsons! Then you would not require to invade the interior with ammo racks. Just thinking out load.
Camkierhi wrote: Your sponson ammo is dependant on the weapon, are you intending to have the weapons swappable? And what about using Vik's excellent idea on the sponsons, Nid acid sprayers instead of flamers. And the gunner being a nid would have a "hive"link to the sponsons! Then you would not require to invade the interior with ammo racks. Just thinking out load.
Camkierhi wrote:Your sponson ammo is dependant on the weapon, are you intending to have the weapons swappable?
No. Everything in my army will be built with everything it needs and will ever need. There will be no swapping and changing of bits to customise this army to the enemy. It's all left to chance/random effects/chaos/entropy...
And what about using Vik's excellent idea on the sponsons, Nid acid sprayers instead of flamers. And the gunner being a nid would have a "hive"link to the sponsons! Then you would not require to invade the interior with ammo racks.
I do have future plans for an acid cannon replacement to a flamer weapon and (not to disappoint anyone, but) I have already chosen what the guns will be in the sponsons. It's how they end up being built that will dictate the shape of the reloads.
Good a time to talk about the sponsons as any really.
The weapons that will be installed have been alluded to in the fluff I posted earlier, and some of the wip photos may have had one of the guns in the background...
...Now that you've gone and had a look back over the last few pages;
First off, I know that a Predator is meant to have the same gun on each sponson. But this is where I take my leave from the rules of the game and add a little randomness/chaos, and so they will be different on each side. Which will make things more interesting depending on which way the tank is positioned on the battlefield...
One of the guns I had the idea for when I first bought the kit and actually started building it. Intended as a replacement for the Heavy Bolter option I decided to make a 3-barrelled Gatling cannon type weapon. It still needs a lot more work, especially now that I've changed the idea of how the sponsons will be attached. This gun will, of course, require an ammo drum and reloads stored inside the tank.
The other weapon (intended as a replacement of the Las cannon option) was featured heavily in the fluff that revealed the nature and identity of the tank. I have more, quite detailed, fluff about the functioning of the gun and I'll post that when I come to that gun. I will say now though, that instead of it being a weapon that "fires" light, it uses electrons... It's very mad scientist...
Just thinking out load.
Nothing wrong with that. It leads to many good ideas. Keep it up.
cormadepanda wrote:but ammo racks are the best!
Thanks Panda.
nerdfest09 wrote:That ammo rack is simply outstanding! you are a very clever little Dr aren't you! :-)
Viktor von Domm wrote: I like that... would require probably some other gear as any laser gun...hmmm.... more like a radiation gun...
Well, actually electrons are a form of radioactive emission.
[Science bit] Everybody has heard of Gamma Rays as radiation. These are electromagnetic waves, just like light (and x-rays, microwaves and radio-waves).
But there are two other types of emission from a radioactive material;
Alpha-particles, which are helium nuclei (2 protons and 2 neutrons).
And Beta-particles, which are high-energy electrons.
[/Science Bit]
All will be explained later.
as for the gatling...:even if I still have seen nothing yet.. gatlings always will be my favourite type of gun...even before shotguns
Yeah, both very nice guns.
Let's see...
...You can see it here behind the driver.
Vik: Not had to pleasure (if you can call it that) of seeing him before. What's he from?
And after spending ages trying to make the shapes I wanted (from card) to fit on the sides of the dispenser, I remembered the collection of discs and rings I had and picked out a size that fits fine and does at least part of the job I was originally aiming for.
Here's how the finished ammo dispenser fits in with the rest of the interior...
I think the next jobs will be to make the front of the tank and extend the roof, as both jobs require the use of plasticard...
Thats going to be a great charactful piece Dr. I commend your eye for detail and the time spent on the interior I cant wait to see this beast progress to the finish line!
Ruglud wrote:The dispenser and shells looks great - like a crazy gumball dispenser
BTW, the comic fella is Beta Ray Bill from Thor comics (Marvel)
Thanks Ruglud.
I see, Not read many Thor stories.
Thanks Shas. (only "quite"... )
Thanks Theo.
bebopdrums2424 wrote:Thats going to be a great charactful piece Dr. I commend your eye for detail and the time spent on the interior I cant wait to see this beast progress to the finish line!
Thanks BB. The little details is where I find I'm happiest. I aim to go just beyond the point where the details aren't noticeable by themselves but add to the overall impression of a well detailed piece (if you know what I mean ).
There's such a long way to go until the whole is finished, but with each job as an individual "whole" there is a nice series of little finishes spread out evenly. That keeps you lot interested and me, motivated. That's a good thing to keep in mind whenever you start a large project...
I wanted to make a kind of "S"-shape on the sides, but I just couldn't cut the curves or the ends (where the pieces met each other or the sides) right.
But I think the circle gives a good enough impression of how it functions.
While I think about a design for the front of the tank, I have started painting the next commission pieces. So expect an update over there once there's more than a basecoat to show.
I'm now going to google "tank hatches" and see if inspiration jumps out at me...
shasolenzabi wrote: This whole tank ought to be a real attention grabber when you show it off at your local store! It has certainly been grabbing attention here at Dakka!
Thanks Shas.
It's got a long way to go before it can surpass the Hut or the "rippers playing 40k" in terms of attention grabbing.
Oh, and I forgot to say to your previous comment...
dsteingass wrote: That shell dispenser is the coolest bit of kit I think I've ever seen!
Thanks Dave. With all the cool things available today, that means a lot.
Although I could have picked a better material for the curved body of it; A cheap cotton bobbin thing that I think was probably made from recycled plastic was a pain in the backside to work with. It was very soft to cut, but it also didn't cut cleanly. So getting a smooth edge to those holes was practically impossible. Will have to see how they look when I prime it and if they still look rough I'll have to add some putty round the edges.
Still contemplating the hatch and painting commission models. I'll be back soon.
I said I'd be back with concepts and here they are.
This is (at the moment) just to get an idea of the shape and to give you all an idea of the layout I'm planning.
So a square hatch would allow the hinge to be either at the top or the side and it allows me to bring the headlights/eyes closer together (I don't know the ideal distance yet, but I want to give it the impression of having eyes).
a rectangular hatch would have to have the hinge at the top (I don't think at the bottom is a viable option, but not entirely ruled out yet). The headlights won't be able to be as close, but there will be a delicate balancing act between the two. This option also gives the best view of the interior.
A circular hatch, while matching the other hatches of the tank kit, would be very difficult to cut out (although I may have something laying about to help). Has the same benefits as the square hatch, but I'm not sure of the aesthetics of a round hatch with round lights... And the main problem, as shown in the picture, is that very little of the interior would be visible through the hatch and therefore make it a little pointless.
Obviously there will be more details on the finished surfaces of the model.
Camkierhi wrote: Triangular, hinged at the bottom, with just mesh for a window.
You're thinking like an Ork there, aren't you?! I know I've introduced the fact that The Scientist has an Ork engineer, but it's still designed by a scientist (albeit a slightly mad one ).
I also don't fancy trying to cut out a triangular hole... and it would also limit visibility into the tank... But I might put a triangular window on something in the future, just because you mentioned it...
I kind of prefer the last one, but make it the same size hole as right above so you can use a turret hatch that opens right and left. It also needs an entry keypad that is ridiculously complex right next to it, so when they are surprised Nd have to get into the tank they have to enter a third digit combo with correct capitalization and no backspace key .
Theophony wrote:I kind of prefer the last one, but make it the same size hole as right above so you can use a turret hatch that opens right and left. It also needs an entry keypad that is ridiculously complex right next to it, so when they are surprised Nd have to get into the tank they have to enter a third digit combo with correct capitalization and no backspace key .
I haven't tried yet, but I don't think the hatches that come in the kit will fit in the space on the front, although it is something to check.
This hatch isn't for entry, there's plenty of other hatches to get in and out of (not that they will do a lot of that) not to mention the large hatch on the rear.
This is just for the driver to open if he wants to feel the breeze on his face...
dsteingass wrote:#2 or #3 for sure...#1 is too big and #4 looks like a porthole on the Titanic or something.
The top one is just what it looks like at the moment. I am inclined to agree with you though on the porthole...
cormadepanda wrote:what about no hatch and just a bunch of slants like the cars from death race?
Nice idea and I like the look. But it's still a little too Ork-y for what I'm after. I'll save that one for later.
what about a lens- like round opening... much bigger than what you sketched but it is only open just a fraction of the full extent and thus not much more than you already have? the mad scientist´s approach would thus be satisfied...:
Viktor von Domm wrote:what about a lens- like round opening... much bigger than what you sketched but it is only open just a fraction of the full extent and thus not much more than you already have? the mad scientist´s approach would thus be satisfied...:
I've always liked that sort of opening since I first watched Alien (I can just hear them too now).
But I was planning on a working hatch and making a working one like that makes my brain hurt...
Theophony wrote:Perhaps make a cardboard cutout in scale of a space marine for him to have on the front to get through imperial checkpoints .
Viktor von Domm wrote:naww... that's too orky again^^
I will have to do that for a future Ork commando though. I think I established in the fluff this tank's attitude to imperials (and it ain't friendly). It will be fitted with a far better way of getting through checkpoints...
dsteingass wrote:Round doesn't seem to match the blocky SM Rhino shape to me.
Yeah, I thought so too.
Viktor von Domm wrote:That lense style could very well be square shaped too...like the blast doors of numerous space operas...
If you can find some examples of that I would like to add that to my "inspiration" folder.
And remember there's still the rear hatch of the tank to think about, that has more space to do this kind of thing with.
Theophony wrote:If he has so much hate on for the imperium how about the rectangle with an upsidedown Aquila?
Ahh, I like that idea for somewhere on the tank. Very much a two-fingered salute to the imperium...
Having finished the commission models, I can now return to the tank and this front hatch...
I have cut a piece of plasticard to fit the hole and I'm planning the layout of the headlights and hatch.
Here's a quick mock-up to show you the current plan:
The headlights will be in self-contained enclosures (the picture just gives you an idea of the size of the lenses I am going to use), like those lamps you can add to the bumper your car, and will be made to look like they can move about and "look" at things...
Looks good. Just as a side note, What about making the glass made from a magnifying glass, or lense. Would fit fluffy and look amazing. No idea how you do that mind you.
Camkierhi wrote:Looks good. Just as a side note, What about making the glass made from a magnifying glass, or lense. Would fit fluffy and look amazing. No idea how you do that mind you.
What glass?
Theophony wrote:Needs a necron head/bobble head on the dashboard or outside. It can act as the GPS system . "011011001 turn left in 20 meters 011011001"
It's a good idea, and will be done one day. Alas, at the moment, I have no Necrons and the tank has no dashboard...
Think of this Predator more as an animal than a vehicle... things will become clearer when I start wiring up the occupants...
Ah, now the front is coming together! although you may find the headlamp containers get bigger than expected, if so, I guess cutting the lenses down to size will help some.
shasolenzabi wrote: Ah, now the front is coming together! although you may find the headlamp containers get bigger than expected, if so, I guess cutting the lenses down to size will help some.
Yeah, will have to see how they turn out. They are nice lenses though, with all the "proper" headlight-type markings moulded into them. If they don't work out, I'll find something that does.
and I have now cut the hole, so no more mock-ups.
What is happening now, is happening now...
You can see, that between this hatch and the two at the top, you can see most of the driver compartment. So it looks like they will all have to be working hatches (or removable).
Fit's quite well with only a few little areas that will need filling once it's all together.
I can now detail this end of the interior...
Thought needs to be given to how the body will be put together,
How and when to add the interior details (put the body together, then add details... Or add details in such a way that the body can be built later),
When to paint all or some of it,
and how to detail this front piece, tie it in to the rest of the body (inside) but leave it separate to allow painting...
Some clever tricks will need to be played with junction boxes and dark corners, I think...
And I was thinking along the lines of the lenses out of one of those very cheap kids binoculars, would give a distorted view of the interior but would look quite cool.
And I was thinking along the lines of the lenses out of one of those very cheap kids binoculars, would give a distorted view of the interior but would look quite cool.
Ah, right. For the hatchway. I'l save that idea for when I have a lens that I can use. This will have a working hatch with no windows (see fluff below).
Ruglud wrote:Looks like he's about to serve a Mr Softee '99 - now there's an idea...
Let's have some pics first:
I remembered that I had to add some detail (and fill some holes) in the roof of the cabin.
Still some more filling to do. Sprue use #6443
Do I hear you saying "what's that hatch doing on the left there, isn't that the hatch from the turret?"
Why yes, yes it is...
Only required a little chopping to make it fit. I was hoping to have it working, but doesn't look possible. So I will just leave it removable instead.
"and what's that bit of sprue at the front doing?"
It be a periscope sight for the driver to see over obstacles.
And here's the fluff to explain the headlights:
Spoiler:
...Much later...
"OK then..." Said The Scientist "...you are sure you have connected up the optical fibres correctly this time?"
"Aye Aye Cap'n... er, boss. Just as you told me to." replied the Ork engineer with a nod.
"You said that last time, and I can't use that brain any more now that it's been cooked, hmm"
"Yes boss" said the engineer, looking sheepishly at the ground "I know what I did wrong last time, the shiny coloured cube was the wrong way round... as well as a few other bits 'ere and Dere"
"You're referring to the beam splitters or the filters? Oh, never mind, so long as they are the right way round now... and your diction is becoming very good, don't spoil it now. It's H-ere and Th-ere isn't it?" Said The Scientist.
"Fanks boss, I been readin' Dose books you ..." The Ork paused a bit "TH-ank Y-ou... Boss... I Hhh-Ave been read-INGGG the books you G-ave me." He was sweating with the effort, but finished with a smile.
"Good good. Ha Ha. Now, the driver's goggles have been connected to optical fibres that run to the beam splitters that allow the light collected by the headlights to be visible by him as if they were his own eyes... AND NOT let the light emanating FROM the headlights in to cook his head... yes?"
"Yes boss" Replied the engineer looking sheepish again.
"And have you connected the control system for the lights to him now?" Asked The Scientist.
"Yes boss, WH-ere...er...eva...everrrr He-e looks, the lights will point" Said the engineer, he absent-mindedly scratched one of his ears while still thinking of the correct pronunciation. "And...and I have installed the ...er... P...per...pair-scope... thing too, boss" He announced "So he can see over things too, boss".
"Ah, good. It's a Periscope, but close enough. The driver is aware that he needs to remove the goggles to use it, isn't he?" Said The Scientist.
"Yes boss, that's why he has a black eye." said the engineer with total conviction.
"Wha...?"
Here's a few angles of the completed roof details. I didn't get too carried away with adding things as it's not going to be very visible and is just there for completeness. Some of those "rivets" will be painted up to be buttons/knobs and the rest will be rivets.
I have now settled upon a plan of attack to the final details; The floor and right-hand interior wall are being glued together. These have the greatest quantity of wires/cables between them so makes sense to have them attached. The other side, roof and front will remain separate up to and including painting of the interior.
It's also approaching the time to start thinking about the sponsons; how they will look and be built, how and when they will be attached (along with removal of the front exhaust) and how to tie them in to the interior through the, now open, doorways.
a very mint looking work on the top of the tank...I especially like the lil bended part of the sprue you used...that is very convincing looking...even if I have no idea why...
thoooooo....I have to add that the tank currently looks very SMSTatm...especially up front... so I am looking forward to your designs towards the sponsons to get a more chaotic looking theme again to the tank...
Dr H wrote: It's also approaching the time to start thinking about the rivets
I thought that's what you said
Thank you Dave. There will always be rivets, they don't always need so much planning though. I am running out the the "standard" size I've been using, don't have many smaller than that and the larger ones I have are a bit too big for the purpose. I should really get some plastic rod to make many of an actual equal size (rather than roughly the same sized putty ones)...
Viktor von Domm wrote:what a classic joke...(fluff...)
a very mint looking work on the top of the tank...I especially like the lil bended part of the sprue you used...that is very convincing looking...even if I have no idea why...
Thanks. Yeah, I was going to just have a straight piece of sprue across there and it's only there to minimise the amount of filling that was required. But as I held the random bit of sprue (that I pulled out my pot to judge the length with) up to the model, I noticed that bent side-arm and how it fitted nicely next to the hatch opening and decided to keep it.
thoooooo....I have to add that the tank currently looks very SMSTatm...especially up front... so I am looking forward to your designs towards the sponsons to get a more chaotic looking theme again to the tank...
Well, I do want it to remain identifiable as a Predator. but the outward appearance will change quite a bit with all the currently planned changes and additions. It WILL be unique
I've been adding cables from my stock of ready made putty cable/tentacles and other wires. I may have something worth showing later or tomorrow.
It's a good sign then that you like my fluff. I want it to be entertaining. The fluff helps to give the models a reason to be and adds a lighter side to the often serious (as in, functioning) modelling.
Ruglud wrote:Gotta have working hinges on those hatches - I did this on my Rhino and Predator and it makes all the difference...
Here's a quick update on where the wiring is going. Is this making more sense now?
The white wire from behind his ear (top picture), goes into the seat. I added this because the piece of sprue I used for the back of the seat is asymmetric and so needed an excuse for why it was longer on one side. I even added a little light in the shape of a water-filter bead, to the seat there (bottom picture).
The cables snaking about the floor are made up of various sections that had the desired curves. The joins should be mostly hidden one way or another. They are not all finished yet.
You can also see just how much the driver is wired into the tank (these aren't all connected yet). these are all for control and leads to it's apparent animal behaviour of the tank. Hopefully painting will make them stand out enough, in spite of their thinness.
Theophony wrote: Great work on the wiring, I just have no idea how your going to get paint on all the details that your adding
Thanks Theo.
For the most part, it's more accessible than some of my past models... I am constantly reminding myself that I do have to paint this at some point and that's why a lot of it will be painted before I attach the other side.
The junk pile taught me that diluted paint can get in a cover surfaces that the paintbrush can barely reach. Shadows will be the word of the day when it comes to painting...
Good idea to keep a side off I can see some of those parts are going to be "fun" to get a brush into.
Yeah, it's an option I didn't have for the Wave Serpent, that was tricky to paint inside.
I've yet to add the gunner. That will make it look even more crowded.
Its really nice to see someone going to a lot of effort to make the interior of a tank, it's so rare to see these days.
It's all these little details that I like to see in models and I enjoy adding them. But not details for detail's sake, I don't want to make a fussy model, but one that tells a story (or explains itself fully).
So here's the progress for today:
The box in the foreground will help with cables from the absent wall. There's a little more detail to add to it, but you get the idea.
Will the driver have any personal affects around him, or is he so brainwashed into the cult he doesn't go for that? I'm thinking a necklace of teeth, a cup holder, or a pair of fuzzy grot dice, to go with the necron bobblehead copilot
Theophony wrote:Will the driver have any personal affects around him, or is he so brainwashed into the cult he doesn't go for that? I'm thinking a necklace of teeth, a cup holder, or a pair of fuzzy grot dice, to go with the necron bobblehead copilot
It's not a cult, they are brainwashed for their own good and they are going to save the universe from too much Order...
I'm approaching a point where it's hard to find places to add more detail. I've still got to give him the "goggles" so that he can see where he's going though (not entirely sure how to do that yet, which is why it's still on the "to do" list).
Much like the pilot of the Wave Serpent, he's programmed to enjoy where he is and not "need" anything else or even to exit the tank. He can be disconnected, but that requires someone else to enter the tank (after feeding the gunner ) and unplug him (for routine maintenance etc...).
dsteingass wrote:Haha! Great Servitork!
Thanks Dave. That's how I should have described him from the start...
I'm currently working on the inside of the front piece to make it look reinforced (as that is what gives the Predator higher armour rating than a Rhino). I was originally going to add beams from the front to the floor to show this, but there's no space to get them past the driver.
Then I just need to tie in the last side and do his goggles and I can start to think about the gunner (which can be installed as the two surfaces he'll be attached to are glued together now).
shasolenzabi wrote: I see he is not going to be leaving that tank anytime soon!
No, but He's quite happy to remain inside (see below).
More pics and fluff for you today... I think I've reached the level of detail required to call the driver's area finished. I shall look at making his "goggles" after dinner (I'm actually thinking more like a Geordi La Forge kind of thing). I didn't go too fancy on the front plate as you're not going to see much of it once the model is finished. But what is there gives the impression of much more going on then there really is (or at least it will when you're looking at it through the hatches). What you can see, should look complete and all the incomplete bits should be hidden.
And this is some fluff I knocked out to show how content the driver is, in his new, metal, body.
Spoiler:
Driver Ver. 2.4: Online...
Vitals: Stable.
Uplink: Online.
Hardware diagnostic report:...
...
...Hardware; Stable, No faults reported.
Engine start: Successful.
Gunner: Connected and Stable.
Portals and Hatches: Closed.
Weapon systems startup: Successful.
All Systems Nominal...
The Driver smiled as the sensations from the tank flooded into his "flesh and blood" body. Now he had his metal body back and would soon be heading into the field to hunt and cause utter destruction again. He understood the necessity of regular maintenance, but he would still prefer to remain in the wild and do what comes naturally to an Ork such as himself.
The gunner, behind him (inside him) was starting to settle down now as their minds linked and started to work together and with the tanks other, electronic, systems.
He was aware that it was now just a matter of time before he would be back in the fight. Where it was, was not important. "When" was only important, when it became now. "How" didn't matter, as it always took care of itself.
The anticipation started to grow, the engines started to rev up and down, making the whole tank vibrate and rock from side to side. Various indicator lights inside the relative darkness of the tank's interior were blinking as the systems that they were linked to performed their duties. The breathing from the gunner was beginning to get faster and heavier. Soon there would be blackness, for only an instant, and then it would be time. The engine revved louder and louder in the hanger of the spaceship. The breathing became louder and louder in the tank... These noises merged together into a deep, heavy, background rumble that ebbed and flowed like the waves of a mighty ocean upon a beach of large stones.
All of a sudden, this moment was broken by a high-pitched, insistent, beeping. Then... blackness... quiet... coldness... and before the mind could grasp any of those feelings, light, bright light, sunlight. The clearing spread out before him, there were trees all around the edge and the grass looked undisturbed. A flock of birds had taken to the sky, in response to the sudden appearance of a large, loud, "thing" that radiated a sure sense of danger.
He was free. The hunt was on. He just needed to find something satisfying enough to hunt. The Driver had a feeling sweep over him that would be recognised by any rabbit that was sat in an open meadow and spotted a familiar shadow in the sky... Openness, vulnerability. He needed to find cover. The Driver recognised these feelings as those of the gunner's animal instinct and respected them, but ignored them... To the hunt then and as if someone had whispered in his mind, he knew the quarry was to the north-west... left a bit and straight on 'til morning... He didn't know why that made sense...
The forest was a tranquil haven to wildlife. In the clearing, a flock of bird were resting for a while before continuing on their migration and were taking the time to eat some of the insects that lived in the forest. There was a faint "pop" as a tank-sized pocket of air was displaced and then the peace was shattered by the appearance of a terrifying visage which was making a throaty, thunderous, noise that reverberated off the trees of the clearing, magnifying it ten-fold. The birds didn't think twice before leaping to the air and flying away as fast as they could. The tank sat still for a few seconds and then with a belch of black smoke, the noise changed to a scream that sounded like the machine god itself was being tortured, and the tank lurched forward. Tearing up the soft turf, the Predator changed direction and sped off into the trees, cutting them down and carving a path through the woodland...
Camkierhi wrote: Looks brilliant, like the idea of the goggles, keeps it away from the orkyness. Inspirational detail work.
Thanks Cam.
I found a useful piece of plastic to use for the goggles so I didn't go "Gordie" on them in the end.
They need a little tidying up at the top, but here's the driver fully connected up and ready to go (bear in mind that the messy and incomplete front corner will be hidden).
Ruglud wrote: In the immortal words of Cliff Richard - he's Wired for Sound.. Love the goggles, great idea...
Ha ha. Thanks Ruglud. Glad you like them. I'm thinking that I'll paint them up opaque and may even do circuit tracks on them (like on the WS only much smaller...) to show that they are not goggles for looking through and are more like a VR headset.
Ruglud wrote: Oooh, just noticed the riveted plates under the rear console legs - they work perfectly don't they
Yeah, I forgot to mention them when I did them. but I did remember to do them, which is the important bit. I made them square to match the plate under the driver's seat. (and not at all because I was worried about doing perfect circles... )
Looks amazing, googles look great, like the idea of the circuit board look.
(This is not a criticism) Makes me laugh a bit, how your sadistic mad scientists lob off arms, insert cabling through out his body, wire him up permanantly to the machine, (gotta hurt, even for an ork) and give him a nice comfy cushion for his bum!
Littletower wrote:Amazing detail work, and great fluff to back it up
Thanks LT. Glad you like it.
shasolenzabi wrote:Another fine delivery by our online Doc
It's a boy!!!
Camkierhi wrote:Looks amazing, googles look great, like the idea of the circuit board look.
Thanks Cam.
(This is not a criticism) Makes me laugh a bit, how your sadistic mad scientists lob off arms, insert cabling through out his body, wire him up permanantly to the machine, (gotta hurt, even for an ork) and give him a nice comfy cushion for his bum!
Shows that deep down they do care.
Well the Ork may have already been dead/dying and had had it's arm blown/cut off during the fighting. So long as the brain is intact, The Scientist can revive the bodies, reprogram the mind and put them to work. So he didn't necessarily chop the arm off for the purpose of plugging it in. But it is also likely that he removed parts that weren't useful... That can be as dark and disturbing as you like...
It's good to know that my models are telling stories (in addition to my fluff) to everyone and are open enough for interpretation.
If you're going to be driving a tank for eternity, it's far better to suffer a little pain first and get a comfy seat, rather than spend forever in a poorly designed seat with no ergonomic features...
Obviously his arm was lost in a previous engagement when the hull was punctured by a las cannon shot . "Stumpy" being so pro Army of the second law, continued to fight on mashing the control panel buttons with his amputated arm. This also helps explain why the driver chair was moved to the center and the new front armor has been adjusted. Or you can believe whatever the (mad) scientist spoon feeds you
Anything is possible, and in a multiverse of parallel universes, anything that can happen, has happened or will going to have happened...
And in this universe, I have started to install the gunner:
I sanded the neck stump down a little more than I had and I had to modify the hole in the bottom of the head to get him looking downward a bit.
I have also repositioned the last segment of the small left arm so it isn't so stretched out forward and looks more natural.
I'm now thinking of where his other arms are going... and then I'll need to modify the top of the tank to accommodate his height...
Well, adding the arms give him a whole load of personality.
I'm liking the concentrating pose with the screen and right arm. The left arm is not attached yet, but do we think the relaxed side of the pose with the left arm down is a winner? I was considering having it reaching up to something but it didn't look right.
I may model some more of my Termagants upright like this one, I quite like it.
Camkierhi wrote: Like it alot, can see in that last shot how high you are going with the roof! wow!.
Cool. glad you think so. Yeah, with the thickness of the roof piece taken into account, I have to add (at the very minimum) about 5mm to the height of that area of the roof.
It's a good thing that there's a great big hole in the roof there already...
I can see the sit-com now... Snappy and Greenskin; The exploits of a Tyranid and his Ork companion in the cramped interior of a tank... One wants the have fun and the other one just wants to bite his head off all the time...
Thanks Guys.
The other arm is now glued on and I've started to connect up the Gunner.
As the Gunner has to perform a wider variety of jobs within the tank and has not been supplied with a seat, he can't be as heavily wired in as the Driver and requires freedom of movement. So...
The box on his back will be wired into the head when the glue has dried and I've tidied the rough edges a bit.
I've also given some thought to the roof extension, and it's a fine line between looking enough space inside and looking too tall outside. Will have to see.
Automatically Appended Next Post: In other news; I've just read about a chemical that The (Mad) Scientist will definitely be using in the future...
Chlorine Trifluoride: This stuff is more Oxidising than Oxygen, More Fluoridating than Fluorine, It's toxic, corrosive and breaks down into other toxic and corrosive compounds.
And it's Hypergolic (that is, it will initiate the combustion of other materials without an ignition source) to the extent that even sand and concrete will catch fire with this stuff poured on it...
And it reacts explosively with water...
Just the sort of stuff to bring a little more Entropy to the universe...
Theophony wrote: Sounds like fun stuff. Just put it in a salt shaker at mcdonalds and watch the magic
Well it's a liquid at room temperature, so wouldn't look like salt. It also wouldn't hang around long by itself and would probably eat through the shaker (yes it attacks glass as well) and then set fire to the table... and the noxious fumes it gives off would probably stop anyone going in the building, never mind sitting at the table. But yeah, good stuff.
And the Gunner is wired up now: The main cable connects to the box on his back and then lighter wires connect that to the box on the back of the head (so he doesn't have a heavy cable dangling off his head ). I've also added an unconnected cable to the "free" side of the tank interior. It's positioned to be laying on the floor of the tank, but is only glued to the wall. What is it's purpose, is left up to the observer...
And this should show the height issue a little better with the roof on. The bottom lip of where the top piece sits on is roughly at eye level for the Gunner. And while I can place the roof on with the turret and not touch him where he is, I want to raise it a little just so it doesn't look like he has to spend his time standing under the turret all the time... The thickness of the "depth" of a piece of sprue looks to be sufficient as a guide to height (the "width" of a piece of sprue looks too tall).
Ruglud wrote:Oh yeah - sprue just 'happens' to be the right thickness... You planned that part all along didn't you
Theophony wrote:You know it's "accidental" when the sprue doesn't need to be "carved" by the spruemeister general
It's just that I have a lot of it close to hand and tend to pick it up first...
You did notice that the boxes on the Gunner's back and head are both made of sprue pieces...
I'm planning on slightly angled sides to the roof extension, so sprue may not fit the bill. I may use a little to support the roof piece, but the outside will be made with the plasticard (that was also used for the front... with a few added bits of sprue).
raw flouride I know is toxic as heck, special gear is needed as it is not safe from even using latex gloves for the salt looking basic flouride, and the dilute that into our water!
But Chlorine triflouride, Ouch!
Still no word yet on PPH that was also let loose into the Elk river with the 4MCHM at charleston WV, now had this been a terror attack it would have had more news and all and war would be declared on someone, but a business is responsible so nothing...... :(
shasolenzabi wrote: raw flouride I know is toxic as heck, special gear is needed as it is not safe from even using latex gloves for the salt looking basic flouride, and the dilute that into our water!
That is the nature of chemicals. Small quantities are often good and necessary for life. Large quantities of the same stuff is often toxic...
but don't get fluoride and fluorine mixed up. Fluorine is the element that is highly reactive and toxic. A fluoride is a compound of fluorine and something else (e.g. Sodium Fluoride), the properties can vary wildly depending on the other element/molecule involved. Some will be completely inert and some will range all the way up to toxic.
But Chlorine triflouride, Ouch!
Here's a video of what happens if you get some of a selection of what might be considered safety gear, like leather, gloves, a gas mask, and some plexiglass and wood for the fun of it...
Still no word yet on PPH that was also let loose into the Elk river with the 4MCHM at charleston WV, now had this been a terror attack it would have had more news and all and war would be declared on someone, but a business is responsible so nothing...... :(
terrorists tend not to pay much money to the government and money is what is important these days...
It was just a matter of chopping out the exhausts,
cutting a piece of plasticard to fit,
gluing it in (I also braced it with some sprue that I had to hand)
and cutting off the excess.
Ta.
It wasn't looking so neat at the "I have just hacked the exhausts out" stage. But with some trimming and sanding the plasticard fills the holes quite well (and the second side went in really easily).
There's a few bits that need filling and possibly a little more sanding. Most of it will be covered by the sponsons that I've yet to think about but can now start to design and it should look nice a smooth once painted... eventually...
So while I consider how to construct the sponsons, I've had a look at raising the roof.
Much more to do, but this will give you an idea of where it's heading.
My first idea for the roof section was just to build a raised edge and have the normal roof section sit on that in much the same way as it does on the normal roof.
In addition to that, I thought that I'd make the raised parts angled, because that's what tank armour should be.
Somewhere in this thinking I thought the roof section needed chopping in two and I could then have the rear of the roof piece also angled.
So step one in raising your roof is to chop the perfectly good removable roof section that comes in the kit into two pieces...
I also want the interior to still look functional and didn't just want to add some cross beams and sit the roof on them. So I took a piece of sprue...
...Cut it in half, lengthways, and found that sitting them on the edge of the hole didn't allow the roof to sit on top of them... well duh... so I did what any normal person would do and took another piece of sprue...
...Chopped off bits of the end to make thin-ish trapezoid things (whatever a 3D shape with a trapezoid cross-section is called), which I then squared off and cut in half across the diagonal to make little triangles that I used to attach the lengths of sprue to the roof.
I also saved the little hinge bits off the roof and used them to give the new roof piece a way to position itself on the top of the tank (so this whole section can be removable).
I've now got to make the sloping sides and they will look a little like this:
Imagine it with all the edges neatly lining up and all the gaps filled (one way or another) and you will see what I have in my head...
There's a lot of complex shapes to be arranged together in the near future... fingernail biting time...
Cam: Well occasionally it's worth making use of the other pieces of plastic that come free with the sprue
and I've seen lots of people making use of this plasticard stuff, and I bought some ages ago (when Modelzone was imploding), and haven't touched it since, so I thought it was time to have a play and make use of it.
cormadepanda wrote:Damn that roof looks good. Well done.
Thanks Comrade. I'm quite pleased with how it looks.
shasolenzabi wrote:That chemical loves to destroy anything! (Video)
Yep. Now try to imagine what it would look like for a ton of this stuff to spill out onto concrete... Because that has happened and one eye-witness said "The concrete was on fire!". It made 12" of concrete and a further 36" of gravel underneath disappear...
That's what I think of your cover save...
Tank is shaping up very nicely!
Thanks.
Theophony wrote:How are you going too load it out weapon wise? I think some form of basket seats with turret on one side would be neat.
Well, I'm not using the "sponsons" that come with the kit because they don't look rugged enough for what I see this tank doing (driving through buildings etc...). So a basket seat would be a step in the wrong direction, that more something open-topped... Say, like an Ork truck that comes in the Ork battleforce...
As for the actual weapon load-out:
The turret will have the Autocannon. Because, with the shape of the turret (and what I currently have planned for the turret) it looks more tank-like than the las-cannons.
One of the sponsons will house a Heavy-Bolter equivalent (as I don't want to distance myself from the available rules too much and potentially confuse my opponents unnecessarily. If I ever actually get to the point of actually playing someone).
This gun has already been partially built, as I mentioned before. But now it's probably only going to be the barrels that will be used as the rear box is a bit too big to fit "in" a sponson (as it was designed to replace the hanging weapon).
I will probably work on this one first as the second sponson will require building from scratch, so I can use this to get a sense of size.
The other sponson (which is different, in spite of the rules, because why build two of the same thing when I can make two unique things) will be an Electron Cannon (Las-Cannon equivalent).
I have fluffy explanations for both weapons and will share them when I start building them.
The kind of shape that I'm leaning towards for the actual sponson housing is something like this:
Spoiler:
Hence needing a little more space on the side of the tank and removing the exhausts.
Dr. H buried in my thread in the WiP of my scrath made super heavies was my construction of similar design sponsons. They may well prove the dig worth it.
Moltar wrote:I've been Dakka-less for about a month. So glad to see you haven't rushed anything This project continues to impress and inspire, Dr. H.
How did you survive? Good to see you back. Yeah, it's a good thing that I take my time and don't churn out an endless number of updates on an almost daily basis, or you would have loads to catch up on... Thanks Moltar.
shasolenzabi wrote:Dr. H buried in my thread in the WiP of my scrath made super heavies was my construction of similar design sponsons. They may well prove the dig worth it.
shasolenzabi wrote: I am sure the professor would love the Khadrovian inventiveness.
Indeed. Has given me things to think about.
and other than having a rummage in my boxes of junk (and rearranging them in the ongoing battle of 3D tetris that is my room), I have only managed some thinking about these sponsons, so no pictures of progress today...
First things first, the front of the raised roof is done. Instead of just angling it down to the hull (which was going to be tricky with the bits just in front there), I decided to make it a little more interesting and make use of the shape of, you guessed it, sprue. Here is it with the turret on top: And you can see the extra piece of sprue I added into the hull to fill the gap under the removable piece. Gives it a out-in-out shape. There's still gaps to fill all over it, but the structure is done.
Now, on to these sponsons... well, sponson number one (but I will make them identical, mirror images of each other on the outside)...
First to the weapon; As I mentioned it is a Heavy-bolter equivalent, so will likely use those rules. However, when doing this kind of thing and replacing a weapon (or any equipment) with a (Mad) Scientist version, it would be very easy to come up with improvements here and there and end up with units and eventually the whole army being very over powered on the tabletop.
This, as I've said before, is not what I want to do with this army. Yes, The Scientist is a genius and quite possibly the most intelligent being in the galaxy (maybe even the universe). Yes, he does fully understand and can improve the technology of all races. And yes, being (technically) immortal, he has the time to work on these things.
But, he is still as mad as a box of hat-wearing frogs with Mercury poisoning...
So the challenge is to cover all this in the fluff and combine crazy ideas with real science (this is more apparent in the fluff for the Electron gun).
Three-barrelled, Fast-action, Gatling Gun
Spoiler:
Firing rounds, that while smaller and lighter than that of the Heavy Bolter, the Three-barrelled, Fast-action, Gatling Gun (or TFG gun for short) has two major advantages over the Marine's weapon: Having three barrels means less wear and heating of the barrels and therefore a longer life of the gun in the field. The spinning motion of the barrel assembly is also harnessed to produce a gyroscopic stabilisation of the whole gun assembly; allowing sustained, accurate, firing of the weapon (which is also helped by the increase in length of the barrels. The slight increase in rate-of-fire and accuracy counteract the reduced mass of bullets used.
Also, in doing away with the explosive nature of the Bolter rounds there is a massive saving in the materials required (as resources are limited to an extent). To maintain the stopping power of the bullets, The Scientist has designed the bullet to split open, after penetrating a target, into a three-bladed fan shape that follows a curved path through the targets body, thus increasing the size and magnitude of the damaged caused. This has been proven to be just as effective as "normal" bolter rounds and, The Scientist adds, looks prettier and is more chaotic.
As with most of the models I've been making, an initial, simple, design/idea has grown to greater complexity. While at first I was going to have simple swivelling guns that looked like they elevated... and I could have done something similar to Shas' (thanks, still useful though)... I then found this picture in my "tracked vehicle" folder: (huge picture I'm afraid) Oh, huge-tastic... here's the link http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Female_sponson,_Mark_IV_tank,_Flirt_II_.jpg
Spoiler:
If you look at the gun facing towards the camera, you can see it's mounted in a short cylinder (that allows vertical motion) that is, in turn, mounted in a tall cylinder at right angles.
I thought this was a brilliant idea and even noticed that both cylinders are about the same radius. So I just need to find one tube that is large enough to house the weapon, but not too large to make the tank ridiculously wide... So I've done a few measurements and a diagram (I also included picture of the gun as it is, but the green bit will need removing or reducing in size): I think I should be able to get away with 15mm, and 20mm looks too wide as that will need housing in the sponson.
Love the way you have increased the height. Looks perfect.
Really like the gun for the sponson.
As to the sponson, I think you will find that the two radius fit inside each other rather than are the same. ie the one for vertical movement will have an external diameter the same as the internal diameter. And you may find it easier to make the internal one a ball that fits anyways.
I have a 15mm pipe available if you need it, but not sure I have the internal ball etc.
I do have one piece of Tank constructive criticism, the front of the raised turret ring section, It needs sloped armor. that present arrangement would be a "shot trap" which will catch a shell, and allow it to tear into your creation with ease.
Camkierhi wrote: Love the way you have increased the height. Looks perfect.
Really like the gun for the sponson.
Thanks Cam. I think the roof breaks up the flatness that is there on the original and makes the whole thing look less box like. The practical side of it is the important thing though and the gunner won't be banging his head any time soon.
Who doesn't like multi-barrelled gatling guns. I put this together ages ago, to be used with this kit. There will be some changes, but it will be used.
As to the sponson, I think you will find that the two radius fit inside each other rather than are the same. ie the one for vertical movement will have an external diameter the same as the internal diameter. And you may find it easier to make the internal one a ball that fits anyways.
I have a 15mm pipe available if you need it, but not sure I have the internal ball etc.
Hope I am helping.!
You may be right, will have to see by experimentation.
I nearly bit your arm off then, but I think I'll be alright. I have found my box that contains many tube shaped things (mostly from soap pumps) and the vast majority of them are in the region of 15mm, some larger, some smaller, but that will help with the experiments.
I'll report back what I find.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
shasolenzabi wrote: I do have one piece of Tank constructive criticism, the front of the raised turret ring section, It needs sloped armor. that present arrangement would be a "shot trap" which will catch a shell, and allow it to tear into your creation with ease.
Thanks Shas. Yeah, you're right of course. I'll see what I can do about the flatness of the front of that piece of sprue.
Is it the flatness of that piece that causes the problem, or the gap under that?
The gap is no higher than the raised hatch area in front of it.
If I was to carve away the upper part of that piece of sprue to make it angled, but left the gap under it, would that solve the issue?
Or does it really need to reach all the way down to the hull?
While we're on the subject, I've always wondered about the angled underside of turrets, they always look like they'll focus any shells into the ring. Surely that's not good for keeping a turret that can rotate...
(don't know how yet 
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obviously my iPhone struck again. Should have been a tracked grav tank 
Will store that one (too!) for future use 
love the invasion of the dinner table sure the misses is impressed 
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