After seeing so many of the amazing scratch builds, I figured I would try my hand at it. (Plus I am cheap and 35usd for a rhino is
BS).
I started a rhino. I am using plastic sign material from the local DIY store (it is significantly cheaper than Sheet Styrene from the local hobby store), and some foam core.
The plastic thicknesses are approx 1.5mm (white) and .5mm (green), I haven't actually measured them. I will post updated thicknesses.
I did a primer test on them before stocking up, and primer sticks nicely.
After a couple of days work, I have discovered that I am really terrible at stopping to take pictures as the project progresses.
I am not following any directions, so I tend to jump around a bit on the parts I am working on.
Here are the parts that I have build so far:
Here are the two sides and the top. The sides are a 5mm Foam Core base with plastic over it. The top is two layers of plastic.
Here is one side and the top. These have been glued together.
Here is the door. I will be casting this, as building them is a pain in the backside. This is two layers of the thicker plastic, and one of the thin, with grannygrating for treadplate.
After some experimentation I decided to build and cast the exhaust pipes that fit on the sides. This is the original, I still have some sanding to do on it, and may tweak it a little more.
I built it up using 3 layers of the thicker plastic, cut into the rough shape, and then carve/sanding it down to add the bevels on the sides and end.
This is the Rhino assembled (but not glued) with all the parts I have built to date.
This has certainly been an entertaining endeavor. I am planing on casting several other parts, primarily the track, and some of the gun bits for the top.
I also plan to build a full compliment of weapon upgrades for the base rhino so I can use it as a Predator/whirlwind/vindicator/Stalker/Hunter
I am toying with adding some internal lighting, and possibly headlights that will actually light up, but that remains to be seen.
Next update is likely to be Friday or Saturday, as things are about to get busy for the next couple days.