Heck I don't know if this is the right place for this, but as I hope to make a vignette with it at some point, it might as well be. Though I am running a more general build on FB, I figured I would do a more detailed SBS here.
I happened to be browsing through a new hobby shop I found out between Pomona and Fontucky, called Pegasus Hobbies (this is a really wild store, and pretty much covers all sorts of hobbies)....browsing through their very odd assorment/variety of model kits, I noticed that they had a lot of old kits that I have not seen since I was a kid (apparently they buy old estates and collections)....and in the sci-fi aisle next to the frankenstein and gundam kits I noticed some boxes that struck my interest.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc4%2Fhs912.snc4%2F72586_1200184140742_1712727761_385350_459167_n.jpg&hash=ed8e6ad9bb195dfaf18bcb0e7fcfd9ed923ba9c0)
Apparently this is a kit from the 1980's.....and as such it suffers from all the issues that the kits from that period had: bad seams/joints, surface sinkage, uneven surfaces, deformed parts.....and to top it of, some wierd plastic that does not seem to like normal putty much (unless the surface is first slightly roughed up first).
The kit consists of two sprues of parts...and an A3 size sheet of instructions and color/painting charts (all in Japanese).
I figured with so few parts it would be a quick and easy build over a couple of weekends....but of course, as with everything, I could not leave well enough alone......and so the journey into lunacy began.
After a lot of surface sanding and prep, these are the parts and sub assemblies of the basic kit I plan to use and modify. (interesting to note is that the inspiration for this model seems to have been a bird...or probably more notably the Cuckoo...as that is I believe the only bird with two toes/claws forward and two back)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbadesign.net%2Fmworks%2FCangrid%2FCangrid_01.jpg&hash=29c82b753fdfa3c4274146f55288e53f9d953bde)
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(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbadesign.net%2Fmworks%2FCangrid%2FCangrid_03.jpg&hash=9ecde66433e5a0c44814947e70b27beb16a630e4)
My intent is to "update" this model a bit to bring it more in line with current sci-fi models and details. The plan is to then paint it in a "what if" Berlin 1946, Russian green paint scheme....but before I even (if ever) get there work needs to be done on the model. In order to get a better feel for the details and pices I will be working with, I decided to give the kit a new scale; the box notes it as 1/100....but I decided that it would be a better match for 1/48....this scale will also work well for the vignette idea I have.
One very evident issue for me was the feet. The seemed to large and clunky, and had a horrible offset casting seam running across the lower half. In order to solve both these issues, the feet were cut down to the seam line. On the left is the original foot, and on the right is the cut down version.
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I had no idea what the two shoulder pods were intended to represent, but thought they would work great as rocket pods. I decides that 1/35 scale 75mm Kwk ammunition would work to represent the rockets tips, so based on those dimensions, a template was drawn in CAD and then using a rotary mill table, 4 perforated disks were machined out of .060" black styrene (I chose black, in case some areas could not, or did not, receive paint, they would not show), and spaced to give the desired tip exposure. On the left is the original kit intended design for the pod, on the right is the new design.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbadesign.net%2Fmworks%2FCangrid%2FCangrid_06.jpg&hash=cd70d7781c6734c6bdf8b19aae80389b493c1446)
Marc
(PS. Chuck, if you have not yet been to this place, they have a great selection of paints, including but not limited to the full lines of Floquil, Poly-Scale, Tamiya, Humbrol, Vallejo, Model-Master, Games-Workshop, All-Clad, Testors and will soon be adding Life-Color,)
Hey, that's one of your unfinished projects previously mentioned with a photo. Maybe this model will be a chosen one and see weathering and installation. It is interesting and almost cute.
John
Polly has missiles ... Polly wants a cracker, NOW, dammit! ;D
Always get a kick out of the range of things you'll tackle ... will be interested to see how this one shapes up. Also sounds like that new shop is a fun and seriously distracting place ... wish we had one like that.
Cheers,
Dallas
Marc:
Though this sort of thing is outside my sphere of interest, this does look like an interesting project, though I was particularly taken with your project showing the warrior(?) trying to dig its way out of the sand. Certainly the ammo pods are much more evocative after your redesign.
That shop does sound like a find, if for the paint stock alone, nothing like that round these parts... haven't been to Fontucky in ages... bought a motorcycle there once from a shop that was selling it for a guy trying to make his bail...
Paul
So does it walk, or just sort of hop around?
I'm no expert in such matters, but if I was a Russian designer designing "bipedal cuckooform Katyusha unit for final assault on Fatherland" I'd probably go with hopping. Simpler way to maneuver through the rubble. ;D
Thanks all for the comments and encouragement. :)
This is something completely new and foreign for me, so it offers a chance for much experimenting, some learning, and a huge dose of frustration (as I have no idea whether what I am doing looks OK )
Since it was finally sunny and warm enough here today, I shot some paint that needed to be done so I could continue with assembly.
Since there is an off chance that one might be able to see into the body through the slight space between the head and body, the interior received a coat of dark primer/base color. Because the head needs to be inserted between the two body halves, it to needed a base coat at this point. As the plastic seems a bit odd, I wanted to ensure that the base layer/primer would properly adhere to the plastic, and not come off at some point down the line during weathering, I used Floquil "Roof Brown".
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbadesign.net%2Fmworks%2FCangrid%2FCangrid_07.jpg&hash=5df5ce446e8aa49fee09113dfdca01f8c7e124cd)
....I had forgotten how much I hate shooting floquil these days, and how inferior the Paasche airbrush is compared to the Iwata. ::) (I don't like shooting Floquil through the Iwata....I use it for acrylics only....personal issue...I am getting therapy.)
Marc
(staying in the mood by blasting "Katyusha" by Oleg Romanenko & the Moscow Phil; and the theme song for "Hunt for Red October" by the City of Prague Phil...and the Cincinnati Pops Orch......wife thinks I am nuts...and the dog & cats have left the house.)
Funny note...The Prauge Phill sings it in english...while the Cincinnati Pops sings it in Russian! ::)
While watching "Sons of Anarchy", decided to do two quick mock-ups for "claw" type details on the feet....not happy with either...like the left one better of the two......but am thinking that this detail may not be the right direction....maybe something like a "pad" under each tip would be better....will have to give it a try.
M
As always Marc will be interesting to follow and learn a few more tricks.
Finding a new "good" model shop is these days a rare event, enjoy!
Presume with your timescale this might go with the one-man bunker ?
Gordon,
The one man bunker has died on the hard-disk....decided I couldn't commit to the "Vegetation Challenge".
In my dreams...err.... my mind, this will be a small vignette with a corner of a factory building and piles of rubble with some steel bits....I am trying to work out how to do a convincing looking "crushed under rubble" car for the scene as well...thoughts ranging from heat, to thinning the plastic kit everywhere, to making a plaster positive, or negative, of the car and then using lead foil or otherwise soft foil to form the body, that can then be crushed.
...too much stuff rattling around in the ol' noggin.
Marc
Interesting new project!
I have been to Pegasus many times-sorry, I was unaware of your unawareness! They used to be crammed into a smaller space next door but now have a nice large purpose built store. Very big into RC though they didn't stock the small motorcycle chain I wanted. Very large RC planes hanging from the ceiling-the kind that would make the news if they crashed! They do have a good stock of paints and Plastruct, Evergreen and Midwest styrene. A very nice wall of parts for the car builders. And dolly scale soldiers and all the wargaming and sci-fi stuff. I was tempted by the scantily clad fantasy warrior women figures, but maybe another time. The model RR section is nothing special though.
The last time I was there it nicely crowded with children of all ages. Good to see!
Quote from: marc_reusser on October 27, 2010, 01:23:09 AM
While watching "Sons of Anarchy"
M
Oh no, tell me it ain't so.... not the Sons of Anarchy. :P As long as you don't buy one of their stupid shirts... I get a kick out of looking at all the middle-aged posers who ride their bikes to the local saloon wearing their SOA "patches" and trying to look tough... what a bunch of weiners. Please don't tell me you watch OCC and the devolution of the neanderthals too...
Paul
Quote from: marc_reusser on October 27, 2010, 01:23:09 AM
While watching "Sons of Anarchy", decided to do two quick mock-ups for "claw" type details on the feet....not happy with either...like the left one better of the two......but am thinking that this detail may not be the right direction....maybe something like a "pad" under each tip would be better....will have to give it a try.
M
Well, I don't know enough about this to make a STRONG statement of opinion .... but, just to add to the confusion ... if you're going for the "it's a bird" theme, then the claw detail on the RIGHT actually looks better to me. Just strikes me as looking more like a claw and more like a functional "toe" or whatever that would facilitate movement ...
Cheers,
Dallas
Marc, very interesting...you definitely have the knack for taking a basic kit and exploiting the hell out of it. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
The rocket pods are a great adaptation...but I didn't make the bird connection until I read further. Given you will have a fish sub on the workbench as well, you are on your way towards a mechanical menagerie. I might be tempted to add rivets/seams and did a steampunk version of the robot.
If you are going for Berlin ca 1946, there's a seller of period diecast 1/48 vehicles on ebay from Russia, but crushing a heavy diecast model is an iffy proposition at best...sort of a make-or-break deal. How about a T-30 that Polly took out?
In regards to airbrushes, I love my new Iwata as well, the Paasche has taken permanent residence in the workbench drawer. I need to get paint cups for it, guess I will check out Dixie Art.
Was this ever finished?
-
Tim,
I suggest you wash your mouth out with some soap and water ................ and never, ever use the "F" word again ! ;D ;D
Mind you its an interesting question
Quote from: JESTER on April 03, 2012, 09:25:28 AM
Was this ever finished?
-
Of course it was 'inished , and there is a whole thread on how it turned out . If I could only remember where it was I'd post the link to you .
Now , if you wouldn't mind taking a deep breath and hold it until I get back to you . I won't be long ....
Wasn't it in a Gazeete?
i didnt get mine, did you?
-Marty
already here!
Ha! Good one!! ;D
Quote from: gfadvance on April 03, 2012, 09:48:18 AM
Tim,
I suggest you wash your mouth out with some soap and water ................ and never, ever use the "F" word again ! ;D ;D
Mind you its an interesting question
Quote from: JESTER on April 03, 2012, 09:25:28 AM
Was this ever finished?
-
HA, ha, ha, ha, ha,....ha, ha, ha. ha.....ohhh..ouch. That was all too funny....and as you can see, the others know better. ;D ;D
At the moment, I don't even know where that kit/build currently is. ;D
M
I thought it was an egg shooter assisting the easter bunny when the first photo opened ;)
Than I saw the publishing date ........ and Marc's name directly came in my mind.
Jacq