Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: LemonJello on February 10, 2020, 09:52:12 AM
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Finally back at the bench and getting something done other than moving piles of parts and collected junk from one spot to another.
Here are the first photos of the construction of the LHI Rover Project, with a little help from our Quality Control Officer, Gunther:
Primary modules mated together
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49514054347_61753e7be2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2irotjc)
Roomy interior for those long survey/exploration missions
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49514054302_c161c6b837_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2irotiq)
First of two drive units nearing completion
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49514053917_aae10b3654_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2irotbM)
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That’s going to be a monster! Cool!
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Oh this is intriguing!! 8)
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That’s going to be a monster! Cool!
That's for sure :icon_surprised: !!!
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A modern Antarctic Cruiser? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Snow_Cruiser)
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A modern Antarctic Cruiser? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Snow_Cruiser)
One of many inspirations, to be sure.
**Updated** 2nd drive unit complete. Mock up for sizing purposes. Gunther is 1/35...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49519008711_507593702c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2irPS5g)
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A little on the small side but it looks like it could be a "Homeworld" inspired build, too. :smiley:
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The giant nails give it a look I can’t quite put my finger on. :o >:D
What are you glueing those boxes together with? I’m sure they are not polystyrene.
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Where did you get the blue boxes? They might be handy as cases for electronics.
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Where did you get the blue boxes? They might be handy as cases for electronics.
Carlon PVC 3-gang Zip Box, available at Home Depot, Lowe's etc.
https://carlonsales.com/techinfo/brochures/electrical/Zip%20Boxes_2B1.pdf
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Creative unusual and coming together fine. :smiley:
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So "Skid Steering" for this vehicle?
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Wooooo this is looking good !
Mog
>^-.-^<
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It just gets better!! :-*
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Just out of interest, where did you source the wheels ?
They look impressive already ;D
Mog
>^-.-^<
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I'll try to catch up on answering questions. I'm actually writing out a datasheet as I go, just as a little thought experiment.
The blue boxes making up the habitat/living space are as JCF noted, gang boxes picked up at Lowe's for less than $3 each. The nails may or may not stay in place as the build progresses.
It will be 8 wheel drive, 8 wheel steering with the wheel hubs containing the electric drive motors. Power can be shared between wheels of a drive unit, or between drive units as needed.
I actually bolted the two gang boxes together with a pair of 1/4" bolts I had laying around. The plastic seems to take Testors liquid cement ok. I do need to get some CA, just in case...
A majority of the parts, including the wheels, to be used on this project are sourced from a pair of 1/25 AMT Monster Truck kits I had picked up a long time ago.
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:smiley: :smiley:
The PVC will glue with various solvent glues, I've used the medium body Testor's in the black container
with the metal point applicator tube, also Plastruct Plastic Weld which works really well, PVC plumbing
"cement" will also work, it's thick but can be thinned with MEK. MEK also works.
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I have all three of those: Testors, Plastic Weld and MEK. I wanted to add some copper wires and when I went to use my CA, it had hardened in the tube.
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BTW Tamiya does not work.
Generally I hate CA, however I’ve been getting really good results with
the brush on CA for fingernails. I also keep all CA in the fridge, as it
stays usable for a much longer period of time.
:smiley:
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Gunther says it's time for an update.
Details on drive units:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49547187848_27472e7b66_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iujhKs)
Head-on view:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49547187778_6176c2b78e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iujhJf)
Where we stand right now:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49547684241_507ac80f49_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iumQiX)
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Captures "heavy duty industrial" look big time. Look forward to next step.
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:smiley: 8)
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Where might this beast be roving around? Moon, Mars, one of those new planets that keep popping up these days?
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That does look like a big airlock!
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That does look like a big airlock!
Is that anything like "Oh, my! What a big airlock you have!"? ??? ;)
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From the LemonJello Heavy Industries sales brouchure:
The LHI Rover Program aims to offer an entire line of wheeled vehicles to suit the full spectrum of potential environments your deep space exploratory mission could require. With the simple addition of modular components, you can tailor this rover's capabilities to the emerging situation.
I see this vehicle (as so far assembled) as the base-line setup - dual (port/starboard) airlocks at the midships location are also the main ingress/egress ports in more human-friendly atmospheres. If you need added radiation shielding, there's a kit for that. Self defense systems to deal with aggressive flora or fauna? Kit for that.
Next steps are sensors/communications and deciding on location and quantity of manipulator arms.
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I can see it in The Expanse universe. Good sized airlocks are always handy when you want to airlock someone. No fuss, no muss.
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Update time.
Most of the detail bits are on the sides. The front and back are still to be done. Then it's on to the roof.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49555161217_b076293cfc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iv29Xk)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49554425803_52494fc5e8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iuXokM)
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:smiley: 8)
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Just one update photo.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49577227912_e1f4573b9f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iwYfBA)
That's the rear done. Moving on to the front next.
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Heavy duty and purposeful, whatever that might be.....
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This is really looking good! 8)
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Heavy duty and purposeful, whatever that might be.....
According to the assembly team, that is the life support system for the rover crew spaces mounted at the standard rear location.
I forgot the winch that's supposed to be there. One each front and back.
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Very nice :smiley:
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Looks good!
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Overdue for an update.
Winches ready for installation:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49636219967_8996157002_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iCbATZ)
Exploratory Science Sensor Package:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49635944011_ac468f457b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iCabS8)
The ESSP is a customizable, integrated sensor system. This model/version has LIDAR, ground penetrating radar, multi-spectrum light scanners, lifeform scanners, biochemical samplers, mass spectrometers, laser mapping and radiation detectors. It will be mounted to the nose of the rover.
Work is moving forward on the communications suite now, under Gunther's watchful eye.
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Great job on the winches and the sensor array is brilliant. I'm always having to remind myself to look at shapes not what my brain says it is.
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Oh wow, your detailing skills are incredible. :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
Mog
>^-.-^<
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Ben said it first, great work on the winches and sensor package. Trying to figure out what the parts were before being repurposed though is the real challenge. :smiley:
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Quality Control Officer Gunther stopped by the assembly building today. He's not impressed with progress.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49650085471_8245f6bbb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iDpECp)
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Update!
First version of cargo crane (fully extended):
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49668260647_55f0158b92_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iF1Ptv)
Improved second version (fully extended):
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49667433858_f085c4c97b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iEWzGw)
Retracted:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49668260562_25513f543e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iF1Ps3)
Primary Communications Dish:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49668260452_f0d5fbf543_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iF1Pq9)
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:smiley: 8)
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Magnificent work
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Some assembly work completed. The Exploratory Science Sensor Package has been mounted to the front of the rover.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49678279022_1107a5dec7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iFUaA7)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49677996981_f813f2a2c3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iFSHKk)
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Your add ons look great! Awesome scratch building!
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Everything is seriously heavy duty. Winches are cool. 8)
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Coming along great! :smiley:
Looks rugged & survivable! 8)
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Wow.. loving this.
I have a build from last century of a remotely similar design. I got an unnatural urge to go and redo it.
Keep it up 8) 8)
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Update:
Gunther has the stafff of Life Model Decoys working their regular shift here at LemonJello Heavy Industries. There may be a few minor bits-n-bobs to add, but I think it's ready to go to the Paint Barn.
Starboard/Right Side:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49714100438_d91cbc4bc7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iK4L3J)
Port/Left Side:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49714955737_c2274d9892_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iK99ig)
And a couple 3/4 "glamour shots"
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49714955842_a6fe3f471f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iK99k5)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49714640641_822ca63c3d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iK7wCz)
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Looking good from here.
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Primer should bring it together nicely. :smiley:
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Primer on 95% of the rover.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49736711892_db1bd09d82_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iM4DDo)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49735841628_d6720307b5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iLZbWQ)
Now on to final paint. Any color suggestions?
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A subtle dusting of something reddish to suggest red clay perhaps? :smiley:
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I suggest white with lots of dust!
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An exploration/prospecting vehicle, so Hi-Vis. Either white or yellow, with orange bits & bands. ;)
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Single progress photo. Just painting the details and final assembly to go.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49767160957_ab0a6d90cd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iPKH6g)
Some of the white primer came off with the masking.
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Fascinating even if don't know "exactly" what it is. :smiley:
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:-* :-* :-* :-*
I always loose some paint with the masks.
Its tradition
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Inspired! Love it!