Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: iain.j.grant on July 22, 2019, 10:53:35 PM

Title: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 22, 2019, 10:53:35 PM
So been a member for a while, but never had the guts to post anything I've made, I know I don't have the skills (or the tools) of most here, but I do have a big box of junk Airfix (mostly WWII tanks and planes) and a lot of filler.

So the initial Idea was to take the fuselage of a Mosquito:
(https://i.imgur.com/y2lFtzl.jpg)

Most of the wings of a Focke Wulf FW200:
(https://i.imgur.com/AT4hGC2.jpg)


The inspiration comes from the drop-ship from Aliens:
(https://fantastic-plastic.com/DROP%20SHIP%20MAIN.jpg)

And I'm planning to finish it in Dazzle Camo, to hide all my mistakes.
(http://e-rav.pl/zdjecia/673.jpg)
Backstory to follow, but something like Firefly but with added space piracy.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 23, 2019, 01:28:38 AM
Let your Muse guide you towards your goal.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 23, 2019, 01:36:45 AM
Interesting.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 23, 2019, 04:19:50 AM
So, a quick trial fit of the wings, tape shows where I plan to cut them.
(https://i.imgur.com/GtKHURk.jpg?1)

This gives some idea of the look I'm hoping for.

(https://i.imgur.com/Tr9A5yn.jpg)

Choppy choppy.

(https://i.imgur.com/IVMq08u.jpg)

and the first of, no doubt, many applications of filler to blend the wings a bit.

(https://i.imgur.com/gQkwoNZ.jpg)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 23, 2019, 04:41:03 AM
A few ideas i decided not to go with. Firstly missiles on the ends of the wings:

(https://i.imgur.com/0OCxZP0.jpg?1)
Bonus points if anyone can tell me where that tail-plane comes from.
(https://i.imgur.com/mDlaWXG.jpg?1)

I also tried the wings upside-down, but decided that patching the holes for the landing gear was far more annoying than just putting landing gear in them.
(https://i.imgur.com/SSfLroh.jpg?1)

I wanted to put jet exhausts behind the engines, but I decided that my skills weren't up to blending them and keeping them straight. these will have to be some kind on space-turbinetm that don't need exhausts...
(https://i.imgur.com/oF18o9C.jpg?1)

Easier to see the difficulty from the front.
(https://i.imgur.com/SilINap.jpg)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Brian da Basher on July 23, 2019, 08:00:20 AM
That's a most imaginative concept! I think you're smart follow the old Dirty Harry maxim "A man's got to know his limitations."

That's also a most wonderful Hampden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Hampden) tailplane assembly you've got lurking in the background too.

I'd encourage you to post whatever you might be puttering (or puttying) around with. We welcome the work of modelers from all experience levels.

Personally, I find inspiration from all kinds of projects so it's always a treat to see a new build in the works.

I'm a huge "Aliens" fan so I'm going to enjoy following this one.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Robomog on July 23, 2019, 04:20:36 PM
you've set yourself up for some serious PSR there, but I'm intrigued as  to how this one is going to turn out !  :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Old Wombat on July 23, 2019, 05:21:00 PM
I'd like to see the ends of the wings rounded off to follow the contours of the nacelles. A bit more PSR, sure, but you already said you were up for a lot of that. ;)

Now, unless there's something else going to be added to the fuselage, I'd also say she looks a little anaemic. Not much bulk for carrying stuff in there. ???

Furthermore, if I was you, I'd say "It's my model & I'll build what I want to!" (possibly to the tune of a rather popular, in its day, Lesley Gore song) & tell me to bugger off. ;D

The camo idea is awesome! 8)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 23, 2019, 07:04:40 PM
I'd like to see the ends of the wings rounded off to follow the contours of the nacelles. A bit more PSR, sure, but you already said you were up for a lot of that. ;)

Now, unless there's something else going to be added to the fuselage, I'd also say she looks a little anaemic. Not much bulk for carrying stuff in there. ???

Mr Wombat you have read my mind, which, given the high regard I hold your builds in gives me great comfort, stay tuned, both these thinks will happen.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 23, 2019, 07:07:47 PM
a most wonderful Hampden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Hampden) tailplane assembly you've got lurking in the background too.

Thank you, now I know where all the bits of this chimera come from. :) I never liked the Mozzy tail for this build so that comes off next, the Hampden tailplane was loose in my bits-of-planes box.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: LemonJello on July 23, 2019, 08:55:40 PM
A dropship, you say? Well, I'm interested and will be following along as you progress.

Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 24, 2019, 02:10:03 AM
I'm liking the look so far.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Kerick on July 24, 2019, 04:16:27 AM
I’m not worried about your skills, they look quite up to the job! I’m really liking your imagination! This project will be fun to watch develop. Just don’t try to paint it white, prior experience gives me the willies thinking about it!
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 24, 2019, 05:09:18 AM
Next instalment: underneath, mostly tank parts.


First I knocked up some landing gear from Panther wheels and Matilda Bogies. I wanted to suggest strength and weight.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZAAqoel.jpg?1)

and in place:
(https://i.imgur.com/MmnWwB3.jpg)

Next up to add bulk to the underside to make this look like it could carry cargo or maybe contain living quarters. I'll be using and cutting down the hull of the Matilda.
(https://i.imgur.com/ImKhRdO.jpg?1)

This will be utter ugly hackery I'm not proud of the next bit but it did work out in the end.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 24, 2019, 07:58:42 AM
So, hackery, first, chop off the back.

(https://i.imgur.com/SF13TXo.jpg?1)

Then shorten the remainder.

(https://i.imgur.com/BkMHbZg.jpg?1)

Chop the top off both.

(https://i.imgur.com/fR9kYZw.jpg?1)

Now we face the problem that the top of this structure is flat and the bottom of the ship is anything but. Time for some CAD (Cardboard Aided Design, all credit to Project Binky).

First a template that more or less mirrors the contours of the underside, then trace the line on the front and back.

(https://i.imgur.com/IE7caBl.jpg?1) (https://i.imgur.com/PFZMcR6.jpg?1) (https://i.imgur.com/epO8rID.jpg?1)

Then after a lot of trial fitting and what I can only call whittling we have this:

(https://i.imgur.com/DFHn6FM.jpg?1)

Which kinda, sorta fits, I'll worry about fine tuning, filling etc later on.
(https://i.imgur.com/bBP4rr6.jpg?1)

Next up some tail replacement surgery.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 24, 2019, 08:11:56 AM
Just don’t try to paint it white, prior experience gives me the willies thinking about it!

Just seen this. current plan is black on top with white triangles, white on the bottom with black triangles, but we shall see how it goes, all black is certainly more likely than all white and I might ditch the camo for a stealth look, we shall see.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Kerick on July 24, 2019, 08:25:12 AM
I shouldn’t project my problems with painting light colors onto anyone else.
Someone suggested grey primer followed by white primer. I’m on my phone right now so I’ll look it up ASAP on the computer since my memory sucks more each day. Then I can quote and credit properly.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Kerick on July 24, 2019, 08:38:57 AM
Figured out how to do it on the phone!

Old Wombat said, “For my money nothing beats a couple of coats of Tamiya Fine White Primer over a coat of Tamiya Fine Lt Grey Primer - may cost a bit more but the ease of use & result are worth it.

And I'm never going back to a hairy stick for yellow, orange or red, airbrush all the way!”
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: ChernayaAkula on July 24, 2019, 11:35:10 AM
<...> I do have a big box of junk Airfix (mostly WWII tanks and planes) and a lot of filler. <...>

And it looks like you're not afraid to use them!  :smiley: ;)

Those Matilda bogies do make excellent greeblies, I think.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 24, 2019, 07:27:32 PM
"one way elevator to hell.. going down"

Looking on keenly
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 25, 2019, 03:39:38 AM
This reminds me a little of the Blohm & Voss P.184.01:

(http://www.luft46.com/bv/3bb184.jpg)
(http://www.luft46.com/bv/bvp184-1.gif)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 25, 2019, 04:46:55 AM
Tail time.

First we choppy choppy the top bit (rudder??)
(https://i.imgur.com/ymi8oMY.jpg?1)

Next chop the Mosquito fuselage where the diameter roughly matched the Hampden tail, yes I know it doesn't look it in this pic but I actually guesstimated right first time.
(https://i.imgur.com/hNj6mZs.jpg?1)

Some bits of sprue for strength, and it's only looking at this pic that I realise they are forcing the tail open, drat, might have to take that off and fix at a later date.
(https://i.imgur.com/7cGcIoi.jpg?1)

looking much better, very happy with this choice.
(https://i.imgur.com/1mBvFXN.jpg?1)

Next up, chopping the ends of the wings to try to match the curve of the engine nacelles.  :o
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 25, 2019, 05:17:08 AM
More hackery, wings this time.  I swear I am posting this because if I show you guys how rough it looks as I do it, I will have to finish the job, rather than abandon it when my ADHD loses interest so In can prove that I can, eventually, make something that looks good.

First the bottoms.
(https://i.imgur.com/BBjJJms.jpg?1)

Then the tops.
(https://i.imgur.com/WjiPhgd.jpg?1)

A metric shit-tonne of filler, again, it look so much worse in the pic than in the flesh (it's still pretty bad though)
(https://i.imgur.com/JkKmCnD.jpg?1)

And here we sit, the engines are off because whoever originally built the Focke didn't put them on straight for some reason.
(https://i.imgur.com/e7fzS7Q.jpg?1)

This was the point I was most convinced that I'd fucked the entire build. Luckily, after I did some sanding, it looked a lot better.

Next up I have a brilliant idea inspired by my fondness for the following aircraft and my desire to have some actual armament on this thing.

(http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/defiantNF.jpg)

(https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow_lg/public/images/editoral-stories/thumbnails/Russian001.jpg?itok=cWtuTm2Q)

Things do not go quite as planned.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Old Wombat on July 25, 2019, 03:10:36 PM
Things do not go quite as planned.

When do they ever? ???
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Antonio Sobral on July 25, 2019, 05:45:17 PM
Planning? What's that? :)

The overall shape is coming along nicely. Love the tail!
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 26, 2019, 02:31:05 AM
Next up I have a brilliant idea inspired by my fondness for the following aircraft and my desire to have some actual armament on this thing.

([url]http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/defiantNF.jpg[/url])

([url]https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow_lg/public/images/editoral-stories/thumbnails/Russian001.jpg?itok=cWtuTm2Q[/url])



Funny you should say that - its interesting just how much the Shturmovik (early models) like the Defiant looks without the turret (and some wing guns of course):

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/17.jpg)

(http://www.hyperscale.com/images/ospreyca71_profile.jpg)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on July 27, 2019, 04:53:01 AM
Turret troubles.

My first though was to take the turret ring and front turret from the Focke and graft that on to the Mosquito fuselage, sadly looking at the curves involved I realised this would be unlikely to look seamless.  This had me stumped for quite a while.
(https://i.imgur.com/e067rNS.jpg?1)

I wanted to cut a circular hole and slot in the turret but i could not think how to make it the right shape. Then I came up with the idea of melting the hole. luckily I had a bit of copper pipe of about the right diameter.
(https://i.imgur.com/tSbIXt3.jpg?1)

It was working too, until I got impatient and pushed too hard, then this happened.
(https://i.imgur.com/oL6Ni8h.jpg?1)

Oh well, nothing some glue couldn't fix. After much filing  I had a hole that fit the turret pretty well, just one issue, I had the 'glass' of the turret but not the gun etc to go in to it. 
(https://i.imgur.com/qneiquf.jpg?1)

I found a gun that looked about right and what I think is part of the exhaust from my 1/16 RC Tiger 1.
(https://i.imgur.com/GY3C16v.jpg?1)

A quick chop and some glue and we have something that will look OK enough.
(https://i.imgur.com/VWiXnc4.jpg?1)

And here we are.
(https://i.imgur.com/MjTjnBl.jpg?1)

My only worry is that, now I look at it I want the turret to sit lower, not sure what do you think?

Next up some finishing touches on the underside and then I think I'll need some advice on what to do next.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Kerick on July 27, 2019, 08:22:26 AM
I would go with the lower turret if it’s not too hard to get apart. Not a big enough problem to be worth breaking stuff in my opinion. Is there a chance of a thinner gun barrel?
Will you sand away the baseball size rivets to match the Mossie parts?
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 29, 2019, 06:48:30 PM
Hack, hack, melt, glue... loving this great efforts so far. ;)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Antonio Sobral on July 31, 2019, 04:24:43 PM
To lower the turret, why not using a saw (those tiny little ones used for cutting resin, for example) and remove "a slice" near the bottom, without damaging the fuselage ?
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on August 13, 2019, 07:46:21 PM
Sorry guys, I've lost all mojo for this project, it's progressed little further than is shown here. I do hope to come back to it but nothing is inspiring me.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on August 13, 2019, 10:22:46 PM
You are not alone, it happens to us all and for some of us it results in many unfinished projects being set aside to gather dust or tossed in the bin.  Sometimes the interest in finishing the project returns after a time.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Old Wombat on August 14, 2019, 10:36:57 AM
Yep, the mojo shall return! ... Maybe .... One day ... ::)

I have a couple of builds (OK, about 10 of them) that have been sitting mojo-less for, well, I think one's up to about 8 years, now, but it's still there & every once in a while I think about it & have a look, maybe do some little thing, then move on.

I know the will to finish it (all of them) is there, it's just not that strong at the moment. One day! ;)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Kerick on August 14, 2019, 06:38:16 PM
I know I’ll be here waiting for this mojo to return.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Robomog on August 14, 2019, 07:13:38 PM
Do not despair, I think every modeler loses there mojo occasionally, I know, I was that man.

Spend a few  nights doing something else  not model related this will give you the itch to get back to the bench.

This is a good concept you have here, I look forward to seeing it finished

Good luck

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on August 19, 2019, 12:40:08 AM
OK, a couple of additions:
I thought I'd already posted this, but it looks not. I got the cargo bay roughly on (filler will cover  the gaps).
(https://i.imgur.com/n8S95Qu.jpg?1)

then I took this, I think it's the engine deck from a Leopard 1, I want it to be a kind of VTOL/hover type thing. still needs a bit of blending in...
(https://i.imgur.com/Go4JP2o.jpg?1)

Filler to the rescue!
(https://i.imgur.com/BKeFoWy.jpg?1)

Basic shaping done.
(https://i.imgur.com/YxoqYj7.jpg?1)

Wheels back on.
(https://i.imgur.com/0hJBnYr.jpg?1)

Engines back on and a quick wash pf black to tie things together a bit.
(https://i.imgur.com/UxOfvBJ.jpg)

Hmmm, looks wonky, but I want to keep the turret height so it could shoot forward.
(https://i.imgur.com/TplouAF.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: iain.j.grant on August 19, 2019, 01:04:45 AM
So, I found some of these in a local park, apparently, people use them to get high on laughing gas but they look like  fuel tanks to me.
(https://i.imgur.com/BbD1OWV.jpg?1)

Under the wings they go.
(https://i.imgur.com/ELTYzvY.jpg?1)

Totally industrial piping and not drinking straws.
(https://i.imgur.com/OPDhtU3.jpg?1)

I kinda want one of these:
(https://i.imgur.com/QyCObyL.jpg)

but I don't have the parts, so I tried a straw as a cannon, but i'm not feeling it.
(https://i.imgur.com/gf9KBEO.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/vx2zBSa.jpg?1)

I think that my stall is when it feels like there is nothing but sanding, painting and finishing to do, it doesn't grab me, but I do want to see the end of this. hmmm.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: elmayerle on August 19, 2019, 03:10:45 AM
For the cannon, perhaps a cluster of cut pins to yield the barrels and then some plastic disks at the end with appropriate holes.  Alternatively, you could buy the appropriately sized GAU-8 barrels et al. from Master, but I'm thinking the cluster of pins would suit the spirit of the build better.
Title: Re: Dazzle Camo Dropship - Made of junk
Post by: Old Wombat on August 19, 2019, 08:34:21 AM
Good grief, you're packing a lot in there! :icon_surprised:

Jolly good! :smiley: