Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Group and Themed Builds => Upgrades and Life Extensions GB => Topic started by: raafif on April 24, 2026, 09:11:53 AM
-
Typing this on my #3 computer because #1 has a virus or has Sh*T itself and #2 takes over five minutes to boot up – so it may be hard for me to access the internet for a while.
Saw a similar build to this on another site several years ago & just had to have one. A bit expensive as you get two of the CRAB vehicles in one box. The MaK Fleige is of course 1/20th scale & the Crab is approx 1/100th.
In space no-one can hear you grunt. For large projects like space-ships & space-stations you need very strong people & equipment – the best solution is to combine both in one unit.
The Fleige is rather straight forward but I’ve made a few changes like deleting the helicopter blades & rocket bells, adding small manouvering jets & other bits and will probably swop the arms with another MaK kit.
The Crab is a quite complicated needing much study of the instructions as there are three ways to build the crew-cab area – and of course I’m not using a percentage of parts or following the construction time-line.
-
Both kits look interesting, but I really like the Space Pod Crab03.
Run ADWCleaner on all your computers. It's very good at picking up and cleaning crap: https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner (https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner)
-
I've assembled the body halves with a few bits to cover the holes left by the deleted helo-blades. Assembled the legs, fairing the separate knee-shields into the lower leg sections. Used lengths of rubber-band between the joints (this kit didn't have the corrugated rubber sleeves in it). I made the shoes chunky like a deep-sea diver's.
Figured out the mounting of the Crab mechanism to the MaK suit from the cab parts of the Crab & stuck it on. Started assembly of the main Crab body & articulated arms -- unfortunately the Crab's main section has lots of fine detail that isn't seen once assembled as the top-covers hide much of it.
Next is paint which will take some days to dry as it needs three coats to properly cover the day-glo orange parts.
-
This is looking great!
I’ve got two Gundam kits that I’m thinking of converting into a construction or farming vehicle.
-
Thats a great idea.. looking to see where it goes :smiley:
-
Some possible inspiration for you . . .
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/IndustrialMech#Types_of_IndustrialMechs (https://www.sarna.net/wiki/IndustrialMech#Types_of_IndustrialMechs)
cheers ,
Robin .
-
Added a number of greeblies but still not happy with the yellow paint so may have to go a shade darker. The rest of the kit is slowly coming along, the hard part is deciphering the poor Crab instructions for the main arms (14 parts each).
As usual I’ve dug out other MaK suits to work on while waiting for paint to dry – my “Großen Furz” (big fart).
-
Started repainting in a darker yellow (Citadel Golden Yellow = RAF Trainer Yellow), the first bottle was thick so I added a few drops of water which made it too thin – a 2nd bottle was ok.
Finally figured out the right way to assemble the 14 parts for each Crab grab-arm – the hole & pin of every part had to be cleaned, thinned or drilled. It’s clear the manufacturer never expected this kit to be built – fit is 120% too tight, the material is that soft “grabby & furry” plastic like many toys.
-
Looks very good! (And I look forward to seeing more of the “Großen Furz” ;D)
-
I’m looking forward to more of this one.
-
Moi aussi! :smiley:
-
Oh, this is working.
I know what I did when I built something similar... but keen to see where you go for tools and colours :smiley:
-
I don’t usually do dioramas but this model needs to be mounted in mid-air so I’m doing some bases. They include a few bits from 1970’s kits that you will recognize -- some plastic was very hard & brittle and you’ll be pleased to know that the prep for these included a trip to hospital, bandages & cleaning up of some red stuff.
-
... you’ll be pleased to know that the prep for these included a trip to hospital, bandages & cleaning up of some red stuff.
Oh, good! You've made your blood sacrifice to the Goddess, Styrene, then ... The build should go perfectly! ;)
-
Once you've spilled blood, the construction will go smoothly! I have an old Aurpora WWI Albatross that is extremely brittle; it acts almost like a resin kit.
-
Any more progress here? I’d like to see this one completed. It will look cool.
-
Slowly getting there … it’s obvious the manufacturer of the Crab didn’t test build the kit – quite a bit of trimming small parts to get things to fit. A few fiddly bits of the MaK kit to fit yet too.
Hopefully I won’t need an extension.
-
:smiley:
-
Love the look of that armoured suit in construction colours! :smiley: :smiley: