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Other Stuff => Workbench => "Build Something" Archive => Topic started by: Vanvlak on 27 December 2017, 11:39:26 AM

Title: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 27 December 2017, 11:39:26 AM
I'm posting this as a place-holder and as a sort of example of the thread for the BSC.

As I got a copy of Necromunda for Christmas my choice of background was easy - I will however try to make it a build which can be used in non-GW scenarios, where the Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader I am planning will be called the VIVI (Vanvlak Industries model VI Low Loader, to give it its full name).

My entry will not formally be part of the competition, and will only be included to make up the numbers if an odd number of participants take part.

I will be building a long transport vehicle with the following characteristics:
1) it is a long vehicle, hugely unwieldy and difficult to turn; especially in the tunnels and narrow confines of Necromunda.
2) it is unarmoured and its driver's seat is exposed - again not a good idea in Necromunda.
3) the low-loader IS low, tends to get stuck in terrain which is not flat and is very easy to block. Rumour has it that it can be stopped with a well-positioned tin of starch-beans*.
4) just to make sure it fits the ill-advised theme - it's a monowheel. This of course just serves to exacerbate (1) and (3).

*the new rule book background makes a lot of the typical Necromunda diet of starch, recycled from - well, anything organic.

It will have as its one saving grace a good cargo capacity, and I hope to have the time to make some cargo for it - and maybe a section of corridor too.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Hupp n at em on 04 January 2018, 04:01:43 PM
Makes me think of all those flat cargo skimmers in the various Star Wars properties... cool idea!  :)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 04 January 2018, 04:26:56 PM
Makes me think of all those flat cargo skimmers in the various Star Wars properties... cool idea!  :)
I think that's where the inspiration came from, except this one is wheeled.
I ditched the monowheel idea as I wanted to have the model stand upright at least for the photos, and I can't see that happening with the idea I have. But it still should be wobbly and too low for comfort, and on the plus side it should now be even harder to turn round corners. I'm also thinking of a modular approach with different payloads and perhaps alternative driving options.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Billchuck on 04 January 2018, 07:18:27 PM
How about a large inconvenient central drive wheel and a much-too-small coaster wheel at each corner?  Best of both worlds!
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Blackwolf on 05 January 2018, 05:17:19 AM
Nice idea.

By the way,I had a most attractive Finnish girlfriend (years ago) called Vivi :)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 05 January 2018, 06:12:35 AM
How about a large inconvenient central drive wheel and a much-too-small coaster wheel at each corner?  Best of both worlds!
Now I have images of the BAe Harrier undercarriage! Hope I don't go over the top and add vertical take-off (which will result in the vehicle crashing into the roof, and would be even more ill-advised, so maybe...)  ;D
That would work - but I have to confess I found a pair of discarded wheels from castors which look just right, so if I work out something around them I'll use those, but keep this as a potential solution.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 05 January 2018, 06:13:29 AM
Nice idea.

By the way,I had a most attractive Finnish girlfriend (years ago) called Vivi :)

Uh-oh - her namesake will not be flattering, I'm afraid.  :o
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 14 January 2018, 01:23:49 PM
And here's VIVI in progress.

Some plastic sections cut to size, and a couple of old castor wheels. In assembly I changed to of the beams for channels:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/27905916139_29a91339e1_c.jpg)

And some more bits:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/24815534017_c2a21fbfa9_c.jpg)

The frame is the left-over stuff from a laser-cut model. One of you will be mad at me for doing this  :D

Here's VIVI's chassis assembled, an old school Goliath looks on:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/24815489687_376e036787_c.jpg)

Wheels added - with a couple of very old gangers taking interest in the proceedings.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/38786535295_3c312bb702_c.jpg)


I still have to add covers for the wheel attachment points; the cargo area up front (where the gangers are prancing around); a cargo area or a counterweight at the rear; and a drive motor and a cabin (or remote steering receiver if I'm lazy) amidships.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: tomrommel1 on 15 January 2018, 11:01:38 AM
following
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 21 January 2018, 03:56:45 PM
Progress at last.

I added a short length of channel to cover up the wheel attachment strut, and used those clothing size indicators which clip on clothe hangers to complete the wheel structures:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4749/39785732352_30c3ccd3d1_c.jpg)

Somebody was so bored by the slow progress that he fell asleep. Fox has a shorter attention span than his Goliath friend.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/24947239857_dd99d862b4_c.jpg)

Platform time - these flat areas with rectangular sections to keep them in place will support anything which goes up top:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/39785791822_a4c799697d_c.jpg)

Here's the view from the top - to give an idea of size, the distance between the gridlines on the base is 3":

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4661/24947245497_36d01e9144_c.jpg)

Assembly was easy - but I made two sets, seen here with one of each assembled and one disassembled, the latter will probably have rivet marks added before I glue them:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4720/39817497071_571144291e_c.jpg)

This is where things get interesting. I am going to keep this modular, to allow me to have a variety of loads, control cabins (or not!) and machinery, and also ballast at the rear, possibly. For the competition I'll be keeping this simple, with just two sets, and I might make one more gothic and the other less so - a sort of cyberpunk version.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 21 January 2018, 05:28:39 PM
Slight change of plans - that's what comes when you don't have a detailed plan!
The gothic one will be 'restrained gothic' - like a Leman Russ, for example, which only has tiny details which give it a gothic look.

The cabin will be closed - open is more ill-advised, but as I want different gangs (and also guilders) to use this, I can't have an open cockpit, not unless I want to convert one driver per faction! I toyed with having the legs fixed and the upper half interchangeable, but that seems a bit wasteful of model halves. Anyway, I can always make one after the BSC if I decide to do at least one faction open cab.
Since the cab I chose is closed, I am going about ill-advisedness in a different way - making it tall.

Here's the start - a couple of breath mint dispensing boxes. I will use these as the core of my structure, but will cover them with plasticard. The first face is done. I cut the card in two to provide two panels (more interesting than a solid blank wall), and added eight rivets each - these were done using nail punches, which if applied judiciously produce a recessed rivet look. If applied too hard, they'll split the card (near the edge) or distort it if the punch is placed closer to centre. The secret lies in not hammering these hard.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/39819311001_558f6e5343_c.jpg)

The 'recessed rivets' cannot be seen in the pic, but they're there, and will come out with a wash during painting.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 04 February 2018, 05:25:21 PM
Stopped work on the cabin as inspiration struck for the payload (removable) in the shape of a small blue bulb pot:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4694/25209556167_ec8da2d916_c.jpg)

The orange bits in the background are future scenery.

I glued this on the payload platform and added a framework around it:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4751/25209493037_2d2a395940_c.jpg)

More strips added, with washed detail to show the recessed rivets - and the punch (a nail punch) used for this:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4759/28301335039_39853d7f2a_c.jpg)

As Hammers had observed when I had first mentioned these punches, they do bend the card a little. I'm avoiding this by using thickish card and a light tap, rather than a blow, with the hammer. I then sand the reverse side of the plastic card to remove the lump formed. It struck me that I could use the reverse as a projected rivet, but the definition is too low.

Here's the payload on the front of the low-loader - with a photobombing hammer:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4716/25209531707_d8ce1e0bb4_c.jpg)
On a rigid surface it sits correctly, and doesn't tilt forwards as it seems to be doing here.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Andym on 04 February 2018, 06:38:43 PM
Very promising! 8) That flowerpot works surprisingly well! 8)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Mason on 06 February 2018, 12:00:25 PM
That is a cracking start, mate.
I love how that flower pot came out, may have to rummage around in the shed later.
 8)  :D  8)

Brilliant idea using that MDF off-cut.
 ;D ;D



(Dunno how I have only just seen this....  ::) Sorry, was not ignoring it, mate....)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Johnnytodd on 06 February 2018, 01:28:48 PM
Great use of found objects!  I would have never looked at chair casters as 28mm compatible - brilliant!
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: McMordain on 06 February 2018, 02:22:09 PM
Nice work! That flowerpot crate is a great idea.  :)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Juxt on 06 February 2018, 02:45:21 PM
I love it when found objects make their way seamlessly into a build  :)
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Vanvlak on 25 February 2018, 04:46:55 PM
I love it when found objects make their way seamlessly into a build  :)
And here's when it all goes haywire - and an excellent example of what not to do in BSC!

1) The build started getting too big and bulky, and the skeletal look of the trailer was lost - so I backtracked and returned to a fully open cockpit.
2) I forgot I hadn't taken progress pics (and thought I had); today I added the last details, sprayed the thing white and went to catch up with my posts, only to see that there's a big gap in pics!
3) VIVI the low loader was drying on the roof after spraying. I went out to retrieve the beastie and found that (i) the wind had increased to a gale (ii) the large sheet of foamboard I use to spray on had been overturned and (iii) VIVI and a few loose bits of scatter which will serve as cargo had been scattered across a few pot plants...

Good grief... this thing is really a good example of an ill-conceived project  ;D

The upside is - the blasted thing survived intact! I must have built her stronger than I thought, so other than some soil stuck to drying paint(!) she's more or less fine.

So on to the pics - but first, apologies for the gap, which I'll fill with words - there's actually not much missing:

I removed the upright blue structures.
I added a computer console cut out from an unused Land Raider door, and constructed a driver's station (the driver will stand at the console, and would generally pre-programme the journey.
I added the cylindrical battery and main drive (a fluorescent tube starter and plumbing fitting glued together - they're the bulky-looking cylinder near the console seen in the pics below.
I added another structural part front, and a secondary cargo area aft.

I actually think I have the photos somewhere, which I didn't post (I was off to London for a few days and then had a bad head cold) and now can't find.

The current updates (yes, I wouldn't have finished either if the original deadline had held.... good job I am not really participating and am building this just for fun, or I'd have a major conflict of interest in the time extension!) include several small detailing bits (mostly off- cuts from laser cut models), a number plate and a pair of cables from a Forgeworld model attached to a disc from the afore-mentioned Land Raider (part of a hatch, I think) to serve as an induction charging system for the battery of this electric bastie.

Pics:
Overhead view:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4769/25608008267_c0681d2fee_m.jpg)

The driver's console, drive, induction charging system (left) and wheels:
(https://www.flickr.com/cameraroll/)

VIVI assembled with gangers fighting over her (the loser gets her...) - in the foreground is the cargo, some scatter bits and pieces I'll pile up mostly on the rear platform - she looks better unloaded up front (she DOES sag when loaded!).
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4708/38668509660_81d597e6e9_c.jpg)

I used three commercial bits - the chopped-off console; the cables; and the round disc thing. I'd have to add the dustbin, the cylindrical containers and pallets if I include the cargo of course - except that the small pallet is actually placed at the driver's location for short drivers (also provides electrical insulation from the floor, what with the drive humming along at high temperature and voltage practically in the driver's face...also leaks volatile acids too, by the way).

List of errors:
1) plan ahead better or at least sketch the beast out
2) do not stick things on before you're certain you'll keep them
3) take pics, keep multiple copies in a known location, post them directly!
4) weigh down the spray surface - or just don't spray in wind!
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: McMordain on 25 February 2018, 06:18:32 PM
Looks ace!

(http://...she looks better unloaded up front (she DOES sag when loaded!))

You could add a small wheel to the front, that would help with the sagging.
Title: Re: BSC2018 Vanvlak's Necromunda Pattern Low-Loader (a.k.a. VIVI)
Post by: Mason on 27 February 2018, 11:38:04 PM
That is absolutely bonkers.
I love it!
 :-* :-*

Clever use of 'crap' too.....
 ;D ;)