Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: CompanyB on January 13, 2011, 07:28:14 PM
-
So, having just completed the Stryker MGS, with numerous interwar, WW1, and Weird War 2 master models being tackled by our 3D modelers, and a secret WW2 project almost completed I have a hankering to do another model. Something I would want to use.
Well, I have all these police and SWAT decal sets that seem to do ok. Maybe they need to have a vehicle to be used on. Something like the Lenco Bearcat.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/800px-Nash_Bearcat.JPG)
So this build thread will be mostly for me, to get off my easy chair and make a model, the old way. Because it's being documented, I cannot take a 6 month pause in the middle of it and start something else.
So first step is research. I found the specs on the Bearcat and began to calculate the dimensions. My only real world use for math.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/dimensions.jpg)
From there, I get onto my laptop and sketch out a couple of scale plans that I can work from when I start cutting sheet plastic.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/BEARCAT_plan.jpg)
I'm not sure if this will be a Company B model, or if I'll self produce it. I guess if folks want one, I'll need to figure that out. Anyway, Phase 1 complete! Now next step will be to start cutting the frame out of plastic sprue tonight.
-
I would buy one, or maybe folloow this and make my own lol
-
I love vehicle build threads. Looking forward to watching this come together.
-
Day 1 Progress: Managed to get the drawings done, build out the lower frame (this will probably be metal) and got a good start on the main body and supports. I went ahead and made it hollow, so I can decide later if the driver's compartment will be open, or if the whole model will be solid resin. I'll need to thicken up all the internal walls though if I want the crew compartment.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5574.JPG)
Starting to take shape with the basic parts in place.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5575.JPG)
Even at 1/56 scale, this is a big truck. Ecto1 and the Pontiac GTO are both 1/43 scale!
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5576.JPG)
The Stryker scales well with it, which is good, since I think there is a military variant of this I can do as well.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5572.JPG)
Tomorrow I'll create the angled windscreen, front grill and bonnet.
-
Lovely work Bruce. As police trucks go though, it ain't that big.
-
It's Brent actually ;)
Yeah, it's not "huge" but I was surprised that it was big in a sense compared to other models. So it would seem to fit in with 1/43 models, look good with 1/48 bit be dead on for 1/56.
If this goes well, maybe I'll finally star a full interior model version on a Winnebago I've been looking for an excuse to do to house my "Survivors".
-
Very nice indeed... me and the boy Slug have been collecting bits and bobs for a swat squad. Not found anything suitable for their van/truck though. Didn't they once use something which was bigger but looked more "civilian"?
Nice work though Bob, Barry, Bert or whatever your name is...
A Winnebago would be a winner... I think a lot of gamers have some survivors who would like one of those.
-
Oops sorry, Brent.
-
Very nice indeed... me and the boy Slug have been collecting bits and bobs for a swat squad. Not found anything suitable for their van/truck though. Didn't they once use something which was bigger but looked more "civilian"?
Nice work though Bob, Barry, Bert or whatever your name is...
A Winnebago would be a winner... I think a lot of gamers have some survivors who would like one of those.
Like this alot.
Re: Winnebago, (finally found one not 1/43), in a local budget shop, use it in my latest zed gaming thread, looks spot on.
So Company B if you can produce a decent one it'll definately sell.
-
Hadn't seen the MGS workbench photos before - looking forward to adding one to my Stryker motorpool.
8)
-
Busy weekend, but managed a few hours this morning to shape the front of the truck, windshield frame. and add a floor and some minor support work.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5577.JPG)
The hood will be interesting, as it has alot of different angles, plus the "air scoop" I'll just work on that the rest of the evening and hopefully it will fit!
Akula: The MGS will be on the way to JTFM for casting in the next week or so. I can't wait to get a couple of my own painted up. Just some minor detailing is left on the main gun and its done.
I may also do the Military variant of the BearCat. Would be a whole new model though, as it involves some design changes to the model I'm making now.
-
The hood will be interesting, as it has alot of different angles, plus the "air scoop" I'll just work on that the rest of the evening and hopefully it will fit!
Good practice for your next projects, a BTR-152 and a BTR-40. ;)
-
Some more progress. Hood in place and the fenders and windscreen added. The back hull and door frame are next. I also need to start thinking about doing the tires and hubs (dreading it actually)
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5585.JPG)
-
Whilst this may have been covered elsewhere, I haven't spotted it, so may I ask politely :D, if you could show in-depth how you make the hubs and tyres.
I understand and can do nearly all other aspects of model creation but I am buggered if I can do tyres. ???
-
Waow I am impressed. I wish I could scratchbuild vehicles like you do.
-
Hubs and Tires, I usually use a computer and 3D printer. But for this model I'll do them in plastic. It's a bit complicated, and probably could be a build thread all by itself o_o
-
New update:
Started on the running boards, and finished off the general shaping of the body panels.
Also added the gun port frames, and marked where to drill for the hand railings.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/BC_1.JPG)
The Running boards are textured styrene. One thing I do when I make master models is work in layers. So rather than use 4mm thick styrene strip, I'll glue four 1mm strips on top of each other. I prefer this method as 1mm strip (or even thinner, .25 to .5) is easier to cut, and allows me to build in panels and other details into the model as I go along. So the running board is .5mm textured sheet, with .25 regular strip below it.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/BC_2.JPG)
For items like doors and such, I use the "board/wood" texture strip. It's scored on one side in 2mm to 5mm spacing. The back side is plain. This sheeting is great, and if you cut along the scored edge lightly, it snaps in a perfect line. the plain side is faced outward, and additional thickness can be added to the hidden (wood) side if needed.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/BC_back.JPG)
The running board will most likely be cast in metal on the final model. So here it's just lightly glued in place for finishing.
While buying materials for the wheels ay the hobby shop, I managed to find a couple of 1/53 police cars by Corgi!
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/police.JPG) They are supposed to be 1/50 scale to go along with their US fire Engine line, but the measure out at about 1/53 to 1/55. perfect!
Tonight I'll do the driver and passenger armored doors, and start on the wheels and tires.
-
coming along nicely, humm think I'll need 1 of these :D
-
Very interesting step-by-step, thanks for sharing it!
-
Thank you all for the comments..
Managed to spend a few more hours on this in between a few other projects. I've added the doors, and started with some of the details (hand railings) These are bend plastic rod. They are inserted for the photos, but I'll removed them and glue them onto some spare sprue so they keep their shape for the metal casting. The wheels are temporary, and not for this kit. I'll start those tomorrow.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5611.JPG)
I've also added the doors, and started closing off the bottom areas and any "open" spaces. I'll need to add plastic card to the inside portion of the windows.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5612.JPG)
The next portion will be the front grill, head lights, light coverings, and siren/lights rack. I'll also need to start the armored turret/roof access hatch.
-
Wow!! Would probably make a nice Brinks security van for bank heist games. You are a true artist sir.
-
Built out the rear hub and a tires. Still need to add the tread.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5645.JPG)
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5646.JPG)
I'll post another thread on how the wheel and hub was built. It' a pretty long step by step, but the actually build only took about 40 minutes.
-
Neat! Must have for my SWATs! At least two :)
-
This is a thing of beauty! :-* Thanks for pointing me to this thread Brent! :D
Darkoath
-
Another update:
Built out the Police lights, and started some of the smaller details. I'm experimenting with the railings, making them from plastic to cast into metal. They may be too small though, so I'll need to go up a size in thickness for metal casting.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5647.JPG)
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5649.JPG)
As some folks may want this as a armored bank car, I'll make the turret and lights separate, and include an optional roof armor plate. You can get a little dual use out of the model that way.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5651.JPG)
Next phase is the tire tread. I've found the patterns I want in some good close ups of the truck. I just need replicate it in miniature.
-
finished off the front bumper, grill and light guards. Just some sanding and minor detailing left to do and this should be just about done.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/stepA.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/stepB.jpg)
The bumper, like the lights and sirens will be separate and cast in metal, allowing this to be used as an armored bank car or the SWAT transport.
-
8)
-
As you have separate parts such as the bumper and the police light you might consider a kind of removable load with gas cans and baggages on the roof, and why not a grill on the wind screen for a post apocalypse version of this van.
-
Finally created a test mold, and a test cast of the parts in resin. A little paint, and it seems to fit the part of a SWAT command vehicle:
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5671.JPG)
I cheated a bit on this, as I did not test cast the wheels and hubs. The ones I painted up are placeholder until I get production kits in stock. I still need to make some scratch built rails and a roof rack. The ones I made in the buld are already prepper for metal casting.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5672.JPG)
Shot with some Copplestone miniatures for scale:
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5669.JPG)
Now we finally have a vehicle to go with our SWAT decals. And I call this model done as fart as the master goes.
Next project?
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/camper.png)
I was going to build one for some left over FOA Toyota's I have. But I kind of want a bigger pickup for a camper...
Brent
Company B
-
The vehicle looks stunning! Also looking forward to see the camper! ;)
-
wow.. i love when someone makes big mechs from plasticard. i'm always amazed...
-
That SWAT vehicle is fantastic. Great work and very informative explanation of building tires/hubs. The finished product is wonderful.
-
That is brilliant - it looked fantastic in the bare "flesh", so to speak, but fully painted! :-*
Also, you spoke of police decals - I'm on my way to the website to look for them now.
Brilliant stuff.
-
Great looking finished vehicle, fascinating thread, looking forward to the camper too... thanks!
-
Great looking finished vehicle, fascinating thread, looking forward to the camper too... thanks!
What he said! 8) :-*
-
That looks great, good work. :)
-
Thanks for the comments.
I'm currently working on my next projects: The camper back, which hopefully will work with just about any pickup truck, scaled 1/50 to 1/60 (maybe even 1/43). I may do a pickup as well.
Also, an armored MG shield/turret. The sort you would see on a hummer or my SWAT APC. The open turret should work on any hummer or diecast car, scaled 1/43 to 1/56. I already have the modern MG's to go with it.
Brent
Company B
-
BTR-152. Three little letters a dash and three little numbers.
-
BTR-152 Just scaled out the plans for one in 1/56 today.
We'll see how far I get this weekend.
-
You are a good man.
-
Very nice indeed but, looks like the roof on the drive hand side isn't cleanly seamed in one picture:
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_5669.JPG)
Any chance that could be fixed before production moulds are taken?
-
yep.. There were several modifications made to the master, after the test casts. Nothing that changes the design, but some cleanup and additional sanding was done.
Production casts are always better, as they tend to take their time and concentrate on molding. When I do it, I stare at the curing resin/mold with paint brush in my hand! This time, I waited for the resin to actually cure before painting.