Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: CompanyB on June 13, 2008, 03:59:58 PM
-
Ok, technically it may not be kitbashing if it's your own kits....
But we have a slew of releases coming this summer that will provide folks with an unlimited parts box of bits that can be used to modify existing models, lledo toys, whatever you fancy.
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_2261.JPG)
Model T base set
The above is a cheap kit (I'm hoping $5) that anyone can use as a base to build upon. There are two options for wheels...spoked and solid (from our model T scout car and model T armored pickup respectively...)
http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/ModelT_variants.htm (http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/ModelT_variants.htm)
In addition we also have the following "bits" being churned out and available soon:
Small 1920's round turret with HMG
Medium 1920's round turret with HMG
Pintle mounted HMG and shield
Solid Wheels and suspension 1920 (4)
Spoked Wheels and Suspension 1920 (4)
Early Treaded Wheels (4)
HMG barrels
75mm Barrels (1914)
Kegresse Tracks (X2)
Tractor tracks (X2)
Larger Sand traction wheels and suspension (x4)
Small Spot Light (from our train)
Here's a Model T, reworked with the Kegresse tracks and some scratch built fenders and rear deck
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/IMG_2259.JPG)
Also, a mini poster/teaser for an upcoming Company B contest that will be exclusive to Witchhunter.net
I think you can look at the above parts list and try to guess what it will be... Look for more info soon!
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/AC_posterfinal.png)
Brent
CompanyB
-
Oh man! :o
-
It´s "KEGRESSE".
Other than that, I can only chime in with Pete´s heartfelt "Oh man", merely wishing to add an awed "Oh boy".
-
I'd order a few $5 Model-T's. However, I don't like your spoked wheels. May I suggest that you offer the solid ones that are pictured in your second picture as an alternative?
-
I really like the idea of the $5 model T, and can see getting several.
Also, please keep the spoked wheels as an option. Options are good.
-
Yes, options are good.
How about a dualy wheel option?
-
Cheap(er) 28mm vehicles, some imagination required - sign me up!
I do like the Model T halftrack - wonder if anyone ever did that in real life?
-
both wheel options will be available...
-
I've already started my own "chop shop" so I can play, too!
-
Sounds very tempting but I'll have to catch up on my current projects first .But you're giving me Ideas
-
*sigh* another 'must have' bag in the 'to do' pile. Still, it is very tempting
-
I like this particular variant myself:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2576370767_7c00aed69a.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2577201052_32bd673aab.jpg?v=0)
-
Cool! Where did you find those pics?
-
Excellent idea! ;D :D
-
Cool! Where did you find those pics?
Dunno.
-
I'd order a few $5 Model-T's. However, I don't like your spoked wheels. May I suggest that you offer the solid ones that are pictured in your second picture as an alternative?
Read the list Brent provided - right above the spoked wheels is a mention of solid wheels.
-
Can I start posting my pictures here? I've got some to show how I've done my conversion from start to where I am now (almost finished).
-
Pictures are always welcome.
-
Read the list Brent provided - right above the spoked wheels is a mention of solid wheels.
Yeah, I saw them there. However, I'd like to get the $5 kit with the solid wheels instead of having to order them at extra cost from among a seperate list of extra bits. (Although, mind you, I'll buy some $5 kits with or without the solid wheels.)
-
Here goes - I'll try to get photos posted tomorrow.
When I heard about this contest, I scanned the internet looking for photos of cool armored cars, initially based on the Ford Model T. I found only a few and found far more interesting ACs that I hadn't seen before. I picked one that was the most obscure and was not being produced by any other company. With my Ukrainian and Polish heritage this vehicle had added alure as it was used by the Polish and Russian/Bolshevik armies. In this way, the car would have the most appeal to the most gamers.
I started with the base Ford Model T, the one that has the armored diver's cab. I figured I could use the cab to support the main armored car cabin for my conversion. Here's a photo of the car and the types of plastic (0.3mm Plastruct) I initially intended to use to make the vehicle (I altered some plans and will show where I made those changes later on.)
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=753
-
Come on, Brent, talk about this some more:
(http://homepage.mac.com/brentdietrich/AC_posterfinal.png)
-
I removed the thin sides of the cars I got (mine were factory seconds and could not be used or sold) and attached the rear shock absorbers and axle so I could figure out how wide to make the vehicle. 3cm was the width of the cab and it looked like it would be exactly what I needed.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=754
-
I used the flatbed of the truck as the edge of my side plates. I figured it was the most dependable flat and level edge. In order to get the odd shaped sides correct, I used a piece of 3x5 card as a template in order to save plastic and get it right the first time. Because I am not a professional, my vehicle was not perfectly proportioned and each side was just a little different – templates used on one side could help guide the other but could not be used exactly. Measuring the regular flat side was straight forward. From learning experience in doing this vehicle, I should have reinforced each edge where plates joined to add more strength.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=755
-
The photos are dark here but I wanted to post these to better show how the cab of the Model T angled towards the front of the car. I needed to use some balsa to support the sides to the width I wanted. Balsa ended up being an excellent choice as extra width could very easily be shaved off (and it's much cheaper than basswood). When I glued the new cab sides on, I realized I had taken off too much but the fix was simple – I cut the block of balsa straight up the middle (it was a breeze!) and inserted a sliver of scrap balsa until I got the width I wanted. I knew I had held onto those scraps of balsa for a reason!
Even though I was using a 90 degree tool from Micro Mark, I could never depend on my measurements and cuts to be precision perfect. In construction the main cabin, I knew that, if I was off by only a little bit on either side, the entire vehicle would not be even. The way I constructed the main cabin was to measure out the roof and the sides (using paper templates, of course), cut the pieces out in plastic and glue them together as a single piece. I placed reinforcing strips of my trusty scrap balsa near the edges for added support. When I glued the sides/top piece onto the supporting back it fit exactly the way I wanted it to and everything was level.
In the photo of the underside of the vehicle, the red arrow at the top points to one balsa block and the circle another. The blue line points to the place where the extra balsa sliver was placed.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=756
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=757
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=759
-
The front needed to get extended and, again, I used balsa for that. The pink 3x5 card template for the hood/bonnet is visible in one photo as is the plastic for the front of the car. The construction was progressing quite smoothly to this point.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=758
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=758
-
Here is a really good shot of how I used paper 3x5 card stock to get the templates for the sides of the front of the armored car. I specifically used different colored paper so I would not confuse the sides which were just a little different. This was the end of the “easy” part of the construction as all the rest would involve curves (something I had not tried yet) or oddly shaped pieces.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=758
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=762
-
Here is the base conversion completed but without wheel rims and the angled front fenders. I hope this is helpful. There is more to come – the tricky stuff, adding the armored plates, making the windows and protective shutters, modifying the lamp and, finally, adding the rivets – lots o’ rivets…
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=763
-
I'm looking forward to actually seeing all these photos, once the picture elf you're evidently corresponding with does his job. ;)
-
I'm looking forward to actually seeing all these photos, once the picture elf you're evidently corresponding with does his job. ;)
That would be the good professor - he's agreed to help me out! I hope everyone likes the vehicleas much I did putting it together.
-
The pictures can be found here in the Gallery under "Koznarsky's Armored Car conversion project". Scroll to the bottom of the page and work backwards to see the car's progression or click on the links in each post! I really like the neat way the photos can be enlarged, too.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;cat=45
-
Whoa! Why'd you even start with the Model T? Despite my thoughts re your sanity, it's looking pretty good so far.
-
Whoa! Why'd you even start with the Model T? Despite my thoughts re your sanity, it's looking pretty good so far.
Because it's what the competition was about, because it's easier to start with a good model and because I didn't know any better. Questions about sanity? o_o Ha! I haven't even begun to show you why my sanity should be doubted... lol
-
I heard a National Public Radio story this morning announcing that this year is the 100th anniversary of the Model T. Good time to start up the Company B armored car build contest, no?
-
I'm in the middle or prepping for the contest right now :)
In a nut shell...we are waiting for the completion of the lead painters league.and then the armored car contest will start up in July/August.
Gist of it is, I will have several skews of kits to chose from, at a low price. one is the pictured model of the stripped out T frame, with choice of spoked or solid wheels. Also, a selection of (damaged) kits (man, I have alot of them...Fed Ex must be using Gorilla's ) sold at below cost. All in all, the kits will be $5 to $9, mostly for me to cover shipping.
The contest will also coincide with the launch of a new selection of kit bashing bits and parts we are working on and plan to have available. These include 1920's era halftrack tracks, more wheels, stowage items, weapons, turrets and the like.
There will be several categories. Armored variant of the T, Softskin transport, and the third is completely new design (perhaps you tossed the resin away and just used the wheels!)
Voting will be on this forum, by forum members, much like the league. Alex and I will figure out an additional point system.
Winner will get a nice selection of kits! and the possibilty that their model will enter into the mainstream production lineup or be made into a limited run kit...if folks demand it ;) So I'll post a big announce when I have the storefront ready. The special priced kits will be limited, and only available for several weeks prior to the start. I do want to give everyone time to get the bits...so I'll iron that out with Alex.
Also, if you already have one of our kits and are building converting it, you can still enter the contest. Just send me your name and number of entries when we get started.
Brent
Company B
-
Sounds great Brent. I'm glad to hear you'll be offering a choice of wheels. I'm looking forward to this.
-
Contest starting in July/Aug - any idea when it will end?
-
OOOOOH ! Ican´t wait ,I must be part of the contest ;D
-
Any more news on this competition yet. I have use for a few T-Fords and some bits but thought I'd wait to order till it was time...
-
Yes yes I realy whant to kow more !!!!
-
I'm back from a trip to Alaska...
So I'll hammer out contest details and put up the pages for the rules, and build out the sales page.
There will be two categories. One using our "simple" model T kit, the requirement will be to build a module or "back" that fits onto the existing kit. The final can be all completed, but we'll want to see that it works with the existing cast. It needs to look like a Model T variant.
The other category will be to use the same kit or any of our model t kits, and convert it into either a transport vehicle, or and armored car. In this case you can have a model t covered with armor, turrets, and tracks ;-)
just waiting for stock of the metal pieces, and need to paint a few sample ideas.
-Brent
Company B
-
Ah good news
I have a plan for the two category´s and I can´t wait to stard .
Grimm
-
Ah good news
I have a plan for the two category´s and I can´t wait to stard .
Grimm
Me to. You will be able to provide machine guns and cast details?
-
Extras and bits will be available. As they are not specifically available right now at retail, but I have them in stock. I think what I'll do is make a price list that gets sent out when you order the models...you check off what you need and we include it at cost. That way we develop a dialog with each entrant, while passing on the discounts, only to entrants of the contest.