Dans building thread

[Dan]

Now where to begin and what to build?
I had thought of continuing my dropship idea which has changed quite a bit since I first asked for help , but feel its just a conversion so will put it aside for now.
I need a Train Station for both Dads Army and my Future Wars projects but that will probobly not be very inspiring or very detailed .
So I have uncovered another long wanted Vehicle for my Future Wars project , namely the Aliens APC .
So far I have looked at a few photos and printed out some plans that I found on the net . It needs lots of panel work made from Plastic card . The wheels I used on my Dropship mockup seem to be the right height but are a bit too wide so I think i will just do my interpretation of it.
We do have a year to build something ?- right 

[OSHIROmodels]

We do have a year to build something ?- right 

  Nope, just till the 6th Dec.

Looking forward to seeing this one, are you going to detial the interior?

cheers

James

[Dan]

No I think I'd need a year to do the interior  I bought some 1mm card for the main body today and have cut out a paper template.

[gamer Mac]

Nice idea looking forward to seeing this.
There was a thread the other week of someone building something similar. Maybe useful for ideas.

[Overlord]

There was a thread the other week of someone building something similar. Maybe useful for ideas.

I think you mean this one: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=13467.0
Specific info here: http://www.captaingeneral.co.uk/BBW/Alien%20specials.html

[Dan]

Ooh yes I remember seeing this before when googling around . I cannot remember where I got the plans just yet but will post them when I find them.

My progress has been slow as I'm finding 1mm plastic card a bit difficult to cut nicely . Also work has given me such a headache lately its hard to look at white card for too long.
I made a side template of paper then used that to trace out a plastic template . Using the plastic template I clamped two other pieces of plastic card to it and then used a diamond bladed saw to cut around it . I have three pieces almost exactly the same . I did need to trim the other two with a box cutter though . Tonite I cut out the base plate .
Yesterday while having my tea break in a Toystore (shh!!!) I found another 4x4 car with much better looking wheels for a couple of pounds . They are made of hard plastic so they will be easier to glue the hubcaps onto.
I will start posting photos when I start gluing things together.

[Hauptgefreiter]

Don't know if this'll be of use to you, but you might get some inspiration from here:
http://aliens.humlak.cz/aliens/aliens_papirove_modely_gb.htm

[Dan]

Thanks , maybe I will do the dropship later 

[Dan]

Some progress . This is just the main box body which will have sponsons attached to the sides and everything else built around it . I'm having doubts if it will be strong enough to handle much sanding etc so keep adding supports inside . I have enclosed most of it now just lacking the front plate and wheel wells.
Its still quite hard working out how everything fits together which is why its taking awhile.
Hull sides attached.

Three templates clamped togther with newer wheels.

[Dan]

Finally feel like I have something worth posting as I seem to have spent an age filling and sanding the main hull.
I'm about to start adding bits to the body like doors etc as I feel I'm close enough with getting the gaps all filled in.
The plans came from here . Although I dont see the link for it now.
http://aliens.humlak.cz/aliens/aliens_papirove_modely_gb.htm
I realise that the plans differ quite a bit from the original . Although I have read the interior would have been too big for the vehicle seen in the movie anyway.
I found a few different interpretations of the Vehicle my favorite being ;
http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=15692
or here http://www.haydn-automation.co.uk/Aliens.htm
I think these were made using the 1/35th scale model for dimensions .

Here is my version which is probobly a bit big but it will do .

[former user]

it's not too big at all and it looks just fine

and it does not need to be a perfect copy

is the traverse axle of the turret foldable to the back?

[Dan]

Hey thanks.
At this stage the turret is just sitting on the hull . I really dont think I can make rails and a carriage that will work in the time I have left. I will just make it look like it does.

[Hauptgefreiter]

you can employ some Neodym magnets, you'd easily be able to change the turret position...

[former user]

don't get too complicated 
simply cutting a slit along the central rib and fixing the traverse axle sideways to it should do

at least that's how it was made in the movie

[Dan]

I might have a look at making it movable just for wank factor    I am a bit worried about scrapping off paint doing it the movie method . Magnets would be a good alternative though thanks.