Scratch built 18mm USMC Scifi Lander

[zrunelord]

It has been some time since I scratch built something.
I got these 6mm infantry minis which are great for 15/18mm also & decided to build them a transport, sort of a Sci-Fi Chinook.
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/jais-carabinere

These are my Usmc in space. Possibilities are endless .
Quite nice minis with very nice poses especially the seated ones, though I did kitbash them like the side HMG gunner who is prone in the set.

The Transport's build is mostly card with egg plastic carton bits ( the transparent plastic parts ). The front part can be detached from the back with a slot and magnet. Back can carry infantry & vehicles/drones.

I will do 2 engine versions -  Atmospheric turbo fans ( juice pack caps ) and Space travel Jet engines ( empty 35mm film roll cases which I had for years ). Magnets & thin galvanised sheet metal sheets will be used to enable quick change. Sheet metal is used in engineering but any iron based food can like a sardine can's lid can be used ( careful very sharp ) . Use a magnet to check tin before buying 😉at the supermarket. Or simply just use 2 magnets . easier.


Magnets & sheet metal bits will also be used throughout to hold back door & infantry in place. The side doors can be covered with card/foam pieces.

Front part can be place at different heights. Next landing gear will be done ( thanks to Warmonkey for pointing this out ). I will have to find a way to make the landing gear height adjustable. 3d printed perhaps ?

Must think of a suitable Usmc name for it now. Marines have a particular way to name things & these names always seem to stick like gum to a shoe. Suggestions ?
Thanks for your
Comments
Z

More pics in post.

https://castrarunis.blogspot.com/2023/09/scratch-built-usmc-scifi-lander.html

[Daeothar]

That looks to be a nice and gritty transport in the vein of Aliens. Different design, but would fit right into the universe.

Great work! 

[zrunelord]

Thank you D

Yes Indeed the Colonial Marines.
Just read some of the Star Marine series by Ian Douglas https://www.goodreads.com/series/129012-marines-in-space & well....just had to build something.
And simple enough build to be able to do more, if required.
Z

[Kourtchatovium104]

What inventiveness in the use of, well, everything to do great model! 

[LouieN]

That looks very cool.  Good luck on the project. 

If I may ask, you scaled "up" the 3D files to scale the minis for 15/18mm?  What scaling did you use

15/6 = 250%

wondering

[zrunelord]

Thank you both.
K, Don't want to sound like a broken record but we really, really, really need to recycle & reuse. Both to save money & to reduce waste.

L, yes scaled up. Scaling up usually yields sturdier minis than scaling down. Sorry I don't scale down or up in the slicer. The best way that I find works for me is to create a 10x10x18 cube ( basic mini size) in MSBuilder & eyeball the imported mini next to it. If it looks right then I export to Stl.
Another thing , if I kitbash models, as in the side gunner I open files in Prusaslicer ( which is free also ) as builder takes ages to repair kitbashed files.
Hope this helps.
Z

[jhonpog]

nice build zrunelord I love scratch built ships and vehicles from found objects.

 I do like the overall shape of your lander. Like you I'm a big fan of using whatever's on hand and saving my money for other parts of the hobby

Looking forward to seeing updates

[Kourtchatovium104]

I agree with you but I often run out of ideas. Seeing scratchbuilding from the forum is very inspiring for me. 

[zrunelord]

Thanks

Jh, Scratchbuilding is indeed very satisfying and obviously saves money ( though definitely not , time !!! ) .
K, It is never easy to come up with ideas or inspiration. I just look at things & try to see what can be done with them.
Believe me when I say that the basic box shapes where built around a year & a half ago , just waiting for a spark. I
bought the marines & decided that the seated ones need a flying transport.

Seeing scratchbuilding from the forum is very inspiring for me.

. I agree with you 100%.


Here is part 2, the engines have been done. All magnetised. This will give me the ability to use them on other builds.
I did not think it would be this large but everything can be dismantled for easy storage. This is a very important consideration if storage space is lacking. Fruit pack caps for the turbo fans & old camera film roll for the jet engines.
The legs are made of cut down teeth flossers ( since they have a 90deg angled head ) and disposable razor heads. More pics on blog post.

https://castrarunis.blogspot.com/2023/09/scratch-built-18mm-usmc-scifi-lander.html

















Thank you for your comments
Z

[jhonpog]

looks great Zrunelord very nice.

Hey are the engines magnetised?  How are you able to turn those engines from horizontal to vertical?

love the use of razor head etc great detail in those things

[LouieN]

Good progress.  I like the apple sauce cap engines. 

[Cacique Caribe]

WOW, that looks awesome, Z.  I’m always amazed and inspired by your projects.

Dan

[zrunelord]

Thank you.
Yes all the rotor engines are magnetised with two 4 x 2mm magnets each. I put 2 so as not to have a fulcrum which often happens when installing 1 magnet.
Unfortunately the 3D printed struts cause a bit of leverage and I might have been better with a single 8 or 10mm magnet.
The jet engines have only 1 as they're empty containers ( I removed the film and so very light )

Safety razors have great detail . I had also used them on an older build https://castrarunis.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-lander-is-finished.html


Z

[Ragsta]

Awesome work mate!

[Freddy]

Looking great!