Gunbirds S.T.A.L.K.E.R. project (17/8 - Crossed out)

[mikedemana]

Having visited Pripyat, I like to go back and look at some of my photos just for proper Post-Apoc inspiration. The sign looks very Soviet -- nicely done.

Oh, the visit is on my other blog, the travel one:
https://world-wide-mike.travellerspoint.com/71/

You just have to get past that first big ad and travellerspoint is fine... 

Mike Demana

[carlos marighela]

Having visited Pripyat, I like to go back and look at some of my photos just for proper Post-Apoc inspiration. The sign looks very Soviet -- nicely done.

Oh, the visit is on my other blog, the travel one:
https://world-wide-mike.travellerspoint.com/71/

You just have to get past that first big ad and travellerspoint is fine... 

Mike Demana

That would explain the faint glow you give off in darkened settings.  You can assure the wife that the microwave isn't faulty after all.

Gimmick for a convention participation game: Give everyone a fake dosimeter and play some geiger counter sounds.

BTW our friend Patrick at Patrick Miniatures produces a range of suitable gear for Pripyat and surrrounds, including the famous sign.

https://patrickminiatures.de/collections/zona-alfa-terrain

[Gunbird]

Thx guys.

Usefull shots there Mike, thanks.

Carlos, good link, I'll have a browse.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Gimmick for a convention participation game: Give everyone a fake dosimeter and play some geiger counter sounds.

Now that is a thought.
Some of these might work https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/tiny-fx-w?variant=53485434831227 with a speaker, controlled via a 'phone or tablet.

BTW our friend Patrick at Patrick Miniatures produces a range of suitable gear for Pripyat and surrrounds, including the famous sign.

https://patrickminiatures.de/collections/zona-alfa-terrain

Interesting stuff, vernacular architecture Soviet style.

[mikedemana]

On my tour to Chernobyl, we were given the choice of renting a Geiger counter. I chose not to do so. However, when our van made the turn towards the reactors, all of them in the vehicle started going off simultaneously. It was very sobering briefing, too, from the guide. He told us not to touch any vegetation, and even gave me a hard time later when I got down on one knee to get a better shot.

When he talked about how little time each worker is supposed to stay there before being transferred out, that was interesting, too. And the fact that the reactor is still there, encased in concrete, spewing radiation...scary stuff! 

Mike Demana

[Gunbird]

With everything not primed boxed up I've regained (a bit of ) focus so this hobby night the Radio Bunker came back onto the table. In the run up I've added a big ass magnet in the top of the mast, with copious amount of superglue and paper it is in there forever. Made a sign to go on top (MDF round base with a hole drilled into the side and a nail inserted), put on my usual Red Star and primed it. I also made a base insert for the Bubker to fit the backstory I have written for it. I chose to go the hard way, brass wire and aluminium tubing instead of just using plastic but I could not be bothered to get up 2 flights of stairs at that moment Only partially human after all



Basic paints are on, but more weathering to go, foliage, debris etc which I plan to do somewhere in the weekend. I really need to finish this and move on to the next items in the box that need to be finished.

[carlos marighela]

Nice radio mast. 

Oddly enough, I've just done the same thing. I cheated though, I found a model railway lighting tower thingy for $10 and added some plastic rod and a couple of cone shaped receiver/transmitter thingummies.

[Gunbird]

Yup, did the same when I made my first pieces of Cold War scenery, works like treat (lot's of railroad stuff actually). This one is more the pre micro wave era, so just a basic steel tower. No metal support cables though, those won't last with me around

[Daeothar]

Looking spiffy again! 

In a corroded, dilapitaded way that is 

[Dentatus]

The red star sign...   *chef's kiss*

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

I like how realistic your weathering is. How did you achieve the rusted look of the sign?

[Gunbird]

Hi SM,

I used a bit of sponge to sponge on a chalky grey-white craft paint onto the MDF base, 2 coats, and let that dry. Then Vallejo Panzer Red Oxide with a sponge across the star. Then a thinned Vallejo Dark Grey wash around the star for added depth (not that it worked this time but meh). Then Vallejo Flat Brown with, you guessed it, a sponge across everything. Then with  yet another sponge add some of the original chalky white back on here and there.

The streaks are Vallejo Rust Wash, add a stripe, rub down with your finger, repeat. Once that is done use the same wash a few lines on the main rust areas, and use a damp brush to feather it out on the bottom of the stripe.

No thinner or enamels or other harmfull stuff needed, dries really fast so easy to get a lot done in one sitting.

If you make sure the paints have a slight bit of water in them after getting a drop from the bottle, the sponge does the work of colour variation for you. Any kind of sponge works, I use the stuff from blister packs, scrap foam inserts from carry boxes, washing up sponges, make up sponges to give variation when needed.

Also, don't be neat. Embrace the chaos and decay. It's easy once you let go of your normal brush style (or as in my case get reumatoid arthritis and find using sponges to be much easier on my hands) and just go with it.

[Digits]

Sweet work.  I often struggle with decaying metalwork, and end up using the same tried and tested method I always use…so that all look the same.  Going to use your ideas though I think next time.

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

Thanks for walking us through the process! I'll try it next time I need to do rust.

[Gunbird]

To quote a certain movie:"Good luck, we are counting on you" and I'm looking forward to your results.

Had a bonus few hours today so grabbed my foam cutter to get the concrete blocks for the base supports for the 2 power line pylons. This left me with a bit of scrap foam, so grabbed a quick inspiration pic and cut the leftovers into a suitable bus stop. It's just a test for a more elaborate future one, so I winged it a bit for sizes.

So, the base idea.


After just winging it by eye, the parts. Not a lot


Basic assembly.


(in the background the whole reason for getting out the foamcutter to begin with. Added concrete blocks as I'm used to seeing in local marshy areas around here, which fits the location for the game I suppose)

Next up is basing, filling in the cracks, adding the posts for the bench etc. I've compressed the model a bit compared to the real one. Might even get it painted this weekend, if I have the stamina for it. It'is not a huge project or anything and a nice bit of filler. The colourscheme is nice but a bit too cheerful for the game, so I will tone that down and delve deep in my good old Sovjet propaganda box.

The only thing I'm still thinking about is what name to add to the front, or just for go for a number. Most likely the latter, or just the word Factory, ?. Suitably weatherd, of course.