Sir Dryden takes the plunge

[Sir Dryden]

Hi to all,

As mentionned before, I was really looking forward for something like this contest, so I had an excuse to whip out my modelling stuff and, you know, Build Something^tm. But enough chit-chat and let's get to it...


1. The Weird Ways of Imagination:
When the theme was announced and Micheal Bolton mentionned. I immediately thought "I HAVE to have MB's face on it!". My father in law gave me a bunch of so-so CDs last fall, and among them was the 1st recording by, you guessed it, Micheal Bolton. I don't think I need to mention that I didn't mind "losing" the said recording to the terrain gods. So, armed with that essential element, I looked for a fitting concept.

It didn't take long. I decided to build a ruined billboard that would have been turned into a watchtower/shelter in a post-apocalyptic setting. At first, I wanted the time period to be around 1985 ('cause of MB) but now, I have my doubts. Late 50s-early 60s is really tempting, if only for the ad I could paint on the billboard. We'll see how this develops.

2. Build Something^tm Already!
I started by drawing up some plans for the billboard itself. I like doing that because it saves you a lot of time when you're actually building the thing. I searched the net and looked around the neighborhood for some references and found plenty. I then drew the plans.


I then started building the thing. Sorry for the pictures, I'm not a photographer and it shows...





In the last 2 images, you can (barely) see the basis of the grate thingy that always accompany billboards.

I also started working on the pillar that will support the billboard.


Not a lot to see yet, but I managed to do a mock-up of what it should look like once finished.


Finally, a shot of my original concept, though the image would be almost destroyed in the final version.


I'll update when I'll have some more.

Yours truly,

Sir Dryden

FUN MICHEAL BOLTON FACT #1
Early in his musical career, Micheal Bolton focused on hard rock. His band, Blackjack, once toured with heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne.

[OSHIROmodels]

Early in his musical career, Micheal Bolton focused on hard rock. His band, Blackjack, once toured with heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne.

And just look what happened to him   

Looking very good and what an interesting idea 

cheers

James

[Dewbakuk]

That's very cool. The billboards in the UK are very different but films that I've seen explain the whole platform thing

[gamer Mac]

Very nice.
Is it made of plactic card?
Some people are fairly flying on with this project

[Hammers]

   Lovely, Sir Dryden. Glad to see someone actually taking the Michael Bolton appeal seriously.

[Sir Dryden]

@GamerMac: Yes, it's all plastic card. I used to make commercial signage for a living and we bought 1/16'' styrene in 4'x8' sheets, so there was a lot of leftovers. Needless to say I picked up TONS of it! This project will most likely be 75%-80% scratchbuilt, so the styrene should come in handy. By the way, I don't know about the prices in Europe, but a 4'x8' of 1/16'' styrene costs around 50$ here, so it's a real economy if you compare with Evergreen or Plastruct prices. Perfect if you're building a Zeppelin (...and the kids have reached the fabled Coco Puffs Tolerability Level)...

@Hammers: I'm starting to be a little scared of my sudden discovery of Michael Bolton. Can you imagine I actually checked the net for his bio?!? I don't want to be known as "the Michael Bolton Guy" around here!

(By the way, don't steal my thunder with the MB Facts, it's a gimmick I'd like to stretch through the build! )

Yours truly,

Sir Dryden

[Christian]

And what a plunge! Nice work... after I read your facts I searched YouTube for some videos of his earlier band days. So thank you.

[gamer Mac]

Thanks for the answers Michal Bolton Guy

[Hammers]

My work here is done. 

[Sir Dryden]

Hi to all,

After a bit of a delay, here's the second update on my BSC^tm project.

3.Levels. It's all about levels
After a lot of thinking, I decided to attach the basic structure to it's pole. It might prove a bit more difficult to paint, but it'll help during construction. Here's a few (crappy) pictures.

The whole thing, front and back, with a yet-to-be-converted Foundry Viking for scale.


Detail shots. The back wall isn't attached (easier painting later) and the roof will remain removable




The foot of the tower. I'll probably add weld lines made of green stuff.


Bits and pieces that will sit in the top shack (there'll be another on a lower level)



Finally, the cause of all my troubles...


Hope you like it,

Yours truly,

Sir Dryden

FUN MICHAEL BOLTON FACT #2
Michael Bolton was an extra in David Lynch's 1984 movie DUNE. He played the part of a "spice-eyed drummer". This just adds to the already numerous reasons Lynch's DUNE sucked so bad.

[Silent Invader]

That's looking really good! 

[OSHIROmodels]

Love the details, perhaps a billboard poster showing the said Bolton might cause a few chuckles 

cheers

James

[Sir Dryden]

@Silent Invader

Thanks, tower-brother . BTW your North-American scenery is great. I should know, I live in the heart of New France!

@jimbibbly

I think I'll paint some car advertisement instead, something very 1960-ish. I've watched 3 seasons of Mad Men in like 2 weeks, so that's all I can think of right now. Besides, Bolton's name is already on the thing...

[phreedh]

Great detail! One question though - how is the platform reached?

[Alien Dave]

FUN MICHAEL BOLTON FACT #2
Michael Bolton was an extra in David Lynch's 1984 movie DUNE. He played the part of a "spice-eyed drummer". This just adds to the already numerous reasons Lynch's DUNE sucked so bad.


I thought Dune was pretty good.  But then, I did watch it through the bottom of a beer glass after poking myself in the eyes repeatedly...   

Dave W