“Fire in the hole!” - time to kick some ass!

[Lord Raglan]

Those huts are superb sir

[tomrommel1]

very nice result indeed

[Digits]

Cheers guys!

Good news for me, I will be receiving the raised base I need for the third hut so I can get that one put up on stilts too.

Struggling to find my WIP carp pond and second rice field….looks like I need to start again!

I have however found a pair of Vietnamese riverboats so I may paint those up next.

[Digits]

In a moment of clarity (old age it a bitch!) I found my WIP paddy field and pond base!  So once I order some more water effect, I will get those done.



I also want to modify this diecast model, cutting out the door window as well as the domed observation hatch, to pop in a gunner….this will then get a repaint with luck to look more like it belongs in the jungle. ie…more like this…




Problem is, I have no idea how to cut diecast !

Anyone have experience?  Any tips welcome, cheers.

[gamer Mac]

Nice work

[Johnny Boy]

Please bear in mind this is pure theory but this method has worked on many materials and applications. I would stitch drill inside the lone of the hatch you want to cut out. Stitch drilling is the simple technique of drilling a line of holes next to each other slightly overlapping so in effect cutting a line, the piece will come out and off you go with a metal file up to the lines you want left. Another option would be to use a drill bit just smaller than the hatch and drill through once again getting busy with the file. Another thing to remember is to drill using a slower speed than you would drilling wood or the drill bit will bind and break very quickly.
Hope that helps
JB

[Digits]

Thanks for the tips there JB.

[Ash]

Problem is, I have no idea how to cut diecast !

Anyone have experience?  Any tips welcome, cheers.

Do you have a Dremel type tool? You can get mini grinding/cutting discs for them.

[Digits]

I do…not that I have used cutting disks before, but willing to give it a go.   If I cut past the points, I can always fill with gs I suppose……I’m thinking the little hatch may be too problematic….I may just drill out and set about it with a file?

Edit:  hmmm….I’m not brave enough to cut this with the disc….too curvy and it’s hard enough holding a drill to it, never mind a disc!

So I’m going to do a few more holes tomorrow before setting about it with files….

At the moment…it looks like it’s taken hits from a .50 cal!



And I may just do this one hatch…..

[vodkafan]

I am a bit  too late but as someone who has done quite a bit of stitch drilling on diecasts I would have used a smaller diameter drill there...oops. But hey you are still inside the line of where you want to cut so this is going to be fine in the end 

[vodkafan]

The huts are great by the way.  Peter told me to come and look. Amazing the difference the stilts make to the look.

[tomrommel1]

I have two of the same chopper models so will follow your progress closely.

[Digits]

Lol….don’t follow me too closely…you could loose a finger!  I’m sure you’d do a better job than I!

James….I should have known you’d converted diecast…..

Anyway…good enough for government work!

It’s a little ropy but once I zero in on a suitable door gunner….it won’t really be that visible anyway!  Probably putting the heli on hold now until I sort the gunner…

[Oldgamer]

Thatching done…now to look about and get ideas for the huts themselves.  In my minds eye, I’m envisioning green…turning light brown .  There are a few different wall textures on these though…



Also, I’m trying to make a green stuff copy of some rice baskets I have from Eureka.  They won’t be perfect as I’m just using blue mould putty.  It would be great if things like rice baskets, rice mats, drying fish racks etc were available commercially.  Hey ho….

Full Metal Miniatures have a pack of rice pots, sacks etc.

[Digits]

Ooh!   I shall take a look….thank you!

Edit:   Wow! Exactly what I’m after…….next months shopping list!


Meanwhile pushing on whilst I’m in the mood, I have made a start on the second paddy patch and the pond base.



Still a bit to do, but the pond will have some carp, a veg patch, flora and fauna, and the rice fields will be partially planted / harvested, have a few villagers working in them (placed a small Empress order but any further hobby purchases will need to wait until month end!)

I’m also going to put a swimming snake into one of the pools….probably one of these two kraits……both found in Vietnam…….both dangerous ( the blue or Malayan krait being as bad ass as they come!).  I’m lucky that they are nice and garish, therefore easy to paint! Lol






I mentioned Barrage Miniatures are sending me a base for my baseless hut, but the very helpful Clara is also sending me a little boat as a gift!   She informs me however that the huts are being redone and should be available later this summer….I may have to add another one or two then! 

Whilst looking for the paddy field base, I also came across a large tree armature that didn’t make it to the latex stage…..so this one will get a crashed aircraft stuck in it m3 thinks…lots to do…..and eventually, I may get to paint some minis! 


Edit:

WIP continues…..



A bit to do yet….