BB's Modelworks

[BanzaiBoB]

Heehee - I probably have more soldiers and equipment than the standing armies of some small countries  - pity they're all in miniature... 

[BanzaiBoB]

Picked up my "Machine Nest" on Friday (Thanks Graham @ DigitalSushi - if you ever get any of the others, lmk). Its a simple, but very cool instant base for a Gundam or other roboty subject to stand on. I think it suits 1/144 Gs better, but looks fine when I tested it with my 1/100 Zaku.

I have a GM Titans suit I want to use it with at some point.

Nice kit aside, the box also has a ton of Engrish Funny - "The feeling extend freedomthe sky does not limit and yourthinkingincarnate more large"! Couldn't have put it better myself .

BB's Modelworks

[jGLZa]

I bought that too. Looks fine with my 1/100 OO-Raiser.

[BanzaiBoB]

Some inspirations for future models:

TIE Crawler tank

BB's Modelworks

TIE Droid unmanned fighter

BB's Modelworks

There are very expensive full and conversion kits for both of these, but I have a couple of spare TIE hulls, so will be doing some scratchbuilding at some point.

I'm going to use the remains of an ERTL TIE Interceptor to make the T-D - will need to modify the front view port and make new wings.

I also have a spare Darth Vader TIE-X hull that will be perfect for the tank. All I need to do is make the track units and mate them to the hull where the wings would have been.

[BanzaiBoB]

Another Star Wars model - this time everyone's favourite Sith lord: Darth Vader.

I've just started putting the body together. Cos its hollow vinyl, I've filled the legs and part of the chest cavity with plaster. I still need to fill the groove around the, ahem, groin area where the fit wasn't too good.

BB's Modelworks

The pose isn't brilliant, but by turning his head and right arm a bit, its improved somewhat. I also need to work out how I'm going to add the cape sections - they are very stiff and need cutting and bending to fit. I'll have to do a lot of prepainting, then a lot of touch up after.

BB's Modelworks

The fig is just slightly bigger than my battle droid, but is about the same scale (1/6).

BB's Modelworks

I'm also going to have to scratch build his light sabre, cos the lazy asses at AMT included the one from their Luke Skywalker kit instead of making a new, correct Darth Vader one  .

[NeoN]

^ Whoa! Looks like you've got your hands full with this one. BTW, what's the visual difference between Vader's and Luke's sabers?

[BanzaiBoB]

Luke Skywalker (as in the kit - although he has different one's):-

BB's Modelworks

Darth Vader's (what it should be in the kit):-

BB's Modelworks

[NeoN]

Whoa! Quite the difference. Thanks BB. And yeah, looking at the two now I can clearly recall the two sabers in each person's hands. >_<

[BanzaiBoB]

Well on the advice of some guys on a modelling forum I frequent from time-to-time, I've packed away most of the projects on my bench to concentrate on just one - and its working cos I've got a lot done on it the last few weeks.

Basically its a diesel-punk model inspired by an idea I've been kicking around for a novel. The scene is a small guard post with a boom across the road, a small gun carrier tankette, and a couple of soldiers.

I've got photos of the work so far, (and will begin posting them next week when my cap resets ).

[NeoN]

^ Sounds cool, keen to see 'em piccies.

[BanzaiBoB]

Here's the first images of the project I mentioned above:-

Starting with the concrete guard post. Photo 1 is the rough casting (polyfilla poured into a large pill bottle) with a crude balsa-wood base. Photo 2 shows the finished shape, coated in putty and with the ventilator dome added. Photo 3 shows the details for the door - still need to add the armoured window covers.

BB's Modelworks

BB's Modelworks

BB's Modelworks

I also modified a stock lamp post from an accessories kit (on left) to a slightly different version (right).

BB's Modelworks

Lastly, you can see a rough layout of some of the components on the base. The tankette and figures all need a lot of work.

BB's Modelworks

[NeoN]

OMW! That's shaping up superbly BB. fantastic stuff dude. Am really impressed with "Photo 3".

[BanzaiBoB]

Having re-thunk the design of the tankette umpteen times, here is roughly what I've decided to go with:-

BB's Modelworks

[BanzaiBoB]

Made a bit of progress:

The exhaust wotsit

BB's Modelworks

The figures a bit further along (officer in front)

BB's Modelworks

And some work on the turret

BB's Modelworks

BB's Modelworks

[BanzaiBoB]

Haven't done much modelling lately, but the tankette has progressed a bit:-

The turret is coming along. I still need to sort out a hatch and add vision slit covers around the sides. The guns are from a Tamiya .30 water cooled MG and a Dragon Pz III.

BB's Modelworks

 

BB's Modelworks

I've fitted the exhaust chamber thingy to the vehicle's rear, and started on the suspension. I added a shock absorber before realising it would foul the tracks, so had to cut it off, cut it shorter, then re-glue it.

BB's Modelworks

BB's Modelworks

 

BB's Modelworks

I'm still trying to decide on how I want to mount the smaller front wheels.