Gamera

Oh wow, I'd just assumed you were working from the back! Otherwise it seems like trying to put a ship in bottle- aka pushing stuff though an teeny-tiny hole! 

Say Gam-- the hole I have in the belly worked fine for making the instrument panels. With the decking, I'd have to make it in sections, and that'd create more joins, weak connections, and probably not as tight a look. Not to mention it'd be a lot harder to design. Opening the back should help a lot and it seems to be opening up the project to my earliest vision of it all. This could be really cool if I stick to it, with patience.  

Gamera

I forgot, were you going to put here in a lake diorama like the scenes from the first movie?

Yes--very similar. The dio will depict the ship within the first seconds of crash landing, probably with the crew still in their pods. 

I thought it might be cool to have one figure (Taylor) near the windows as if working to secure the ship. That is still a possibility. I need to look at the collection of plastic figures that I bought earlier on. It is an assortment of varying sizes but they are probably too big for this scale. We'll see I guess. This project is evolving, so there might be last second changes.

Oh wow, I'd just assumed you were working from the back! Otherwise it seems like trying to put a ship in bottle- aka pushing stuff though an teeny-tiny hole! 

I forgot, were you going to put here in a lake diorama like the scenes from the first movie? 

Icarus Star Date 01232.0

Fate determined change. As I began to work on the deck it became apparent that the opening is too small to work through. Assemblies would be contorted in the process, and that's not a good thing. This left me with two options. Do I continue the same path that is sure to frustrate, or do I make an opening in the rear of the ship? When I considered the pros and cons, I opted to cut the beast. The decision was easy when I considered the following:

1. I consider the tail of this model its weakest attribute. The engine nozzles lack detail and what little detail there is seem oddly out of place. What's worse, removing print artifacts in such a tight and recessed area is very difficult. For a long time, I've considered removing and rebuilding the rear bulkhead but, I always flipped back to, it's under water--who's going to see it anyway. In other words, it's more work than it's worth.

2. Recently, the conversation came up about adding detail that for the most part won't be seen. Now that the back is opened, this lends itself to new possibilities. You can see in the image below that if I allow access to the ship a person can peer in and see their work. This in fact was my goal on the Monsters and Motion kit. My intent was to make a removeable bulkhead whereby a person can look in from below the diorama. Aside from the quality problems that torqued me, their kit is extremely heavy. The weight of the piece made viewing from below a much less desirable option and it contributed to my unwillingness to move forward with it. 

So--a new nagging question rears its head. If I allow access--then I must build the sleep chambers. Suddenly, it's more work and alignments become much more critical if it's to look decent. The other option is finishing the interior, close the back, and call it a day.

I'll let fate determine the outcome. If the model doesn't fight me too hard and things are clicking--I'll keep going with the sleep chambers. If it kicks my tail and it looks like garbage--then I'll seal the sucker.

End of update.

Icarus updates are brought to you by, Timmy's Plunging Service. "No email plug is too big for my plunger. I guarantee it!" Call, 1-800-PLU-NGER

Say Tim--it's Monday and I was going through some past posts for comedy relief. I found this image you had posted, and you know--somehow--I see you when I look at it. It must be all the hair...  :)  

PS: Our emails are stopped up again. I tried calling your plunging service and all I get is your prerecorded flush. PICK UP THE PHONE MAN!  

More progress. 

I have been thinking about my filler question. I feel this piece is too small and delicate to use conventional fillers that require sanding. What I'd like is something that I can flow on with self-leveling. I may try using the epoxy I had used to seal the hull. Doing so could potentially give this piece the shell-like look that I am after. It would also add strength providing sandability. And I already know that the epoxy sands beautifully. The danger in all this is losing too much detail. We shall see when I get there.

More work to do on the rear panels.

CapnMac82

 

 

Bakster

I put too much work into the windows to black them out

 

 

Well, it's hard to keep track at this point, but if you have enough extra material left over to make a second Icarus, then the black one from III would be the way to go

 

I don't but it's a fun thought. I tell ya. I am amazed that with all the toys produced for POTA that no major model maker produced a kit on the Icarus. Over the years there have been resin models, one that seemed pretty dang decent, but it is no more. Like the Back to the Future trilogy and the three Delorean time machines, an Icarus could have been produced for each movie version.

I think there is enough interest in the subject that one should still be produced. Heck, if the nostalgia isn't enough to sell, the coolness factor should. It's a cool looking ship! If designed well, I think the model would sell very well indeed.

I dare to dream. Until then, I will hodgepodge my 3d printed version.

Bakster

I put too much work into the windows to black them out

Well, it's hard to keep track at this point, but if you have enough extra material left over to make a second Icarus, then the black one from III would be the way to go

Gamera

Bakster: Your work looks pretty darn close to the blueprints. Really looking forward to seeing her all done up.

Gamera

Of course when this is all done you'll probably be ready to hit the sleep chamber for a hundred year nap... 

Well, now that I found a canvas that works with me, I am enjoying it. It can't be too bad. It's like the jelly of the month club. It's the build that keeps on giving.  

Greg

.....but this sure is fun to watch. Stay with it.

Greg

Maybe the answer is if you're having fun with the detail, go for it. If it's causing distress, lean more in the direction of Rob's suggestion. Maybe somewhere in between.

I think that nails it. I am approaching this model that way. Part of me wants to open up the back so a person can see in. If I do that--then you'd see everything, and I'd have to do the full boat by building the sleep chambers too. Am I am that ambitious is the question. We'll see if the fun continues. LOL. 

Greg

It typical enough of a wishy-washy me answer for you?

It's an honest answer and I am happy with that.

Can't comment on your request for input about are the decals worth it and to close or not to close the gaps at the glare shield 'cuz I have no idea on either.....

.....but this sure is fun to watch. Stay with it.

I haven't yet made peace with the question of whether to detail things that will never been seen or not. We hear "I know it's there". One on hand one might argue that is a cliche. I superdetailed the interior of a TBM my first kit back, and in that case the cliche holds true for me. A bunch of other unseen interior details I don't even remember doing and will never see again, though. I guess that's why I'm on the fence.

Maybe the answer is if you're having fun with the detail, go for it. If it's causing distress, lean more in the direction of Rob's suggestion. Maybe somewhere in between.

It typical enough of a wishy-washy me answer for you?

Bakster: Your work looks pretty darn close to the blueprints. Really looking forward to seeing her all done up. 

Of course when this is all done you'll probably be ready to hit the sleep chamber for a hundred year nap... 

Icarus star date 01162.0 

The forward instrument panel is pretty much done. I may tweak it here and there but for the most part--construction is done. I for sure want to fill in some of those joins to give them a smoother look. Still unclear what I should use to do that, open to suggestions.

Overall, I am content with it. I took liberties here and there, but I tried to follow the general flow of it.

How it looks from below loosely and wonkily installed. It is hard to position it correctly for the image without gluing. 

Gives you an idea what you can see through the windows.

Side view. Waffling about filling the gap at the forward tip. I sort of like it though. Opinions?

When final touches are done to this piece--I will work on the side panels that reach back to the sleep chambers.

End of update.

CapnMac82

So, TCM ran the first three in a batch the other night.  The one from the third movie would be ridiculously easy as it was dull black and had no visible interior, as it was drug up on the beach.  Probably could do the windows in Smoke and call it even, too.

 

Hey Capn, funny you should mention that because I watched a few of those and I noticed the same. In the later movies the ship is very crude and I think viewed only from the outside.

I put too much work into the windows to black them out but if I really wanted to sever the cord, the instrument panel I already made could be all I need. The piece is very visible through the windows. Once I add the chairs, maybe  that would be enough. However, I plan to add a blinking emergency light/led and by doing that, the light may expose some of the emptiness. 

What to do. What to do.

I tell you what I'd like to hear from people on is the decals. I know there are people on here that have made their own decals and have experience with it. The question I have is, considering the small graphics, am I wasting my time and money doing it. I mean these would be dang small. I think at best it will add color and a semblance of that there is supposed to be something there. Maybe that won't be the worst thing, but maybe I am missing something that is only obvious to the one that tried it.

So, TCM ran the first three in a batch the other night.  The one from the third movie would be ridiculously easy as it was dull black and had no visible interior, as it was drug up on the beach.  Probably could do the windows in Smoke and call it even, too.

And some progress on the instrument panels. Much more to do, but it's forward motion. As noted, before, this will be a loose representation. I am not shooting for total accuracy.

Once I have these panels built up and painted, I will work on making decals to simulate the buttons and such. With not having made my own decals before, I am keeping my expectations low, especially for this scale. I can't imagine my printer will handle such small graphics very well. I expect them to be muddled, but at this scale, it should look better than nothing. Heck, for the most part, all this detail I am working on won't be seen. Some will be seen through the windows, but not too much.

steve5

it's official you are nut's steve , in a good way of course . 

 

littletimmy

Deleted mess.......  see post below.... I hate compooter's !!!!

Lol...  Thats a hoot.

littletimmy

These kind of thing's wouldn't happen...... if you would just stop sniffing the glue.

But but I like the smell.

littletimmy

Oopps.... I turned left and ended up at the Kodak foto-mat..... you know... the one in the Safeway parking lot....

PS: Somehow, that camera makes you look less intelligent. 

Bakster

I didn't expect Kung Fu Ape to show up.

These kind of thing's wouldn't happen...... if you would just stop sniffing the glue.

Bakster

Kung Fu Ape: Where is forbidden zone... Bakster: It's about 3 miles north of here. When you see Dunkin Donuts, you are there. I am on a diet and I forbid myself from going there. 

Oopps.... I turned left and ended up at the Kodak foto-mat..... you know... the one in the Safeway parking lot....

Deleted mess.......  see post below....

I hate compooter's !!!!

it's official you are nut's steve , in a good way of course . 

MONKEY BUSINESS

And with the weather gone bad in our area I thought I'd have a peaceful Saturday. Not so. I didn't expect Kung Fu Ape to show up. Cornelius has something to do with it, of this I am sure.

This guy wasn't leaving so, I had to go out.

Kung Fu Ape: Bring me Zaius.

Bakster: I say, Who? (No way I am handing over Zaius. He makes Cornelius crazy and after this stunt, all bets are off) 

Kung Fu Ape: Bring me Zaius!

Bakster: I don't know a Zaizuz. 

Kung Fu Ape: Bring Zaius or I split your head open with the butt of my rifle. 

Bakster: (Egads!)  Silly me. You want Dr Zaius! I am afraid you just missed him. He went to the forbidden zone.

Kung Fu Ape: Where is forbidden zone...

Bakster: It's about 3 miles north of here. When you see Dunkin Donuts, you are there. I am on a diet and I forbid myself from going there. 

(With that...he glares at me, unsure if it's the truth. Not very confident in my sheepish poker face, I feel imminent death. Who'd believe a story like that anyway. 

I have three things going through my mind right now.

1. Cornelius gets no bananas today.

2. Who'll save me when he goes apexxxx on me.

3. I have a powerful hankering for a double chocolate doughnut. I hope Zaius remembers to order a few of those.

Kung Fu Ape: (Snort) If he comes back--tell him to stay put. (Clip clop, he rides off)

And if you doubt this happened, my Apecam captured the moment.

Gamera

That looks cool Bakster, nice work there on the cockpit framing!

 

That looks cool Bakster, nice work there on the cockpit framing!

Trim is added to the curved portion of the windows.

Because plastic has memory, I taped strips to cardboard in a curved pattern and then heated them using a flame. This softened the plastic, realigning its memory.

Looking in from outside the trim gives the windows a more structured look. I suppose looking from the interior does as well. As for the interior ceiling, I may add some sort of simulated material. The movie prop has a thick material that covers the ceiling, so much so, that the top trim can barely be seen when looking at it from the rear forward. 

I will start work on the instrument panels next.

I pushed through some builders block and made progress.

1. Not much to say, it is part of the internal feature as on the movie prop.

2. Subframes to build off of. Instrument panels will be built off of those. 

3. Trim loosely matching the movie prop. It does a nice job covering epoxy used to mount the windows.

4. I will try and make trim on the curved portions as well.

Thats that and I am spent.

Gamera

I think you're related to the doctors I had after my car accident. They left my funny bone in but screwed up my shoulder. Looking forward of more of the Icarus adventure. 

Oh boy. It sounds like a case for malpractice!

Glad you got the posting to work Bakster! 

Personally I prefer Patty Loveless's verson 'Soul of Constant Sorrow' but that's just me. 

I think you're related to the doctors I had after my car accident. They left my funny bone in but screwed up my shoulder. Looking forward of more of the Icarus adventure. 

CapnMac82

 

 

Bakster

When storms roll in, I go DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY

 

 

As long as you are not turned into a frog . . .

 

Buddy--and turned into a horny toad no less.

No. If I come accross sirens doing wash singing DIDN'T LEAVE NOBODY BUT THE BABY-- I'm a gonna walk the other way.

I started work on the interior but I didn't get too much done. Building up an interior through a small opening on a small model is kind of akin to building a ship in a bottle. Or another analagy might be like playing operation. Don't get glue on the windows... Errrr. We are sorry, you killed the patient.

I am gonna work on it more today. We shall see. Will post pics when I have more to show.

Bakster

When storms roll in, I go DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY

As long as you are not turned into a frog . . .