Real G

PG,

OK you made me do it - the Prototype Dom has been exhumed from the stash along with the hover truck!

The germs are spreading around the kindergarten class it seems.  

BTW, did you get my email with the kit photos?  LMK what you want to do!

 

Apologies for the silence.  Been a hectic couple of weeks.  A bit of a shakeup at work and home has kept me away.  

That DOM kit looks sweet!  I eagerly await your postings on it.  :)

I did get your email with the photos!  All I can say is OMG yes!

  I'll respond to your email with details.

Washes did continue and I'm digging how they look.  Decided not to do any chipiping at this point.  It's almost ready for the matte seal.  I haven't done it yet because I noticed I forgot to finish painting and washing the targeting doohickey under the chin.  I want to get that finished before the matte seal to ensure it doesn't stand out too badly.  Seems like with all my kits I always forget about one part till almost the end and then it's a mad rush to try and not only get it painted but done so it harmonizes.

The last round of washes was done with a Vallejo Brown wash.  I first did a diluted wash over the entire bot to bring everything together.  I then used an undiluted version to apply a heavier coat towards the feet and lower legs putting slightly more on the horizontal surfaces and the back of the legs.  I don't know about the rest of the world, but walking in mud always gets my calves filthy. 

As I moved up the bot I easied up on the amount of wash left behind.  Again, the idea being the closer to the ground something is, the more dirt it will pick up

As a consolation prize here's some dramatic shots of the bot with the washes.  I tend to go for a more subtle look.  I think's it's amazing what some people can do with heavy weathering, but I like the whispers of wear rather than the roar. :)

The hole under the chin is where the targeting doohicky is supposed to go.

Applying the matte will tone down the effect of the washes and the pastels should soften the edges of the washes and give some dimension to the dirt.

Say PG, it looks awesome! You did a very nice job with this. From weathering, to paint, to modifications. It's a keeper!

It was great to get several hours at the bench last night!  Even snuck a few minutes into my side project.  Felt like I got a lot accomplished.  Sorry, I didn't grab any photos of the work on the Spartan.

Did a quick and dirty job on the doohickey so I could get it attached under the chin. My biggest complaint is that I couldn't quite get the geen to come through like it did on the rest of it.  I ended up applying a green wash which helped a little.

Hot air came in handy with this.  Used it to quick dry the gloss coats and washes.  General pattern was apply green wash hot air, apply gloss then hot air, add brown, etc.  It took maybe forty five minutes to get the doohickey done.

Not the greatest paint job but it should scrape by.  There's a clear lens for it which will of course wait till near the end.

With all the above done I started applying the clear matte.  It's going to take a couple of coats.  The gloss is proving to be strong with this one. ;)

Used the prototype parts to test the gluing process with the missiles.  I am happy to say it worked fairly well.  However,  removing the template upon completion was challenging. Because it is a tight fit, all sides have to be lifted at the same time or it binds.  

I'm using CA glue to affix the missiles and I am concerned that I'll break one or more of them free while trying to remove the template.  It didn't happen with the test pieces, but that's no guarantee it won't happen in production.

I'm thinking of attaching some vertical styrene rods to the template.   Theoretically I could just grab those and pull it straight up.  Maybe that will work.  Maybe.  We'll see.

Did a bunch of picking out edges and corners with drybrush.  Then started in on the pastels.   All the back blast from firing the cannon and launching missiles is leaving soot around those casements.  It's a bit too uneven.  Need to smooth it out. 

The overall look feels like it's on the edge of too much.  I'm trying to strike the balance of they've been in the field and in engagements with the enemy, but not neglected.

Hit this with a matte and then onto missile installment.

Any ideas for simple hinge/attach points for the missile covers?

Bakster

Say PG, it looks awesome! You did a very nice job with this. From weathering, to paint, to modifications. It's a keeper!

Thank you so much for the kinds words.  They are much appreciated.

I'm pushing to get as much time on this as possible since it is so close to the finish line.  I can finally see the light at the end of tunnel and it's definitely not a train! 

"I'm pushing to get as much time on this as possible since it is so close to the finish line. I can finally see the light at the end of tunnel and it's definitely not a train"

It's like smelling blood in the water. Attack! I am the same way. When I reach that tipping point it is like, get out of the way, I am coming through. 

That is why I am somewhat exited to reach the fiber optic on my Charriot. It is fairly straightforward and then I  can start on the drive train. It feels like a tipping point. 

Keep pushing PG. You are almost there.

Bakster

It's like smelling blood in the water. Attack! I am the same way. When I reach that tipping point it is like, get out of the way, I am coming through. That is why I am somewhat exited to reach the fiber optic on my Charriot. It is fairly straightforward and then I can start on the drive train. It feels like a tipping point. Keep pushing PG. You are almost there.

LOL

Nailed it!  Funny how we're hitting that moment at nearly the same time in our builds.

Race you! 

Think I figured out a way to fake a hing on the covers.  I'm going to pin them into place.  This would have been easier if I'd done it from the start but pretty sure I can accomplish it this late in the game.

I have some .8mm Aluminum Rod that that I'm gluing into the corners of the corners with CA reinforced with baking soda. Like so.

Then drill corresponding holes in the shoulders for the pins.and insert.

I can then bend it up and down to adjust the angle.

I picked up these large leather circle punches to make the arms for the covers.

I can use it to cut out a large circle of plastic with the big one and then use the slightly smaller one to cut a ring.  The difference in radius helps in sure a consistent thickness in the cut.  Used this to do the test cut in some .020" sheet styrene scrap.

I didn't quite get them center properly for this test so it wasn't exactly the same thickness all the way around but it was close enough for the test.

Cut out two equal lengths (at the same angle top and bottom)  and glue them inside the cover.

And now it looks like there are two arms raising the covers.

The thickness looks to be fairly close to scale and I don't have to worry about them bending or breaking since they aren't structural.  The pins are doing all the work.

So very glad I had all those prototypes to work with. I'd have hated to test all this with the production model.

I'll need to paint the arms before installing them.  Figured I'd go with steel or gunmetal.  Should provide a nice contrast and they'll stand out nicely.

Now all I need to do is replicate this on the model.  Sure hope I don't mess that up. 

Fingers crossed.  Wish me luck!

That looks so good! 

Don't worry, after you've come this far you can't screw the pooch in the ending Phoenix! I'm confident in you!!! 

PhoenixG

LOL

Nailed it!  Funny how we're hitting that moment at nearly the same time in our builds.

Race you! 

 

Hey, that looks good. Good thinking! You got this. Looking to see the final.

My biggest concern was scratching up the paint while trying to drill the holes for the pins.  Took a little bit but it dawned on me that I can cover the area with masking tape first to protect the paint job.

But to do that I needed to fix the pastels.  Did a matte coat first and then applied the masking tape.  Then installed the pins onto the covers to make it easier to mark out the drill points.  using the pins as reference I marked the placement on shoulders and drilled the holes.

I admit to being surprised that it how well it worked!

Next up is the arms for raising and lowering the covers and finally the missiles!

Ha ha Phoenix G, a brilliant solution!  Almost there, and you KNOW IT.

Gamera

That looks so good! 

Don't worry, after you've come this far you can't screw the pooch in the ending Phoenix! I'm confident in you!!! 

 

Thanks Guys!

The words of encouragement helped me keep my cool and my head clear.  That's when I realized I could mask the drill points to protect the paint job. Up to that point I was putting all of my effort into worrying about the paint job.  Really appreciate the positive thoughts.

Thanks Real G!

Bakster

 

 

PhoenixG

LOL

Nailed it!  Funny how we're hitting that moment at nearly the same time in our builds.

Race you! 

 

 

 

 

Lol. Dang. I have to concede right now, you win. I am at a tipping point but still too far off. Tons of work to do yet. That would have been fun though!

 

 

LOL, maybe next time. 

Busy couple of days.  Got the arms cut out.  Really hard to keep those cutters aligned but managed to get four pieces that were good enough.

Did a test fit with some white glue.

The missiles all nice and ready for loading.

Placed the missiles in the templates in prepartion to be installed.

Turns out those templates didn't work to well.  Lot's of complications.  Like I discovered once a set of missiles was installed the next template didn't fit properly.  Further complicated by difficulties keeping everything perpendicular and prevent binding. Broke off half the missiles everytime i tried to remove a template.  I ended up regluing most of them in by hand.

Despite the challenges they installed pretty nicely.

All that should be left is painting the arms, installing the missile hatches and clear lenses.  In the home stretch.

Hey PG, bummer the templates didn't work out but it was a good idea. No shame in trying new things and thinking outside of the box is a good thing! In the end, you nailed it by installing them manually, they look perfect.

I really like what you did with this model. It looks like a real and fully functioning machine. That realism is a good goal and you nailed it. 

Question about the decals. What is your process to applying them? Did you start with a gloss layer and top coat with a flat? Just wordering what your process is because they look very good.

Bakster

Hey PG, bummer the templates didn't work out but it was a good idea. No shame in trying new things and thinking outside of the box is a good thing! In the end, you nailed it by installing them manually, they look perfect.

Hi Bakster,

Yeah the difficulties with the templates while challenging, were not a 100% loss.  Thankfully enough of the missiles stayed in places that I was able to use them as markers for alignment with those placed by hand.

Bakster

I really like what you did with this model. It looks like a real and fully functioning machine. That realism is a good goal and you nailed it. Yes

So glad you like it and thank you for the praise.  I spent hours fretting over the look and feel of the model.  At times it brought me to a complete standstill.  The one benefit of spending all that time looking at and contemplating the model is that I learned what I didn't want.  It played a big role in the final look of the model.

Bakster

Question about the decals. What is your process to applying them? Did you start with a gloss layer and top coat with a flat? Just wordering what your process is because they look very good.

Apologies if I'm more verbose than desired with my response, but here's my general process for including decals on my models.

Started with a satin or gloss coat to do the first pin wash.  Then applied a gloss coat over that before starting the decaling.  I don't always lay down Micro Set before applying a decal.  Usally it's just a little bit of water under the decal and then brush over them with Micro Set.  Once that dries it's a very generous application of Micro Sol.  Working in sections so as not to let it run and also to keep my fingers off of the softened decals.

In this instance it was several days of applying Micro Sol.  Between coats of Micro Sol there was lots of poking holes and making tiny cuts where there was silvering.

A "trick" that seems to work for me is to let the decals get really good adherence to the surface and then brush the edges of the decals rather vigorously with Micro Sol.  Some pressure is needed, but have to be careful as the decal could still lift and tear.  The action of brushing the edges rather firmly with Micro Sol seems to soften the edges of the decals.  I won't go so far as to say it feathers them but it appears to reduce the outline.

The next gloss coat often removes the majority of the decal's outline.  When switching colors of wash I'll usually apply a very thin coat of gloss to prevent the next color from erasing or blending with the previous.  Layered colors look better to my eye than blended.

Top it with a final light matte coat to affix the pastels/pigments.  Usually by this point the decal looks like part of the model.

With all those clear coats there is a slight softening of detail.  Perhaps there are better ways to do it but this way gives me the results I am looking for.

Yeah the templates were a clever idea, shame they didn't work out that well. Still as Bakster said the missiles look great! All neat and even! 

I declare this build complete!

The build is dedicated to Real G for his encouragement of the mods to this build as well as supplying the needed replacement parts after I accidentally melted an entire shoulder in my paint dryer.  To commemorate his contributions to the build I created special decals for the Spartan.

The pilot name and callsign has been listed as Lt. Cmdr. Real G., callsign, "Minion"

And unit emblem.

Thank you!

Now onto the beauty shots.

It's been a long eight month journey.  I'd like to add my thanks to everyone who followed along and posted their encouragement!  It helped me push on during the rough spots and take this build to the finish line.

EPILOGUE:

Keeping those dedication decals hidden while posting pictures of the progress was a challenge but worthwhile.  Lots of careful positioning and in a few instances, photoshoping the image.  Once or twice I almost posted unadulterated photos.

Also posing this guy for the photos was a real pain.  Most of the joints started fairly tight but by the end they were looser than a pair of parachute pants.  Keeping him upright and the arms in position long enough to get a photo was an exercise of posing and quickly snapping a pic.  My eternal gratitude to whomever invented the polycap.

Gamera

Yeah the templates were a clever idea, shame they didn't work out that well. Still as Bakster said the missiles look great! All neat and even! 

 

Thanks Gamera! The sad truth is I kept knocking them out.  Some of them I had to reglue 5-6 times before they stopped coming off. 

But they're their now and as you may have seen, everything is complete!

Comparison pic between original design and the build as completed.

Fantastic job! She turned out superb Phoenix!!! 

And nice tip of the hat to Real G!!! 

Gamera

Fantastic job! She turned out superb Phoenix!!! 

And nice tip of the hat to Real G!!! 

 

 

It's like the Joker said - all you need is a little push.

Awesome work PG!  You did it!  Hooray!

You did it

You did it

You did it hooray!

You built the Spartan

You built it

You built it

Hooray!

You modded the kit

And added the missiles

And now you have a model

That nobody else has!

Hooray!

Sorry, I've got Dora the Grownup stuck in my head.

Said it before and I will say it again, it looks great. Congrats on the finished model! These things can consume us and when the model gets birthed... it's a big deal. Happy for you sir. You won the battle, if not the war.

Oh and thanks for the info about the decaling. I took some ideas from your process.

Gamera

Fantastic job! She turned out superb Phoenix!!! 

And nice tip of the hat to Real G!!! 

 

 

Glad you like it Gamera!  I'm really pleased with the results.  That was my longest build ever.  It's weird not having it waiting for me to work on anymore.  lol

Real G

 

 

Gamera

Fantastic job! She turned out superb Phoenix!!! 

And nice tip of the hat to Real G!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

It's like the Joker said - all you need is a little push.

Awesome work PG!  You did it!  Hooray!

You did it

You did it

You did it hooray!

You built the Spartan

You built it

You built it

Hooray!

You modded the kit

And added the missiles

And now you have a model

That nobody else has!

Hooray!

Sorry, I've got Dora the Grownup stuck in my head.

 

For some reason I think this is what the Joker had in mind.

Dora is inspirational!

Had lots of fun on this build and learned more than I can easily describe.  Now scratch building supplies are part of my obsession, er hobby. lol