Scratchbuilt 'HoverMech' taking shape...

Absolutely fantastic!!!! I know, its an old post, over 10 years old but I just had to say it. Well done.

Bio-Dorc

I've almost finisched a Mech in a setting which is to be described (more or less) as you just did. Detroyed building etcetera.

Just for fun (or inspiration), have a peek:



or: http://m.1asphost.com/svankreijl/svankreijl/models.Mech.html

Thanks for the tips I figured that what you did. Shortly after I posted of course. one trick I like to do similar to you depressed rivets, is with large releif rivets on most of my models I take a fine flat head screw driver (or you know a philp would eork) and give it a tap and it looks like a screw.

Good work.I really liked the design and the detailing.Looking forward to seeing the finished ship

Thanx for all of the replies. Well, to answer your questions Pfc Thomas:

- 3D curved parts are easy... I glue two sheets of plastic at the required angle
and add backing if the required curve would remove too much material when
sanded... After that I just sand away to the required radius...
Check out the URL
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/facehugger804/SandingTips.jpg

- Rivets were punched by hand using a blunt thick needle to simulate how
they look.

- Window holes were cut out leaving material in the corners where the rounded
edges would be. Using a round needle file, I just slowly sand away to
the desired radius...

- Filler... I use an automotive putty to close BIG gaps, superglue works well for
smaller gaps but can be annoying when sanded, as it is harder than the
plastic. I also have a liquidy substance that mixes to a tacky when drying and
sands smoothly... Stinks though...

As for the wings, this craft is more for an urban setting, being small and
agile and more easily fitting between buildings...
Have this picture in my mind of a craft, softly hovering, hidden between
destroyed buildings, awaiting in ambush...
Well, I do plan to release some blueprints and a brief history regarding the
design requirements, development and implementation of said craft...
Not too much left to do...

Qustions from a newbie.
How do you crate the 3d curved parts? (vacu forming?) pic 6
How did you punch the rivets?
How did you cut the beautiful curved glass holes on the cockpit?
What kind of filler do you use? I've never found anthing that I could get without the internet.

Great work I've always wanted to make something like this but personally I like them with wings even if they don't need en it just looks cooler to me.

Long live the Scratch builder!

Wow, it's coming together quite well. Keep it up. Say, how much more work do you think you have left, anyway?

Great!
And when the modelling is done, you can finally start on writing the script.
At least a nice PC-title or movie should come from this. Juding from the level of your modelling, you won't have any trouble creating something that would interest Steven Spielberg. Even the computer drawings are ready to be multiplied on the wide screen...
Honestly, it would fit perfectly in an Alien(s/2/resurrection)-like movie. The cockpit could even remind one to the queens head.
Or will it merely be a nice filling for the shelves...

...with almost all the painting finished...

Added light dusty layer to de-intensify the colours and decals.
Started addind misc panel damage and paint chipping, first the darker colours
and later with white for the edgesw of the panels...


Exhaust stains from the rotating engine outlet...


Weapon burn stains from the nose-mounted weapon...


Overall progress of the model up to date...


Now, all that is left is to add the cockpit glass, finish the interior displays,
re-attach the weapons and coat all with a cear flat coat...

Oh, IronCAD is an engineering 3D steel design software, but works very
nicely with models as well...

Great build... but what's IronCAD ???


BTW I love those Nautilus plans on your wall

The painting continues...

Did touch-up to the paint in a light grey mixed with white and after drying, some
touch-up with a dark sea grey...



Coated the whole model with a clear gloss coat...



After drying I added some decals... Couldn't find any home decal kit's or decal
sheets, so I had to settle for some old decals I had lying around...



.....


.....


Thought I would share my modelling workbench...



...nearly there...

Nope, I don't intend to add ppl...
They might attract attention to the fact that my cockpit layout is a bit cramped...

QUOTE: Originally posted by ClumsyModeler the pics are blocked on Gov't computers.

Maybe its just you CM Check out side are there any black vans... "Big Brother" is watching you.

Awesome work Bio. Are you going to add any figures to it?

Awesome work! Keep it up, I checked this post first thing after getting home from work because the pics are blocked on Gov't computers.

So the painting starts...

Airbrushed the black preshade generously over the panel lines and crevices...
Please note: Not yellow... thats just tungsten picking up on the film....



Coated the Mech with it's first coat of JN Grey...I mean green... [:0]
Needless to say, step 2 was replaced with a light grey...


Added white scraping/marking /highlights with a white pencil...

Oh, almost forgot... I use IronCAD to model the model... (?)

BIO-DORC - May I ask what CAD program you are using for you 3d modeling?

Thank you very much for the kind words...
Well, I suppose I will make a set of blueprints after I finish her...
All of my designs are in CAD format at present...
Assuming that my job is a tad more quiet now I will post pics more often...

This project is totally cool. I have to admit I check here just about every day to see if there is a new update.

Has anyone from FSM contacted you about doing an article for the magazine? They should if they haven't.

Any chance of a kit or at least a set blueprints? I'd buy some, it's that nice.


Dennis

Our work-related projects seem to be dying down a bit, so that is my excuse to
continue with my HoverMech...
Finished final basecoat and touch-ups - and tonight I will start with the painting...

Absolutely spectacular work. This one's been really interesting to watch. Can't wait to see what you do with the painting of it.

Fantastic work.....ideas on the final paintjob?

Well, I do leave some artistic freedom when building the engine but usually I look at what a standard engine is supposed to do and loosely try to copy the functionality. I use any parts from pretty much anything to reach the desired effect (even disassembled and old car radio for parts... ).
Kinda off the question. The model is almost finished, pretty much all that is left is
the painting. Problem is the project I was ranting about caught up to us and we
are working night and day...

BIO-DORC: What did you base your engine plans on? Do you just make up components when drawing them out? I always seem to get stuck around what an engine should look like or should I just throw so tubes here and wire here and let people use their own imaginations as to what things do. Everything looks really good, definate life like except when your hand is in the shoot. Keep up the good work!

Hey - How's it coming? Got any new photos?

Amazing work, bio-dorc!

It's looking very nice, what's the masking tape you use?

It seems that we are faced with yet another large work-related project in a
about a week. (I jus luv dem ) I'm trying to finish my Mech before that time.
At least all the building is done, and that just leaves the painting and
weathering.

I masked off the model to paint the mechanical bits in the neck. LOTS
of masking tape...


Metallic color with black wash for greasy look and slight dusty drybrushing.


Added weapon to the firing mechanism. Glossy black color with
rust/dusty drybrush.


Engine intakes painted black with oily drybrush.


This is where I am at the moment... (almost finished)

I use a semi blunt needle point (specific thickness depens on type of panel)
and just scribe the lines. To remove the excess, I just run a toothpick along
the panel line. Tends to smooth it out nicely... For archs I've got this nice tool
that has got a blade, kinda like a horizontal protractor, more used for cutting
though. I replace the blade with a needle as noted above...

How do you make your panel lines?