Author Topic: IG - Salamander Scout and Command chimera (scratchbuilt) (Read 7337 times)

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **on:** April 2, 2008, 07:26:20 PM »

I just started a small project of building two salamander chimeras for another larger project. One will be a normal scout version, the other will be a command vehicle.

If things go well I might add more scouts in the future.

Here are the first pictures.

Dr_Ruminahui · « **Reply #1 on:** April 2, 2008, 08:08:11 PM »

Looks nice so far, but aren't the edges of the pieces kind of wavey?

Inquisitor Psychologis Ruminahui

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #2 on:** April 3, 2008, 06:25:33 AM »

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... the pieces kind of wavey

Ehm, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Could you re-phrase that?

Anyway, it's update time. Please note that the outer plasticard has not been glued to the hull, yet. I have to put on the tracks first.

I am going to assemble the second one today. Pics will be up after that.

After that, I'll have to wait a bit as the bits I ordered haven't arrived, yet.

Dr_Ruminahui · « **Reply #3 on:** April 3, 2008, 09:40:32 PM »

Well, what I meant is that in the fist set of pics, the edges of the plasticard didn't seem very straight.

However, in the second set they are fine, so I'll put it down to crappy photos.

Anyway, keep at it - they are looking good.

Inquisitor Psychologis Ruminahui

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #4 on:** April 4, 2008, 03:38:29 PM »

Well, unfortunately they aren't straight all over. I'll have to fix that as I go along. Hopefully, it won't show too much once it's finished and painted.

Here's the present status.

Unfortunately the bits haven't arrived, yet, so I might try some work on the skirts.

Deathpepper · « **Reply #5 on:** April 4, 2008, 07:58:05 PM »

Nice work! The framework looks very good so far. Looking forward to updates.

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #6 on:** April 4, 2008, 11:11:43 PM »

I did some work on the sides. It's kind of ok but still needs more detail.

Dr_Ruminahui · « **Reply #7 on:** April 5, 2008, 04:45:03 PM »

They look good - the main thing you need is lots and lots of bolts.

The chimera chasis also has that wierd drive shaft thing at the front just under the top bulge - not sure how you would go abotu building that, though...

Inquisitor Psychologis Ruminahui

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #8 on:** April 7, 2008, 08:01:53 AM »

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They look good - the main thing you need is lots and lots of bolts.

Thanks for the compliments. Yes, the bolts are giving me some headaches. I'm not exactly sure how to do these. Perhaps I will punch or drill very small holes into the plasticard and fill them with white glue. We'll see.

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The chimera chasis also has that wierd drive shaft thing at the front just under the top bulge - not sure how you would go abotu building that, though...

The driving shaft / piston is not as difficult as the bolts. I have a couple of ideas on how to approach that problem. Just wait 'til I get to that detail.

Anyway, it's update time. I have added more details to the salamander's sides in order to increase the feeling of depth.

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #9 on:** April 9, 2008, 02:08:22 AM »

I made some minor progress on the top armour.

This project is about to grow. I have also started work on a second salamander scout and a hellhound.

Dr_Ruminahui · « **Reply #10 on:** April 9, 2008, 05:47:54 AM »

Bolts aren't actually that difficult. Basically, there are a few methods ways of making them:

1. Buy a punch of the appropriate size. Leather punches might work, but as I've never tried this method, I can't really say.

2. Cut up plastic rod of the appropriate diameter. Be sure to have some sort of barrier to catch the piece you cut off, otherwise you'll be loosing the bulk of what you cut. Its difficult to get the same width and angle on the cuts, but it has the advantage of being cheap. This is the only method I have tried myself.

3. A pill cutter might also work.

Inquisitor Psychologis Ruminahui

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #11 on:** April 9, 2008, 07:06:34 AM »

Thanks for the advice.

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1. Buy a punch of the appropriate size. Leather punches might work, but as I've never tried this method, I can't really say.

I have one but even the smallest size is too large. It#s quite good if you want to build a titan, though. Hm, must keep this idea for the next project.

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2. Cut up plastic rod of the appropriate diameter.

That's what I originally had in mind. I can't find the right rods, though.

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3. A pill cutter might also work.

Eh, what? How so?

Von Lazuli · « **Reply #12 on:** April 9, 2008, 08:58:57 AM »

Laz's Handy Rivet tip: (ok, someone else probably came up with it before me, but I claim concurrent and naming rights)

Take your armour plate. Flip it over and place it on something firm but still with a little bit of give. A piece of rubber or cork is good for this. (I just use my cork sanding block) Then take a blunted pin (Thumb tack which was hammered into a coin for a bit in my case) and push firmly in the places you want a rivet. When you flip it back you will have a lovely small sticky out bit in the plate (try to avoid going the whole way through...)

Known issues: When you are gluing the plate to a large flat surface, there is a chance that the plasticard will warp slightly around the rivets as there is no surface to surface contact here and poly styrene cement does odd things. It may just be my combination with acrylic though...

Very very clean scratch build though... I like it a lot (pity I am an Airborne Guardsman now...)

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #13 on:** April 9, 2008, 09:40:47 AM »

I have thought of that technique as well.
I sure I have seen it somewhere else, too, but the "plasticard" I use for the hull is rather thick (approx. 5mm). If I'd try it your way I would probably punch a hole through it.

(sigh) Live ain't easy.

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... I like it a lot (pity I am an Airborne Guardsman now...)

Hehe, flyers are on my project list.

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2008, 01:43:53 AM »

It's time for an update.

I have added hatches to the salamander's hull plus a heavy bolter to the front. ATM, I'm working on the details of the second vehicle.

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2008, 05:29:35 PM »

Another update:

I started on the interior. It still needs seats, vox, scanners, etc.

Your thoughts?

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2008, 09:06:13 AM »

No thoughts, yet?

Oh well, here goes another round.

Current state of affairs: Tracks and front hatch attached.

To-do list: constructing interiors and gun mount, adding bits to the front and sides, filling gaps with GS.

In case you wonder if I had any help ... yes I did have some help.

Here's the crew:

Dr_Ruminahui · « **Reply #17 on:** April 14, 2008, 09:39:52 AM »

Looking very nice... though from the pics I can't really tell who you are using for crew, other than them being metal.

Inquisitor Psychologis Ruminahui

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2008, 10:37:10 AM »

The crew is not the salamander crew. I should have used the word 'artisans' or better yet, 'servitors' because the minis are servitors.

I was just a little joke. Obviously it didn't hit the punch line.

tryanotherone - smurfernating · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:24:47 PM »

Ok, ok. I admit it. I've been lazy. I haven't done a thing since the last time.

But .... I will have a follow-on project once I've finished the salamanders.

It will get it's own thread.

ARMIES

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Author Topic: IG - Salamander Scout and Command chimera (scratchbuilt) (Read 7337 times)