The Aliens Legacy
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1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17004
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Author:  TECKNO VIKING [ Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:20 pm ]
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Fantastic Job. Looking Good so far.

As Bob knows I did the figures waaaay back when HOT TOYS did 1/18th snap fix Marines, Xenos and Predators (short lived as it was). Then it fell to customising. Which I still have plenty of and did jump on the PO of the HIYA. Shame it fell through.

An American friend of mine John Keenan who does customising made a 1/18th scale APC. Lift up roof, internals etc. Though like FNG Chris's 1/6th masterpiece he made it bigger so the Scaled APC Internals would fit the body.

So I know how much of a task is being taken on.

Looking forward to seeing this completed

Author:  Skiffy [ Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

Jesus - it's really been a year since I last worked on this. :(

Anyhoo - on to Styrene!

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I don't plan on chamfering the edges of these panels to get them to fit flush. Instead I'll tape them up (as I've loosely done here) and roll out some thin milliput sausages to fill the gaps, fix the panels together and add a nice radius to the edges all at the same time.

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I'll add the cut out where the front cannon goes once I've lined up these angles to make sure i get it level.

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Author:  SulacoBoy [ Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:50 am ]
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Sooo awesome!

Author:  Yellowjacket [ Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:16 pm ]
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Loving the progress.

Author:  Skiffy [ Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:39 pm ]
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Thanks guys!

Update! The milliput method of styrene panel welding was a complete failure - lol. :(

So, I took the time to chamfer the edges a little and glued them up with conventional poly cement.

I know I'll be cutting into these panels later but if I get them in place first it'll be easier to form a rigid structure as a base to work from.

I'm thinking of having the groups of seats placed on separate interior floor/wall panels so that I can lift them out to work on and slide them back in from the top.

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Author:  Red_2 [ Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:29 pm ]
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Can't wait to see this progress.

Author:  Skiffy [ Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

More progress. I've been putting off doing more work on the front because of all those plates and angles but - winners never quit and quitters never win so...

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This is starting to look something like it ought to now. I'm happy with how that door turned out - it just needs a final file/sand and then I can think about details later.

Next, on to the front gun platform and windows.

Author:  hunterkiller86 [ Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

wow! looks good. can't wait to see more progress photos!

Author:  Skiffy [ Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

Thanks!

Teeny bit more progress - but an important one. More panelling added along with window cut-out.

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Author:  SulacoBoy [ Sun Oct 14, 2018 3:09 am ]
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Awesome..!

Author:  Skiffy [ Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

I've not finished for today by any means but... I had to post this now.

I taped up the build so far to help me gauge some of the top panels and this is the first time I've been able to pick the whole thing up as one unit. As you can imagine - I had a grin on my face like a kid at Christmas. This thing is huge!

It actually doesn't look massively oversized either - which is a pleasant surprise seeing that the full interior - as filmed - will fit inside.

More to come but here are pics of how it looks today. :)

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Author:  agg cook [ Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:06 pm ]
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looking great

Author:  Skiffy [ Fri Oct 19, 2018 4:40 pm ]
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Thanks. :)

I'm working on some of the interior fitments at the moment. I want the screens on Gorman's console to be back-lit so I'm making sure there'll be room for that.

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I'll be doing another round of screen-grabs to look at placement. I'll also hopefully be getting a couple of genuine Hot Toys Aliens figures soon so I can do some final checks on seated height, shoulder width etc.

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The rest is getting sketched out so I can start properly on interior bulkheads and seating.

Author:  knoxvilles_joker [ Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

Once you do all the cuttings can you scan in the pieces as templates so we can make our own for our displays? That way if someone mashes things you have a point of reference to rebuild as well...

Author:  Skiffy [ Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

knoxvilles_joker wrote:
Once you do all the cuttings can you scan in the pieces as templates so we can make our own for our displays? That way if someone mashes things you have a point of reference to rebuild as well...


Some of the structures (especially the exterior panels) are individually estimated, cut and sanded to fit - so they're never drawn out. A lot of the proportions are sketched out on tracing paper though so they form an archive - plus some bits are 3d modelled and printed on paper as flat nets.

So, yes, it's feasible. I'll be keeping everything once I'm done so if anyone wants to replicate individual sections, that should be do-able.

Author:  knoxvilles_joker [ Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

Skiffy wrote:
knoxvilles_joker wrote:
Once you do all the cuttings can you scan in the pieces as templates so we can make our own for our displays? That way if someone mashes things you have a point of reference to rebuild as well...


Some of the structures (especially the exterior panels) are individually estimated, cut and sanded to fit - so they're never drawn out. A lot of the proportions are sketched out on tracing paper though so they form an archive - plus some bits are 3d modelled and printed on paper as flat nets.

So, yes, it's feasible. I'll be keeping everything once I'm done so if anyone wants to replicate individual sections, that should be do-able.


Thanks!

Author:  Skiffy [ Sat Oct 20, 2018 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

I love this time of year!

Ready built lighting kits complete with battery boxes and switches for under 2 bucks.

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I can hide the battery boxes in these vertical spaces and have one for each side, then add one in the back and one in the front. :)

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For anyone doing the same - try to ensure you buy cool-white LEDs.

Author:  SulacoBoy [ Sun Oct 21, 2018 3:58 am ]
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Heck yeah updates !

Author:  LoneWolfWinter [ Mon Oct 22, 2018 3:21 pm ]
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Very nice build!!

Author:  Red_2 [ Tue Oct 23, 2018 7:33 pm ]
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Hahaha! Yes, led kits everywhere!

Author:  Skiffy [ Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:37 pm ]
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Some more progress pics. I've been concentrating on the integrity of the shell. Everything is now glued up except the very back panel and the nose section. I'll leave those off for now so I can detail them separately.

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I think the shell is going to be pretty sturdy as is (it's mostly 2mm styrene).

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Author:  Dropshipbob [ Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:46 pm ]
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Great work!

I wanted to add that if anyone is interested in 1:18th scale armor and weapons for Colonial Marines, there is a person/shop on Facebook called Demon Creations that now offer this. I've purchased a few other items from them in the recent past, so I think it's pretty safe to do business with them.

Author:  Skiffy [ Fri Oct 26, 2018 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1:18 scale M557 APC scratch-build

Thanks Bob - I'll certainly take a look at that. I had thought to sculpt or print some stuff myself, which I will still do but this might be a good time-saver. :)

Author:  Dropshipbob [ Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:42 pm ]
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There is also a figure available through a company called Maurader Gun Runners that isn't 100% Colonial Marine, but is greatly inspired by them and would make a passable alternative. MGR also makes accurate pulse rifles and flame throwers, so you can outfit them with proper weapons.

Author:  Skiffy [ Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:03 pm ]
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I checked them out Dropship Bob - good stuff, thanks!

I was looking at these ceiling mounted angled bar things and thinking - I'm sure I've seen those somewhere before...

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...then I was looking through the Alien Archive book and saw what the face-hugger jars were stood on.

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Bingo!

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