It's the size that sold me along with the detail. It makes a big impression! Also if you plan to build this beasty...skip the 5 minute epoxy and use CA instead with a spray bottle accelerator. CA holds onto resin with a vengeance and cures almost instantly once sprayed. Saved me a world of hurt.
1) Nope I didn't reinforce the antennae pieces at all. But I have knocked them off a few times during the build so I know that area is fragile. I just avoid touching that part too much.
2) The stand is very easy to create. Simply go to your hobby shop (or Home Depot in my case) and find some hollow aluminum tube of whatever diameter you like. I am using 3/4 inch Aluminum Round Tubing. Then get a solid metal rod (should be in the same bin at Home Depot) exactly one size smaller so that it fits inside the tube with almost no play whatsoever but can be removed.
Next cut two holders from the tube whatever length you like. Find the exact CG (center of gravity) on the Sulaco which ends up being just behind the main gun and drill a 3/4 inch hole as straight as possible right up into the Suloco. There is more material there than you think which is a good thing. If its not perfectly straight don't panic as we are going to put a ton of glue in there anyhow. Mix up some 5 minute epoxy (lots of it) and before you put the tube into the hole, pour a bunch into the upside down Sulaco. Slide the tube in making sure all the walls inside are completely coated with epoxy and let it dry. Make sure it's straight too. *IMPORTANT* Do NOT turn the Sulaco rightside up again. Make sure you let the glue dry around the tube with the Sulaco upside down. *IMPORTANT*
Next get whatever shelving or mount you like for the base and do the exact same thing. Cut the solid rod to whatever length you prefer for height and once the glue is dry in the holders, slide the ship into place and bobs your uncle. I've made my rod piece removable just in case I want to hang it at some point down the road.
Hope that helps!
postmanpat wrote:
Pepperpete wrote:
Harry Harris wrote:
Looks great! Which model is that?
Harry
Harry this was made for me by John Bednar. I believe he is the same person doing the Alien Refinery but I'm not completely sure.
It sure is. It's more commonly referred to as the PrimeTime Sulaco as that's the handle John goes by in forums. I have a V2 of this kit and I have only half finished it despite having it for over a year. It's on the top of my to do list now. Fantastic kit and a really impressive size.
Your finished Sulaco looks incredible. Can I ask a couple of questions?
1. Did you use some sort of metal rods to reinforce the antenna pieces at the nose of the ship?
2. How did you do your armature/support rod that hold the sulaco?
Thanks heaps in advance.
Great work once again.