Tzulscha

You Do seem to like odd bits don't you? I have one of these somewhere in my stash but have lacked the motivation to do more than test the sound and light feature. (sounds like the parking brake is stuck on...) The figures were really good for Airfix. So far it looks the part, now let's us see how Martha turns out.

I used to watch UFO for the vehicles. They did some cool models. I think the S.H.A.D.O. track was based on this toy tank. So, if you want to motorize it.... One of the cooler toys my friends had as a kid. I seem to recall shooting pencils out of the thing.... I shall watch your progress with a great deal of interest sir!

I built this kit 3 or 4 times now. 40 years ago. This Lizzy kit was one of my first paint jobs.... with permanent markers. It was AWESOME! I think there is still one in my kit heap Anyway, I am a big fan of both the kit and the bird and I am looking forward to seeing you do her justice sir!

A little something to keep your attention while I work on this thing. From the info page in the kit: AMTronic Futuristic Multi-Duty Vehicle The vehicle is a daring forecast for the family car of the future, a prediction of possible things to come. A full-size AMTronic would be 21 feet 8 inches long overall and have a width of 7 feet. The front car would be 9 feet 6 inches long and 54 inches high. The entire vehicle would be slightly larger than a Cadillac 75 Limousine. A considerable portion of the car would be occupied by the power units. The nose section is a complete two-passenger unit powered by a turbine-driven alternator which powers two electric motors, one in each of the drive wheels. The rear cabin is an add-on four-passenger compartment which also contains the main power supply which drives the complete unit traveling from city to city. Tires for the AMTronic were designed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company expressly for the AMTronic, and are of a revolutionary cross-section and ultra-low profile design. Machined alloy die cast wheels would be used for high strength and light weight. The body is of monocoque aircraft construction utilizing lightweight alloys and plastics. When the unit is used as a town car, steering is accomplished by retractable nose wheels which drop down, in aircraft fashion, from the front of the car. When the fore and aft units are joined, the vehicle is driven to the express-chutes powered by both the front car drive wheels and the rear cabin wheels. Steering is then accomplished by both the nose wheels and the front car drive wheels which automatically syncrolock with the nose wheels when the two units are joined. The transition from a wheeled vehicle to an airborne unit is accomplished when the vehicle enters the express chutes. Lateral control arms, one on each side of the vehicle, extend to make electromagnetic contact With the guard rails on each side of the chute. This automatically actuates the computer control system which takes over control from the vehicle's operator. As the vehicle gains speed, the ducted fans are engaged, supporting the AMTronic as the wheels retract. Propulsion up to this point has been accomplished by the drive wheels, assisted by the exhaust from the turbojets. The two turbojets now take over, boosting the vehicle to its cruise speed. As the unit attains cruising speed, it is fed onto the main chute from the entrance chute and electronically synchronized with the vehicles already traveling down the inter-city and inter-state express chutes. At the point, the vehicle is essentially a Hovercraft, driven by the twin turbojets at a cruising speed of approximately 300 MPH. The guide plates on the vehicle act as position sensors and signal any change required to control pitch and yaw. Traffic information is also fed into the vehicle though the guide plate controlling the speed and braking. The on-board computer system controls all functions of the vehicle, including environment and entertainment. The computer system functioning in both front and rear unit, would incorporate integrated circuits enabling the use of rather sophisticated hardware in a small space. For extended trips, the operator would insert a pre-programmed trip card which the computer would analyze along with the current and changing traffic and weather conditions and then offer a choice of several routes. With the choice made, the AMTronic would automatically follow the selected route, making necessary corrections only if emergencies arose. Should the side guide rails lose power, or if the engines default, the computer would take over complete control and execute the best of alternative plans for the emergency. Position control of the vehicle while on the express-chute is accomplished by nose diaplanes, rear trim tabs and the lift balance between the front ducted fans. The two rear turbojets and coupled to a single trans-axle unit which also powers the rear ducted fan. The front turbine is also ducted to the front ducted fan as well as driving the power alternator. As the vehicle leaves the main express chute, a signal would actuate section of the guide rail which would allow the vehicle to travel down the exit chute. (While entering and leaving the exit chute, only one guide plate would contact a side rail for a short time, although there would be no actual loss of control.) The touchdown would be a simple reverse of the entrance procedure, with guiding a speed control being returned tot he operator at the end of the exit chute. Power balance between the front and rear turbines would, of course, be handled by the computer. The AMTronic, as a complete dual car, could also travel along conventional multi-lane highways under control of the operator. Headlights (which are not used on the express chute)would be high intensity units mounted behind the nose-car intakes. Because of the type of power used, distance between vehicles would be more critical than is the case today. Sending units in the nose would control braking and speed in crowded conditions. Suspension for normal roads is completely hydraulic and is controlled by the computer and sensing units which read the road surface directly in front of each wheel. On the roof of the rear cabin is a high-capacity solar energy converter which supplies power to the computer and the energy storage units on a capacitor-type concept, keeping the computer operational in the back section while it is not in use or not parked in its garage or storage area. The rear passenger section is equipped with all of the sound and visual entertainment equipment of its day. A dual-faced video screen is mounted for comfortable viewing between the passenger seats, and live or taped show could be shown as desired. The front cockpit incorporates two semi-reclining couches for the operator and the passenger. A direct video readout screen is suspended from the canopy showing a rear view and other critical information to the operator. An overhead console incorporates tachometers for three turbines, fuel supply gauges, and various control switches. The main control switches of the computer panel are housed in the main console between the front seats. The computer panel incorporates an oscilloscope-type screen for displaying data to the operator for cross checking the vehicle's performance and functions. Normal steering is controlled by two hand grips extending from the video readout unit. Fuel for the vehicle could be petroleum-based or a vegatable-chemical derivative, a high-energy combustible liquid that would, of course, be "ultra-clean," leaving no air pollutants in its burnt exhaust. The front car is entered by raising the entire canopy, which is controlled by the hydraulic system. Entrance to the rear cabin is through hydraulically-operated doors on the sides. The luggage area is at the front of the rear cabin and is accessible through the doors on the sides on the sides of the "gang plug" connection unit. At the high air speeds at which the AMTronic operates, automotive "styling" as we know it today, will have to take a back seat to aerodynamic engineering, hence the clean shape and surface of the AMTronic. Such features as flush glass, air intake surfaces, and retractable wheels are necessary to attain good aerodynamics and avoid any critical turbulances which could cause handing problems in what essentially is a wingless aircraft. The life of such a vehicle would be considerably longer than present-day cars, making its probable initial high purchase price more of a lifetime investment. Low operating cost and minimum maintenance might actually make it much less expensive to own than present-day cars. The AMTronic continues the AMT tradition of bringing the latest automotive engineering and styling to the model builder. It all sounds so EASY. Why am I not driving one of these thing while I post this?! I did notice they didn't spend a lot of time talking about safety so I must assume that this thing is absolutely fool proof? Ah well, let's slosh on some paint and get some assembly done!

Too cool. I always loved the flying sub. I had the Aurora kit as a kid 'til I lost it in the lake. I snapped up the Moebius kit when it came out and all the associated goodies but never actually got around to putting it all together. Someday.... In the meantime I shall watch your build! So Irwin Allen!

Very impressive sir! Not a thing to throw off the scale perspective. Photographic quality execution. A superb effort!

Oh, sorry, umm wrong post? I thought you said.... Um nevermind.. Oh, uh, yeah, Nice ship!

So far so good as the man said. Keep going. I'll grab the popcorn!

Ah, the 'Runabout' pod. Two wheels and a nose gear. Remind me how well the Reliant Robin corners? Just as well, there doesn't seem to be any provision for steering the thing anyway. Power seems to be generated by the motory looking thing at the blunt end. The drawings show electric motors on both hubs of the big wheels. The cockpit seems spacious and claustrophobic at the same time. There are no apparent foot controls and it looks as though the seat goes all the way to your heels. There is however a foot plate. Well, for the driver anyway. Is that our luggage space? A parcel shelf behind the seats? Alas no, there is a fuel tank that goes there (?!) The fuel mileage on this thing would have been heinous, good thing gasoline will still be 40 cents a gallon in the year 2000 Safety does not appear to have been a primary concern for this vehicle sadly. No seat belts for example. I'm trying without success to envision a restraint system that would even work with these seats. Oh wait, it's all computer controlled, I saw a tape drive on one of the panels. I'll bet this baby has an 8 bit processor! Nothing can possibly go worng..... Seating in the back doesn't look all that great either. At least they remembered a Television set to keep the brats occupied Looks like you could sit on the hard molded plastic center consoles too. Heck, six adults would be a doddle back there. We're doing 300 mph right now, Kansas is only 2 hours away!

Sorry guys, I am a slow builder. I fiddle with this thing while I am at work so a few minutes here and a few minutes there. If anyone in a position of authority should ask, it's a demonstration... Okay, I have a few bits stuck to other bits, let's see if we can make this work.. Here we have one of THREE engines for this thing. One more of these turbines for the back pod. The power take off connects through some kind of gearbox to the rear wheels I am currently telling myself I need to replace the plumbing on this thing. Looking at it it appears to have a crinkle finish on the casing which I am interpreting to be a foil insulation jacket. I think these things might get a leetle warm. Did I mention the jet exhaust coming out the back of thing? You may note the driveline connections also power the lifter fan hosed inside the disk at the left. No sign of any intake ducting for those turbines though. There is a single slit in the roof of the pod to breath through. Yeah, I'm thinking toasty warm. There doesn't seem to be any real framing for the body shell so I am going to say it is all aluminium honeycomb panels why not. Where does the luggage go? It looks like a vast empty space but with fuel tanks and plumbing and retractable running gear and ductwork it'll fill up fast. The first layer on the shell needs to be insulating. Aha! An impressed aluminium sheet backed by a cellulose composite ought to be just the thing! Ciggy wrapper... Looks the part though doesn't it? I've been looking at things in the cockpit to use this on.

Testor Model Master 4875 Aged Concrete Flat and Model Master 4876 Concrete Flat are not bad colours for cement. Not as nice as the old floquil colours I'm afraid but with a little dusting it looks pretty good! Don't forget to caulk the joints!

I like static grass for larger scales (1/48th and larger), but ground foam like the train guys use for smaller scales (1/72nd and smaller). Paint a dirt colour (because it WILL show through), smear it with glue and sprinkle your ground cover. Pat it down and shake off the excess onto a paper so you can reuse it. (I'm a cheapskate) I will usually soak it with WoodlandScenics Scenic cement (Do they sell that over there?), which is a really runny white glue to fix the loose stuff. A little airbrushed shading will add a bit of contrast to your grass.

The figures are pretty much right out of the box with the one addition of gunslings and helmet straps from either Techstar or Toms model works, I can't remember which.

Nice! Aren't her dagmars s'posed to a bit more pointy? (been a while since I've tombraidered )

Nice build on the Talladega. Don't bother trying to get the Superbird nose piece to fit TOO closely. The real one had some major panel gaps!

Looks very nice, your vehicles are spot on. If you don't mind the suggestion, just a light wash of rust for shadowing and then maybe a light dry brush is an easy and effective start to skin tones.

Iwo Jima I created this piece some while ago for the father of a good friend of mine. His father is the last survivor of his battalion and I thought a small dioramic scene might be an appropriate gift. He was the flamethrower for his squad....... Base is the usual chunk of blueboard Construction follows my usual technique of hotwire cutting foam to whatever shape suits my needs. It is glued together with carpenters glue. When the glue is dried, the base is cut to its final shape with a hotwire and textured with a butane lighter. This smooths the surface and also gives a nice plastic "skin" for the base. The figures are tacked together temporarily. A pin has been added to each one to hold them upright. After making some basic shapes for foot prints and the like, I sloshed on a bit of base colour. Something I learned as a stage trick is painting my edges black, the idea being to make the eye ignore them t Some fine sand, some dried grass crumbled up, a few tufts of beach grass... Basic poses fixed and some base colours on the guys. At about this point some one reminded me that the sand on Iwo Jima is volcanic and BLACK! D'oh Start again. Okay, black sand... Just so it's not dead black a light mist of lit tan for highlighting. Some dead grass stems looked appropriate Okay, the ground cover really pops against the sand now. Miscellaneous bits and bobs of equipment. That Marine green kinda stands out don't it? Sorry the pix are so small. I had posted this on a free hosting forum some time ago and these are the only copies I can find. They look better from a distance any way

Very pretty. Nice clean job. Tough kit too... I always thought the Commando looked like a hotrod. Somebody needs to do a kit in 1/48th scale......Like I need anymore projects... Bravo sir! Bra-vo.

Fixed! I hope.

Crap, site used to allow it. That's why I used it. Oh well, will try again in a bit.

The base was made from blueboard, textured with a lighter. Base colours were laid down then smeared with carpenters glue. Static grass was used for the fairway grass and ground foam for the putting green. I use a variety of materials for ground cover, including interesting colours of sand and dirt. After being arranged they way I like, the whole surface is soaked with Woodland Scenic Cement. The burnt grass was airbrushed black with a border of yellowed grass and an occasional streak of white for ashes. A silver pencil was rubbed along the dents and wrinkles on the wing tip to simulate chipped paint. Completed Wreck Dio. Blue Chip Three Zero was the call sign of a pilot who flew COIN missions during the Vietnam war. Following a very successful mission, BlueChip30 was returning with severe A/C damage, having taken hits which disabled the left aileron and right elevator. A cannon round had exploded in the right wheelwell setting the tire on fire. AA had also hit the engine, propeller, disabled the hydraulics and most of the electrical system. Carefully nursing the vibrating, smoking wreckage of his plane home, BlueChip 30 finally sighted his home field and lined up on 12000 feet of smooth concrete. Turning final he hit the flaps switch which promptly exploded in a shower of sparks. The landing gear lever came apart in his hand. As he made his approach, a red flare arced over the field telling him not to land on the runway. A short time before, the base C.O. had given orders that damaged aircraft must find alternates rather that risk closing 'his' airfield. BlueChip30 had to land. Now. Looking for a clear space he spotted a smooth grassy area nearby. As gently as possible he bellied the plane in, leaving a trail of burning fuel and debris in his wake. Gradually the plane slewed to a halt, on the first green of the Generals private golf course.... After I was done with the Dio a friend suggested one final touch...

Wreck of BlueChip Three Zero. This model was commissioned by the son of the pilot A dremel was used to thin panels where damage was to be depicted. A bit of strip plastic was used to depict some interior structure where panels were damaged. An X-acto knife was used to punch holes and tear the 'metal'. More bullet damage to the wing. The right wing had dragged first and bent the wingtip. This was simulated by heat bending the glued wing, and then carving wrinkles with a micro chisel.

I did say I'd keep the wheels right? They are just so..so.. shiny The tyres are surprisingly well detailed as well. I suppose it is because Goodyear had a hand in this kit as well. If my pictures were a little better you could read the engraving. Okay, that is about enough of that. Assembly, paint and greeblies lie ahead. This thing is pretty hollow in spite of the twin jet engines and lift fans so I expect I'll have to make up some thingummies to fill the voids. With all the clear bits and computer screens I am thinking of lighting it as well. No headlamps however, does this thing use radar at night?

The "trailer" bits. More tuck and roll upholstery but still no seatbelts. Somebody is going to have to ride backwards as well but at least we have onboard television screens!. This whole thing seems to be less roomy than the average minivan. Where does the luggage go?! Let's not even talk about legroom. 'Mom! she's touching me! Am not! Are too!' Oh wait, mom and dad are in the front cabin which is no doubt sound proofed. Time for strippers!! Not that kind you filthy minded buggers! This kind. Commercial floor stripper in point of facr. Works wonders on old paint, washes off in water and will even take wax off your floor! Caution! May dissolve soda bottles! (ask me how i know this..) Et Voila! From shiny silver to...umm... olivey green? Must have used whatever was laying around I guess. May have to work a bit harder to get the under varnish off but that's what toothbrushes are for right? Onwards!

Oooh! Shiny bits! Too bad I'll probably strip 'em all down. Don't need chrome handlebars or shiny computer panels with this much glass. Might keep the rims though... Some more futuristic gubbins. Love the tuck and roll on the seats. Look a bit thinly padded for a car supposed to do 300 mph though. No seat belts either. Must be an optional extra Some bits of bodyshell and the guiderails. Carrying monocoque construction to an extreme, there seems to be no frame with all parts mounted directly to the shell. Should be strong enough. Right! On to the next page!