Stickframe

Hello model builders, Yes, about the decals -I forgot to add them until I had already weathered the build - perfect. Over the weekend I roughed them up, and repainted the tires, using Anthracite grey, and Barley gray: Which I'd be pleased to post, but for whatever reason they are refusing to show! That's weird - nothing different than before - I'll do a few tests and see what we get: And, now they post...ok - weird.....????🤨 @Pete in Lincs - just saw your post - and here they are again - I reloaded each! It looks better though - I'm hoping the images magically appear! 😁 and they did decide to appear! As for comments, unlike decals used on F1 cars, these decals are not fragile!! it took a fair amount of work just to rough them up! I didn't want to destroy them, but tried hard! Used: knife, sanding sticks, sheet of brass to scrape, and then, added weather! I've just about finished painting the half cab and am starting paint on WASP #1 Take care Nick

Hey Andy, I thought I posted here the other day, but looking again, no text! So, one more time - this car looks great! Dealing with all the headaches and challenges is really paying off! Cheers Nick

As you no doubt guess, I love seeing all these conversions and modifications! looks great

Oh boy - this thread drifts! Living and working in the location I do, the acronym ESL (English as a second language) is more common than you might think, particularly in business, as colleagues and clients can represent all parts of the world. And you sometimes need to be careful with word choice and spelling. Which in this context, led me to look this up: @Pete in Lincs, Apparently, at least two shades exist! 😁, and by the way, while doing this I figured out how to make the spell checker work on this site! and, @silver911, well Ron, I wish we'd have had this talk about a week earlier. I never tried using grey/gray (😁) to adjust the tone of primary colors, like red! To your point, I've avoided using white, because I don't want the end result to look pink. So, a case study in how not to knock back a strong primary color, like, red, and less so, yellow: A family of before and after images - the top photos sure look like race day! Bright, shiny and bright and shiny...not ideal for this project (too bad not an F1, where I struggle to get a clear coat that looks this bright!). Not having Ron and Pete's knowledge of color mixing, I went about knocking the color back via adding several light layers of color over the base. The obvious risk with this approach is that if you add enough layers, well, there's not much left of the base color - not my goal. As before, several washes of Life Color Dust Type 1, just to tone it down. Then several air brush applied light dustings of Camo Grey/Gray (😁). And below, so you can actually see the result: Unlike the big truck, I want this to reflect a significantly different vintage, something that has been around for a long while and seen some hard use. In addition to basic weathering, toning the two primary colors down was a challenge - it really wanted to stay bright! To those of you with "eagle eyes" (Ron) you'll see I pulled out the "cable" I had on the rigging before (not a pleasant task), which in my opinion was too thin, and replaced it with something larger in diameter and with more texture. Next, you'll see I relocated the spare tire (tyre?? 😁) to the rear frame, and added some storage to the roof rack - fuel/water containers, tool boxes, etc. Also added some spotlights to the roof rack. @silver911, and @Pete in Lincs, to my poorly articulated question - which in reality is somewhere between rhetorical and existential. It has to do with how to go about achieving an overall look, that is not well defined, but will be clear when you see it, and equally clear if it's not right. Unlike a particular race car or military vehicle, there is not a color and finish chart to follow for this project. The colors and finishes need to stand on their own, as above, but also need to work in eventual context, which will be a diorama - which of course is based on the work of a conceptual artist! Ultimately, like the autoshop dio, my final pictures will be taken outside - I love the bright sunlight on a build. Actual sunlight allows colors, material, finishes, shadows and directly "lit" places and objects to pop. The colors and finishes need to look good inside and outside, with the latter shining the proverbial "light" on flaws, like it or not! I was about to keep rambling about this, but who really likes free word association, diatribe-esque text on how to achieve a poorly defined look?? not me - so, back to the bench I go. Half-cab will be painted next. Happy weekend gents, Cheers Nick

Well guys, @silver911 is keeping me honest! Thank goodness I have an ample supply of time and coffee right now! My biggest real work project won't ramp up for a couple of weeks - dealing with contracting/insurance etc right now, which is time consuming in its own right, but, still leaves me time to ponder this - and just like our discussion about what this object might actually look like, the same sort of quesitons about finish is at our doorstep. First, considering Ron's observations about arid finish - on one hand I agree, but on another have some questions, and a slightly different outlook. To start of course, some more pictures. As you all have no doubt figured out, I post in these grouping of images to reduce the number of photos to be loaded individually to Flickr then to here. These are WIP images of a project I built some time ago, and they serve as a good physical reference for me. This however, is not exactly what I want to do. It is also intended to be in an arid setting (sorry about the WIP photos, featuring bright and lush landscape in the background!), an abandoned building. My process was about the same, except, as an abandoned building, there was a lot more room for complete decrepitude. Eventually, lots more debris was added everywhere - which took forever to install!! But, some of the attributes are what I am hoping to achieve - specifically fading of big walls, and wear/rust on edges. But this is more neglect than I want to show (the final of this has a lot more debris and decrepitude than shown here). You can see two images featuring bright and shiny walls and the rest reflecitng several layers of weather. The fundamental point raised though made me think about just what the weathering for this project should look like. So, another image study: And above, three sets of images to consider. On the far left, what Ron noted - metal objects in the desert suffering the fate of years of neglect and harsh weather. While quite interesting, and certainly colorful, not what I am looking to achieve for this project, and closer to what I posted above. Some McQue images are in the center column. His techinque is certainly interesting - there is an ample amount of rust/etc, but also some saturated color in key places, and interesting bright bursts of color here and there. There is also a whimsical quality about them (both the vessel and context), with vehicles effortlessly floating about. Another attribute fo these images is how he fades the background back, and has a more clear focus on the object. I'm still pondering how to do this with a dio and limited skills with visual technoology - but I have some ideas simmering. The column on the far right feature an abandonded motel in a place called California City. This is an odd place to say the least, which I visited years ago while still in college! Only a few hours drive from my uni, inland on California's central coast. A friend from my studio and I hopped into my truck and went to find what was intended to be a new large city - and saw a scene similar to these photos. Among many other prooblems (remoteness!) there is a distinct lack of water - a big deal here! All of that said, I like the faded rather than dematerialized look of the finishes on this motel. It's clearly suffering the fate of time, but not yet into the stage of rampant decrepitude. I like how the light blue is gradually fading to white (hand rail in upper image), how letters are flaking off the sign, and the pavement discoloration and weeds. I'm planing to take the project in this direction. Which brings us to the big truck: I knew I shouldn't have posted unitl I was closeer to being wrapped up with paint! In the upper left, is my truck. I follow a simialr weathering process on various builds. The first layer of weather is selective exposure of primer - in places that get lots of foot traffic, where metal on metal connections might occur, and the errant scrape that would come from use. Then a dark wash around bolt heads, joints etc is added. Followed by the first wash of Life Color Dust 1 (which I love and use a lot of!), then drybrushing white onto big surface, like the hood curves and roof, then an enamel wash onto the same bolts, depressions, seams etc, and another wash of the Life Color dust. In my version of this truck, I'm assuming the paint has been scraped/rubbed off here and there, but not that many places where it would expose bare metal. There needs to be a lot of dust, and I will add more to even out and blend the look of the oxidation and fade on the hood. I made a mistake painting these tires, using the wrong shade! I usally use NATO black - which is a flat finish, and I have washed these tires several times to knock these back. They're getting there. I don't see this truck as a rust bucket, but can imagine it quite dusty and selectively grimy. You can see my basic intent from the refernce image in the upper right, on the real M1070. Clealry plenty of dust (shows more over NATO camo than my light blue), but not that many scrapes and dents - and, the tires are dusty, but still clearly black. The comic in the center comes from a US Army monthly journal that covers various issues regarding maintenance - and if you look carefully to the right of the woman is none other than an M1070! and the subject is RUST! The paint on these trucks is called CARC (chemical agent resistant coating) which can scrape off, but seems to be fairly tough, exposing primer (dk grey/black), and if hit really hard, bare metal which of course will rust. The pic in the lower left - I don't think it's by McQue, though it is characteristically similar to his work and a good refernce image. You see weather, but not decrepitude. The pic on the lower right is the M1000 trailer, with a heavy coat of dust, which mine will also get. Lots of words today - I'm still painting away tho - as noted, more dust to the big truck and have started on painting the tow truck. One of these days I'll have to set up a dio base. Maybe this week? don't know yet..... OK gents, happy model building, and thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas - they all help me with refining this! Cheers Nick

Well, this is weird - I just posted about an hour ago - and, no post is showing up? hmm? wonder what happended? Oh well, let's try again! @silver911, hi Ron, thanks! I'm sure you'll have more to say, as this has a long way to go! Speaking of you, I thought about you over the weekend, when I saw a TV show about moving big strucutres, which so impressed me, that I went on line and found some matching images: Well this must be a stressful job! that's top heavy! These are grain elevators being relocated in Canada - wow - They said the trailer needs to be readjusted if the tower becomes 9 degrees off-plumb! On we go - hooray! The circus is in town! Colors! Loud colors!! 😀 I'm breaking one of my self imposed rules here, posting pre weather - can become the subject of all sorts of colorful discussion! But, you gents have seen the good and bad already, so, no reason to not share! And, with the appropriate rust and decrepitude: ahh...that's better -and, the big truck - with some color: Note - some of these pics have weather and some don't but, the tires are now not shiny! The tracks and bogeys still need some dust and grime - and back to the tower: As you can see, I'm painting and weathering in modules - I'm still adding bits to the tower! Added another outrigger and rigging near the opeing, and another spotlight. OK - as I already did this once, no more text! Cheers Nick

Hey Pete - that looks perfect! the single recessed panel - with it's counterpart just below - nice! 😀 Wow - that's a lot of styrene making up the hull - looking forward to where you take this! Cheers Nick

Hi Ron, Nice to see how well your effort to get the colors right paid off - great finishes! And, thanks for the tip on how to use colors to gain desired effect! (dark next to light) - I had no idea - Cheers Nick

Hi Richard, I'm certainly pleased to see that you started positng on this again - great project, and really a pleasure to go through the full build log. Very insipiring work. Cheers Nick

Well guys, still moving forward. I went ahead and added the outriggers - and Pete, yes, the plan is to drape a canvas from them to make a big shade structure - take a look: We'll start with the outriggers - one (so far) mounted on each side - as you can see they are movable! There's a brass eye bolt on the end of each, fit into an anchor on the tower. Then, there's a rigging system on each boom. Pulleys on the inside, and "D" rings attached to eyebolts on the outside (to hold the canopy). You'll also see I made up a little ground level deck with stairs, spot light (scratched), big brass bell, and a beacon on top! Above, you'll see a spotlight - which is made of remnant resin parts and styrene. And on to the tree for the outriggers, I had a resin winch and a few pulleys, all used to make up a system for raising and lowering the outriggers. All sorts of good times going on here! Added a non-slip surface to the deck, which is about done - I'll add some bolt heads. And in the middle, the spotlght, and rigging on the tree - I like both. Finally, on the right, you can see a big brass ship's bell! at least it wil be with some paint! And, Ron, yes, those little clamps - I was just being lazy -didn't feel like dealing with them! Funny you mention F1, as cars usually wind up with a few of those clamps! I've been pondering paint - - I might force myself to take a few of these parts to the paint shop - just to start a color palette. I like building a lot more than painting! OK, take care! Nick

HI Ron, I appreciate that feedback. I think I'm like you in that regard, if it clearly doesn't work, or look like it works, well, it's not something to build! I enjoy looking parts up - it can be really informative for whatever you're trying to make work, and offers lots of good ideas for other parts of the build. And, ask and you will (eventually) see change - like bolts and a generator! And, a thicker trailer! Starting with the thicker trailer - I balanced this in place, with tires/wheels on, and eyeballed the gap between them and the bed. Next, found a suitably thick piece of material for reinforcement. For this, cut out individual segments, to go between each trailer rib, then added another sheet styrene on the inside to thicken the look up a bit. I'm glad you pushed me on this subject, as I think it looks more convicing now (and will moreso with paint) - I hope it passes the Ron test! 😀 You'll also see the trailer now has three stabilizers in place - two that come with the kit, front and rear, and my hefty hydraulic ram! An oddity of the kit, or maybe the way it really is, the front jacks are pretty short - so, under went a block of wood, which I can imagine being reasonable when leveling on a site - who knows? Then, added lots and lots of bolt heads, made by cutting lots of short segments of various diameter hex rods. While a bit tedious, it is essential. I've never liked my results for scale weld seams, so for now, I'm sticking with bolts. The updside to these bolt heads is that they are so obvious, that they cast a nice shadow, which also means when it comes time to weather this, they can become little nodes of rust and grime! I also added a cap to the handrail on the second level. I like this because it also sticks out enough to cast a shadow. Little segments of remnant hydraulic lines added here and there too. This unit now has a generator! Like the rest, it's styrene and remanants from other kits. It seems to be quite a nice and snug fit. You can see a muffler in the back, and several lengths of solder to make up two cable packs running up to harnesses that will eventually get glued to the rest. One last update is the radar - I realized it was mounted the wrong way before, as it was pivoting around the "end" for lack of a better term, and now, it pivots about the radar screen (I have no idea what it's called either!). So, out came the knife and saw, and I changed it. I think the other way looked a bit better, but this is how they are supposed to look! The spot lights are a good idea too - I haven't figured out how to make them yet? I looked on shapeways, and found some in 1/32 scale, @ $11 each. But, as this is not supposed to include buying new stuff, I'll keep the $11 and figure something out! As for the next stpes, I need to think up the next set of spatuals - something that does something, but can be interpreted to reflect the character of the intended build. You'll notice, I built an I beam frame sticking outward from the second floor deck. Initially this was supposed to be a bracket that stabilizers would be attached to. But, the more I think about this, I'm considering some sort of boom like/outrigger structure, like you see on fishing trawlers: I already have what is called a "cross tree" (the I beam structure), so, maybe I'll add the outgiggers - maybe my tent/canopy structure will be drawn by the "tag lines" and hang by the outriggers??? The trailer comes with some big rigging blocks that I could use to raise/lower the outrigger?? - again, not sure yet, but, it is something I like the look of. As to whether I can pull it off, that's another story! 🤔 If I can pull it off, it might be just what I need to add to the "look" - I really don't want to cobble on random sheets of material to the overall structure. OK, on we go - happy model building - Cheers Nick

Pete, Regarding the installation of these panels, would you consider recessing a few? That is, dropping the cladding material between the ribs now and then? Maybe an opportunity for adding some additional hardware? in addition to providing some relief to the surface. Looking forward to seeing where this takes you - Cheers Nick

Hi Rich, Another great update. I admire your ability to make several parts from scratch repeatedly, while retaining the same quality, shapes/proportion, and level of detail on each one. Really remarkable. Your color and trextures just add to the build - great work. Cheers Nick

Well guys, Ron has raised several good questions - which of course means, I need to address them They made me wonder about some of my other design decisions, including the "Ron X Brace". Sadly, it is no more: Before I get into the revised brace, let's talk about scale. I have reported several times this is getting pretty big, but, that is only realtive to other model projects, not necessarily relative to scale. As you can see on the picture on the right, if you populate this with some scale figures, it is pretty big, but not overwhelmingly large. You can also see my new hydraulic ram as a stabilizer. As I was thinking about Ron's overarching quesiton about the trailer, I acknowledged something I was "pretending" I didn't notice, which was the X brace I built before was GIANT! So, it came out, and was replace by two struts. The new struts might get some more detail, but I think they look more reasonable than before. Now back to the trailer. I began to wonder about the design and how or if it could carry this load. The real trailer is designed to carry 67 tons, and I'd imagine that is a conservative number. I found some images ot the real thing to figure out how it works: Just like the kit, there is a really big, central spine under the deck, with ribs, and between them, axle mounts. OK. Next, let's talk about what I'm putting on top of it. In general terms, the tower is like stacked cargo containers: While I'm not going for that fast food look, the basic structure is similar, and, you can see the contaners are relatively light, at about 8,700 lbs unloaded. All of that known, made me think the general idea is indeed plausible. But, Ron's fundamental point, stuck with me - while we know the trailer is likely strong enough as is, it doesn't look like it is! So I did this little graphic study: My interpretation of Ron's ovservation can be seen in the top image, where you can see the "tower" comforatably sitting on the trailer - except, you don't really see much of a trailer - it looks a bit like it's floating on the suspension. The gap between the two red lines in the upper image highlights the profile of the bed, which is quite thin. In the lower picture, the red line follows the top of the bed, and you can see I added some light green lines, beneath the bed, and between the ribs, to give the bed some convincing visual depth, as clarified below: On the left, you can see the framing structure of the trailer - a thick spine, with evenly spaced ribs, and suspension elements between. The close up on the right shows where I will add to the frame, illustrated in the previous image. While I have no idea if this will/would add to the structural integrity of the trailer, I think it will address Ron's point - and give the trailer some "required" girth! Ok - so, fixing the trailer is next on the list. Once that's done, I can think about what might go in the space between the tower and the goosenck, and I must say, I think Ron's idea of some sort of a power hub/source is a good one. I can imagine something boxy with a clump of wires, leading to a harness or two connecting to the deck area, and the tower. And Pete, I'm still pondering how to handle the nets - I like that idea, and haven't given up on it! Happy model building, Cheers Nick

Well guys, Yes, I'll finish it, all of it, now! 😁 @silver911 and @Pete in Lincs, well you two have sure built up quite a punch list of tasks! And yet, on we go! Ron, yes, you've no doubt heard of "MacPherson" struts, and there's always "Simpson Strong Ties", well, now we have the "Ron X Brace" - behold: Now, that aught to hold this in place just fine!! In fact, it looks heavier than the trailer! 😁 But, there should be no doubt, when done, this will stay in place! As for it being top heavy in general, maybe on moving day the cabin is removed and placed on the bed of the half cab??? who knows?? it looks like a hefty brute though, so that's one way of answering that question....🤔 maybe it also doubles as a gin pole truck and can remove the cabin too! Ahhh...the coffee is working as hoped 😁 And then, I took a few more photos to give all of this some context: I've got to say, this is shaping up. I included the lower middle pic above, just to illustrate some wildly good luck. The half cab bed is almost flush with the shop floor on the trailer! Perfect, just like I planned it.....🙄 😁 And what else - ah, yes, I made an executive decision, which was to toss those mech legs - there was something about them that just didn't settle with me - so I replaced them with hydraulic rams. I thought if I were building this in real life, I'd guess they were just too fussy - more complicated than almost everything else, except of course for the anti-gravity flying machines and, oh yeah, the half track! Pete. I like the idea of the net - not sure exactly how I'll make that, but I have an idea or two. And Ron, I thought about your point of this tipping over - I'm assuming you meant forward, over the cantilevered deck? Looking at this more, and really thinking about it, for that to happen, the WASPs and deck would essentially need to weight more than all of the tower structure - and if that were the case, it would be on posts, not the cantilever. For proof of theory, I looked up heliports on off shore oil rigs, and found several examples of cantilevered structures - I think it's ok! Next will be adding more plastic - but carefully. I'll need to spend some quality hours staring (look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with one's eyes wide open (haha)) at some McQue ships to settle on a palette of elements one would expect to see, and pull a strategy together. I don't want to screw this up by randomly adding stuff - that's just wrong. There is a discernable design vocabulary I'll need to pattern this after. Happy model building - Cheers Nick And, the trailer is now so heavy, I first tried to add all of the outside wheels, dryfit, but that was a headache, as they kept popping off...perfect - so, rather than wrestle with them, I just set the whole trailer on wood blocks! At least I won't accidentally tip it over as we keep going!

Hello guys, Thanks for continuing to be a part of this, well, unusual build!😁 @RichO haha! Boaty McBoatface eh??? I asked you guys to share ideas along the way; we're not going to have an internet vote for the name! 😁 I already like @Pete in Lincs WASP Nest 5 - sounds adequately mysterious to me! And, a big, navy style "5" on the side of the tower could have a nice look to it! @silver911 Hi Ron - good! I'm glad this is begining to make some sense - I was getting a bit concerned that this "bold adventure" might be only considered that by me! As you'll see below, the build of the parts that need to be strong are about done, and now time to get on with the character elements. It also occurs to me this extravaganza is going to take a long time to paint, and, I still haven't set up a base, or gotten into landscape etc - and, will there even be enough room for one of the pole tower buildings??? Maybe not - this is getting big🤔 First up, some progress on the dock: And there you have, a WASP deck! added more to the truss system below, and did some work topside. Added some non-skid plank, and you'll see the four "spatuals" for lack of a better term for the guidance toguide the WASP landing. And, the big strucutral frame: This might not have needed its own pic, but, it is a big deal. This frame will serve several purposes: to add some strength the "station"; to provide connecting points for the stabilizers; and, the tabs along the top, to hold diagonal bracing. You can see, I added a couple of H beams to the structural frame up to the dock. I thought this should be called about done - but, as you'll see in the next pic, my OCD required that I add two more struts! The good news is that, as is, it holds that resin chunk called a WASP up! and, it doesn't tip over! You probably won't even notice what I added here - but, if you count struts beneath the deck, you'll find I added two more, supporting the inner portion of the "slip" arms, one on each side. This was just a visual that didn't rest well with me, so, on went some more styrene! You can also see how the slip and guidance spatuals work. I wondered about other things too - does a WASP have downward shooting exhaust for thrust?? or, is this some sort of elecromagnetic anti gravity device? I have no idea - I might add some shields, that look they would deflect jet blast away from the tower and trailer anyway - just for the "look". Above, how SS Trailer McTrailerface (???😁🤔) more or less sits today. This of course was taken before I added the two addional struts, but, it's close enough to illustrate the point! BTW, I think the spatuals and jet blast deflectors are/could be a good first step in the McQue direction - just weird enough to get this going, but reasonable enough to belong here! Oh, and I need to figure out how to make those suspended jet blast deflectors....Maybe attach them to the trailer deck?? and not the tower? As shown above, the tower is located directly over the axles and that's where I'd like it to eventually be attached. This at least allows me a relatively well defined location for such blast deflectors - I don't know.... OK, on we go - Enjoy the weekend - Cheers Nick

Hello gents, and happy end of the week! @silver911, well Ron, it's your attention to detail that makes your builds great, and hopefully mine better! I'm going to start in reverse order today, with the "aircraft" and what it is first: This is a "WASP" something designed by McQue and made in 1/35 by Industria Mechanika. I have no idea how this is inteded to work, but it looks the part for this! Happily for me, the kit comes with two of these, well, craft - You can see in the upper left, how I interpret ground transport of these flying craft. The idea is that my outpost is something of a small hive for these (😁) - docking, repair, and flight ops - that's my story and I'm sticking with it! Next - I have been pondering how the landing area will work for a while - in brief, there will be a landing dock adjacent to the control part of the station. The real challenge here was figuring out how to make a convincing cradle - that "apparently" works, while allowing the gear that sits under the WASP to remain in-tact when landed. This led me to think about a slip for a boat, where, no matter the depth of the hull, a boat can slide in and out, without retracting anything (yes, assuming the water is deep enough!). So, I concluded, I'd make a pair of landing "slips", in what is generally a "U" shape, with the open end facing outward. As this "slip" is intended to be sitting on the mobile station, suspended above the ground, with minimal support, I decided to make a cantilevered truss system beneath the deck: Beauty eh? well, it's getting there. Above, you can see my "slip" concept - which is a bit bulbous, to match the hull of the WASP. My assumtion is that this craft would "drop/hover" into place, a bit like a helicopter. It would rest on stabilized rollers once in place. And, as the WASP kit is solid resin, it's heavy, I used .040" styrene for the deck - just basic stability. Then scratch built some heavy central trusses and added two small trusses from the junk box. On the underside, you can see I've just begun work on converting the four trusses into a single open frame structure - adding stryrene tubing etc. The top will get more detail too.... All of this is still dryfit - I taped on the landing slips/dock on to show how it goes together. Once I've added more structure to the truss area, I'll attach it to the "base", then add a couple of diagonal braces from the big structure (from previous post) that's used to hold the stabilizers in place. In short, we're getting there! For clarity, I added one stand alone pic - it's a bit bigger, so hoping it illustrates what I'm up to: As the deck is only taped on, it's sagging, but hopefully, with some more support from below, it will sit level! Now, on to your other points - it's funny, coming from you I'd generally be thrilled to hear you commenting on my precision! ha! you're right - this will need to be loosened up as we move ahead. I'll start with bolt heads, maybe some tubing, remant etch and kit parts, etc, but, as @bar side observed earlier, I have to be careful with adding random bits - I want them to have at least some visually convincing degree of purpose. My guess is that as an artist, McQue can illustrate intent via photshop, that is, even if the struture is digitally modelled in three dimensions, it holds no physical weight, and there are no "bearing" elements. Whereas here, this thing is getting heavy! I hate flimsy models anyway, so a real challenge has come from making this object relatively strong as structure. I'll have to keep pondering how to loosen it up visually. Weathering will certainly help! I like weathering, and have a decent techinque for adding rust and grime (think of the metal facade on the F1 shop). So, that's where we are as of this write up! I'll keep going on the dock - I want to add some materials for landing guidance. Think of a funnel - I'm going to make some flat rails to help the pilot navigate into the berth. Sorry if that's a confusing description - I have an idea in mind. Off we go - have a great weekend - Cheers Nick

Hi Ron, I'm certainly glad that you took the time to post your work in process - a pleasure to look at, and a terrific resource for "how to" . Your process for weathering etch parts is new to me, and quite effective. Really nice all around. Cheers Nick

Hello guys, Still going at it - today's episode: "What goes on top; what's up???" One of the more interesting attributes of this build for me has to do with trying to capture the elements of a particular, unique character/style, and not a real thing. It needs to be somewhat industrial, nautical, high tech/low tech, and on and on. Versus, building something that's well defined, be it an F1 car, part of a building, or an MATV, largely coming from a kit. You've all seen me bumble through the core structure, which I'm feeling pretty good about. Now - addressing what goes on top: Things that look like they belong on top of a ship, should go on top! and come straight out of the abandoned kits area, along with some scratch/kitbash etc etc. It seems to be coming along ok. I was a bit nervous about the relationship between the tower and radar - that the tower would in real life obstruct the radar, and I was wrong. It turns out that vertical objects can be found adjacent to radar - good! I like it and don't want to tear it off (though everything from/including the roof up is dry fit). You can also see more dry fitting, like the struture and locating points for those heavy duty mech arms! Like most of this, making the "H" beam structure was more of a chore than anticpated, but I think worth it. Another layer of framing will keep going upward to support the "dock"/"port"? - etc, and I think it will look ok. I'm still not sure about the "slip" or cradle/frame structure to accommodate the curved hull/airframe of the wasps??? I've thought about making a net of some kind, maybe forming plastic to match the hull? Using rollers? still undecided for now. Which is fine, as there is still plenty to do otherwise - Happy model building gents, Cheers, Nick

Hi Rich, Yes - the trappings of it all - sometimes quite a headache for me too! But, I am glad this complex technology allows us to see work from all over the world - that we'd (or me anyway) wouldn't otherwise know existed, much less get to see WIP and all the nuts and bolts we model builders like to see - and sometimes marvel at! 😁 Such as what you are doing here! Keep it coming. I, by the way, like that you are using remarkable precision with the build, and adding color with expression beyond the "factory" color scheme. I like the inherent tension in that. I've got no idea how "correct" the color is or isn't, but really like your results. Stay patient with the postings, many of us appreciate your effort! Cheers Nick

So, yes, we boldly go...and so on.... Dear @RichO, We value and will seriously consider your thoughts and observations regarding our current effort. Your participation is appreciated. Share and Enjoy! Kind regards, The Management (complaints department) 😁😁 Now on to serious business - @silver911 and @Pete in Lincs, seems it takes a special type to realize the significance of this project, and the long lasting impliocations of each decision being made along the way (😁😁). Yes - the out riggers - I pareciate both of your observations and agree. My exception tho has to do with how the strucutre here works. I think I can use the two mech arms I've got, but, would use them toward the front of this, as there will eventually be a flight deck up top. Then, would use the "spider leg" approach to the rear - which would actually be like a tiltable truss with a foot on the end - per this highly detalied and precision rendering, once again courtesy of powerpoint: To your points - Ron, add a structural elment on the ends, in the front, supporting the outrigger, and also part of a larger structure supporting a pad above. Pete, connecting the mech support to a strucutral element, rather than a simlpe wall plane, so it looks like it's actually supporting something worthy of it's bulk. Something less chunky in the back - more about stability than lift/support. Before any of this, I need to work on the top - and add some detail around the "deck" OK gents, take care and happy model building - Nick

Hi guys, Time for an update. I can report that it was clearly a good decision to rethink this, and moreover, exactly what was to be built on top of the trailer. Pete, you're right - better to cool down a bit and think about this for what it's supposed to be, and not just jump into making it work! And Ron, to your point, there is no way that I could, or really wanted to duplicate something (ie to refelct the entire scale/concept). Instead to make something that best reflects attributes of the syle - making it a different sort of challenge, as this is not intended to be something that is flying or hovering, like the "typcial" McQue work, but it does want to have the look. I also thought about more clearly defining what this is - and "station" might be the wrong word choice - maybe something more like an element associated with a forward operating base? An operational beacon of sorts, for a few people doing whatever it is they are doing out in the middle of nowhere? So, as noted before, I scrapped the idea of this looking like several levels being stacked, then hoping they would magically look right, and instead, built this as one object that has three distinct levels - and you'll see, taking on slight hints of a nautical theme: Nonetheless, you need to start somewhere, so phase one was establishing the base, starting with a widened and modified Aoshima box. Then, doing lots of mods/cutting and scratch work on the Orochi M3A3 (the one that donated the tracked running gear) for about half of the mid-level. And, for you mech fans, I was able to cobble together some stabilizer legs from the junk box. What you can't really see here is that inside the lower floor opening is something of a workshop, with benches, vice, grinder etc - but, having built a few dios, and gone through the tedious excess of making something with great detail, that will never be seen, well, it's getting a light touch! On we go: I'm hoping my earlier point is making sense here, as this has three discrete levels, though they are begining to take shape as a single strucutre, or even vessel. I strategically left some parts of the Aoshima box evident - more of a design than practical decision. I also used a uniform window size, which I think supports the idea of this looking like a vessel of some kind - and on to some strucural pieces added: After spending some time actually looking at what I was building, I realized the big oening on the ground floor is almost directly beneath what is to become the "cabin" of this land ship, and that the wall just looked soft - or weak - how could a wall with a big opening hold all the weight above???? Well, part of this could be carried by the mid section which could function as beam in and of itself, carrying the weight above, but, it still needed something. Early on I added I beams to the sides of the opening, but, they go almost unnoticed. So, in the context of this build, how about an exoskeleton truss??? Redistributing the load of the upper floors outward and not straight down - I figured the lower left side was ok, with the sort of flitch-plate-esque piece attached to the walls, but the rest needed some help. So added the truss, linking the upper strucutral surface panels, to the lower right corner - perfect! add-on features that plausibly do something! And, you can see the start of the "cabin", or control area etc - and finally: You can now see this taking shape - the base, middle and top, which are hopeully characteristically similar to a vessle of some sort. Our friend the 1/35 soldier has been very helpful here for eyeballing scale! and for keeping an eye on things! 😁 With the cabin on top, there's a deck running around one side and end, while the other end will become my landing pad, or dock? I don't know just yet - it will though cantilever outward from the structure, over the tongue of the trailer. How about that huge armored door! Some overkill? yes - but, it was sitting here begging to be used, so, it found a key place to go. As for the mech legs, while they look ok, and took a long time to make, and make operable, I'm just not convinced yet that they will make the grade (I only have two btw - so one on either side? or both on one side, as you won't see the back anyway), It seems to me, these might want to have some element the provides stability higher up the wall plane - my gut says don't use them as is, or, use them for something else, and make some more credible stablizers. And Rich, first, I'm really glad you like the half track and the half cab! they were both fun to build! Regarding the trailer, yes, it is indeed a nice, and highly detailed kit, and I have since added a few bits, but for now, it won't be getting much more. It still needs it's own stabilizers, which I have not put on because I want to see what it looks like with a load and sitting on tires/wheels - they'll eventually go on. As the weekend is nearly here, I'll keep going - likely to finish the cabin roof, which will have some sort of tower with radar/communications-looking stuff up there. And, eventually, I'll have to start seriously thinking about paint! this will require a lot of paint and primer.... Enjoy the weekend - Cheers Nick

Hi Ron, Thanks very much for posting your process - it's really interesitng and helpful to see! I don't envy the task of "combining" the holes you made to create the adjustable attribute of this! I know - looks easy enough, just drill and then clean out - I'm confident it was less "simple" thank that! 😁 Cheers Nick

Hi Rich, As I really enjoy scratch work, I've got to say, I'm looking forward to this - your work is really interesting, and provides quite a deep well of ideas and techiniques. So, as long as you enjoy building more, I'll enjoy the show 😀 Cheers Nick

Well guys, time to report another change of events: I think the Dude was right - and that's how I began thinking about this project! Very Uptight! 🧐 Over the weekend I spent some time (most of the time) on an actual work project - which involved design, but not conceptual design. It required precision, following rules, and checking/confirming assumptions and so on. All very good, but, that exercise required a creative design to also be efficient and up to code, not just ideal. And, as I was carefully confirming my prototypes and how they are supposed to work, doing numerous test fits and reorientations, I wondered about this project, and my thinking for it - and concluded, it was indeed - uptight, very uptight! I think is was slipping into a problem solving, rather than designing mode. It's easier (for me) to figure out how to make convincing stabilizers (etc) for viable stacked units, than it is to capture the unusal balance of (industrial/mechanical) character and whimsy found in McQue's work! So, I'm going to slow this down a bit and rethink the nature of the form of the station - keeping in mind that it is not merely three, cleverly stacked boxes on a trailer, at least from a design attitude. Instead, it is a structure, with a few levels. There might still be a distinctive base, body and top, but the overall concept should lead to problem solving (figuring out how to make it work), not the opposite. OK, I feel better now.....😁🤔 Happy model building Nick