iain.. ipms north somerset Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Just amazing work mike Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Getting there Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 Thanks everyone, I don't like the way that my coating of Klear has affected the launcher tube. The sand coloured one took the Klear coat quite well but this green one looks very ropey. Methinks the sander may need to come out . Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, how did you overcome the problem to make the item good again? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoohoo Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Wow, just been catching with your thread Mike, wouldnt have a clue where to start building something from scratch and will now be following with great interest seriously impressive work. Re: the future issue you mentioned, I read on Swannys models website that Johnsons Klear / Future will dissolve in itself if it needs to be removed so i assume that would mean brushing a load on wet and rinsing it off - not tried it though as i have never been able to find the stuff at a decent price, I use astonish wood floor polish that i found in a local shop and seems to do the same thing, but apparrently this requires ammonia to strip. Hope this is of some help, Stu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 Hi Stu, I tried your suggestion and it works, thanks for the ref from Swannys models site. I've given launcher another coat of green and I'll do some markings out tomorrow. Then, I know I keep putting it off because I don't have any images or plans, I must start producing the axles so that I can fit the wheels. cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Right, I've stripped off the Klear and redone it and it looks much better (thanks Stu). I've constructed some pipework on the side and added some ladders at the rear. It is difficult to see in this image but I have also 'run' the cables from the junction box, at the rear of the launcher, down to the base of the vehicle chassis. The cabin windows have been painted light grey then a coat of Tamiya X-19 Smoke has been added to give a reflective effect. The bumper, lights and indicators have also been painted. Looking at this image I obviously need to paint the Smoke up to the window edges. The hydraulic lifting mechanism has been fitted on the right side of the vehicle, just behind the cab. Ladders, lights and indicators complete the rear section of the vehicle body. The ladders are PE and can be found in railway siding sets from model railway shops. That's it for now. Time to do more work on those axles! Thanks for all the supportive comments. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice work Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoohoo Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Thats looking great with the paint on Mike - cant believe you've managed to make this entirely from scratch - makes my assembling and painting feel tame by comparison Glad the advice with the future worked! Cheers, Stu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 I think I'm getting somewhere with this now. I've done the axles but the front ones need to be repositioned as there is a definite slope to the front. The cab doors and other panel lines need to be scribed in; the lifting jack plates will be added and other items highlighted. Â Â Â Â Just a reminder that this is 1:144 scale......... Â I'll redo the front axles to get the chassis level, plus tidy up some other minor bits and pieces and then that should be it...... except I have to do it all over again for the vertical launcher version! Happy modelling Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Gobsmacked by this build, just incredible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 I've started work on the chassis of the second build; this will be with the launcher in the vertical position, nosecap off, ready to fire. The colour scheme will be sand/green/black camouflage. Here is a view of the second chassis in progress, plus an idea of how it should look at the rear (using the chassis from the stowed launcher version).     When completed, the whole chassis will be elevated off the ground by 4 large jack-up points.  There's still quite a bit to do with the first vehicle and I am getting on with that. The second vehicle shouldn't take as long; mainly because of lessons learned from the first build, plus I've cast some of the parts in resin from the first vehicle so ready to assemble. Plodding on............. Mike    Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Nice work Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimrod54 Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 That really is an excellent piece of scratch building Mike and quite amazing in this scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Hi John, thanks for the kind words, as I mentioned before, it's a new venture so I'm learning as I go along. I've done a bit more to the first (green) transporter, by lowering the axles and adding some of the smaller items. I have also been progressing with the second (camouflaged) transporter and it is getting to a stage where the axles will be made for this one. Here is a comparison photo of the two; I've placed the second launcher in the horizontal position temporarily while I work out how/where the lifting mechanism goes. cheers Mike For information, the nose cover gets removed before the launcher elevates and is usually found just ahead of the front cab during launch sequence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Looks great Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Wow! Just catching up with this one again and I'm impressed!! That's great scratch building and even more impressive given the scale!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 That's pretty damn neat Mike, all those tiny wheels, you must have eyes like p' holes in the snow..............Smudge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antony Robertson Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 This keeps getting better and better Mike, superb work. Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetboy Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 hi,mike,cannot believe its that small,really proud for you,looks excellent,a definite hats off ,for that one......best wishes Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted April 2, 2013 Author Share Posted April 2, 2013 Thanks for the compliments everyone. It gives me that confidence to carry on, just as the eyes are straining and the old hands begin shaking etc! I'll try to do a bit more this evening. Thanks again Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzio Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 That Camo version looks really cool. Love the paintwork on it, loving this build. When you say that the cone is removed before firing. Is it actually lifted off or dropped? Cause I can imagine the real thing being a heavy bugger! Kind Regards, Dazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Hi Dazz, I would think it would be lifted off, by a support vehicle which travels with the TEL, while the launcher tube is still horizontal; however I have not seen any supporting images or information as the images I have seen just show the cone beside the front of the cab. Getting to the final stages now with the camouflage complete and the wheels added. The vehicle would be raised for launching and the hydraulic stands for this are shown beside the model  The remaining elements are some small gantries that sit on the cab roof and also towards the back; the launcher raising hydraulics, plus some ladders for the rear.  Here is an example of how the vehicle could look when deployed ready for launching  And here with both vehicles, in mobile and launch modes. I'll get on with making and assembling the final components and post them here later. cheers Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzio Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Yeah that makes sense, I know next to nothing about these "little" launchers only one I know is the SCUD and who doesn't know that one? Love the work and the little diorama you have got there Kind Regards, Dazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Hi Dazz, cheers, I've added a link to my last post of a video showing a Topol launch. There is plenty of detail of the vehicle a few minutes into the video. Also note the cone sat at the front of the vehicle. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Excellent YouTube video Mike, what a beast.................Smudge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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