Studio Scale McQuarrie Concept Raider

[dbhs]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I really appreciate it.

(08-03-2010, 06:23 PM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: That is truckn sick Doug. So clean & straight. you have done a magnificent job on that build my friend. Can't wait for the lights, oh my god that will be just insane.

Thanks, Jase. Thanks to your brutal honesty on the lights from way back I'm taking another look at the colors. I was experimenting with technique more than effect and will be doing something a little different there. Good feedback is essential to improving ones work.

(08-03-2010, 10:40 PM)darkimmitator Wrote: That Sir , Is an INCREDIBLE piece of scratch building awesomeness !!!!!

Thank you. I really liked this design when I first saw the sketch. I'm glad it's turning out.

(08-05-2010, 12:10 AM)Wombat Wrote: OK,i was bullshitting about it looking crap.

It look's bloody fantastic,nice choice on the colour.
Now will ya send it to me?????

(08-05-2010, 02:02 AM)427 Cobra Wrote: Insignia white? It looks more like insignia gray! Still, this is far better than the green colour. I just wish this was a kit. You are truly by far one of the best scratch builders out there, Doug. But of course, you already knew that!

~ Cobra Chris

I wouldn't go that far considering the talent around here but I appreciate the sentiment.

It is a weird name for the color as it really is grey. It's Tamiya AS-20 and the lightest grey I could find. Still comes out a bit odd in the photographs and looks better in person. I think i need to get better light bulbs in my shop or a better camera.

[JAWS]

No worries Doug. Thats what we're here for. Just gotta remember its an opinion & everyone has different ones & different tastes so was just that. Glad it sparked some alternate ideas.

[dbhs]

This installment is titled "The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY"

First the good.
The painting of the greys is going pretty good. There's a couple of minor spots of bleed through but all in all not bad. I may need to touch up the paint on the top in a spot or two.





Now the bad.
Some stress cracks appeared on the bottom side around the gun barrels. I thought I had this fixed before but they came back and were visible after the masking came off. The problem is that the barrels cut through not only the surface of the body but also the ribs underneath. This makes it a weak spot and when the body flexes just a bit it pulls apart along the seam. The cracks are as thin as hairs but with so light a color, and with the minimal weathering I want to do, these will be visible so I decided to try to fix them.



And the ugly...
To fix these cracks I dremeled them out and filled the gap with epoxy putty. It's a little drastic at this point with the finish paint on but i figure it's easier to fix now before weathering. Hopefully the epoxy will hold the sides together enough to prevent further cracking. My fear, of course, is that new cracks will appear in new spots now but I'm hoping with some really gentle handling it can be avoided. We'll see....
Now I'll have to mask off the front area and repaint, hopefully for the last time.


Here's the overall of the bottom side and how I layed out the grey colors there.

[JAWS]

Doug that is really a sick piece you have created. Im sure you'll work out the cracks no problem. Just a lil more work but the end result is going to be fantastic.

[dbhs]

Thanks Jase. I'm really looking forward to wrapping this one up and can't wait to see it with the finished canopy and tail fin on it. It's going to look completely different with all the added parts.

While I've been back at this....*** If forgot to mention that I passed my test by the way !!!! ****

I've been really enjoying having this project and the shuttle going at the same time. Get to satisfy the need to build and the need to do the finish painting and masking at the same time. Never enough time to keep the progress up, though.

[JAWS]

Congratulations on the test mate. So what certification does that give you now?

[darkimmitator]

From everyone here Doug ,We send you three cheers ...HIP ,HIP , Hurray ...Hip , Hip , Hurray.... Hip , Hip , Hurray . Congradulations on passing your test !!!!!!!!!!

[dbhs]

Thanks guys !!

The test was for my California State Architect's license. The last of 10 exams. The first 9 are a combination of written tests on technical and legal issues and graphic design tests which cover all types of problem solving and building design issues. The last one I just took is known as the "oral exam" where you have to sit in front of 3 stone-faced commissioners and they ask you 35 questions on pretty much any topic possible. The questions were all multi-part and process oriented. You can't take notes or do anything to organize your answer. It's all verbal which is why it's called the oral exam. Not fun and I'm glad it's over with.

[427 Cobra]

YOU LIAR!!!! Here you are telling us all the you're "not that talented", and that your're "not artistic" - yet you pass one of the hardest tests for becoming an architect?! I knew I saw art in your building techniques! That's impossible to hide, Doug. I don't know why you're so modest - you obviously have the talent, and wherewithall to do what we all do here.

You're one of us, like it, or not! If you knew nothing about art - you wouldn't be interested in architectual design elements, or modeling. I know that architecture is more than art, but only a little - remember art is a major influence in a lot of old world design, not just structural stability. What you do is very difficult for most people to understand, but when I was a kid I wanted to be an architect, but I felt that music was my calling, and so I gave up on art, and building design, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate either one anymore!

I would've used superglue gel to seal that crack along the seam of that Raider. It just depends on how hard it would be to fix it without a lot of reworking. Superglue is very hard, and brittle to sand even if it's applied to styrene. It has a tendency to fall out of large areas when drilling, or sanding next to a repair spot. Maybe Elmers' woodfiller would be more appropriate for something like this?

~ Cobra Chris

[dbhs]

(08-19-2010, 12:20 AM)427 Cobra Wrote: YOU LIAR!!!! Here you are telling us all the you're "not that talented", and that your're "not artistic" - yet you pass one of the hardest tests for becoming an architect?! I knew I saw art in your building techniques! That's impossible to hide, Doug. I don't know why you're so modest - you obviously have the talent, and wherewithall to do what we all do here.

You're one of us, like it, or not! If you knew nothing about art - you wouldn't be interested in architectual design elements, or modeling. I know that architecture is more than art, but only a little - remember art is a major influence in a lot of old world design, not just structural stability. What you do is very difficult for most people to understand, but when I was a kid I wanted to be an architect, but I felt that music was my calling, and so I gave up on art, and building design, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate either one anymore!

I would've used superglue gel to seal that crack along the seam of that Raider. It just depends on how hard it would be to fix it without a lot of reworking. Superglue is very hard, and brittle to sand even if it's applied to styrene. It has a tendency to fall out of large areas when drilling, or sanding next to a repair spot. Maybe Elmers' woodfiller would be more appropriate for something like this?

~ Cobra Chris

I'm certainly one of you here as I've been building models before I got into this profession (and I don't remember saying I wasn't artistic BTW). I do tend to approach model building with a similar process that I'd use on any other project including an architectural projects. Most of my professional work these days is in management and marketing (unfortunately due to the economy) so model building has been a great escape from reality and an artistic outlet.

I'm glad you appreciate architecture. In it's pure form it is a perfect ballance of art and science, though reality brings social, political, legal, liability, financial (etc.) issues that distort the process and the product. Typical of any business, I suppose, but most people who do it long term have a passion for architecture. In fact it made number 1 on the list of most over-rated professions last year. There's very little of the glamour that most people associate with it but it has rewards for sure.

I know what you mean about the old-world design influences. One of my favorite architects is Charles Mackintosh who was a true artist and could blend art, architecture, and structure seamlessly. His buildings are like frozen music, perfectly detailed, perfectly scaled, perfectly ballanced.

On the model. Your superglue is a great idea. What's not visible in my photos is that there is a lot of green squadron putty where the cracks were going through. I didn't think gluing to the putty would work so I tried to dremel into the styrene a bit so the putty could bond to something solid. The woodfiller is an interesting idea too. Will that stick to styrene? It might if it is solvent based and can eat into it a bit. Epoxy putty is pretty effective but i find it hard to work with.

[427 Cobra]

I'm obviously just yanking your chain. In a lot of your posts you don't sound too confident in your scratch making abilities. You do this so subtley, yet obvious that no one can really touch the delicate work that you do - like watching a magician at work. So far, only Ron (erospawn) Phil (Wombat), Julien (Monsieur Tox), Franck (Leukirix) and Kenny (Dark immitator) have built something that is inspiring to all until now. Everyone else is in the process of giving life to shapeless styrene. The progress is slow, but I need your strength, and support (from everyone). This is what is driving me to keep going with my present projects. You, and Phil are artists - and you guys don't realise it. I can scratch build/make anything, but I need the drive to keep at it.

Your artistic abilities are obvious - all your work is so smooth without a lot of guesswork, or reworking - the first time through! This is something that is very difficult for a lot of us, me especially since I'm guessing dimensions with known kit parts, and not much else. The reference I have helps, but it's not everything without measurements. I believe that arcitechture is 50% art, and 50% inspiration. (I think Charles Eames said that.)

As far as the woodfiller goes, it's the best for filling gaps, holes, cracks, and it sticks to styrene very well once hardened. The Elmers' brand works the best as this is waterbased, and cleans up well when sanded, or drilled without falling out of the spot where applied. I use this on everything that needs smoothing, so I don't have to attempt it with sandable filler primer, or the superglue, and baking soda mixture, which is very difficult to work with! I love your work, and I definately hope to see more, as it's wonderful to see it make ideas come to life! Now, if I can just get myself used to pieces of hot acrylic flying all over my body......

~ Cobra Chris

[dbhs]

Thanks, Chris.

[dbhs]

Back on track now fellas.

The fix on the bottom worked out great and the repainting is all done. Will be letting this cure for several days then clear coating in gloss to start the washes and weathering.







Put the center grille and the engines in for pics.






Thanks for looking.
-Doug

[JAWS]

Oooh that is so nice Dougy boy! When you gonna show us the lights?

[dbhs]

That's right. I nearly forgot about the lights.

[darkimmitator]

One word ..........WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dbhs]

Thanks for the comments, guys !!!

Getting started on the weathering now. I completed the canopy and the tail fin first so I can place them on to get an overall feel for it as i weather the main body.




Here's the center grille getting started. I want it to look like there is exhaust coming out of the grille so I added some trailing smoke stains behind the openings




I used pastels here to "paint" this area in a slightly darker tone. Just easier than masking and painting such a small area


For now keeping it very light and will build up in passes until I think it's done. There's some shading here that's a liitle too light in this photo around the cockpit and some dust trails on the raised grey panels and the ring of openings.

[JAWS]

Beautiful Doug. Im still waiting to see the lights though!

[427 Cobra]

That's what I'm talking about! You'd be a shoe-in at ILM with your skills. If you look closely at their models, you'll see parts that don't line up perfectly, and places where gaps show between parts. There're also scribe lines that don't follow through, or are deep enough on the X-wings, and some other models, but this is something that is hard to emulate when copying. At least you can make a perfect model that has never been done before! Even if you have a few uneven lines along the sides of vents, or holes - this would be a true ILM style model. It's hard to achieve perfection by hand, but you've made it look effortless! I wish you made this a kit - after seeing this in completed form I'd love to have one. I wonder why you made this in 1/48th scale instead of 1/24th?

~ Cobra Chris

[leukirix]

I love this ! Bravo !!!!

[dbhs]

Thanks guys.

I hope ILM pays by the hour otherwise I'd stave to death. It's certainly doesn't seem effortless but it is fun. I enjoy the building as much as the outcome so I take my time and I'm super slow. I also hate doing things twice so I make lists constantly of what to do and what order to do them so I don't f... it up. If I had known there would be so much interest in it as a kit I would have done so but it didn't come up until it really started taking shape and by then it was too late to do so. I've got a couple of scratch builds in mind plus a few kits that I'd like to get out of the way so coming back to this will be a while if ever. The scale is actually 1:35 to match the studio raider so quite a bit bigger than 1:48 but not quite 1:24. I was thinking yesterday while weathering it that it was the perfect size at 1:35 actually. Not too big, not too small. I need to take a picture with a soda can for reference. I know it's hard to judge size without a scale reference.

Thanks, again.

[427 Cobra]

I understand, but maybe a little bit bigger that this is - say 1/30th scale? This would be a little bigger than the one you've built now, but not overbearing. It would also allow detail to be better seen by eyes that aren't so keen these days, and it would look really cool on my storage case I have beside my bed. My vision is great now, but I don't expect it to last too much longer. I'd like to have something big that looks like it came from Apogee that can still sit beside other models on a desk as well.

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

Lights?

[dbhs]

Worked on the lights tonight but no pics yet. Getting closer to being finished.

[natter]

I have only one word !....... GREAT!
I do not know how to say my best compliments for your work!
I take off my hat, in front of you.

[Battlestar1563]

hey, this is an amazing model. I'm very inspired by your scratch building talents. Thank you for sharing this with us. Ron

[dbhs]

Thanks guys !!!

I really love seeing how the weathering brings the model to life. I'm forcing myself not to rush through it at this point. It's just too easy to go overboard while I'm having fun !!

More updates soon.

[dbhs]

Teaser

[JAWS]

Thats not nice Doug...... But looks freakn wicked man!

[427 Cobra]

Yeah, what Jason said! I can't wait to see this in all its' glory.

~ Cobra Chris

[dbhs]

It's in an awkward in-between phase now so don't want to post pics. Will be working on it more tonight.

[dbhs]

Holiday weekend coming up and not too much going on for plans so will definitely have an update. I've been busy with other stuff this week so itching to get back to work on it.

[dbhs]

Here's an update on the weathering. Still needs a little work but nearly there...
I uploaded a bigger pic of the top as well. The little pic doesn't show the detail well.

[dbhs]

Another quick update.

Got the engines installed finally and lights working.



Cockpit lighting. The lighting of the screen didn't work as I had hoped but was a good learning experience if nothing else. It won't be too visible with the canopy on but will add a bit of color to the model.

[427 Cobra]

This is looking great, Doug! I can hardly wait to see this in its' entirely completed form.

~ Cobra Chris

[dbhs]

This one is done now. Pics posted in the finished section.

[JAWS]

That is freakn sick Mr Shortes!

[natter]

Only one word......Fantastic!!!!
Mr Master!!!

Bravissimo!

[dbhs]

Thanks for the kind words. This was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing another scratch build sometime down the road.

[Wombat]

I guess it didn't scrub up too bad in the end?

You know,if ya not really 100% happy with it i'd probably still be willing to take it off ya hands,maybe*.

























*If you'll pay the postage that is!

[dbhs]

Ok - keep checking for it in post..... but don't hold your breath.

[Wombat]

Two days and nothing so far!


Good point on not holding my breath for sure!