Studio Scale Red Lectroid Thermopod - from "Buckaroo Banzai"

[dbhs]

Hey guys - I finally started construction on this "truck".

The armature is underway. I'm using 3/4" plywood for the main support through the middle of the body. The top and bottom are skinned with 1/8" styrene to which I'm gluing styrene ribs.

The small bits in between are supports for the arms. I'm planning to use 1/4" copper tubing which I can bend to the correct shape for the arms. The arms will fit through the brackets and then I'll slather with epoxy to lock them into place. We'll see if that works.



So far I just have the front half of the bottom side done. To fill in the gaps between the ribs I'm using 2 layers of 1/2" thick foam. This whole inside part is about 1/2" to 1" smaller than the finish size so I'll have room to build up detail with the sculpting material.



A half-inch pipe floor flange is screwed to the plywood to receive a pipe support.

[JAWS]

Wow this is going to be really interesting Doug.

[dbhs]

Thanks, Jase.
Scratch building is a totally different process than kit building but i'm having fun. I really wish I had a disc sander so i could square up the edges on the ribs so they were easier to glue down square to the base.

[JAWS]

Im hearin ya Doug. Ive had to update my tools to be able to move forward on these builds. I gotta tell ya I could of made 100 styrene kits to my 0 completed resin kits & scartch build....

[Wombat]

That's a nifty bread slice holder!!

I remember this one even though i haven't seen that show!
Look's like it'll still be an interesting build and it's good to see you are pressing on with it.Gotta say,it's one strange looking craft though!

[dbhs]

(12-10-2009, 10:20 PM)Wombat Wrote: That's a nifty bread slice holder!!

I knew someone would make a comment about that. I got that foam for free and it's good stuff. I tried out hot glue and it sticks good without melting the foam.

[Wombat]

(12-11-2009, 03:40 AM)dbhs Wrote: I knew someone would make a comment about that. I got that foam for free and it's good stuff. I tried out hot glue and it sticks good without melting the foam.

You probably knew it was gonna be me also making that comment??Well thats all good that it's working and least it is a material that'll be easy to work into shape.Keep at it there Doug!

[dbhs]

(12-10-2009, 09:43 PM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: Im hearin ya Doug. Ive had to update my tools to be able to move forward on these builds. I gotta tell ya I could of made 100 styrene kits to my 0 completed resin kits & scartch build....

There's a whole different level of satisfaction building something from nothing that you just don't get from kits.

[JAWS]

True. The Falcon is giving me that. It all becomes clearer as you learn to break the build down into shapes & stages. In all honesty my Falcon would be alot further along if it wasn't for waiting to get little things sorted, like lighting & mounting. Ive gone sleep thinking about everytwist & turn.

[dbhs]

A bit more to show on this one. I'm really glad to get some physical progress considering it's been well over a year since I started.


The ribs on the bottom side are done.


The top side is under way.


The framework around the windows.


And with the window in place. This will just be painted black so no need to use clear material on the window. It only took 5 tries to get the curved piece cut out to fit properly.
Luckily I had a sharp pair of dividers to scribe the circle onto the styrene which gave me a nice smooth curve.

[dbhs]

A little more progress on the bread holder.....

More detail on the window. The mullion bars took forever with the compound angle but I think it turned out ok.

[Wombat]

That was a sliced bread holder!!!
I think it's looking pretty damn good what you've done there so far.
I'll be interested to see what you skin this thing with or use to get that texure and look about it.I remember it being one of the strangest looking craft i've ever bloody seen.
Keep at it dude,that it's been a year don't matter,that you're back into it and really cranking out some progress is what matters now!

[dbhs]

How does "toast cozy" sound?

Thanks for the kind words BTW.

[Wombat]

(12-14-2009, 06:22 PM)dbhs Wrote: How does "toast cozy" sound?

I think that sound's believe it or not,actually betta!!
Toast Cozy it is!!

[JAWS]

Lookin good Doug. Its exciting when youve got a base shape in 3 dimensions.

[dbhs]

Update:

[JAWS]

Kool man this is coming along nicely!

[Wombat]

I still don't know what to think of the bloody thing,it's definitley not outa my BSG universe mate!! LOL.

It does look good what you're doing there though!!

[dbhs]

(12-29-2009, 09:27 PM)Wombat Wrote: I still don't know what to think of the bloody thing,it's definitley not outa my BSG universe mate!! LOL.

It does look good what you're doing there though!!

You gotta rent the movie, Phil.

[Wombat]

^
That could be scary,i might actually like it and find myself wanting one of those things!!

[dbhs]

This is actually one of the most normal looking of the alien ships. At least this one has a cockpit and windows. The others look like coral or driftwood.

I'll give you the plans when you're ready !!!

[Wombat]

Isn't that what this one is gonna look like,except it's the luxury version and has a cockpit and window's?

I might not be in touch about them plans anytime soon,but thanks for the offer anyway!!

[dbhs]

Phil, are you ready to start this one yet? I've still got the plans for you...........

Another brief update on this long-term project.

I got the armature assembled and glued together. The ribs and foam are about 1/2" to 1" below the finished surface. It's got a lot of texture to it so I wanted to leave some room to get it all on.

[Wombat]

You know mate,when i get my bench cleared of the current builds that are laying on it i'll think about it.I tell ya though it's still one strange looking craft to my eyes anyway.I guess thats abit of it's charm there also.Who would have thought about ever building this one?Is there infact a SS one as such or was it CGI instead?
Anyway,you're having fun and it does look like it's taking that strange shape pretty much there with what you've got already.Good to see you're making progress on not only this but another build along with you're planning of that SS scratchy you'll be doing also.
Keep at it mate!!