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Post by Whiterook on May 4, 2022 7:43:31 GMT -5
For the figure you now think is a loader. You could glue a small block-like addition to his back as a radio, and even a small antenna? Yep, absolutely. I'd rather have a figure that's meant to be a radio guy, which shouldn't be hard to find. But I know I'm going to have to modify some figures anyway. For example, I'm going to need a woman with a crossbow to be Scarlett! That will be one of my biggest challenges. I'll also need to create a jetpack for Grand Slam! I'm starting with the easy stuff. It's going to get a whole lot harder later on. The Scarlett figure is more doable… file down a figure with a helmet to fashion the parted hair… if you want a pony tail, the easiest way would be air-dry putty (oven bake putty would work too, but there’s always shrinkage to contend with, like poor George Constanta at the beach!). For her boobs, putty too. Fuel down the hips and legs. Grand Slam, I’d definitely go with air dry putty! The toughest part of him will be ther arms and getting the right positioning. As an aside, it’s a good thing the smallest you went in this project was 15mm. 28mm would have been easier, cause there are DUST Tactics Minis out there better suited to modifications along the lines of the universe you’re working in. |
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Post by josta59 on May 4, 2022 10:20:12 GMT -5
The Scarlett figure is more doable… file down a figure with a helmet to fashion the parted hair… if you want a pony tail, the easiest way would be air-dry putty (oven bake putty would work too, but there’s always shrinkage to contend with, like poor George Constanta at the beach!). For her boobs, putty too. Fuel down the hips and legs. Grand Slam, I’d definitely go with air dry putty! The toughest part of him will be ther arms and getting the right positioning. Best advice I've gotten all week. Putty, huh? I never would've known that could work. Appreciate it. As an aside, it’s a good thing the smallest you went in this project was 15mm. Heh! Yeah, anything smaller than 15mm would've been pretty absurd, huh? I really pushed the envelope. I wasn't the first person to have this idea, and some of the miniatures I need were actually created in 15mm for 3D printing, which is the major reason I chose that scale. |
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Post by Whiterook on May 4, 2022 14:44:30 GMT -5
The Scarlett figure is more doable… file down a figure with a helmet to fashion the parted hair… if you want a pony tail, the easiest way would be air-dry putty (oven bake putty would work too, but there’s always shrinkage to contend with, like poor George Constanta at the beach!). For her boobs, putty too. Fuel down the hips and legs. Grand Slam, I’d definitely go with air dry putty! The toughest part of him will be ther arms and getting the right positioning. Best advice I've gotten all week. Putty, huh? I never would've known that could work. Appreciate it. As an aside, it’s a good thing the smallest you went in this project was 15mm. Heh! Yeah, anything smaller than 15mm would've been pretty absurd, huh? I really pushed the envelope. I wasn't the first person to have this idea, and some of the miniatures I need were actually created in 15mm for 3D printing, which is the major reason I chose that scale. If it were me, I’d go with an oven-bake clay (basically, like a hobby putty), of which there’s several, but I use Sculpey. I buy mine at Michael’s craft store, who always has dos punt coupons every week (sometimes in the 50-60% off range!). It’s easily moldable, like a richer version of Playdoh. Once you get the General shape and sculpt you want, you bake it in the oven and it comes out hard as a rock! For sculpting, they sell sculpting stick sets at Michael’s… you might ask your dentist next checkup if they have any dental picks (the once they use on your teeth) that they’re trashing! …those are phenomenal! The medic rucksack and soldier rucksacks on my Bedford QL Gun Portee were made with Sculpey… Michael’s also sells air dry clay, but that takes much longer to dry and can be difficult. I’m sure Hobby Lobby has similar in both regards. As for affixing, CA would work, like Gorrilla glue, or hot glue. |
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Post by josta59 on May 4, 2022 16:45:02 GMT -5
The medic rucksack and soldier rucksacks on my Bedford QL Gun Portee were made with Sculpey… Those rucksacks look great! Very much appreciate the example. I was really wondering what that could look like. This is a real possibility, and I really appreciate the pointers! |
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Post by Whiterook on May 4, 2022 16:52:37 GMT -5
The medic rucksack and soldier rucksacks on my Bedford QL Gun Portee were made with Sculpey… Those rucksacks look great! Very much appreciate the example. I was really wondering what that could look like. This is a real possibility, and I really appreciate the pointers! The Sculpey takes acrylic paint really well… it bakes hard like extremely hard rubber. It’s solid too, not porous. The shoulder straps were made from painter’s tape, painted, and glue using white glue I believe. Oh, and you can still scratch and carve into it after it’s baked! Just like the modeling section, if you start a thread on each piece as you work on it, I’m sure folks would be glad to offer any answers to questions, or any advice on how to go about planning and execution. |
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Post by josta59 on Jun 18, 2022 12:07:42 GMT -5
Meet Zap and Flash, two more of the original Joes! I feel like I might be getting a little better at the painting.  |
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Post by Whiterook on Jun 18, 2022 17:46:22 GMT -5
Those are cool! Very nice paint work, too… yes, every miniature you paint will get better and better overall, same as model kit painting, and crafts, and artwork, and…. Well, you get the idea  This is a fascinating project, and I’m so glad you’re sharing this experience with everyone! …the best way to pay our hobby forward! |
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Post by josta59 on Jul 3, 2022 16:27:47 GMT -5
Ok, I'm particularly proud of this one. I bought a 3D-printed VAMP jeep that someone had put on Shapeways.com, thought they didn't call it a VAMP so they wouldn't get in copyright trouble. But it totally is. It has nice detail, except they didn't include the VAMP's signature twin-barrelled cannon. Understandable. So I made one, using spare parts from my two 10mm metal Humvee models! Here's the VAMP (paintjob mine) along with two unpainted, single-barreled machine guns from the two Humvees:  I broke some pieces off the guns that were in the way and then used Gorilla Glue to connect the two guns:  The new gun sat too low on the vehicle, so I broke some flat metal pieces off some spare Humvee gunners and glued them to the VAMP to create a platform. Then I glued my new gun onto that, swiveled slightly to the right. And then I painted the whole new piece black:  What a fine addition to my growing collection!  |
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Post by josta59 on Jul 4, 2022 12:28:01 GMT -5
I realized today that I could try taking a hobby knife to the sides and roof of the VAMP to cut out those areas where nothing should be. This vehicle has no doors or roof. So I took courage and gave it a try.  It went ok. I broke off a thin part of the roof that I wanted to keep, but fortunately I caught it as it broke and was able to glue it back into place. Whew! Then I put more green paint around the edges. The VAMP has no windshield either, but I had trouble getting through it with my blade. It makes sense for a vehicle like this to have a windshield anyway, so we'll just call this an upgraded version of the VAMP. Maybe later I'll try installing seats and a steering wheel, and maybe even a driver. That'll be for another time. |
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Post by mikeh on Jul 7, 2022 17:22:26 GMT -5
Good job Scott. There are times the only thing you can do in this hobby is get out the knife and start cutting.
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Post by Whiterook on Jul 17, 2022 12:25:59 GMT -5
Good job Scott. There are times the only thing you can do in this hobby is get out the knife and start cutting. Agreed! …and a good file helps, too! Check out MicroMark or Squadron… they have great hobby files. Sometimes a small hole, and then filing out works a charm. |
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Post by mikeh on Jul 17, 2022 12:59:46 GMT -5
No worry on your VAMP having a windshield, field modifications happen all the time.
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Post by josta59 on Aug 7, 2022 15:21:01 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. Em, your advice on using a dark base coat helped a lot! I still prime with light gray, but now I use black as a second base coat, and things are turning out much nicer. I'm really happy with my skill progression. My team finally has a leader, Col. Hawk! Better known as General Hawk, but in 1982 he was a colonel. And on the right is the Joes' machine gunner, Rock 'n Roll.  |
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Post by mikeh on Aug 7, 2022 22:20:33 GMT -5
Looks good. Next to learn is a wash and then dry brushing for highlight. Make em "pop"!
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This is a fascinating project, and I’m so glad you’re sharing this experience with everyone! …the best way to pay our hobby forward!