First ever scratchbuild!

[roflmaoist]

Hi guys 'n' girls,

I've not been able to do much model making of late due to work but I've been on holiday this week and have found some time to do something I've wanted to do for years - Scratchbuild a spaceship!

So, here's the wip. Sorry there aren't any early-build pictures - I didn't think the project was going to work until I slapped a coat of primer on it!

Anyway, the main structure is formed from three cups from the local icecream parlour. Originally it was going to be a huge generational spaceship but I changed it into a sort of shuttle or tug because I felt I could include more detail that way. The panelling is made from cardboard (I don't have any plastic stock/card where I am!) and the cockpit from the blister pack that my superglue came in. When the ice-cream cups are stuck together, they leave holes which let you see right through the 'engine module'. To solve this, I've made some basic engine guts out of straws so that there's something to see through the holes.

It's been really fun working with only basic equipment and materials.

I'm planning to paint it fairly brightly. I have images of Chris Foss ships in the back of my head. My main problem is finding a glue that can stick the ice-cream cups together. The plastic they're made of doesn't seem to work with superglue. I'm going to see if i can find some PVA in the local town and try that.

Let me know if anyone has any suggestions!

Sam

 

[roflmaoist]

If I might quote one of my heroes on this forum, the Nylon Gag - mmmmm primer!

 

[The Nylon Gag]

Ello Mate,

This is a nice shape buddy.

Just keep layering that detail on mate

Collect every interesting shape you see, pill pots, pens, tubes, straws

Caps are always useful.

Love the Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Primer

Take care and keep up the good work mate

Gag

 

[roflmaoist]

Hi Gag!

Thanks for the comment and advice!

I've taken it to heart and added quite a lot of stuff now. A bit of kitbashing and some found objects. Pics to follow in a bit...

 

[roflmaoist]

Here are some more pics. I've added a lot of extra detail greebly things from a steam engine kit and various other bits and bobs. It's starting to look a little more ramshackle and complicated. I'm starting to get the scratch building bug!

I'm thinking that I'm going to paint this up as some sort of Space-Lane Rescue ship - something to come and replace your malfunctioning hyperdrive...

Anyway, let me know what you think!

 

[The Nylon Gag]

Very very nice mate.

Love the grabby arms on the front.

The secret to good "greebling", in my opinion, is to give the item or assembly or paneling or whatever, a name, thing of its function and give it a name, think like the guy who designed it. Form and Function.

Keep going mate it's looking bloody smashing

Gag

 

[roflmaoist]

Right,

I've added a bit more detail and stuck the two halves together. I'm going to leave it over night and see what I think of it in the morning!

Holiday ends tomorrow but I'm definitely going to keep going for the next few days. I NEED to get some paint schemes going. I'm thinking white with red markings. I'm also going to weather it quite a bit.

I've also decided that this is a maintenance shuttle (hence the grabby arms) which is normally docked with a space station. I'm going to put on some markings that indicate this and I might see if I can make some custom decals.

Here're the latest pics:

 

[roflmaoist]

Thinking about possible paint schemes, here are a few ideas. I think I like the black with yellow stripes design.

Any opinions?

Thanks all!

 

[Quaralane]

I'm thinking the bottom one would work best with this

 

[jake]

I like the second paint scheme. Maybe with some chipping in the dark areas. Your illustration skills are excellent by the way. ;D

 

[roflmaoist]

Thanks guys! I'm torn between number 2 and the bottom two. I want to do a fair bit of weathering - oils, paint chipping, etc - and I reckon the white would show that up best. But yellow and black is much more interesting! Hmm... decisions, decisions...