Raid on Port Corinth

[Klaus not Santa]

Well, now that "The Prototype" is completed - http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/p/the-prototype.html
- and being voted on at CMoN - http://www.coolminiornot.com/357425 - I was looking for the next project.
I should continue with POLLUX and CASTOR - http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2014/03/pollux-and-castor-9.html - as this was the last project before "The Prototype", but sparked by a comment from Colonel Jacka

Mind you Klaus has done some beauties I particularly liked the Patrol Boat diorama.

my interest in the Raid on Port Corinth diorama - http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2013/05/raid-on-port-corinth-4.html - was rekindled.

Upon looking at what I have so far, I realized that the diorama has not the best of all compositions. The THALASSA patrol boat is actually blocking most of the action happening on land.


So I decided to separate the two.
Make a diorama with just the THALASSA - in action, on a lava lake, and maybe firing off a torpedo (or surface skimming missile), with the crew doing some action on deck.


Looking at the harbor scene I was thinking about adding a surfaced submarine, from which the troopers landed and conducted their raid.
The submarine would be low enough not to block the actual action.


But a submarine couldn't realistically come that close while under water (well, under lava). So I browsed through my idea backlog and ran into some sketches and images of an amphibious landing.
Wow!
Why not add a Amtrac/AAV-7 style vehicle, from which the trooper landed?
Cool idea

And as I started to design such an Amphibious Attack Vehicle I looked at the PONOS - http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2012/09/orkalypse-now-hq-images.html -
And a big fat grin spread on my face
How about a PONOS that delivers the troopers?

Well, not like this, but half submerged?


With this I pulled my old notes, sketches and plans and found a set of plans for a slightly smaller PONOS version.
With this plan I could even fit two submerged PONOS' on the scene - one an Engineer Support Vehicle maybe?


With the plans I was able to quickly cut the basic pieces and put them together.


I even got the basic roof with hatches done


And here is a scale shot in comparison to the original PONOS - about 5cm shorter and 2-3 cm narrower.


So, what do you think?
I look forward to your suggestions and comments.
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Quaralane]

Some good ideas there

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Thank you Quaralane!

Hi all,
so my first task was to find the proper position and "stance" of the amphibious vehicles.
The first PONOS is to be close to the steps and maybe even a bit of "bobbing on the waves".


With the sides properly built up to simulate the bobbing, I had to apply some putty (not the last time you'll read this today) to cover some of my errors.


But after sanding the hull looks rather nice.


In addition I added some structure to the lava around the two PONOS'


For the second PONOS I decided to create a "support version" with a obstacle breaching gun - or or short, stubby howitzer. For this I covered a part of the passenger hatches to provide a base for the turret.


The first PONOS received an open weapons station, with a twin Bolter, some armor and a mounted rocket launcher.

The launcher is in a stand-by position that hopefully makes sense.....

For the howitzer turret I started with the turret base and a smaller roof shape.


To build the turret up I glued some 1cm high spacers onto the base,


and then mounted the roof.


With the roof in position I could then add the sides.


Needs putty though


But I think it is a nice shape, isn' it?


On the PONOS


The first raw gun...


and the final, more detailed gun.


Including some more turret details such as sights and sensors.


Both PONOS' on the base.


To bring some more action to the scene I decided to add a Medic that is jumping from the left PONOS to the steps, to attend the wounded trooper I already have.
For this I used the new Mad Robot flak vest torso and fatigue legs, plus standard IG arms.

He will carry a medic bag, and maybe some more accessories.

Finally I added some storage containers to the vehicles.


Now I will have to add a lot of details, like view-ports, hatches, lights, sensors, and RIVETS!
I hope you like today's update and look forward to your feedback.
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Hi all,
...
First I added the exhausts.
I kept them relatively simple, as I have to adjust the lava around it too. But at least I gave them some flaps to keep water (and lava) out.


Next part of detailing were the large hatches on the side.


Mounted they look pretty neat.


The hatches for the crew compartment and lids for the storage containers were next.


I also had the idea of a soldier standing in one of the hatches and providing fire support.
For this I used the Mad Robot Flak Vest Torso, M60 gunner arms, a set of fatigue legs, and a CDF head.


For the proper leg position I had to do some cutting


And after some greenstuffing and detailing with accessories the guy looks really good.


I'm quite pleased.


That's it for today
I hope you like today's update.
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Jqaprilia4601]

Looking realy nice here Klaus!!! Love the way your head works on this stuff!!! ;D

 

[Grendels]

Good scratch work and the lava is great!

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Thank you guys!


Malevengion wrote:

Looks good so far! It seems to me that the men would get cooked and/ or asphyxiated in the environment. I'm not sure what would be needed though. Maybe masks for the soldiers or some sort of refrigerant blaster to make the assault survivable?

You're right about the heat and air in this lava scenario. You may recall from the original build, that all the troopers have respirators (though they don't wear them, but they have them on their shoulder). In addition I'm adding some emitters for a force field that will protect the vehicle, as well as some extra exhausts for the additional ventilation and "air conditioning".
I'm pretty sure in the 40th century there will be some technology to cover that

Well, first I want to show you the contents of a care packet I received last week from Tim aka Eyescream.
A very generous gift with lots of brand new goodies!


One of the highlights is this little toilet bowl

From what Eyescream remembered, he got on a Bit Con, but it is available via Black Cat Bases http://blackcatbases.com/index.php?main_pa...=toilet&x=0&y=0


Since the last update I added the vision ports for the sides of the passenger compartment


as well as the vision ports for the crew - what used to be the windshield on the standard PONOS.


Next were the lights for the front


and rear


Giving it the typical PONOS look


Then some more details like the smoke dischargers


and the searchlights.


Finally I added some indicators/emitters for the force field -needed to get everyone safely through the lava

Not sure if I'll add an effect here or how I will show that theses are the Force Field emitters....

Then I created some ventilation outlets for the rear of the passenger compartment.



I think they look OK on the vehicles


And finally I applied all the rivets on the first PONOS - Eyescream pattern


So what do you think of today's update?
I look forward to your C&C and suggestions.
Cheers
klaus

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Hi all,
since the last update I had to complete the rivets of the 2nd PONOS.
Which in return completed the actual building phase of the diorama.


But what I definitely wanted to add was a firing effect for the PONOS' howitzer.
So I started with the base from plastic card and rod...


and then started to add Pro Create.


While this first batch of PC cured I sculpted the muzzle flash for the gunner - lets call him Rambo, shall we?


Additionally I decided to give the Medic a new head - one of the new heads thanks to Tim.


After the first batch of PC was cured I added more around the "fire ring"


as the effect I'm using as a pattern is kind of like this:


On the model it already starts to look good.


Rambo with his muzzle flash


Here you can see the underside of the fire ring for the howitzer effect.



And after another round of curing I finalized the fire effect.


I think this will look pretty cool in the scene.


And since today is all about effects, I also looked into the Force Field I want to represent.
So I looked at the stash of clear plastic material I have available...


And this is a first test.


I'm aiming at a hexagonal layout with the hex grid being clearly visible, and the "inside" of each hex being sprayed with an airbrush.
Satisfied with the initial layout I created the first force field and painted the hex-grid onto it (using Ice Blue and a second thinner line of a 50:50 mix white and Ice Blue)


And this is how it will be positioned around the PONOS.


Now imagine all the other stuff painted and the inside of the hexes "glowing" in a light blue....


I hope this will look as good as I am imagining it right now.
What do you think?
Will this work?
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Grendels]

It is going to look good, just keep at it!

 

[Quaralane]

Excellent stuff here, was fun just catching up on this one

 

[Tailor]

Große Klasse!

 

[Primen]

Very creative.

I love to see people scratch building original SF stuff.

And you're modeling things I've never seen anyone attempt before. Very nice.

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Very creative.

I love to see people scratch building original SF stuff.

And you're modeling things I've never seen anyone attempt before. Very nice.

Thank you guys!


Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay in updates, but my shoulder is acting up again ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impingement_syndrome ) and an operation seems to become more and more probable.

Nevertheless, I have a nice update for you.
As you may recall I was last working on creating a force field effect. Using clear plastic card and a hex pattern I came up with this:



Even though it's not sooooo bad looking I have to admit it's not what I envisioned.


So I decided to go without the effect - I reworked the structure of the "lava" and prepared everything for priming.


The desk reading for painting


I started with the port area, painting the stones, pipes and containers and boxes.


Without the force field I would have a lot of discussions about the vehicles swimming through lava.
So I decided to try something new.
Lets go for some green liquid - almost like chemical waste.


After the base color I added lighter shades of green


Looks like a rather "pleasant" swimming pool, doesn't it?


Satisfied with the water and the base colors for the harbour, I started to highlight the areas that will be affected by OSL - just a simple light white drybrush.


And then I started with the vehicles, using the standard Dencara Tiger Flash pattern ( http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/p/dencara-paint-schemes.html )


To harmonize the vehicles with the water, I added some "scorch marks" to the paint job.


And since the liquid may be corrosive, I added some blank metal.


Finally I added first details to the vehicles.


Still a rather long way to go.
I hope you like today's update.
Cheers
klaus

 

[The Chaos]

Awesome 8)

 

[Quaralane]

Excellent update.
Sorry to hear about the shoulder problems

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Hi all,
Thank you for your comments and feedback here and in the other forums - especially on the force field. Yeah, if I would've planned it earlier I probaly could've managed something spectacular, but it was a rather on-the-fly creation based on some of the early feedback, with regards to lava, heat, asphyxation etc
But I also hear that the chemical waste idea is rather "approved"
Thanks Mates!

Well, the shoulder is keeping me rather busy with doctors visits, physio-therapy twice a week, and the pain gifts me with sleepless nights to boot.
So my updates are considerably slower than my usual pace.

Well, as chrisb pointed out, I had the corrosion line on the listing vehicle wrong, as it needs to be aligned to the hull line, not the waterline - thanks for pointing it out, I completely missed it


Once this was fixed I gave the vehicles their names
Tito and Tarantula


I also added some unit and vehicle markings.


And then started weathering.


Part is brush painted, part is sponge-applied.



Ready for pigments


Here are the pigments applied and the spirit still wet.


Pigments in the dried state.


And with a coat of matte varnish.


Next I prepared for the illumination effects, by applying a first light white dry-brush.


And then the first colored light with the airbrush.


The howitzers muzzle flash together with the illumination effect


Not quite there yet.


Sorry for the blurry image.


Some of the light effects closer up.


And the final effect for the howitzer

Me likes

And last-not-least the Rambo in the rear hatch got his illumination effect.


This pretty much concluded the painting stage for the vehicles and the terrain. Next is the Infantry.
As I was prepping the troopers I realized the Gunner lost his head...quite literally


Digging through my heads box, I selected another Mad Robots head


And finally I applied a first coat of Terracotta base color.


Well, this is as far as I got over the last 2 weeks.
I hope the update was worth the wait
I look forward to your C&C.
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Quaralane]

Nice update, Klaus.
Definitely showing your work

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Hey guys!
just a short update.
I'm still alive.
I had my shoulder operation and am recovering rather well.
I even started on a piece for a Halloween contest, but my shoulder isn't well enough for real painting.

So instead I did some clay sculpting :lol:
Maybe you want to look at it :

http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2014/10/finally.html
Cheers
Klaus

 

[Bouq]

Take care Klaus. We'll be there when you're back.

Nylon Gag, then Klaus, is there a curse on SMA mates?