arkhunter2002 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I started out by developing my diorama idea on Google Sketch up. Initially, I looked like this: After refining it, it came to this: Then I drew scale drawings of the building, and cut out paper templates, made some adjustments, but I need advice on what type of materials I could use for the building. Any thoughts? TIA, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Cool idea, especially using SketchUp for your patterns. I'll be watching this one as I have kind of the same idea with a 1/144 Knighthawk roping a SEAL team to a Seawolf sub. For the building materials, you might want to try using plastic for-sale signs. IIRC they are usually made of sheet styrene and are a lot less expensive than buying hobby sheets. You'd probably need a frame (wood, maybe) if you went that route. Plastruct and Evergreen make patterned sheets (brick, siding, pavement, etc.) and architectural elements for use in architect's models. You might also want to consider foam-core board for the basic structure and then sheet over that for the facades of the building. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxtype Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Cool idea, especially using SketchUp for your patterns. I'll be watching this one as I have kind of the same idea with a 1/144 Knighthawk roping a SEAL team to a Seawolf sub. For the building materials, you might want to try using plastic for-sale signs. IIRC they are usually made of sheet styrene and are a lot less expensive than buying hobby sheets. You'd probably need a frame (wood, maybe) if you went that route. Plastruct and Evergreen make patterned sheets (brick, siding, pavement, etc.) and architectural elements for use in architect's models. You might also want to consider foam-core board for the basic structure and then sheet over that for the facades of the building.:) Austin,I'd agree about building it in foam core,then adding your textured sheet or however. Good idea and Good Luck! -Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 This is a cool idea as fast roping is the preferred deployment method for many heliborne operations, especially for us Police types. Following this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 I'm building it out of cellfoam or something like that, it's a sturdy styrofoam. I like it. It is loosely held together by staples (although I read that gorilla glue won't melt it, so I will give that a try) cutting it out: the structure on the roof/second story (refer to the Sketchup Drawings above if you are confused): M1114 that I got for Christmas (the radio and the turret gunner's stand thingy aren't glue down, that's why they're not lined up straight. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxtype Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Nice start,Austin..... ;) -Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
X-RAY Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Dude! I love that google art work!!! I wish I could do that kind of stuff..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avus Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Very interesting project you have there, Austin! I plan on doing something similar, but I didn't think of using a building as base, great idea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 Cellfoam cut outs are cut out, now, I just need to trim them down so that they fit nice and neat. The upper level is nearly done, with the first floor started. I need to do the windows, the front door and other details for the building (some of the visible interior) Thanks for looking! Tips/Comments/Critiques/Questions welcome. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Looking good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomcatFanatic123 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 (edited) WOW! That really looks great :o. Can't wait to see the finished product...I'll be following this one closely :)! Edited January 17, 2008 by TomcatFanatic123 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
frankycee Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 You can buy some sparay can paint that are 'textured' , so you might achieve a stony/plaster-y texture like seen in many middle-eastern-ish places. Of course I'd test to see if the paint doesnt melt the foam... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VRFlyer Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Nice work Austin ! What scale are you working in? I get the feeling it is one of the larger scales. Have you figured out how you are going to support the helicopter yet? Obviously, you will disguise the supports as the ropes, but I would be concerned about the weight of the model (depending on the scale) and the forces on the supports. I'd be very interested in how you solve this as it looks like something I might want to try myself in the future. Looking forward to more photos. Fred Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Update 17 Jan 2008 It is 1/72nd. This would be HUGE if it was 35th. The building is roughly 9" x 11" or so. I think I did a descent job at getting the feel for the stucco with wall spackle thinned with water. I sprayed it with primer, and will be seeing how good paint looks on it soon. That is my second step of the testing process. First, I start with scraps, then the second step is the top structure, and the last step is the first floor. I re-cut out the first floor walls, this time with some interior. For supporting the model, I am using steel wire. I think the coils are a tad large (but still feasibly accurate, so I am not too concerned about them) and how I'm thinking of positioning the MH-60K: The MH-60K is a in the process of being refurbished, so it doesn't look too good right now. Then the next part of the diorama. The figures. Most likely they will be rangers (due to the fact that they have a more standard dress code for combat. I will have them wearing ACU's and tan helmets, with the IOTV as the body armor.) Here are the legs of one Soldier. Except for the feet, the figure was completely sculpted by me, which is my first attempt at sculpting legs. It still needs some cleaning up and minor detailing, but I am happy with the overall shape/size. IOTV (improved outer tactical vest): Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VRFlyer Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 As for being huge in 1/35, I suspect that there are some that would attempt it anyway. Keeps looking better and better. Keep it up. Fred Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avus Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 As for being huge in 1/35, I suspect that there are some that would attempt it anyway. Who? ME? You mean something like this? Your building is looking great as is the Black Hawk and the figures, Austin! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VRFlyer Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Who? ME?You mean something like this? Your building is looking great as is the Black Hawk and the figures, Austin! Yeah, like that... I assumed the weight would be a problem as demonstrated by the dumbbell sitting on the base. Not sure how thick the rope is when fast roping, but using wire like that looks like it could be a fire pole (or a stripper's pole... if your mind is like that ... which I guess mine is) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Looking very nice there! Keep it up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MH-60L Blackhawk Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 What model are you using for the MH-60K Black Hawk...? Rick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 Testors, with modifications. -Scratchbuild internal aux. fuel tank -M134D miniguns -various antennas and sensors -replaced fuel probe with brass tubing/styrene Crew is from Hasegawa's sets, modified the poses of the figures, I cut the O2 masks so they would resemble the "Darth Vader" mic boom masks that attach to the HGU-56. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Okay, small update for today. The door, which is leaning against the wall of the building, it's really not that short. I started the interior detailing with a table. Chairs soon to come, then some other random stuff, and then details for the roof (satellite dish, chairs, bed?) Two more "vision" pics. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MH-60L Blackhawk Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 (edited) - Edited October 7, 2012 by MH-60L Blackhawk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 Actually, I just spackled the foam and painted it. The foam itself is actually stronger than balsa, and strong enough for the diorama. As for the kicked in door, I was thinking more or less the "top" down type raid, as most of the time, (I think) SF prefers to fast rope onto a building rather than next to it and kick down the door. Plus that will keep the focus and story of the diorama in one spot- SF conducting a raid on a middle-class house in the Middle East (although most of the references that I am using are from Fallujah, Baghdad, and Mosul), to capture some high-ranking terrorist. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boomstick Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I'm liking this project because I am doing something close to it. What references are you using for your building? I could use all the help I can get. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rjwood_uk Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 comming along nicely mate. another way you could fix the blackhawk up without having to use such thick wire would be to add a backdrop to your diorama (a city landscape with a lovely blue sky or something) mount tha onto some balsa or something and attach it to your base, then fom what ever angle it would not be seen most of the time, have a clear acrylic rod supporting the helo. ...if you get what i mean. just a thought Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.