scratch building

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Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Tried my hands at making a few dogs for a "Mine Dog" scenario I was thinking of. I need to get smaller files as the details are rough (3 foot rule again). Hopefully some one will make canines one of these days. Couldn't find any in Z Scale :( .

I glued the picture in the background on 1mm sheet plastic and trimmed / filed. Couldn't really find any color pictures of dogs with Russian troops so I made due. (Yeah, the one on the back right looks like a small bear, its better though . . . at first it looked like a pig! :lol: )

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These will also be good for using in Middle East missions.

Cris

Gompel
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Post by Gompel »

Hahaha, dogs... Never seen any in this scale before.
The 3 minis in the front sure look like dogs to me :D
Well done!
What's next? Bat bombs? :lol:

HKurban
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Post by HKurban »

Modify a few into anti-tank dogs.
Its a sniper rifle, not a "sniper"! You don't call an assault rifle an "assault"!

First Command Master Gunnery Staff Sergeant Major First Class of the Army (1CMGSSMFCOTA, E-25)

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Already started getting ready for the second try on the dogs. Getting a fine blade jeweler's saw tomorrow.

Now . . . for the bats. Hmmm . . . Mexican free-tailed bat. 3.5 inches long, wing span of 12-14 inches, wing about 2.25 inches at the base . . . roughly 0.3mm long, 1.1mm wingspan, and 0.2mm wing base. Have rod for body, thin plastic, and just need piano wire. Won't have ears or a nose, but is do-able. (Yeah, I was thinking of trying before posting the dogs.)

Don't even think about Hummingbirds!!!! :shock:

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Here's generation 2 with tails. 2 converted to mine dogs. As we know the camera has no mercy, they do look better a foot or two away :roll: . Just have to wait until some one makes them (checking into ZZ scale / 1:300 trains for vehicles or animals. I'll pass on any info I find).

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As for the bats . . . I surrender. I tried a few, but they wound up looking like those small "v" shapes they use in pictures for birds. :( . So if I need to make anything smaller I'll use plan "B" which is to glue a picture to some sheet styrene and make a stand up counter.

Cris

HKurban
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Post by HKurban »

The Walther Z scale people kit has 1 sheep dog and about 6-8 sheep.
Its a sniper rifle, not a "sniper"! You don't call an assault rifle an "assault"!

First Command Master Gunnery Staff Sergeant Major First Class of the Army (1CMGSSMFCOTA, E-25)

Gompel
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Post by Gompel »

Omg, you really tried to make bats... :o
I thought it was a joke.

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Yeah, with Halloween coming up I thought I would give it a try :) .

Right now I'm going back to making a few terrain boards I've been putting off. I've been going through the different threads (especially this one, Vietnam, and "Show us yer stuff!") from their beginnings for ideas. Lots of fantastic work!

Cris

6mmwargaming
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Post by 6mmwargaming »

Those dogs look great but you are crazy! :D :D

Cheers
kieran

opsctr
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Post by opsctr »

Great dogs!!!!!!!

Someone makes them commercially in "Z" scale though I haven't seen them for years I suspect they are around somewhere. I'll keep looking on the net.

We use them in training scenarios... Will

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Last edited by opsctr on Fri Nov 04, 2011 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
"The three most important words when trying to make a decision are: communications, communications, communications, ...in that order" MGen BG Hollingsworth USMC (retired)

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Thanks for the kind words.

And thanks HKurban and opsctr for the information about the models. I've scoured the net looking and haven't found anything. The sheep and dog has promise, just have to work it into my budget. Then again, roaming herds of sheep on a battle field might be interesting :) .

Starting a new project and if anyone wants I'll post pictures when I'm done. Researching the Haunebu and debating on what to use to build them. I'm leaning toward layering sheets of thick board and then putty and sand. The Model 1 will be 88mm in diameter. Model 4 weighs in at 421mm. There is a company in the UK that makes the first 2 in resin, I just haven't tried ordering anything from out of the US.

Before anyone says anything, I know they're fiction, but that hasn't stopped me yet :) . Besides, gotta have something to chase off those B-29s that want to bomb my Ratte! :lol:

Cris

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Sorry, double post.

Cris

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Just posting this thinking it might help some one. First let me say this is a project of pure curiosity. I will probably try this on making bunkers when I get the chance.

Okay, first I sized a picture I found on the internet, glued the cut out to 1mm sheet plastic, and trimmed it to form a "scrapper" of sorts.

Then I went to the local hobby shop, that also frames pictures, and bought their scrap matt board. I wound up with a large grocery bag for about $5.00. Great stuff, cuts easily with a hobby knife (I used trauma shears for the larger circles). Used regular white glue and a small 10 pound weight to keep it from warping.

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Next I used DAP Spackling Paste and shaped it. It took about 3 coats due to the shrinking. The matt board did swell slightly, but it returned to shape as the plaster dried.

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Sweet thing about the paste is that it can be "sanded" using your finger or a regular nail file. I used enamel spray paint for 2 coats to seal the model. It ended up being pretty tough, but I haven't dropped it on a hard surface yet :) .

Here's the first two (now working on Haunebu 3. It's about 25cm in diameter). Not satisfied with the camouflage. Might just repaint to gray. Need to get a decal sheet on my next GHQ order.

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Off topic. I remember a thread discussing storage of our armies and this is what I've done after visiting the local hardware outlet. Used heavy duty shelf glides and plywood covered with black cloth (hides the dust :D ) I need to add about 4 more shelves one of these days. Sorry about the focus, but its good enough for a general idea.

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RedLeif
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Post by RedLeif »

Thanks for this intriguing model subject Nazgul. I'd never heard of the Haunebu craft. So I followed the lead to greyfalcon's site. What a trip. I thought it was some sort of alternate history site when I landed on the Haunebu pages. The imagination, inspiration and creativity that the flourishes in the minds of mankind is one of the joys of living.

btw, very cool storage system for your nice collection

Thanks
redleif

Nazgul
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Post by Nazgul »

Yeah, the Haunebu subject is interesting. There are a lot of "photoshop" pictures out there and that makes it some what difficult to tell if they really existed, but like I tell my friends: "Until the jet flew no one believed you could fly without a propeller". I'm just doing these to see how big they were and to see if I can do it.

I've been working what I need to attempt to make a Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache. The outrigging has proven to be a real bugger. I can't Photoetch and styrene rods are too delicate. Currently looking into copper or steel wire to solder and make them. Any suggestions will be much appreciated :) . If I can pull it off I might attempt the others.

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I have a habit of making most things in 3's. Several of these along with armed versions of the Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri would make an impressive air assault. Luftwaffe 47 anyone? :D

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