Aliens APC 1:18 scale with interior

[skiffy]

A couple of small jobs got done today. I added some mesh to the engine exhaust port and painted it up. It'll get a drybrush coat of olive drab then I'll lightly sand some of to show the metal underneath.

The mesh is glued to the back panel of Gorman's console, which I'm keeping removable. That panel is very slim and prone to warping so I added a section of brass C channel at the bottom to keep it straight.



I also figured out how I can secure the gunner's position and driver's seat without gluing them in. I added small but powerful magnets to each, then securely glued two small squares of very thin steel sheet under their positions. The sheets are large enough that there's wiggle room if needed.

 

[joberg]

Love the magnet trick for the seat: good idea

 

[chazzychaz]

Forgot to add - here's a screenshot I lightened for reference.

View attachment 1297164

Those yokes look like yamaha rear end frames

 

[Searun]

You continue to do incredible work on this model.

 

[skiffy]

Thanks - the build is still on the bench. Life is getting in the way (again).

 

[skiffy]

Update.

First off, by way of explanation - family ‘stuff’ has happened, taking my focus elsewhere. Plus, A build by a guy called Szabó Gilbert came out of nowhere and hit the socials a while ago.It really took the wind out of my sails. Whilst his build is quite inaccurate it has a lot of detail / lighting and presses all the right buttons for your average fan. I was reluctant to carry on with mine.

I feel a lot more philosophical about it now and I’m ready to pick this up again.

Right, let’s get stuck in.

Started on exterior detail.

I've been thinking about how to handle these things - ECM stations (I think).

They’re going to need to be done in sheet metal if they’re to be accurate. They’re also going to have to be quite thick so that they don’t bend too easily once done.

Luckily I have a small sheet of fairly thin metal from a PC teardown that will do.

After getting dimensions from Graham Langridge’s blueprints I sketched out a 1:1 scale drawing.

Cut / bend marks were scribed in - I would have used engineer’s blue if I had any.

With my small snips I was just about able to make the cuts I needed. Excuse the unfortunate shape that resulted.

After a few more cuts I flattened out the blanks.

Then bent them up into the correct shape and did a dry fit to check size etc.

They got a coat of paint - more as a primer than a final coat, then I searched for greeblies for the elements visible in the centre - as seen in Graham’s plans.

Those done, it’s time to tidy up until the next update.

 

[yaris]

In a world of 3D printing as an option, it's very cool to see scratch building at it's best.

This is excellent work, interesting and intricate.

Great job.....!!!!

 

[joberg]

Great stuff once again skiffy

 

[skiffy]

Thank you Yaris, Joberg. Speaking of intricate - these flippin' tow shackles were a very fiddly little job.

I would have liked some thicker gauge, slightly softer wire to work with but you gets what I've got! Solder was far too soft for this job.

Of course the more I worked this wire - the harder it got to bend but we got there. Just got to do it again for the other.

And there we go. A little clean up with the dremel and they'll be ready for attachment.

 

[joberg]

Thank you Yaris, Joberg. Speaking of intricate - these flippin' tow shackles were a very fiddly little job.

I would have liked some thicker gauge, slightly softer wire to work with but you gets what I've got! Solder was far too soft for this job.

View attachment 1909537

View attachment 1909540

View attachment 1909538

Of course the more I worked this wire - the harder it got to bend but we got there. Just got to do it again for the other.

View attachment 1909539

And there we go. A little clean up with the dremel and they'll be ready for attachment.

Fiddly little pieces That's why I like Bigatures Looking good, btw!

 

[Searun]

Scratch building small fittings using rod, tubing, plate and other structural shapes from metal is time consuming but the realism shows in the finished product. Enhances the overall model detail look significantly. Nice work.

 

[skiffy]

Thanks Joberg, Searun - doing these small parts this way is actually a lot quicker than 3d modelling and printing them - and is definitely better for one-offs like these. I've been adding the last bits of 'furniture' to the roof of the APC too - more pics on those soon.

 

[skiffy]

Progress Update!

After the towing hitches were done:

.. it was time to finish off all the other roof details – and add a small strip where there was a bad fit with the cabin front. There are a couple of panels, two hand-holds, what looks like a small vent, and a cylindrical device at the front with what looks like brush-guards.

I also gave the front windscreen glass a test.

Looking to the inside, I fitted the rear cabin ceiling details: the ammo boxes that have a date with Gorman’s head, and the wonky basket full of kit.

I worked out a refined mount for the smart-gun clips – small magnets and a ‘C’ shaped metal piece to stop the gun from swivelling.

There was a wall/ceiling joint to work out above Ripley / Burke’s seats.

Lastly, I started addressing a couple of gaps in the rear swing-out hull.

Right, that’s it for now. Lots of kit packs and greeblies to be added to the interior ceilings soon.

 

[joberg]

Wow...the amount of details on that model is fantastic

 

[skiffy]

Wow...the amount of details on that model is fantastic

Thanks Joberg! I did more after this but paint is drying, glue is curing. More pics tomorrow.

 

[skiffy]

I'm going through today's pics and just had to post this one early.

PACK 'EM IN!

 

[Dean O]

That’s awesome!

 

[skiffy]

Thanks Dean O! It's been a long road but I'm nearly there.

I put that pic up on Bluesky too and got a like from Col Price - concept artist on Alien Romulus - which is super cool.

 

[Searun]

Superb photo. Scratch details beautiful and accurate.

 

[Dean O]

Thanks Dean O! It's been a long road but I'm nearly there.

I put that pic up on Bluesky too and got a like from Col Price - concept artist on Alien Romulus - which is super cool.

That is cool. BTW, I checked out that build you mentioned by Szabó Gilbert. Yes it is cool, but pales in comparison to yours.