Interest 'The Fifth Element' ZORG Industries ZF1 - Kit interest (Metal frame, metal & printed components, electronic movements and lighting effects)

[JakeySnakey630]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I’m getting there slowly but surely! Second batch kits and assembled props should be quicker.

I’ll be posting up a general painting guide (which I’m hoping others can add to) soon once I’ve completed the first batch of assembled ZF1s. People will be free to use or ignore this as they see fit!

I generally use RAL colours as I can get these mixed by a local automotive paint supplier and they have hundreds of colour swatches so the matches are generally very close and it’s better for spraying large areas/quantities. I will post these when I’m finished as I’m still doing colour testing on certain parts.

 

[docholl]

All I can say is WOW!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Lots of parts lots of prep.

With enough primer and sanding you can even get the FDM printed parts looking like machined aluminium!

These are the iconic resin cast rocket rings..

I’m happy with the colour match I got on this. It’s very close to my original ZF1, which I thought was very close to the Propstore example.

It’s not quite a gold, as it has a green/yellow tint. I would use a silver base colour next time however.

I can now use this colour to paint the pistons and aluminium side arm screws too.

 

[MandoJedi]

Dang, those are looking mighty nice!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Progress marches on..

All control boards have been installed and servos and switches wired in as well as the horizontal frames installed.

Rocket and main barrel components all assembled. Barrel rings are machined and polished aluminium..

I’ll stick the decals to them tomorrow!

Getting there! Hope to have the dart launchers assembled and installed tomorrow, along with testing and trimming of the servos. Then it’s final instal of pointy weapon bits and shell spraying!

Thanks for looking!

Jake

 

[MandoJedi]

This must be what the Zorg Industries factory must look like!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

I sprayed pistons today.

And got them installed…

Main barrel looks good!

More to come tomorrow!

Thanks everyone!

 

[MacOutpost31]

Wow, they look fantastic. Great work

 

[KillerofSaints]

I sprayed pistons today.

View attachment 1562191

And got them installed…

View attachment 1562192

Main barrel looks good!

View attachment 1562193

More to come tomorrow!

Thanks everyone!

Cant wait!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Today I managed to get one of the ZF1s wired up and tested. Works great! Got the dart launcher covers painted too..

Sprayed these black, silver, clear coat, RAL 5005 (signal blue). Then scratched the blue back with a scalpel.

Picture to show how I manage the cables. Note: there is a clip for the scope power loom you can use to keep the cable out of the way of the shell mounting bracket.

The water decals are fantastic quality with a very thin backing. You cut these out, place them on the surface of water for 3 minutes then carefully slide the graphics off and straight onto the surface. Use cotton buds/Qtips or a rag to dry them and make sure they do not slip.

Got a picture with a primered shell on..

Need to get the other four up to this stage next. Then it’s painting the icer assembly blue and the flamer assembly brass, then painting the shell then final touches then finished!!

Thanks for looking chaps.

 

[Generalurko]

"At Zorg Industries, our manufacturing facilities are second to none."

 

[Jordicus]

Wow JakeySnakey630 , just.......... wow. Even your scalpel work is on point. Looks fantastic!

 

[ehandber]

As soon as I figure out where to send my paypal payment I’m buying one of the deluxe ones! I’m so excited - I’ve been showing this build to people around my work and everyone is floored! Tremendous.

 

[JakeySnakey630]

8 X dart launchers assembled and installed, all the electronics connected, powered up and servo positions turned and tested today across all five units.

I’m loving building these. You would think after 15+ ZF1 builds I’d be sick of them but I’m not! Already looking forward to getting started on the second batch!

Thanks for looking everyone and thanks again for your ongoing enthusiasm and support for this project.

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Bit of weathering today..

Obviously I have to make these resin parts look like aluminium so I’m using the same technique as before.. blue over silver over black base coat. The round parts are then lightly sanded in my lathe with 800 wet and dry, angled parts are lightly chipped with scalpel and rubbed with scotch brite.

Got the icer parts installed and barrel ends finished too.

Just flamer parts left now and then shell painting!

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

Very interested in your shell painting technique - keep up the good work!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Brass parts sprayed and installed. Flame igniter parts prepped too.

Back to shell sanding and prep. Aiming to have 3 finished ZF1s by Monday.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Jordicus]

Works. Of. Art. Looking fantastic, my good man!

 

[JakeySnakey630]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to have the painting finished by today, however I ran out of paint thinner after spraying the tan base coat. Rest assured these should be finished within 2 weeks. Thank you SO MUCH for your patience.

 

[Mr. THX]

Interested