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True Scale Rhinos, Predators, Vindicators, and oh yes...Land


Machinator

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As the title hints at this is all about true scale vehicles, and a lot of them. The project is for a client who has a growing collection of true scale Space Marines but wanted vehicles of the same scale. As I had already been pondering about how to do such a project I jumped at the chance to give it a try (especially with someone else's money). So here we go....

 

First up are the Rhinos as they will be the basis for most of the army. The trick was going to be how to true scale the current kit while still making it easy to assemble. As I recently had done an Mk1 Rhino conversion kit I looked at that for inspiration and discovered the solution. Like the Mk1 kit I would use large panels on either side but these would increase the length, width, and height of the model. First up I had to cut the Rhino track sections in half:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1923.jpg

 

With the exhaust pipes cut off I designed a plate with a spacer in between that increased the length about 3/4 of an inch and added 0.25 inches to the height. A scratch built wheel was also added on the spacer. Also to keep with the Mk1 theme a round door, running board, and new exhausts were added:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1913.jpg

 

A spacer was also made for the inside of the Rhino:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1914.jpg

 

Finally the track sections were widened 0.25 inches so that the Land Raider treads can be used:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1916.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1915.jpg

 

So there's the start. Once these are finished and detailed up I will make molds of the pieces so that I can produce enough of these parts for all ten Rhino chassis.

 

The challenge after that is figuring out the mods for the rest of the body. As always, more to come....

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This is what you've been up to Tom!!!

 

Looking good so far. Is your client going for the mark 1 or current mark 2 Rhino look? You seem to have gone for your usual mark 1.5!!!!

 

Are you planning on making a truscale version of the Rhino which would fit the current Land Raider doors as well?

 

Can't wait to see more progress on the Rhino and your future Vindicator and Predator.

 

Best wishes, Brother Morgan.

 

PS I take your DA Fellblade is still on the back burner?

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This is what you've been up to Tom!!!

 

Looking good so far. Is your client going for the mark 1 or current mark 2 Rhino look? You seem to have gone for your usual mark 1.5!!!!

 

Are you planning on making a truscale version of the Rhino which would fit the current Land Raider doors as well?

 

Can't wait to see more progress on the Rhino and your future Vindicator and Predator.

 

Best wishes, Brother Morgan.

 

PS I take your DA Fellblade is still on the back burner?

 

Thanks Brother Morgan :)

 

The plan right is just a make a Mk1 variant as the true scale stuff is a bit of a niche market. That's not to say if someone asked me to make a Mk2 version that I would turn them down....

 

I've declared that October will be Fellblade Month! I have this commission and another I need to finish up then I'll be in full gear to finish the DA Fellblade, get started on the Space Wolf ones, and also get some new accessories out in my store. So stay tuned!

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  • 2 weeks later...

More updates today. The conversion bits for the tracks sections are complete and ready to be cast. Once I have those done I can assemble a set and figure out how the rest of it will go together.

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1935.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1934-1.jpg

 

Here's some pics on how it looks next to a "normal" Rhino:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1931.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1933-1.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1932.jpg

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Now -that- looks like it can carry 10 marines!

 

Well, it should look 'more able' to carry 10 marines, as the 10 marines that are going in here are also "True Scale".

 

These tanks are off to a great start, and I cannot wait to see where they end up - especially as they;ll be ending up here with me!

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Again, I don't comment on conversions very much because I think most are rather average however you ahve nailed youe expansion on your rhino and it is by no means an easy job. Replicating the inner wheel of that tank tread would have been annoying but you have done well. Very clean, very o shortcuts taken on changing the height of the vehicle either. Very good sir, cery good.

 

Regards,

Crynn

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Looks like a great start to the project. My only little nit-pick is that I would imagine the exhaust vents should both point in the same direction.

 

They will in the end. These are the masters for the right and left exhaust pipes.

 

See, now that makes too much sense for me to have thought of it :tu:

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Well today has been another busy day. Over the past week I've completed the molds for the first set of parts and got them all cast up. Today was the start of assembly so that I could start on the second set of parts.

 

As you can see the masters for the track armor sections are now done along with the front armor plate. The cast resin pieces glued onto the original kit rather nicely although some tweaking was still needed. As for things like the rear and top hatch I chose to space those with plasticard instead of remaking them. I've also decided to cast up a new set of treads as I realized the Land Raider treads were much too thick. But that will be next weeks project :cuss

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1949.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1951.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1952.jpg

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1953.jpg

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Just a short update today. I finished the molds for the front and the track section armor plates:

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1956.jpg

 

As mentioned before I decided to make a new set of tracks for this project as the Land Raider tracks were just too thick. I made them in a more traditional standard as I'll be able to use them on a future project, but they should still look good. I made six masters and should have their mold done today. Once that is complete and I have a few casts done I'll make up some longer sections to save me some time. That should be the last mold for this project :D

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab340/machinator248/IMG_1955.jpg

 

Then there's just a lot of cutting and assembly....

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