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Post by JEFF on Apr 1, 2019 21:29:34 GMT
Man oh Man.  |
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alexb
Glue slinger 
Posts: 688 
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Post by alexb on Jul 30, 2019 21:58:35 GMT
It's been a bit since I've posted on this one.
I had picked up another BanDai Zaku kit. The plan was to try to use it and the other two as a police force. More on that implementation later. I like these kits. They are well-engineered, articulate, fit is spot-on...and they are fun little builds. Again, I know little about their setting. So I have this one, it's a Zaku 1 with a variety of heavier weapons. So I'm thinking it'll serve as a squad support troop.
The instructions are mostly Japanese but are visually driven and self-explanatory. There are alot of small pieces but the instructions do a pretty good job of pacing the build. The Zaku 1 is similar to the Zaku II but there are some differences. One thing I will say is that there were a few times I had to break out the magnifying glass to get a good look at the instructions for parts placement. It's mostly a snap-together kit so it's pretty forgiving.
Lots of parts. There are a few optional parts, mostly cosmetic to differentiate between the various Zaku variants. I went with the ones that looked better to me.
The kit has you begin with the torso. Lots of parts that accommodate the poly joints to allow the thing to move. The head was assembled and popped in to place.
Then the torso.
Arms. These are a little different from the Zaku II. The spaulding is designed a bit different which sort of throws a wrench in an idea I was going to use. No biggie though. I left the spaulding a bit loose. I plan on grinding off the spikes. I did that with the two Zaku IIs. Hands were left off for now.
Arms on, torso on waist. It's starting to take shape.
Legs. I did leave off the hoses from the thighs to the calves. I did the same with the Zaku IIs.
Legs on. I added the gatling gun and one of the other guns. I don't know what they are...maybe they are t-shirt cannons. I'll assume they are grenade launchers. The kit comes with two and a larger cannon. I want to use both grenade launchers with the gatling gun. I might have to move the ammo belt to clear the other guns. I probably will cut down the gatling gun just so it doesn't stick out so far.
  
So Zaku 1 is mostly assembled. Time to introduce him to the others. I still need to decide on a paint scheme and markings, but that will come in time.
Now, I know what you are thinking...."how is he going to use those with the Cantina?" Well, there's some changes a-brewing. Instead of focusing on the cantina interior, I'm going to cut it in half and turn them around. One half will serve as a smaller cutaway of a bar. The other will be a cutaway of a business across the street. The Zukas will be on the street, on patrol. Likewise, I've changed the backstory to move away from the vampire thing.
I've also done some work on the figures...or should I say rework. There probably won't be as much skin-tight bodysuits as before. Mainly, I didn't want them all looking the same. I'll probably show some of the figures in the next update.
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Post by Ian H. on Jul 31, 2019 12:42:36 GMT
That looks great, Alex. And a ton of parts, too!!
Regards,
Ian
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Post by Paul B on Jul 31, 2019 12:55:04 GMT
Nice Alex  , when I first read through this I was expecting the Zaku to turn into a nasty gate-crasher  |
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Jul 31, 2019 18:05:27 GMT
The Zaku kits have become a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. This project has sort of evolved to accommodate them. In short, they are The Law in these small settlements. They are cyborgs that are wired to uphold The Law with impartiality...even to a fault.
That's the basics. I still have to nail down alot of the backstory. And I have been reworking one of the figures. I think the new diorama format will work better.
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Post by Boots on Jul 31, 2019 19:11:50 GMT
I really like the idea and i also like them Zaku kits  |
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Oct 26, 2019 5:38:57 GMT
It's been a while since an update. I've shifted this build over to a SciFi-What-if-AltHistory Group Build over on Model Geek. I'm hoping that having a deadline will keep me on track.
I have made some changes. I played with the idea of changing the scene from a tavern to a spacecraft. I drew out some floorplans but it became obvous pretty quickly the size was really a huge issue. I might try it later in 1/35 scale...1/24 is just too big.
But more on the setting later. I had reworked Bgala a few times...she was a huntress, a bargirl, and amputee bargirl, etc. I shifted gears on her and changed her to a ranger type character. I basically gave her pants and hoodie. I see her as former military, discharged due to the arm. She's become a bounty-hunter. There was some attempt to make her an alien and give her long pointed ears but it looked silly with the hood. I did keep the cyborg arm, but it might be swapped out for her original.
I gave her a base coat of paint, added some kit. I'm debating on giving her camo clothing....I'm going to have to repaint the clothing due to the glossy finish. The figure comes with a robot sidekick. I wanted to make it more animal-like so I gave it a tail. There's a spike on the end, allowing it some offensive capability. As an aside, she was able to keep her bot because it is attuned to her and would be worthless to try to reassign it to someone else.
The waitress is probably the most perfect OOB fit for the build. The only issue I have about her is her tummy. It looks too smooth and normal compared to her arms and legs. I had thought about cutting out her midsection, blanking off the torso and giving her an exposed mechanical spine and actuators. I moved away from that simply it of fears of trashing what is a pretty nice figure and I do like her pose as waitress.
Right now, I might try to add some articulated detail to her tummy...or maybe convert her human/alien and rework her robotic limbs. The legs to look like riding leathers and the arms to look bare.I think bare arms would work with her tank top. The arms are what worry me. I'll have to think on that one.
The burly fellow with the armor had one of his arms modified. The original position was off. His shinguards were removed...sanded down. I may "poof-them-up" to try to make them look more like loose fitting trouser material. The idea with him is that he's a merc or recently deployed soldier. He has caught the eye of a pair of bar patrons.
The middle figure was given a base cat. There's a lot of detail on this figure. This figure is almost perfect OOB. I'm basically just going to rework his head a bit to lose the mohawk. I might give him some patches for his jacket. The idea is that he is a pilot...or something...gritty and a bit roguish. He'll be human and will be playing cards/chess/with Jacqueline at the bar.
The last figure is Kate: Status Update...another Masterbox figure. She's built basically OOB at the moment but I'm going to add some detail to her jacket. The idea with her is that she's a pilot type as well, but she's more refined and deals with a different clientele. Or, she's private security...or something. She'll probably will be human...I don't see any need to risk messing up her head adding ears and/or horns or trying to alter her face in any way.
 
So here's the big change. I took the tavern building and cut it. I turned the sections to form two buildings. This opens the scene up to include the street. The building sections will be cut to size once the exact layout is settled. I'll probably cut the tavern down from a two-story building to a high ceiling one-story building. The other building...I'm not sure what it'll be yet. If space allows, I want to fill out the street with street vendors and shop-fronts along the back-wall. The base is pretty large and probably will be reduced. It was made larger with the idea of using the Zakus patrolling the street.
An interior view of the bar. I still need to furnish it, make Felix (the robot bartender), and just flesh it out. The figure placements give a bit of an idea at where I am going with it. There's still a couple of other figures I'll probably add.
An outside view. I hate to add this shot simply because this is not what the outside will be. I'm thinking Bgala and her bot will be checking a jobs posting board for her next bounty target.
Anyway, that is where I am at at the moment.
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Post by Ian H. on Oct 26, 2019 17:05:53 GMT
Very cool, Alex. That's also a nice array of figures. This will look really cool.
Regards,
Ian
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Post by Paul B on Oct 26, 2019 18:13:22 GMT
Great stuff ALex . You're doing some fine sculpting on those figures too fella  |
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Post by Snipersmudge on Oct 27, 2019 16:00:18 GMT
Very interesting stuff mate, keep it up! |
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Nov 6, 2019 3:59:29 GMT
Quick question before I get any further in to this build.
Do you prefer the current plan...Borderlands/Sci-Fi-esque space frontier colony? Or, a more realistic super hero based group?
I liked the Watchmen movie (never seen the tv series) and I've taken an interest in The Boys series. The whole lunacy of Batman/Joker co-dependency per the Killing Joke story line. Or Superman nutting up and becoming a tyrant during the Injustice: Gods Among Us storyline (as an aside what the Superman vs. Bat Man movie was supposed to be tailored after).
The super hero has been romanticized and idealized, but what would these people really be like in a real world setting?
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Post by dukemaddog on Nov 6, 2019 21:02:01 GMT
Personally I like the Borderlands/Sci-Fi-esque space frontier colony ideas better. Zakus aside, this looks more like a crossover scene from "Firefly" and "Alita Battle Angel". I get a vibe of both shows in this scene and I love both shows immensely.
Okay, that's my vote for what it's worth.
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Nov 7, 2019 6:17:42 GMT
I'll probably stick with the sci-fi theme. I'm sort of stuck on a couple of figures on just what to do with them. They are too normal looking.
As an aside, I've never seen an episode of Firefly. I could write a book on popular tv shows I've never watched though.
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Post by dukemaddog on Nov 7, 2019 19:59:47 GMT
Well Alex, I'd say you missed out on an excellent TV series that was cancelled far too early. It is well worth picking up the DVD set if you can. It is basically a space cowboy show that is exceptionally well done. I have it and I still watch it over and over.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Nov 8, 2019 4:41:46 GMT
Back in the 90s I worked nights so I wasn't awake during prime time US television time. Same reason I've never watched much Friends, Lost, Seinfeld, X-files, etc. I use to play a lot of computer games. Lots of MMORPGs like Asheron's Call, Dark Age of Camelot, World of Warcraft, and City of Heroes. I've actually restarted playing Runescape. But yeah the Super Hero idea was as much of a satire of the genre as anything. I may save that idea for repurposing these figures. There won't be any neon spandex....and the super heroes will be just as much of a mess as the average joe...except they'll be celebs and have powers....as well as secrets. Anyway, the wait will let me have time to decide if I really want to do that idea down the road.
By the way, the second building will probably be a general store because any MMO setting needs a place for the heroes to sell all those baubles they liberate off the baddies out in the countryside. So there'll be two major MMO/PnP RPG town features...the tavern and the general store.
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Post by Ian H. on Nov 9, 2019 12:02:11 GMT
I like the Borderlands idea, Alex. More of a rustic, darker, post apocalyptic feel.
Regards,
Ian
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Post by Robbo on Nov 9, 2019 13:10:28 GMT
Interesting to see how this pans out. Great figures
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on Jan 13, 2020 16:45:45 GMT
I'm back with an overdue update. There's been a lot of trial and error to tweak the overall design. This update will focus mainly on the buidings. One of the issues I had with the diorama was its size. It was a bit large and I had even mentioned that I would probably reduce the base size.  I went with a smaller base and cut down the bar building to better fit it. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have reduced the bar as much as I did. There's still lenty of room and the layout allows a combination interior/exterior view from all four sides. The base still allows for future additions, possibly even a third cutaway building. I probably won't have time for that for this campaign, but maybe it'll get added at a later point.   This is the interior shot of the second building. This will probably be a shop of some sort. Aside from the village tavern the town shops tend to be the next priority building type in an adventure/MMO/RPG setting. This will probably be a general store/pawn shop that buys "acquired" items from adventurers and sell them supplies. There are several shops, each owned by the same corporation. The shops are networked to control prices and redistribute their inventories. Anyway, I still have to sort out the inventory, shopkeeper, etc.  I'm mainly focusing on the tavern. The initial bar was a crude mockup based on the underwhelming bar sections Masterbox included in two of the figure kits. They only sent one section per kit and they are only included in two of the figure sets so you have to buy duplicate sets to make a realistically sized bar.  I used the mock-up bar as a frame. I made it "L-shaped" within the displayed building. I lined the bar front with wood sticks just to give it a rustic look. I'm debating on "staining" the wood...probably won't.  Behind the bar you have a standalone sink, keg refridgeration, a fridge, etc. It's still a work in prgress. I figure a future bar will lean heavily on pre-packaged food and drinks. You have to have beer on tap though. Speaking of, the taps will be placed at the corner.  I don't know what they are called but I made the facade/overhead cabinets that hang over the bar. It's mostly storage and I probably will add a microwave. The nuts are just to hold it up to pose it. The facade will be mounted to the ceiling. I've got a flat section added and will be boxed in to make it all flush. I might add a support beam at the corner to help suport it.  For the ceiling I used wood strips both for decor and to add strength. The original idea was to light this. The rafter beams would help support the lights an hide the wiring. Likewise, the power source would be mounted on top of the roof, dressed as an HVAC unit. I decided against the lighting but the rafters remain. All bars need a ceiling fan. For this one, I made one from the spares. The prop is an airplane leftover. The motor is actually a wheel hub from an old 1/24 Jeep CJ. he light is a protective cap that came with a machine part. I got a pocket full of them from work and have used them in a couple of builds. You can see the flat mount space for the facade. It's boxed in. The wooden strip is essentially crown molding. It should tie-in with simular crown molding which will help support the ceiling.  One thing I noticed when working with the ceiling is the bar interior is pretty dark. That's great for a real bar, but makes veiwing a bit difficult. I thought about adding a sunroof or two. What I found after a few tests is that the sunroofs really didn't help. Enlarging the doors and windows helped alot. In this shot you can see the core of what will be a corner booth/sofa. I am debating between a conventional table/booth or a sofa with a low coffee table for a casual approach. Once I settle on that, I'll cover and pad it up. The line that runs across the top of the walls is the placement reference point for the ceiling.  The build is further along than it looks. The figures have been the big hold-up, but I'll address that probably next update. I'm trying to add more variety and I've had some issues with a couple of figures. All that said, this diorama will never really be finished. I expect to expand and add to this diorama as the ideas (and figures) present themselves....and as the theme evolves. |
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alexb
Glue slinger
Posts: 688
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Post by alexb on May 13, 2020 2:00:42 GMT
I'm ending this build. This one has just dragged on and really became a bit of a monster. I've just lost all interest in it. I'll probably repurpose some of the figures for an upcoming sci-fi/wha-if campaign over on Model Geek. The rest will be used for something different...some things in the 1/24 & 1/25 scale variety.
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Post by Paul B on May 13, 2020 7:42:48 GMT
Tis a shame Alex, but when the fun has gone it's better to quit.
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, when I first read through this I was expecting the Zaku 
