EREBUS and ALALA (10)

Hi all,

thank you for the feedback, comments and suggestions!

Since the last update I added metal grilles to the storage compartments.

 

And as some of you pointed out, I forgot to add footing to the ramp. So I added these plastic strips.

 

With the updated ramp and storage grilles it is pretty much done :)

 

So it was time to look at the actual scene.

My intention is to do another painted background to give the scene more depth

 

And to make it more interesting I also added some height to it.

 

The scene will be an observation post on a ridge line over a valley

 

I think this will look pretty cool....hopefully

 

To flesh out the observation post I added two walls - one looking like regular masonry and one like pored concrete

 

Even though the vehicles will obscure most of the walls

 

The actual observation post will be a simple two story pillbox with some sensors and stuff on the roof

With a whole load of plaster :)

I think this gives the scene quite some depth

 

 

Here's a quick photoshop preview of what I imagine...

 

So what do you think?
Cheers

Klaus

EREBUS and ALALA (9)

Hi all,

thank you all for the feedback and comments.

Some of you have pointed out, that the low reaching side doors are a hazard - especially in an armored assault, where the ALALA would potentially still be rolling and the doors already open for exiting troops.

Even though from the layout the main troop exit would be the rear ramp and the side doors are more for the gunner, commander and driver I do see the point, so...

"It's only a little cut" the doctor said :D

Actually I do like the new look of the door

Once the doors were done I added access panels to the storage compartments

and the headlights.

That evening I also added the rear and secondary lights.

The next evening I added sights and sensors

Including a sight for the driver in case the armor shutters are closed

Rear sights

Antennae - they are not glued in place yet, that's why they are a bit wobbly

I also added a bunch of small hooks and tie-downs

The sides of the nose also received ornaments (parchment style)

Ready for rivets!

And the final images with rivets

I like to call it done

 

Though I will add packs and accessories

once it is in the scene and the troopers are with it.

Speaking of the scene

This is pretty much the set up I have in mind for the scene

I think they look good together.

What do you think?
Cheers

Klaus

EREBUS and ALALA (8)

Hi all,

beware of a 40 images update :)

I hope you are all fine and are now back into a normal working pattern and you're all OK.

I used my last vacation days as much as possible, so this is a rather big update.

Continuing from the last update I mounted the last rear wheel and then started to mount the front wheels

 

As mentioned I needed to build a different mount to allow steering.

 

My solution is relatively crude and simple

 

but it works :)

 

And so the ALALA is now wheeled

 

and ready for completion.

 

To protect the front axle I added another armor plate

 

Next was then the first side door

In the diorama it will be open

so I added steps to it

and made sure it can still be closed.

Then I added a frame around it

and repeated everything on the other side.

With the side doors completed I started the rear ramp

This will also be open in the diorama.

The following evening I sanded the doors and frames.

For the drivers cabin I had to include the windows

I'm not sure if it will ever be visible that there is clear plastic...especially after adding the armor shutters.

Since I didn't really fancy the large armor plate for the front, I replaced the steering protection with a smaller armor plate

I think this looks better now

Even though the ALALA has large storage compartments on the inside, I still added storage racks to the outside

They just add a bit more flavor - especially once equipment will be stored in them

The following evening I began to build the armament for the ALALA.
Instead of a MG it will be armed with a Automatic Grenade launcher (AGL), like the US Mk19.
The mount is a bit stronger than for the MG

Since some of you were asking for more build images when I did the MG, here are some images of the AGL build.

First I glued some sheets of plastic card together (5x15mm)

For the barrel I wanted to have a muzzle break, and since the next bigger piece of pipe would be to thick, I wrapped a thin strip of .25mm plastic card around it.

Just 2 or 3 layers are enough

and for decoration another, thinner strip

Barrel and muzzle break

 

Once the sheets for the base block were cured I sanded them down to a nice solid block

 

and started to add some details

 

and built an ammo box for the grenades

 

together with a mount

 

 Fits nicely to the ALALA

It still needs the handle/trigger section, but that will most likely come with the gunner/trooper manning it.

Compared to the MG you can see the larger ammo box and thicker barrel

Finally it received a sight.

The following evening I added the locks for the troop hatches

 

and started to build the headlights

 

The gunners position got its hatch

 

and the side doors got handles and openers

And this is as far as I got :)

I hope you like the update and look forward to your feedback, comments and suggestions.

Cheers

Klaus