This project is a follow up to the Aliens egg-dropship. Also a caricature of a movie vehicle. After a few concept sketches, one was chosen. From there, a quick volume-study mock up was created. This is only a guide and can change if the client desires.

What the vehicle looked like in the movie, ‘Aliens’;

 

My concept sketches…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paper mock up…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, the basic size/volume of the subject has been approved. I use the profile that was picked for the style guide as a template for profiles and shapes guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I create two profile panels, L&R, and assemble them as a box. With additional cross-bracing, it is very sturdy and square. I can now start adding the styrene walls that will be body panels, wheel wells, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the top panels are in place, I can start to work on the side walls, which will be separate pieces. Because of the distorted nature of this vehicle, I used the ‘plank-on-frame’ method of constructing the sides. This will allow me to get a wall-thicknes part and accommodate the complex curves and the wheel well walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I created the frames by bending them cold, no heat. ( Heat would distort the flat sheet with out control ) Once bent and shaped they were held in place with small stops that are welded to the side walls. This will ensure they will not return to their original flat shape until I get the planks in place.

To add the planks, also bent without using heat to prevent distortion, I glued them in place one at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The planks in progress, there is a loose one that has been bent to shape, ready to glue in place. Once the planks have completed a side, they are shaped and sanded smooth. Only minor filling is needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The process is similar on the left side. There are a couple of recessed areas on the left side that were created by layering the planking. Pencil lines indicate detail ares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both sides are just about completed, now onto the sections just forward of the front tires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well its been a while, but lost to show, lots of progress! The pattern is complete, but let me show some of the steps that lead up to the completed pattern.

What really gives this model its character is the design of the wheels & tires. Taking inspiration for typical hot rod caricatures, the wheels are at an exaggerated elliptical shape, to simulate movement at high speed. I created one front tire and one rear tire to used for both left and right sides of the vehicle. The front wheels re also shown as if making a right turn, as represented by the card stock mock-up. There is also sculpted smoke that will be added to complete the caricature of this vehicle.

This series of images shows many of the components completed, needing final details or a coat of primer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main turret, which rides on rails, is a component that has to be exaggerated, just like the rest of the vehicle. I think you could say that has been accomplished…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These next images show the different vents or grills that are on the vehicle;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets get to the finished master already!!

Parts over-view;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note in these images the ‘smoke’ from the ‘burn-out’ from all four wheels has been sculpted as separate parts. Along with the tires at their oval shape, it really gives the impression of movement. This pattern turned out better that I had envisioned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point, I have to give credit where credit is due. My inspiration and visual guide for the tires/wheels/smoke and oval shape come from Mr. George Trosley. It has been my great pleasure to know Mr. Trosley for many years, and he even gave me my first art lesson  when I was about 14 yrs old on how to draw wheels and tires!! You may know him from illustrating ‘CARtoons’ and cartoons for other publications.

Anything look familiar?…….( so cool!)

 

Anywho, on with the finished pattern…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a fun pattern to make, especially since I designed it myself. Not sure of a release date, but it won’t be too long.