Scratch build Skiff

[kat69]

Hello All.
I might of bitten off more than I can chew, but this will be my first attempt at scratch building so here goes!
I drawn up some plans for the skiff that will be scaled at 1:20. The theme will be something like Ma.k./SF3D and Junk Tank so it will be finished in cammo and weathered a fair bit.
I printed the plans and I have started to make the frame rails from styreneene rod. I am using two jet engines from a Star Wars pod racer kit and that will be exposed down the center of the skiff.
The follow sketches are showing a side, front and top view. The top view has the placement of the engines and ducts shown in dashed lines under the skin. The outer skin is in two halves and will be finished with panel lines, bolts and rivets.

Scratch build Skiff

Side View

Scratch build Skiff

Top View

I would hope to be able to re-cast them and sell some after the build, but that might be too abitious at this stage.
I'll post some more pics when I've finnished the frame.
Cross fingers, here goes.......
Scott.

p.s. Sorry if the pictures are a bit small or undefined.

[kat69]

Sorry. The top view did not show up.
Maybe I forgot to add the link.

Scratch build Skiff

Top View

[Ezechiel]

Looks interesting! The general shape reminds me a bit of the Eldar vehicles from WH40K.

[Sharkdog]

I thought this was going to be like the skiffs Jabba's people use in Star Wars

Looks interesting though!

[kat69]

I'll go and have a look at the Eldar Skiff from Warhammer. I hope I have not made a blatant rip off!
As for the skiff Jabba's people use, maybe that was a subconscious thought on my behalf. What made me come up with the design was that I was thinking about making something like Ma.k. but all of my sketches have been too complicated for a 'first build'. I was designing a hydro racing boat for a friend and this idea sprung up. Once I decided on the design I started thinking about how it flies, or hovers. I've gone the easy way out I'm afraid and I am placing a repulser lift on each corner for lift, and a jet engine down the middle. I was going to put two engines in but there is not enough space for the engines I have. It didn't look bad once I placed the jet down the middle as I can detail the engine as it is in clear site and it kind of makes sense to have the air intake right down the middle so it is not getting dirty air from under the skins. I will have to split the exhaust duct so I have twin left and right thrusters sticking out the back to steer with.
I finished making the frame last night and I have just placed the engine here it will go. I will recast the engine so I can cut it down to make it a bit shorter.
I just pulled up a picture of the Wave Serpent from WH40K and that one looks similar but I'm far enough removed to not cause problems. I'll keep looking. Nice craft on that site! Aahhh! They have antigrav units too..... I've done it again!
Here's the progress so far.

Scratch build Skiff

The page it's on is an A4 piece of paper to give you an idea of scale.
Thanks for the comments so far.
Scott.

[Grail]

Awesome. I like your direction. You are right about trying to keep it simple.
I believe often when you just freeball and don't stick to an exact design you come up with better stuff and lose the constraints.
The design always feels better in those cases to me.
What is the engi9ne from? Is it a separate part or from another kit?
I need some of those engines and I keep buying planes that don't have separate jet pieces. 
Cheers, hope to see more.

[kat69]

Hi Grail.
Thanks heaps for the comments. I keep looking at my email to see if someone has left a message! Childish I know but that's me.
The engine is from a model of Anakin's Pod Racer. I assembled the engine and made a mold of if. I did not need the whole engine as it would hang out the back so I'll use three quarters of it. I just finished recasting it it it worked perfectly so I can put the original engine back in the Pod Racer box and get on with the build.
If you want to cover the resin and postage,I'll drop some in the mail for you.
All the best,
Scott.

[kat69]

Ok. The skiff so far.
I have not had a lot of time for this one lately as the SEG 888 project has taken up most of my spare time. I sat down last night and printed the drawings for the side panels. I laid these onto some styrene and marked all of the panel lines and rivet holes with a punch. Then I joined the dots with a scribing tool and I will add the rivets later. I cut one out and sanded it back, but it still needs to be curved as shown in the front elevation drawing. I was able to take some pictures with the panel clamped to the frame.

Scratch build Skiff

Scratch build Skiff

Scratch build Skiff

Sorry about the contrast. The panel lines are lost a bit but I hope you get the idea.

[kat69]

Well, I had better resurrect this scratch build as I hate having half done jobs of the desk. I do get sidetracked but I like to get back to doing what I started.
I have fixed both of the side panels, scribed panel lines and added some nuts and bolts. One side has a bulge in the panel and the other side has a panel that has been hit in a past conflict and is locked in the open position.
I think I'll call it a 'Razor Skiff' as the shape reminds me of the old flexible blades my Dad taught me to shave with. Tonight, I will make the floor of the skiff using styrene and start adding some greeblies and plumbing. The engine position and the tubes from the engine to the jet nozzles are also on my short list.

Scratch build Skiff

Side showing bulge and overall shape.

Scratch build Skiff

Open hatch showing navigation equipment. The hatch will be covered with liquid paper to have a sand cast effect and then painted body colour.

Hopefully, more to come tomorrow.
Thanks for taking a look at my wip.
Scott.

[kat69]

Well,  I managed to squeeze in some more time to model over the weekend.
Here is the first pic.

Scratch build Skiff

You can see all of the details that will be going on under the shell once complete. I have turned a jet nozzle and used the obligatory ping pong ball for a diverter unit between the jet engine and the jet tubes. The jet tubes were made using a gas over lighter. You can also see a fuel/oxygen tank I made for it but I don't know if I'll end up using it on this build.

Scratch build Skiff

This pic is just showing some metal hand-holds and step I fixed on tonight.

Scratch build Skiff

Heres a pic if the jet engine so far. It will be plumbed up with wiring and hoses later.

So far, I have not hit any major problems so my first scratch build has been a pleasure to build. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
All the best,
Scott.

[thejurasikfrank]

That looks awesome Scott.
Did you fully scratch build the engine or is this one of Anakin's pod racer engine?
Anyway, love the detail on it ; the resistor and handles are nice additions.
I'll be following that wip for sure!
Cheers

[kat69]

Hi frank.

The engine is from Anakin's pod. I had to cut it down a bit to get it to fit in there. Glad you like the resistors and lift handles. I am in two minds as to have this in a garage with mechanics working on it or set it in a dio skimming across some sand/grass. I wanted to keep it off the ground by using some rare earth magnets to oppose the skiff from the ground. I would have to make a circle of magnets around each magnet in the skiff so it does not slide off the dio. Another thing I wanted to do was to add lights, but If I'm going to levitate it, whats the point of using magnets if Im going to have a cable running up to it. Actually, while writing this, I think I just answered my own quandary. It's going to be so close to the ground, I doubt that anyone will really notice it's levitated with magnets so I might as well put it on a stand with the cables running up..... Hang on. I could put batteries in the skiff for the lights....
It's all too hard

Thanks again for the comments Frank.

[kat69]

I got some time to mess around with the skiff again last night.
Here are some pictures so far. I have started to add some greeblies to the front. I will bring it to life with some tube and hoses next.

Scratch build Skiff

Assorted kit parts to build up some detail.

Scratch build Skiff

The parts in place with the shell in position and the co-pilot in position to show some scale.

Scratch build Skiff

Another pic of the skiff ready for hoses.

Scratch build Skiff

You might of seen this in the background of one of the previous pictures. Another project on the go.

All the best,
Scott.

[kat69]

I have been informed that this is a semi-scratch build as I am using parts of other kits, rather thank making the build from items not related to any other kit. Sorry if I have offended any 'scratch builders' out there.

[kat69]

Ok. Making some machine gun mounts today. I used two halves of a fuel cell off an aircraft kit and filled each half with resin.

Scratch build Skiff

Scratch build Skiff

Then I mounted the part under a bench drill and used a lathe bit to cut the recess out. I followed this with a smaller milling bit so I could fit the gun barrel into it.

Scratch build Skiff

The part with the barrel in place. It's not fixed yet as I will now go back and fill the recess with Mr Surfacer and sand it back.

[fil dunn]

looking great so far. looking forward to seeing this finished. that crew/pilot dude ;ooks awesome too! :)

[kat69]

Hello Fil Dunn.
Thanks very much for the comments.
I'm looking forward to seeing it finished as much as you are. Not that I'm not enjoying the build because it's been a huge amount of fun, but because I can see the finished product in my head and I can't wait to see the way it turns out.
The figure I added on there is actually a different scale to the skiff but I thought I would drop a picture in there so everyone knows why my updates are so far apart.  I was looking everywhere for a 'Halo' figure for a friend as he's a fan of Halo. I was going to buy one and set it up on a base as a surprise gift. I could not find anything so I bought a toy figure and set about posing, casting and then reshaping the joints. I had to cut away all of the hinges in the knees, elbows, neck, ankle, well everywhere. Next, I had to fill those areas with putty and re-sculpt them to look like he wearing a jumpsuit under the armour. I must admit that my cast was not a good one as I did not use my vac and pressure chamber so I made more work for myself, but it's coming together. Slowly......
Thanks again for the comments.
Scott.

[kat69]

Whoa! I just checked out your scratch build fil dunn.  That build is EPIC! For anyone who has not seen it yet, go there.... Go there now!

[thejurasikfrank]

Hey Scott,
Things are really taking shape.
I really like the end part of your gun barrel. Is that a photo etched part ?
Will your ride be a two seater like your sketch 'cause I see only one dude centered behind the engine ?
Cheers

[Grail]

I love this! Looking great man!