![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10.10.2006 \u00c2\u00bb Concepts \/ Intro<\/p>\n
I had wanted to do an Academy\/MRC
\n1\/35 AH-1W Cobra as a practice project for eventually
\ndoing a 1\/35 Hind from Trumpeter. So I ordered
\nthe Cobra and a Verlinden update set for it through
\nthe IPMS chapter “store”. Well the sci-fi
\nbug bit me of course so instead of doing it “realistic”
\nas I originally intended, I decided to do it with
\nan anti-gravity unit instead of the props. I’ll
\nbe making a futuristic diorama of sorts from this
\nwith a bunch of various figures modified to look
\nlike a heavily armed assault force. Color-wise
\nI’ve been considering painting this in light grays,
\ngreens and tans in a frozen grassland setting.<\/p>\n
10.10.2006 \u00c2\u00bb First Images<\/p>\n
Here’s a few images of the Anti-Gravity
\nPod (AGP) and where it would sit above the chopper.
\nIt was made from Styrene tubes with thin sheet
\ncovering them to get an upside down and rounded
\nteardrop shape. The rounded ends are sanded down
\nBondo Premium Automotive Filler Putty. Currently
\nI’m doing clean-up and scribing panel lines to
\nmatch the Cobra. I need to either figure out really
\nsmall raised rivets or just drill small holes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
10.10.2006 \u00c2\u00bb Inspiration<\/p>\n
DOH! I was in such a hurry to post up the in-prog
\npice that I forgot to post up my inspiration. I actually didn’t
\nlook at these images for months so I forgot how big their
\n“booms” were on top of the craft. I’m more than
\nhappy with the size of my boom. (heh) But here’s some pics.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/M66-01.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/M66-02.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/M66-03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
10.12.2006 \u00c2\u00bb Mount and Rivets<\/p>\n
The thing I hate about scratch-building is that
\nyou spend so much time on the same parts that it feels like
\nyou’re not accomplishing much. But the progress is coming
\nalong. The AG Pod is almost done with just a little clean-up
\non the ends needed. I’ve nearly finished the mount between
\nthe Cobra and the AGP. I used M10 tank parts coupled with
\nvarious leftover Gundam bits. This unit attaches to the AGP
\nvia 2 pins and 2 screws and when done this will be epoxied
\nto the AGP. The lower portion of the mount is a wood-screw
\nwhich has been epoxied on. This will screw (with epoxy)into
\nsome wood that will be secured inside the Cobra hull. I want
\nto make sure that once this thing is on, it STAYS on. I still
\nhave a little detail to add.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
I also started on the thousands of rivets needed
\nto make the AGP match the Cobra hull. I decided to use the
\ncontents of an old Britta water filter for rivets. The contents
\nconsist of charcoal bits mixed with bazillions of tiny plastic
\nspheres. Perfect for small rivets! Basically you drill teeny
\nholes and insert the balls into them. Then add a drop of liquid
\nglue to each to secure. See pics below. I also added Chaff
\ndispensors (those “holes” on the rear of the AGP.)
\nand mounts for the beacon lights made from Kotobukiya small
\nround vernier. The blue arrows are for my reference and show
\nan “oops”. I pushed too hard with the pin vice and
\npunched a gouge in the AGP hull. I’ll cover it with a detail
\npanel later. Stupid blue marker seeps through the primer,
\nbut thankfully not paint.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-06.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-07.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
10.16.2006 \u00c2\u00bb Rivets are DONE!<\/p>\n
This past Saturday my local IPMS had a modeling
\nretreat where we all got together and worked on models. Much
\nfun has had by all. Even me who toiled away adding rivets
\nto my AG pod. They’re done though and look great! I also decided
\nto use parts of the engine booms and cut-stubs of the wings
\nof a 1\/48 scale P-38 for bulking out the sides of this craft.
\nSince they’re already riveted, not much extra work needs done
\nwith more rivets. YAY! Here’s a brief pic before gluing everything
\ntogether.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-08.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-09.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.fichtenfoo.com\/images\/prog-AH1W\/AGUnit-10jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n