EP1 Battle Tank (Large Scale build)

[modman06]

I started on another EP1 battle tank. Im building this one using a mix of blue foam and urethane foam. heres a few pics of the drawings im using with the ertl model to give you and idea on the scale. i will have more pics coming soon of the bottom of the tank. i will be bonding the foam later today. so heres what i got so far.

AL

[JohnLogan]

Alright AL;
Looking like a good start. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
- John :D:

[Apophis]

WoW! that is big!

[Kuhn Global]

I started on another EP1 battle tank. Im building this one using a mix of blue foam and urethane foam. heres a few pics of the drawings im using with the ertl model to give you and idea on the scale. i will have more pics coming soon of the bottom of the tank. i will be bonding the foam later today. so heres what i got so far.

AL

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Now THAT is what I am all about! HUGE!!!! :D:D:D:D:D

Nice Al!!! :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

[Boxster]

Holy shit man! That thing is going to be a monster! (read it with a heavy British accent) LOL

Nice going Al, like I always said. Some models are always more appreciated big, like tits!LOL, this is one of the nice designs of PM.

B

[3D-builder]

Your moving along mad quick on this Al and it's looking great talk to you tonight.

Regards,
Michael

[modman06]

Thanks guys. this is definetly pushing the envelpoe for me, not that is a hard one, but trying to find room to fit everything and materials. ive got the lower section cut out, and the top surface of that done need to flip it over and carve the bottom out now. should have some pics soon after i epoxy the foam and start to finish shape it.


micheal great i will be home.


al

[Peagis]

Very cool! Always liked this tank, but the toy is pretty crappy so I've avoided it.

[modman06]

Heres some pics of the lower portion of the tank. im doing this in blue foam because its just so large. it would cost a fortune to buy the regular urethane foam i normally use. i have the basic shape carved out, and i will seal it with epoxy resin, fiberglass resin will melt it. once its coated in resin i will true it up in bondo and apply a heavy coat of primer. once again i used the ertl kit for scale, and a plastic soda bottle for reference. ( IE like Rel ) could nt find a coke can,LOL. so heres what i have so far.

AL

[JohnLogan]

"Ohh Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about..."
Looking good, I like the size. :thumbsup:
-JohnLogan

[modman06]

for today i sealed the foam in wood glue first. then i applied a coat of fiberglass resin. once the resin dried i scuffed up the surface and started to apply the bondo to perfect the surface, its about 75% done. still need to do some filling and then get the ruler and re measure and make sure everything is trued up, and leveled and square. then i can apply a good coat of filler primer. and then finish sand. heres a few pics of what i got done today.

thanks AL

[Boxster]

Keep em coming!!! This is going to be very sweet!

EDITED: JESUS! Look at the size of that thing!!!

B

[modman06]

yeah its a big one, working on the turret today. should have some pics of it by the middle of the week.


al

[Griffworks]

Good lord, Al! Where the Hell ya gonna put that thing when it's done?

Lookin' good, regardless! Amazing the work that can be done when one has the will. And not a single t-shirt in sight! :p

[modman06]

Good lord, Al! Where the Hell ya gonna put that thing when it's done?

Lookin' good, regardless! Amazing the work that can be done when one has the will. And not a single t-shirt in sight! :p

Thanks Griff,

No this aint for me, its a commision build. i barely have the room to work on it let alone keep it. and no t shirts, i prefer old underwear, LOL. no i wil be using all the proper materials. unlike the one whos name i will not mention.

AL

[Apophis]

Man thats nice! How ide is it? about 40+" ?

[modman06]

its 30 inches wide at the back of the lower section. the whole tank overall is about 32 inches long from the side view.


AL

[bar]

its 30 inches wide at the back of the lower section. the whole tank overall is about 32 inches long from the side view.


AL


That's what you tell ALL the girls...
Good work, dude!
GREAT work!
Bar.

[modman06]

That's what you tell ALL the girls...
Good work, dude!
GREAT work!
Bar.

who told which one talked.


thanks bar.

[bar]

They ALL talk, sooner or later, dude.
Will you have a scale Jar-Jar on the cannon?
;)

[modman06]

LOL jar jar, good idea. yeah they all talk, at least she got it right.


heres a small update. i laminated 14 sheets of .250 urethane foam board for a total of 3.5 inches. i traced out my shape for the turret and did a rough cut.

next up. true up the shape and start marking out all the cuts i have to make and start shaping the turret. the turret hatch is 5 inches in diameter so i need to get some pvc for that and the six perimeter protrusions dont really know what they are.

al

[JohnLogan]

Kewel!!!!

[Peagis]

Very nice sir!

[Griffworks]

Comin' right along, Al!

[boba flint]

Damn that's big! Are you going for the size of the actual miniature? The one at Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit looks like it could be as big as your build.

[modman06]

not sure what the size of that one is, but it does look pretty close.


thanks al

[modman06]

thanks guys.


Started carving out the turret, ive got the basic shape but i need to get the pipe for the hatch and install that before i can finish shaping the contour. so need to stop at lowes and get that. also need to draw out a 7" diameter gear to have laser cut for turret rotation. heres a few pics.


thanks al

[Scorpius]

Big sumbitch! Looks great!

[modman06]

Got a little more shaping done, started the radius and begun putting the hatch in, now needs some filler to square things up a little, and got a few flat spots need to take care of . hope to shoot some primer by middle of next week. but its getting there. heres a few pics.



AL

[Scorpius]

Oooh, niiice! She's lookin like a droid tank.

[modman06]

thanks scorpius, its getting there. every time i look at it, i think dam thats big.

al

[Kuhn Global]

This is looking very kewl Al! Keep the updates comin'! :D

[modman06]

Ok got the turret smoothed out and ready for the first coat of primer. man this was a bitch, the fork section that holds the gun just did nt want to co operate. getting each side to match up left to right and top and bottom was crazy, but its there now and a little primer will help me see things better. next up, finish the hatch area and the 6 protrusions on the side. and finish drawing out the gear for the turret to rotate. then back to the lower portion to true that up. and onto the gun. i will be doing the main body last, because that will take the most time. and heres a few pics, questions, comments welcome.


thanks al

[Scorpius]

Cool!!!!

[modman06]

Alright i got the first coat pf primer on it and it looks pretty good, no major issues, but after looking at some more reference pics had to add a little radius to the front, thats not on the ertl model, and i started to cut the 6 holes on the side for the protrusions. and still working on the hatch. heres a few pics.

AL

[Boxster]

Oh man, look at that! I can't say enough that this is going to be very sweet and exciting!

B

[JohnLogan]

Look'n good Al, Look'n Good!!

[modman06]

thanks john, hows yours coming along.


al

[Scorpius]

Great progress Modman!

[modman06]

thanks again, should have some more pics tomarrow.


al

[modman06]

Heres a quick update of the turret section, got the left side almost done and the right next, and the start of the turret hatch. heres a few pics.

al

[Scorpius]

Looking good man!

[JohnLogan]

The turret is looking good.
I'm working on the wings on the ETa-2.
I need to take some photos and up date the thread.
-John

[modman06]

The turret is looking good.
I'm working on the wings on the ETa-2.
I need to take some photos and up date the thread.
-John

definetly get some pics up, been waiting to see more of that.

al

[modman06]

Ok finally got the other side done. a little more turret detailing on the top, and define the perimeter of the rotation gear on the bottom. and shoot a little more primer and its onto the gun. heres a few pics.

al

[Scorpius]

Sweet!

[3D-builder]

Looking fantastic Al!!:D

[modman06]

thanks guys. update laterss


al

[Kuhn Global]

That is really coming along Al!!! SWEEEEEET!!! :D

[modman06]

Thanks Kurt.

Well finally got the turret finished, just a little minor scuff and a little more primer and its done. next up the main gun. start that tomarrow. heres a few pics. as always comments,questions welcome.

thanks guys. al

[JohnLogan]

Really nice hatch detail AL
Way To Go!!! :thumbsup:
- John

[Peagis]

Very nice!

[modman06]

started drawing out the main gun in auto cad. will start building it in a few days. heres a pic of the drawing.

thanks al

[modman06]

Finished the main gun drawing. overall length is about 23 inches. its about 2.5 inches high. and about 5 inches wide in the back section. will be starting construction today. heres a pic of the drawing.


thanks al

[Kuhn Global]

Nice gun plans Al! I can't wait to see more! :d

[Griffworks]

Schweet job, Al! Thanks for sharing, dude! :thumbsup:

[modman06]

thanks griff, hows the painting coming.


al

[Griffworks]

Non-existant the last two weeks. I've mostly been doing some casting, spending time w/the family and working 12-hour shifts. :(

[modman06]

I started building the main gun, i first laminated urethane sheets until i got the desired thickness. traced out my drawing on the blocks and did a rough cut. im going to make this in three parts, the main gun body (lower section) the top gun body ( forked section) and barrel. due to the forked section undercuts felt it would be better to build separate and attach after piece was cast. the barrel will be a mix of aluminium and brass rod. heres a few pics of the start of it and one of reference.

thanks everyone for all the kind words.


al

[modman06]

Started carving out the main gun. i can tell right now that things are going to have to be adjusted, big differences with the ertl model and actual filming miniature. but nothing a little sanding and bondo cant fix. heres a few pics of what i have so far.

thanks al

[modman06]

Heres another update. got some more done on the main gun. been adjusting things to resemble the studio miniature as close as humanely possible. well you know what i mean. heres a bunch of pics and a studio scale shot for reference. i know its hard to tell whats going on, it dont look like a tank yet but its getting there.

thanks al

[JohnLogan]

It's com'n along real nicely Al.
Way to go!!! :thumbsup:
-John

[Scorpius]

Awesome work Al, I look forward to when this sucka has a coat of paint on it!

[modman06]

thanks guys. i cant wait for that too.



al

[modman06]

heres what i have today not much, almost ready to bondo this up and get some primer on it, should make it easier to see. a few pics and one with the ertl AAT main gun for size comparison.


thanks al

[modman06]

finally got the first coat of primer on this, makes it alot easier to see whats going on. when this finally dries in a day or two i can sand and reapply another coat. i hate how long it takes spray can primer to dry. but heres some pics of how it looks. still need to finish the barrel and the underside as soon as my parts come in for the barrel, damn UPS.

Thanks Al

[JohnLogan]

Neat-O!!!!
It's gona be a good one!!
- John :D:

[modman06]

thanks john, hopefully it will start to look like something soon, hard to tell what it is right now unless you know what it is. i show it to people and they say ok i guess. starting on the barrel tomarrow supplies should be here when i get home.

thanks al

[Kuhn Global]

Great progress Al! :D

[modman06]

Thanks Kurt, just placed an order for one of those Mini lathes. should be able to pick it up this weekend. then i can start turning the main barrel and side guns.


al

[Scorpius]

Looking great Al!

[Sean C]

That is really cool. I can't wait to see it finished.

[3D-builder]

This sratch-built model way to nice to be sitting on the 3rd page!:alright: lets see some more progression Al if you have it!!

Regards,
Michael

[modman06]

Been doing some work on the computer for this one. have to scale out some pieces and draw them out before i can build. i have nt stopped just, like to get a good plan before i start to cut foam. ill have something real soon.


Al

[modman06]

Well my new lathe has arrived, will be putting it together and getting it ready to cut some parts this week end. so i should have the main gun going very soon.

Al

[Scorpius]

Well my new lathe has arrived, will be putting it together and getting it ready to cut some parts this week end. so i should have the main gun going very soon.

Al

I'm coming over, we're gonna have an engine nozzle party! ;)

[modman06]

I'm coming over, we're gonna have an engine nozzle party! ;)

Come on over, i got some nice aluminium round stock thats just waiting to be cut into an exhaust nozzle. need some thrust reversers to go with those. we will make those, then get the ARs out for a while and then get the grill going.


Al

[modman06]

Finally got my Mini Lathe, its a small 7 by 10, just right for making models. now i can get started on the barrel and side guns for the tank. going to have to do the main gun in sections, but should be easy with this new toy.


Al

[3D-builder]

Nice toy brother!! Me needs one to!:D

[Raytheon]

That lathe is almost an exact duplicate of my one but a wee bit smaller i think.
Almost a scale model scale modeling lathe :D

Very cool work thus far, very nicely done sah!

[3D-builder]

Yo how is the whole lathe thing!?:D

[Apophis]

Scweet!

[modman06]

I got the lathe broken in nicely and just got my materials so should post an update by this weekend.

AL

[modman06]

Finally started making the parts for the guns, started the main gun, will have pics of that this weekend. but for now heres the start of the side guns. been awhile since i used a lathe so trying to get up to speed. i used PVC for the guns because its easy to turn. heres a pic of the first gun. needs a little clean up and some primer and then ill mold it and cast it in resin.

AL

[starwarsdoc]

Wow. And I thought you were taking a few days off... Very cool my friend. Looks great!

Clay

[modman06]

I did, but i got back to it today, had a vacation day so i got started on the guns. its fun stuff, just very time consuming. when the part starts to get small have to be careful not to over heat the plastic or it just melts into two pieces. Plus i need some better cutters going to pick that up tomarrow after work.


Al

[modman06]

i got the three main side guns lathed out. still need to detail them and cut it off of the stock. and i need to make the main body for the side guns to attach to. still working on the main gun barrel should have that done soon. these sides were cut from 1/2 inch PVC rod. it got a little scary when i got down to the smallest section, had to be careful not to heat it up. because it would just melt and break off. that largest gun is my third attempt. the previous two melted and broke in half.


Thanks Al

[Apophis]

Wow! very cool Al!!
So you turned those on your new mini lathe? Sweet!

[REL]

Those turned out great!

[modman06]

Thanks guys. yeah that mini lathe works great. the only thing i would recommend to any one if they get it, is to spend a few extra bucks and get the good carbide cutters. i had to settle for a cheap pair of cutting bits because the good ones are on back order. so it took twice as long to cut these. Had to make a million passes so as to not heat up the plastic. But i think they came out alright, have nt done any machining in a while.


Al

[Scorpius]

Awesome Al!

[modman06]

started the housing for the side tank guns. cut them out in foam and bondo d them up and sprayed a coat of filler primer. ans strated cutting the recesses for the gun barrels to fit into after i mold them. heres a few pics.


Thanks Al

[3D-builder]

:D Wow nice work Al those thigs are huge!

Regards,
Michael

[modman06]

Thanks guys. i love this lathe. i cant wait to start on the greivous command ship. and do the engine nozzles in aluminium, with the reverse thrusters. its a great tool for scratch builders to have.


Thanks


Al

[modman06]

i had some vents for the side guns laser cut, i tried over a weekend to cut these, but was never satisfied with them, so had the laser do the work. Also have some recessed panel lines in primer. just need some rivet details to finish them off. heres a few pics.

Thanks Al

[JohnLogan]

Look'n Good Al.
It' comin right along.
-John

[Apophis]

Cool AL!!!

[starwarsdoc]

Looks Fantastic As Always!!!

[modman06]

Thanks guys. still going at it. this thing is huge.



Al

[R L Bleecker]

Fun!

Lotsa work... but the finished result is gonna be bitchin'!

[modman06]

Thanks. I hope so. cant wait to see it all together.



Al

[Kuhn Global]

Great progress Al! :D I can't wait to see how HUGE this beastie turns out! :D

[3D-builder]

Ya Al now I see the vents you were talking to me about.....Ya that must have been a bitch by hand!!THE LASER IS BETTER.....for some stuff!!!:DLooking good, going to check out your polar llight all blown up to see if you have paint on it!:D

Regards,
MIchael

[modman06]

Thanks Kurt, and michael. no paint yet. the local model shops dont have what they used to. so i had to order some paint. so in a few days. but its all ready to go.

Al

[swfan]

Man that is looking awesome. Smooth finish on the subassemblies. Can't wait to see more.

Isel

[tomkat364]

Interested in your lathe. Where did you find it, how much was it, any additional specs? Seems like it might be a valuable investment.
Where do you find stock for it (PVC and aluminum for example)

[modman06]

Interested in your lathe. Where did you find it, how much was it, any additional specs? Seems like it might be a valuable investment.
Where do you find stock for it (PVC and aluminum for example)

The cost was $ 425 , I got it at Harbor freight. Its a 7 by 10. spent an additional 100 bucks for some good cutters and tools.

For Plastic stock, any plastic supply store should carry a wide variety.

For metal stock. Brass and alumium i get it here. www.lathemaster.com just look under metal stock, they also have a great selection of tools and equipment.

It is a great tool, for the scratch builder. they also have a nice milling machine im planning on getting in the future.

Hope that helps.

AL

[REL]

Al came up to the shop to visit and spent a couple of days. This guy has some incredible talent, and I'm happy he's going to be working with us now. Here's some pics of the Trade Federation tank he's working on, shown with the Ertl kit I built to give an idea of the size of this thing.

http://sovereignreplicas.com/al_tank_01.jpg
http://sovereignreplicas.com/al_tank_02.jpg

[Kuhn Global]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: It's HUGE!!! And BEAUTIFUL!!!

You and Al are partnering up, eh? :) sweeeeeeet!


Al came up to the shop to visit and spent a couple of days. This guy has some incredible talent, and I'm happy he's going to be working with us now. Here's some pics of the Trade Federation tank he's working on, shown with the Ertl kit I built to give an idea of the size of this thing.

[JohnLogan]

Very Cool !
-John

[Kuhn Global]

BTW.... this size is right up my alley for display thinking. ;)

NIIIIIIIIICE!!! :D

Al came up to the shop to visit and spent a couple of days. This guy has some incredible talent, and I'm happy he's going to be working with us now. Here's some pics of the Trade Federation tank he's working on, shown with the Ertl kit I built to give an idea of the size of this thing.

http://sovereignreplicas.com/al_tank_01.jpg
http://sovereignreplicas.com/al_tank_02.jpg

[modman06]

Al came up to the shop to visit and spent a couple of days. This guy has some incredible talent, and I'm happy he's going to be working with us now. Here's some pics of the Trade Federation tank he's working on, shown with the Ertl kit I built to give an idea of the size of this thing.

]



Thanks Rich. It was great to finally get to meet you and the family. And to see your work in person. Your Models are massive, and the detail is amazing. You guys have no idea how big these are until you see them in person. The pictures just dont do it. Im really excited about working for Rich, cant wait to get started on all the different projects and builds. Ok time to get to work.


Al

[Kuhn Global]

Im really excited about working for Rich, cant wait to get started on all the different projects and builds.
Al

As are we my friend! :D

[modman06]

Almost finished with the Barrel. I originally started lathing it in PVC. but decided to switch to aluminum, for durability and it will help with weathering it when its painted. for the bare metal look. Also had to barrow a friends lathe. i have the small home lathe and would have to do it in sections. now im using a full size lathe i can have the barrel in one piece. Pics on Thursday.


Thanks Al

[JohnLogan]

Looking Great my friend, can't wait until Thursday!!!

[Raytheon]

Nice to know this puppy is still going on Al.
Lathed out alloy gun barrel eh? yep, bring on dem pics, going to be a peach this...and a bloody big one too!
:D

[modman06]

OK. the barrels are done heres a few pics. why do one, when two is better. Barrels are just placed in line, i still have some work to do on them. and also on the turret.


Al

[Raytheon]

Oh yeah!!
That's what i'm talkin' about, very slick.
:D

[JohnLogan]

Those Barrels came out great Al. :zap: Tapers are nice.
Just curious, did you do those with a taper attachment, or maybe angled compound?? :notworthy:

[modman06]

Thanks, raytheon, and John.


this was old school. used a taper attachment. with a little help from my friend whos a pro machinist.

Al

[DarthDuck]

I'll be back when I can compose a coherent compliment?;)

Fucking-A, thatdamnpurdy!:cheer::cheer:

[modman06]

I'll be back when I can compose a coherent compliment?;)

Fucking-A, thatdamnpurdy!:cheer::cheer:

Thanks DD. that works for me. should have some more pics this weekend.


Al

[modman06]

Ive got the barrel in place, have to do a little smoothing out on the inside for molding purposes.

I found the easiest way to smooth out an area that has to have a part fit into it is to coat the hole with bondo. then wax the part that fits into the hole when the bondo starts to gel up, slowly pull it out and it should leave it nice and smoothed out. so thats the next step.

heres a few pics.

Al

[bar]

Sweet!
It's really coming along nicely!
And i forgot about the X Jet...
Bar.

[PetarB]

Ooooh, lookee at that X-Jet too!
Great work on all.

[Boxster]

Al,

Looking damn good on the tank!

X-jet? Darn!!! LOL

B

[modman06]

Thanks Boxster. great to have you Back.



Al

[Boxster]

Most welcome and good to be back, sir! Now, am going back to read the rest of the thread. Looks like i missed too much since.

B

[Boxster]

Just saw the rest of the thread!! Damn, this fella is monstrous and the metal barrels looks darn good too!

More, more!!!

B