The Modder’s Blog

A painted version of my Protus sketch.

I’ve finished the Dreadnaught Drop Pod in the expected amount of time. It’s not a difficult project, but it will definitely benefit from any vehicle bits you might have. In this case, I had some vehicular hatches that make great man-sized service entries in the pod’s large drop hatches.

I’ve determined that I would not want to bust through the atmosphere in one of these. It’s basically a falling 100 ton metal coffin.

The basic structure of my Dreadnaught Drop Pod is complete. It really isn’t that difficult to create this vehicle from the templates, but you do ‘learn some thing’s as you go. I’d give it a 2-3 out of 5 difficulty depending on how much of the detail you model yourself and how often you depart from the templates. It’s the kind of project that will go much soother the second time around.

I’ve deviated from the plans in certain areas because of the way plasticard can split when creased. Which brings up the point that the cleanest look will be achieved with plasticard. Personally, I would never be satisfied with heavy stock cardboard. With that said, 5mm foam core board is MUCH faster than layering plasticard and trying to cut it for the thickest portions of the vehicle (the fins and base). If you use foam core board you will need to add a thin piece of plasticard stripping to the foam edge wherever it shows, otherwise you’ll be painting foam and its rough texture wil show.

I’ve started to add a couple Bits I earmarked for just this type of project, but most of the detail will come via additional plasticard panel layers.

The base in this image is an old G.I. Joe helipad or something. I might incorporate pieces of it into the Drop Pod base.

Next: bibs and bobs (detail)

It’s been a while since I came across the templates for building your own Dreadnaught Drop Pod on the french GW site. It’s also been a while since I trusted the french. But I work with a bunch of them now, so what the heck…let’s kiss cheeks and give it a shot.

Pictures soonish.

Estimated Completion time: Extras: Seasons One and Two (Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant)

Approx. Work Time: One episode of The Biggest Loser + Angel-A (Rie Rasmussen, Jamel Debbouze, Gilbert Melki)

 Approx. Sketch Time: Pushing Tin (John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton)

Bugs have heroes too!

 Approx. Sketch Time: Lucky Number Slevin (Josh Hartnett, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Willis)

I’m not typically a fan of chaos illustration, but it does lend itself to some corrosive color fun.

 Approx. Sketch Time: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry ( Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel)

See more ‘Bad (Gene) Seeds’ strips here, or use the Other Bits link to the right.