North Africa: 2092 - Mechanical Camel (and a diorama returns, sort of...)

Introduction

Back to the desert, and back to the future!  It's now time to showcase yet another cargo hauler, but this time from the New Albion United forces.  But before we get started, here's a pic...

I've decided to treat this "North Africa: 2092" concept like a good ole RTS game, specifically referencing classic games from (the long defunct) Westwood Studios.  Hours upon hours upon more hours playing such titles like "Tiberian Sun", "Red Alert 2", and "Dune 2000".  But not just the gameplay, as there were also the FMV intros & cut scenes to enjoy, employing well known actors such as James Earl Jones, Michael Biehn, Udo Kier, Kari Wuhrer, Ray Wise, John Rhys-Davies; the list goes on.

Each game had their own specific factions, with their own strengths and weaknesses,  unique structures & vehicles, some hero units and other special weapons.  Both sides will have flight capability, naval units (if we ever get to the coast), and tracked vehicles.  But that's limiting, so as before each of these sides will have it's own unique strength and/or technology.

The New Albion United faction strengths will be in walking machines.  Good for traversing rough terrain that would not be suitable for tracks or wheels.  These walkers also have jump capabilities and can skim using downward thrusters, but only for combat units mostly.  NAU will also rely more on squads of lower and mid tech level units, resulting in more of a swarming battle tactic.

As for the Neuer Deutschland Allianz, they will utilize the resurrected flying saucer (Haunebu) technology for their units.  Magnetic fields will dominate their forces, but the larger the unit, the less levitation they will have (as per the Gotterdammerung and Gottesanbeterin.  (see earlier posts).  Larger NDA units will also have shield generators, but it will affect weapons and speed.  And finally, this faction will rely more on larger, heavy experimental tech units rather than on multiple units.  So hit those War Factories early!

Building the "Bactrian"

So as mentioned earlier, the NAU will use walkers as their primary technology.  There is no shortage of mecha models in my warehouse, so I set about finding a suitable kit.  One of my favourite series is "Dougram - Fang of the Sun" from 1981.  Many excellent designs and concepts (which eventually made their way to North America in the form of Robotech and Battletech repacks).  I chose this kit, a 1/144 scale Tequila Gunner walking tank from Takara:

Obviously influenced somewhat by the AT-AT from "Empire Strikes Back", which in turn were inspired by that Syd Mead painting of the cargo walkers in the snow.  I have several other versions/scales of this particular mech, but this one suited my concept best.  (I have actually had the idea to turn a walker from this series into a cargo transport for many years.  I was already working periodically on a 1/72 version of a Crabgunner to use on my 00 gauge railway, so this is good practice!)  I also chose this particular kit as it could accommodate my "standard" cargo containers already being used in other models and scenarios.  As this was more of a kit build than a scratch & bash, it went together much faster than usual.

The outriggers/balconies on the original model were just right dimensions for the containers.  All I had to do was extend them to allow for two crates side by side.  Rather than have individual crates, I glued them together as a group, and incorporated magnets in the base.  Therefor I could attach them to the metal screening on the outriggers and underneath the hull.  Those cargo crates were the only parts 3D printed for this build.  Besides other minor details and additions, I gave the feet of the walker traction, using my favourite tank tread greebly bits!  Once finished, a quick assembly before painting.

Happy with the results, it was prime time.  First a coat of grey (no photo), and then the final base coat using another staple, Krylon khaki spray paint.

Unfortunately I neglected to photograph the painting and weathering processes.  Once I get going I lose track of time.  (Remember this is Blogger and not YouTube; you'll have to settle for stills).  Some days and nights later, the "Bactrian" was completed.

The NA-AHGV-01 (New Albion Ambulatory Heavy Goods Vehicle) "Bactrian" model is 3" x 4" x 4", and is made to the same scale as other previous "2092" units of 1/220.  That makes this walker 15m x 22m x 23m in 'real life'.  As for the '01', there are two other versions of the cargo walker yet to be built.

All the traditional painting and weathering techniques were used; dry brushing, pigments, sponge painting, minor chipping and pin washes.  And adding some basic graphics here and there.  The only original piece made for the walker was the AA unit on the roof.  Except for another missile pod under each outrigger, those are the only on board weapons.

A shot of the underside there, showing the tank treads and underplate.  The rolled tarps were made as per other previous models by rolling used latex gloves.  Then some craft chain painted rusty to dangle and be safety hazards here and there.  But this was the empty model.  It wouldn't be a cargo walker without crates!

Originally it was just going to be called a Camel, but after some research I noticed that a camel with two humps is called a Bactrian.  'nuf said...  I can imagine a desert caravan of a dozen or so of these units walking across the sand and rocks, escorted by other mechs of course.  

Rather than have this model just sit in the case waiting for a playdate, I made a quick little base for it to give it some interest.

Recycled from an old plaque,  the base is 3" x 5".  The ground is made from an old cork wall tile, while the rocks are cork fragments and the trees and bushes from the scenery box.  Finished it off with some pigments for shade and shadow.  

I was going to make some tarps to cover the crates, but changed my mind, as I have two more versions to build yet!  Going forward, I'll be utilizing mech kits from "Dougram" for the NAU machines, as well as some from another series from the early '80s called "Xabungle".  Good basic and functional mechs.  As for the raw models to use for the NDA, I'll be sticking with "Gundam" kits, as they have the bizarre organic shapes I require.

A Friendly Game of Football...?

So let us imagine (as one just did as I write this), a massive haboob (sandstorm) whips up over the desert and our walker gets isolated from the caravan.  As the dust clears, he encounters another cargo vessel, but WTF, isn't that one of the baddies...?

Guess that Schnecke is in the same boat, sort of speak.  So what do we do now?  Shoot each other?  Yell profanities?  Do the "Enemy Mine" schtick?  Or you could behave like civilized men, and have a game of footy!  

I did this basic set up just to show relative sizes of the vehicles.  The temporary base is one of those cork tiles I mentioned earlier; it is 12" x 12".  Scenery is more cork & scenery bits.  

If you look real close at the base of the pic, you can just make out the lads near their respective machines.  As both vehicles have a crew of three each, a small game of 3v3 is inevitable.  Just behave as there is no one to hand out yellow cards!  

I'm going to need a bigger display case!  What's next is anyone's guess.  All depends on inspiration, the weather, or alcohol levels.  Dunno, should I take requests...?

Have a better one!

A Sandstorm in a Snow Globe (what...?)

 Still in the middle of a rather large build, I needed a break and wanted to work on something else.  Nothing too big and/or time consuming, and preferably a different subject matter.  It was during the weekly visit to the good ole dollar store (which are now frantically stocking every conceivable nook and cranny with Christmas merchandise), that I stumbled across a "DIY Snow Globe" kit, and that got the mind racing.  

It's a heavy duty plastic 4" diameter ball with a plug and screw on "cap".  Ship in a bottle came to mind but that has been done enough, so I began to think of something unique.  It's a snow globe, but does it have to be snow?  Going through many Anime books, I came across an illustration from the series "Dougram: Fang of the Sun".  I had found my inspiration!

I had seen this many years ago, in one of the many Dougram kits I have collected since the early '80s.  Funny thing was that I never saw an episode until a few years ago (RIP KissAnime), and was surprised that the first episode began with this image.  The series ran from 1981 to 1983 with a total of 75 episodes.  The mech designs are among my favourites, and were designed by Kunio Okawara, who also has done many other robot series such as the Gundam series, Votoms, and Layzner.  That CV barely scratches the surface!  Luckily I had a 1/144 scale Dougram kit from Nitto, but it didn't know what I was going to do it.

As usual this series was heavily merchandised, and many models and die-cast replicas were available.  Some may recognize this by it's American name as Zoltek.  Back in 84ish when robots were becoming quite popular in North America, Revell got the rights and repacked alot of the 1/48 and 1/72 Takara Dougram kits as Robotech Defenders, which was nice as they were cheaper than buying the genuine imports.  FASA also rebranded some 1/144 Nitto kits for their Battletech line, this time it was renamed Shadowhawk.  Even small, they were nicely detailed kits.

So I set about assembling the small parts not worrying about articulation as this was to be a static model.  And the one primary factor in all of this project was that nothing could be water-based.  Super glues, epoxy, and paint could only be enamels or lacquers.  

You get the idea how small this model will be.  The access hole in the globe is only 2.25" diameter, and should stick up somewhat from the plug.  Now trying to build a 3D model from a 2D illustration is not always easy, as I am sure the artist was obviously not aware of the limitations of the model.  It was like Sir Lancelot trying to do Yoga...  Pieces had to be removed and modified, and I had to have the mech sitting up a bit on a rock.  Eventually it all came together.

The green disc below is tooling foam, and was to carve in the rocks and terrain.  I also attacked the model with the Dremel and removed chunks and created gashes and battle damage.  It is now prime time!

Dry brushing was used to augment the rust and weathering on the mech.  I also mixed in some fine sand with the paint to create the texture.  Sand was also epoxied to the base and sand applied.  The base also got a good dose of dry brushing too.  Almost there...

It was now time to put it in the globe.  I read several ways to do the interior liquid, but that was only for snow.  Wanting to use real sand, and not some glitter or such, I tried several grades until I found one which wasn't too fine that it stayed suspended, or too coarse where it just drops.  The sand also had to be washed thoroughly as it had lots of dust and impurities in it.  Distilled water was used with a small amount of glycerin to hopefully slow down the grains.  It took seven attempts to get it right!

A wooden base a "plaque" finish the job.  To seal the threads I used plumber's teflon tape; so far no leaks!  

I was surprised to see how much the water filled globe magnified the model inside.  It amplifies it by almost double, and shows the extra work and detail.  

All in all about two weeks of evenings for this project.  Of course during the process many more ideas have come to mind.  Some more with sand and maybe even try a few with snow.  I have already been back to the shop and now have six more globes standing by...  But for now, a sand storm is approaching!  

Not exactly the winter wonderland for this time of year!  Merry Christmas everyone!