[Red Comet]

Starting my new build, a small diorama featuring a Guncannon and a Zaku :

http://www.ghostofze.../guncanwip.html

So far both kits a test fitted and planning has begun for the scene (which will be a semi-serious semi-light hearted one) and possible modifications to the Guncannon to suit the scene.

[Red Comet]

Update :

Made some modifications to the Zaku to allow for easier seam removal and painting :

http://www.ghostofze...ip.html#update1

Also worked out the basic layout of the scene.

[dj898]

seeing this will be fixed pose diorama I'd think break down each components - i.e. arms, legs, heads and etc. - and either modify existing joints or scratch new one from epoxy putty and what not...

that will give more natural pose. Also cut the waist as well as chest area and re-assemble with filler will result natural pose...

just my useless rambling really

[Red Comet]

New update :

Done some battle damage to the Zakus leg :

http://www.ghostofze...ip.html#update2

I plan to have the Zaku done over the weekend - I'll see how I go, nothing ever pans out like I want!

[beertax]

Hi, I am following your WIP closely as I am planning to do a dio for the first time soon. Mine will invovle a Zaku I Sniper and a destroyed GM.

Anyway, I'd like to field a couple questions, if I may:

1. In your xperience what sort of clay is best for dio making? I heard that celluclay can contract, should I look for a certain other type of clay instead?

2. plaster of paris, is this the plaster cloth that you place over the clay and foam to make the surface smooth? Is this a necessary step to dio building or can one just place clay over foam and leave out the plaster cloth?

Thx in advance for any answers.

[dj898]

beertax, on Apr 17 2008, 08:21 PM, said:

2. plaster of paris, is this the plaster cloth that you place over the clay and foam to make the surface smooth? Is this a necessary step to dio building or can one just place clay over foam and leave out the plaster cloth?

Thx in advance for any answers.

it's the powder form that come sin the bag. The one you described is plaster bandage...

[Red Comet]

beertax, on Apr 17 2008, 07:21 PM, said:

Hi, I am following your WIP closely as I am planning to do a dio for the first time soon. Mine will invovle a Zaku I Sniper and a destroyed GM.

Anyway, I'd like to field a couple questions, if I may:

1. In your xperience what sort of clay is best for dio making? I heard that celluclay can contract, should I look for a certain other type of clay instead?

2. plaster of paris, is this the plaster cloth that you place over the clay and foam to make the surface smooth? Is this a necessary step to dio building or can one just place clay over foam and leave out the plaster cloth?

Thx in advance for any answers.

In my experience, I find that air drying clay will contract a little when dry. This is why I use it as a base over the foam to allow for the plaster to be applied. No clay would result in the plaster soaking into the foam. For my Velociraptor, I used the air drying clay as the ground work without foam or plaster. I did that because I could get away with a little amount of shrinkage where as with this diorama, I really can't as it has to be the size of the board.

Plaster of Paris is a power that when mixed with water becomes a liquid that sets hard. Plaster Cloth is a porous cloth that is impregnated with plaster powder, which again sets hard when mixed with water and allowed to dry. Railroad modelers ofter use the cloth to make their layouts.

Depending on what and how you are making the scene, I'd recommend using both air drying clay and plaster of paris - the clay as a base and the plaster as a 'filler' if you will.

Hope this helps.

[Cyclone X]

nice battle damage, I'm saving those images

for the power conducts, I wouldn't use this one, it'll look too stiff. Using a cable with cilindrical segments will look more realistic, and it'll follow the surface of the ground.

[Red Comet]

I see what you mean. I'll do a mock up with some wire and see how it looks. Thanks for the idea.

[dj898]

not sure whether this of any help but I have unfinished zaku that I worked on years ago but shelved for some reason...

link
link

hope this of any help mate~

[Red Comet]

Small update - more damage has been done to the Zaku and I've modified the power cables a little to allow for a more natural pose in the scene :

http://www.ghostofze...ip.html#update3

[Red Comet]

Another quick update so you can see where I am at with the Zaku :

http://www.ghostofze...ip.html#update4

It's partly weathered now. I just have to finish off the chips and melted parts and then I can move onto the Guncannon.

[Red Comet]

Finished with the Zaku for now and made some Palm trees for the now Jungle scene :

http://www.ghostofze...ip.html#update5

Next up, sanding the Guncannon and getting it ready for some jungle camo!

[Red Comet]

Been a while since I did any work on this one but I finally started painting the Guncannon and building up the jungle base :

http://www.ghostofze...guncanwip2.html

Next up is more camo painting and some smoke.....

[Cyclone X]

very nice, those palm trees

this color for the Guncannon looks waaaay better than his trademark red color