Zombicide cars

Last week I machined out the crown vic cruiser and some variant top lights

First 2mm finishing pass, 1mm, 0.64mm passes to go

The Crown vic came out nicely.

I machined out the mirrors and a V shaped light boom. The mirror where tiny really tiny like 1mm x 3mm for the challenger so I took some artistic licence I trimmed down stalk so the mirror sits almost on the door them puttied it in its a small change you can't really tell unless you a super buff but it means they be cast with the body and should be allot stronger. The crown Vic mirrors also need so reworking since I broke my smallest bit I couldn't quite machine the slot to the right dimensions on the body. It was a PITA to file them down given my fingers were 5x larger than the piece i was holding but I got there in the end.

Lastly the light bar didn't sit right it was too far back and too skinny and appeared under scale (although it was perfectly scaled in CAD but miniature means you have to interpret what looks right). But that's the good thing about making your own stuff I had another go. 

Left to right:Taxi Boom, Arrow Lights, Light boom

Above is my improved version. I took the time to do some google research into real lights. I also decided add some variants options. So we have the Taxi cab advertising boom, proper looking arrow styled lights and the Boom light that I want to used on a 'sheriffs' version.

I did want to get out some fancy shots of the cars together and base coated but typically kids bought home something plague like for Easter that's knocked me out. I did get the CDC jeep painted looks brilliant and that'll be my next post once I set up the studio.

Zombicide Challenger progress

This is the 1st version it ending up being scrapped it because the roughing cutter was damaged so it left tool marks in the body. So i did it all again and this time make some edits to make life easier like deeper panel lines door groove and matching the head lights on there own. I don't have experience on making stuff on this scale things that look right in 3D end up too small fine on the model  almost have to make it comical size for it too look right. But its a great learning curve.

Then I did the wheels simple design since I wanted them to work for both cars. The only real design flare is they have sag/bulge on the side facing the road to impart a feeling of weight.

And a quick snap of WIP first time fitting everything (horrid colour clash I know; salmon pink and teal). The grey you see is Mr surfacer sandable filler/primer. The whole car gets a coat. It fills in any low spots/scratchs/toolmarks and i can buff it off with 1000grit and not have to work the model risk loosing its shape. Makes it looks like carp but feels smooth and with a coat of primer it'll be perfect. But I haven't glued the wheels on yet because they have just be cut off the spru to take this picture.

Those with a keen eye can see but the cutting mat the car is about 9.5cm long which is a measurement taken from the Zombicide car cards.

I think this one is pretty much there just needs a wipe down of the body and the wheels need a quick once over before gluing into place. But that can wait till I've started the police car machining which then leaves the final spru with all the small details mirrors and police lights.

I also have a few spare hunchbacks left over from my last casting run if any is interested in them email;

Zombicide - scale cars

I needed something different from mechwarrior for a bit.

I picked up the Zombicide board game seemed like good value for 70 figures, tiles and the game itself. The wife likes walking dead and the rules are straight forward enough for a non table top player to enjoy and its co-op so no table flipping .

Only thing missing imo was terrain and cars. I'll put aside any ideas about terrain for now. But I really wanted some scaled cars the thing is no one seems to makes cars in 32mm size other than Airfix's small range of army vehicles

Airfix make this A06301 British Forces Land Rover Twin 1:48

(google image/not mine)

Which is bang on but this is the most civilian looking of the range so I have bought that. I wanted the cop car and the 'pimp' mobile.

Some die-cast could work but they will either be a tad big or small since they are scaled to fit the box not strictly to any 1:1 scale.

At this point I should point out graveyard cars fan. And I luv 70's muscle cars, so this was the prefect excuse to make a 32mm dodge challenger to replace the pimp mobile card.

The details are super small (the car is 95x36mm) so i have no idea if it'll work.

I also reworked crown Victoria into a police cruiser to replace the cop car card

Any zombicide fans about?

PGI Hunchbacks complete - Mechwarrior online, 1:60 scale resin models

PGI Hunchbacks from Mechwarrior on-line,

Specs;
Machined on a Roland MDX40A 4axis mill
Cast in resin
And painted by your host (camo ref: original release screen shot)
Photographed by one who still learning what does what.
Digital to physical
1:60 scale
Standing at just under 17cm tall

Humps swappable

Elbow in action and below a video of that

All in all I never want to see another hunchback again lol. (but I still have mine to paint at some point)


Also took the time re-photo the MWO mechs I've done to date;

Making up the finishing touches

I finished paint on the HBK's today and just making the last few items such as these hip rails. They get made last because ultimately they're are hard to see and easily squished.

I use 1mm brass wire then made a simple jig 4 holes and 2 grooves to hold everything in place while I soldered them together.  I then file down the solder, tweak everything straight before they get a rusty paint job. I've learnt the best way to get the rails nicely seated is to use a temporary spacer so you can just push the rails in and the spacer ensures an even gap all around.

Hunchback MWO paint (work in progress)

I've laid down all the main colours and most of the decals/details. I just need to add a few more touches before weathering.

Sorry for the small picture, I took it free hand and this was the best of a blurry bunch.

Using the original hunchback scheme as base for this one. Only half way there lots to paint in to do to mostly weathering, blending, shading and highlights. That will turn it from plastic looking to something fresh from combat.

oh and heres a action shot all masked up I found on my phone

Vallejo chipping medium test

Did a test piece for the Vallejo chipping medium (shortening it to chipper from here on). Good job too turns out it needs to be thinned for airbrushing, neat it spat instead of sprayed.

Black base coat, teal, one yellow stripe (small) and one yellow stripe over white (larger)

The results:
So masking tape doesn't pull the paint +1
I can use multiple layers of different paint +1
Paint comes off clean so I can now put down a pass of white for weaker colours like red/yellow +10
I need to thin the chipping medium so it sprays even and not speckled -1
I went back 24hrs later and I could still chip the paint (not shown).+1
The teal needs to be toned way down to match the MWO original screen shot

Going to give the test another go with the chipper thinned. Better safe than sorry

In other news I have little masking left on the two PGI mechs and the kids are back at school/nursery so hopefully I be able get through my to-do list in quicker fashion.

Happy New year