Aliens APC - Its a rescue mission, youll love it!

Modeling Subjects Science Fiction
1

A rescue mission from the Closet of Doom, not LV-426.

https://flic.kr/p/dPPwxX][/url]APC-1 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

I have had this kit since it was initially issued by Halcyon back in the 1990s, and like Ripley in the movie, has drifted for decades in its box. Like a lot of my projects, I ran into a problem which halted progress, and back into the box it went. The basic kit makes up into a pretty good representation of the APC, but the moldings are somewhat blah and the fit is not the best.

https://flic.kr/p/dPPwcp][/url]APC-4 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

The big stumbling point for me was correcting the tire treads. The real vehicle had a diagonally slanted pattern, but Halcyon molded simple alternating blocks. I finally screwed down the courage to attempt the fix, and even though there is a resin aftermarket set available, I like doing things the hard way. (Actually I don’t, but usually end up there whether I like it or not!)

https://flic.kr/p/ySPwE1][/url]APC-10 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

The kit tires had their inaccurate tread blocks sanded off. A paper test pattern using CAD was made, then I devised a simplified method to cut out and fabricate the tread blocks from styrene sheet and square rod. I made a jig to cut the blocks at the diagonal separation line.

https://flic.kr/p/yVHBV5][/url]APC-12 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

I wanted to be able to turn the wheels (all four of them!) so it was necessary to create recesses on their backsides to take a steering mechanism. I noticed the display stands that came with Gundam lighted head kits were the perfect size for hubs! I used a heated X-Acto blace to carve out openings in the kit wheels, as the plastic is very brittle and prone to shattering, then sanded the openings until the “hubs” were a drop fit.

https://flic.kr/p/zRHsbw][/url]APC-15 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/zAa15b][/url]APC-13 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

Anyway, that is the current state of play. Two wheels are finished and one is half done. It takes one evening to do one wheel, so I’ve a little ways to go. Next up will be scratching up a rudimentary suspension system with steering arms.

2

Nice work! A prime example of “I should fix this” syndrome. [:D]

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Thanks GAF! In all honesty, the work is horrifingly dull and repetitive. The resin tire set would be the way to go for most people. Mostly.

Sorry about the double posting of photos - for some reason it just came out that way, and the “edit” bar is not there on the original post. Maybe I can get Bishop to reach the uplink tower, patch in to the Sulaco and fix the problem. If not, I’ll just take off and nuke the post from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

4

Gah, now I can see the edit bar!!! The double photos just magically disappeared too. What the heck is going on?

Go to infrared people!

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Okay, now the subject title is re-spelling itself. Twice. I’m thinking of calling it even and bugging out at this point. One more wonky and it’s game over man, game over!

6

i say you take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, its the only way to be sure

7

That’s an interesting build and I love what you’ve done with the tires. I remember watching the first Alien film when I was 10, scared the s**t outta me. Now I’ve seen them all and read many of the books.

8

Sounds like a real “bug” hunt to me! [:D]

Just to reassure you, the post looked perfectly normal to me when I first replied. Might be your browser. What are you using?

9

Very cool! Aliens is one of my all time favorites. Looking forward to the finished product!

10

Super cool! I’ll be following along for sure

11

The mod you are doing is looking great! I use a CAD type program as well and it really does help acurize and speed up complex revisions and redo’s like what you are doing.

As to posting on this forum, the program they chose to use might be good for rank beginners, but beyond that it is quite cumbersome and frankly a pain in the CANoli.

Try not to get too frustrated with it. I would really like to see what you do with this as I have one in my stash too!

12

Thanks all for your comments!

I have not posted since the “Great White Revolution” of the site, so a lot of the functions looked different. I was finally able to edit the initial post from my phone, and now things seem back to normal. Funny, usually I have fits trying to do stuff from my phone, but have no problems using my regular computer.

Alien (1979) was the first R-rated film I saw, and it scared the beejeezus out of me! I was not 17 yet, so I had to ask my dad to take me. I remember cowering behind the theater seat, all the while my dad just sat there, and once in a while chuckled and pointed at the screen and said “Oh look, the monster ate the guy, ha ha.” It must have been a really scary movie though, as it was the only one I recall where he didn’t fall asleep!

When Aliens came out, I was old enough to go without parental supervision, but it was a lot less scary than the first movie. I initially didn’t like it as it was so predictable that I could see every twist and turn before they happened. But after watching it several times at home, I have come to love the movie for what it is, a rollercoaster sci-fi action film. Plus the hardware is so cool! Too bad the kits are less so. [:(]

I don’t know what the quality of the resin tire set is like, but unless you enjoy endless monotonous robot assembly line work, I’d recommend giving it a look. The rest of the kit just needs careful assembly and some minor detail improvements. I have seen some incredible on-line builds of this kit.

I’m thinking of lighting the model because as you know, they come mostly at night. Mostly.

13

Hey, Real,

That is some incredible attention to detail! Very nicely done! Looking forward to more WIP pictures.

14

[Y] Very sweet so far! I always wanted the Aliens kits back in the day, but they were out of my price range. I really like how you are dressing this up!

15

In between the boring task of the tire treads, I started fiddling with the other parts like the turrets. I wanted them to be secured with polycaps, as that would allow them to be added after finishing. The dorsal turret also needed something to hold it in the horizontal position when stowed in the back of the vehicle.

https://flic.kr/p/zSYeHD][/url]APC-17 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/AbU1KP][/url]APC-18 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/dPV7AN][/url]APC-9 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

16

Super cool Real G! Though I have a feeling they’ll be a new version of the APC coming out after you do all this work… [;)]

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"Super cool Real G! Though I have a feeling they’ll be a new version of the APC coming out after you do all this work… "

That’s OK Gamera, I’ll have a finished old kit, and everyone else can get a brand spanking new kit to build! Meanwhile, I’ll start the drop ship. Then the vinyl Nostromo…

18

I was going to buy the Dropship back in the day but someone warned me that I would need several tubes of modelers paste to make everything look right, I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on the kit.

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Yes BashMonkey, the Drop Ship has a lot of stuff to fix. But I think the Halcyon kits are sound, and are a good starting point for great looking models. Things to fix that I’m aware of include the short rear landing gear, plank-like stabilators, and blah cockpit. The ordnance needs replacing too. The lack of a payload bay is a Pandora’s box, as you would want to make a 1/72 APC to go into your scratch built bay… Regarding fit, careful prep and spreader bars/locator tabs will minimize the need for filler.

At least, that’s the plan according to Burke: Not to stash, not to take out and study at length, but to actually get out and finish the thing.

20

A small update. I started making the suspension arms that will allow the wheels to steer. I’m focusing on making a strong assembly rather than a scale look, so they are just made up of stacks of 0.040 styrene. I used ABS sprue clipped from a Bandai Zaku for the spindles - dirt cheap, tough, and easy! I am still thinking about how to engineer the steering links, again keeping strength, durability and simplicity in mind.

https://flic.kr/p/AtwiwT][/url]APC-19 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/ASqw6a][/url]APC-20 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

I am planning on building a free standing chassis frame that will take the suspension arms. This will allow the wheels to be properly aligned and the ground clearance to be evenly set. This will also make setting and adjusting the steering links easy, as they will be located on top.