1/6 Scale Aliens APC (scratchbuild)

[Marine Boy]

The Mad Max Interceptor build is winding down now, so i like to start a new project as I'm waiting for paint to dry. I'm not going all in on it just yet, as the size of it means I have to clear the other projects from my shed first. I just wanted to tackle the hardest part first, the front end, because of it's multitude of shapes and angles.

Easiest bit first, the driver's door.

The turret side went together quite quickly, as the base and sides around the turret are horizontal and vertical. Using these faces as a datum, it was fairly easy to determine the angles of the adjoining panels.

Before attaching the door panel, i had to make sure the whole assembly was perfectly level, so I taped it to a piece of plywood.

With both sides held in position, it just needed the 2 panels making to join them together. 4 days work so far.

 

[agonistes86]

Looking forward to following this build!

 

[kyekye]

This will be 5 ft long (1.536m)!!??
You will need full metal frame to support the weight, I think?

 

[Marine Boy]

I'm going to use a sheet of plywood for the chassis, which should stop any body flex. The body sections will be screwed to that.

 

[Marine Boy]

Left side panel mostly done. The central engine panel will be removeable to allow a viewing window into the interior, with the roof still in place.

 

[Marine Boy]

Engine panel fitted.

Right side panel done.

Front wheel arches being made.

Temporarily taped together, just to get an idea of the size. Once I make the plywood base, they will be screwed down.

The grey beam above the door is just to keep everything straight. It's not the roof height.

 

[Marine Boy]

Making the rear wheel arches.

I've used square beams to join the sub-assemblies together. These have been placed under seats, behind consoles or externally, around the wheel wells. This was done so they don't intrude into the interior space. The screws are mainly on the inside, where they will be hidden by trim panels or equipment.

Once the floor is installed, there will be be a slight loss of headroom, but only by 9mm.

 

[Marine Boy]

I've made the plywood base and screwed the body sections onto it.

The armour prevents him from sitting comfortably.

Not much headroom inside.

 

[Marine Boy]

Made the sliding side door.

There is a storage area behind the doorway. This is where the sentry guns were located.

Most of the rear bodywork done. This part is removable.

 

[Marine Boy]

Everything assembled. The next step is to make the removable roof panel.

Added the trim panels around the door.

The rear section can be removed for viewing, but the rear ceiling is a separate piece that can be left in place. Ripley can stand here, but only because she is undersized.

 

[Marine Boy]

Making the gun turret.

I've made the barrels removable as i want to install a motor to move the barrels in and out.

Making the muzzles.

 

[Marine Boy]

Finished off the muzzles and added the other details.

Making the front turret.

The minigun barrels are motorized.

Making the muzzles. Short lengths of sprue are glued into the base.

The ends are levelled off and the holes for the barrels drilled out.

Fitted into the turret. Most of the supporting structure had to be cut away.

Next step is to make the mounting base.

 

[Marine Boy]

I installed a micro servo into the base to steer the turret.