Rocketeer builds a Space Truck

Cafe Society
1

Lately I’ve been watching MST3K:The Gauntlet, and the hero Jonah drives a stubby little vehicle apparently based on a cabover truck. That got me to thinking, and I pulled an old Revell 1/48th scale White truck cab out of the scrap box to see what I could do with it.

First I built a cargo box, using some corrugated styrene sheet:

Cargo box

Then I found some tanks from a deep space probe, and built some spindly little legs and feet:

Tanks and legs

…and here’s the result:

From below

From below 2

From above

The paint chipping is done by painting an underlayer (aluminum or rust), spraying it with hairspray, then with a coat of the final color in enamels. Before the final coat dries completely, dunk the whole thing in warm water and scrub gently with a toothbrush. The hairspray dissolves and the top layer of paint comes off, creating a worn paint look.

The spaceman is from Shapeways, slightly modified.

it was a fun project, and went astonishingly fast; it took me about a month all told. Coincidentally, the model is eligible for the “Modelfy” category at the upcoming Seattle IPMS contest, because the big tanks are from the Modelfy base kit, the Moebius Convair NEV-1. (The Lunar Cruiser I posted pics of recently is also eligible; it uses the same tanks.)

2

Let go space truckin’.

3

Nice! Do you start off by doing some sketches, or do you just design it in your head?

4

“Five bucks worth of Ethyl, Mac! And check the battery!” :cool:

5

Some models start with sketches, but this one was designed all in my head. Mrs. R gets credit for the spaceman; she suggested that the hatch should have a spaceman peeking out.

6

Very nice paint job.

You should put some eyes on the windshield and buck teeth on the grille and call it Space Mater!

(I missed my afternoon nap!)

7

If you want to make it classy, add some naked girl mud flaps and some truck nutz.

8

I had to grin, just reading this. Maybe I’ll build a set. In 1/48th scale they’d be pretty durn small, though.

9

How does stuff rust in space? :confused:

Very cool build.

10

I’ve actually thought a bit about that. :wink: As near as I can tell, it’s been flying through comet tails. The dust erodes the paint, and the water ice rusts the steel. :slight_smile:

11

Cromulant response.

12

Damn, I’m still more inclined to call you a sculptor, rather than a model maker. More beautiful work.

13

You know, my late spouse left me a LOT of model kits, some of them opened and/or half built that would be perfect for kit-bashing - any ideas how to unite these kits with kit-lovers and makers/creators?

14

Lovely piece.

Could fit right in with Ace Trucking Co.

15

The mighty White 3000! Nice work on the paint, I’ve never tried the hairspray idea.

16

Your problem is a common one. Get hold of the local chapter of IPMS. Our local chapter has a sort of mini-swap meet every meeting, where people sell off their surplus stuff; or their annual show almost certainly has swap meet tables for rent. Manning a swap meet table is a great way to meet people. Our club is also constantly looking for donations for the raffle held at the annual show.

Here’s the IPMS national website, with an interactive map showing local chapters. https://calendar.ipmsusa3.org/chapter-map

You might also try posting on sci-fi / fantasy modeling forums. The ones I frequent most are Starship Modeler and The Clubhouse.

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…and thank you all for your kind comments! :slight_smile:

18

I can’t help but seeing your stuff being used in a stop motion movie…

19

Not for me. :slight_smile:

20

This might serve as inspiration for more spacefaring stuff.

Artist Reimagines Everyday Objects as Spectacular Spaceship Designs