# Rocketeer builds a Space Truck **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 5, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098 "2019-04-05T17:15:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/1 "2019-04-05T17:15:45Z")
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](https://live.staticflickr.com/7920/47360255172_6e8db82385_k.jpg) Then I found some tanks from a deep space probe, and built some spindly little legs and feet: [Tanks and legs](https://live.staticflickr.com/7891/46699152554_87f19b2849_k.jpg) …and here’s the result: [From below](https://live.staticflickr.com/7807/46819631034_421dde22b1_k.jpg) [From below 2](https://live.staticflickr.com/7840/46627828395_9874dc7a25_k.jpg) [From above](https://live.staticflickr.com/7919/46819631244_0a100c0bd2_k.jpg) 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.) ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/2 "2019-04-05T18:37:29Z")
Let go space truckin’. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/3 "2019-04-05T18:44:53Z")
Nice! Do you start off by doing some sketches, or do you just design it in your head? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/4 "2019-04-05T18:46:38Z")
“Five bucks worth of Ethyl, Mac! And check the battery!” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/5 "2019-04-05T19:27:01Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > …Do you start off by doing some sketches, or do you just design it in your head? 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. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/6 "2019-04-05T21:52:47Z")
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!) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/7 "2019-04-05T22:14:47Z")
If you want to make it classy, add some naked girl mud flaps and some truck nutz. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/8 "2019-04-05T23:04:30Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > If you want to make it classy, add… some truck nutz. I had to grin, just reading this. Maybe I’ll build a set. In 1/48th scale they’d be pretty durn small, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/9 "2019-04-06T22:14:07Z")
How does stuff rust in space? 😕 Very cool build. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/10 "2019-04-06T22:47:30Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > How does stuff rust in space? 😕 > > … I’ve actually thought a bit about that. 😉 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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/11 "2019-04-07T04:41:02Z")
Cromulant response. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/12 "2019-04-07T08:03:16Z")
Damn, I’m still more inclined to call you a sculptor, rather than a model maker. More beautiful work. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/13 "2019-04-07T08:22:04Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/14 "2019-04-07T09:34:33Z")
Lovely piece. Could fit right in with [Ace Trucking Co.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Trucking_Co.) ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/15 "2019-04-07T11:18:06Z")
The mighty White 3000! Nice work on the paint, I’ve never tried the hairspray idea. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/16 "2019-04-07T15:08:45Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > 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? 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](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](http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/index.php) and [The Clubhouse](http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/index.php). ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/17 "2019-04-07T15:12:03Z")
…and thank you all for your kind comments! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/18 "2019-04-07T20:14:00Z")
I can’t help but seeing your stuff being used in a stop motion movie… ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/19 "2019-04-08T16:28:07Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I had to grin, just reading this. Maybe I’ll build a set. In 1/48th scale they’d be pretty durn small, though. Not for me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocketeer-builds-a-space-truck/832098/20 "2019-04-08T17:11:54Z")
This might serve as inspiration for more spacefaring stuff. [Artist Reimagines Everyday Objects as Spectacular Spaceship Designs](https://mymodernmet.com/spaceship-designs-digital-artist-eric-geusz/?fbclid=IwAR0fe6tfaI09Jb-9cQdexqJ4Lr8NkSs3gFetVxtUJ07P-o1arvolH9e3b3M)