Besra Completed

[Waipunga]

Hello to All.

A little background to this project: 25 years ago a great number of us modellers were introduced to something called Ma.K, also known as SF3D and these days also known as Maschinen Kreiger. All the models were created by a fantastic artist called Kow Yokoyama from Japan. They came out in a great rush and within a few years basically disappeared. Over the intervening years, those of us nutty enough, would seek them out and sometimes pay fairly crazy money to get our grubby fingers on them. In the past two years Ma.K has been totally revitalised by Wave and then Hasegawa producing new kits. The premise of Ma.K has always been that you could build them out of the box or bash them. So the first image is of one such bash which is called a "Skinhead" in that it is made up from several different kits and then additional parts as well and is 1/20 scale.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3459/skh002.jpg

Over the next month, or so, I shall create a new craft which fits into a SF storyline called "Beyond the Sphere" which is currently being written. I will also demonstrate the genius of Yokoyama-San's technique of using existing kits and various other objects to create something new which is this case will be a 1/20 scale compact ship defence fighter called the Besra.

So we begin with parts from a 1/12 Tamiya kit of a Yamaha YZR500 laid out and glued together.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1351/besra001.jpg

Next I needed a powerplant of sorts so after raiding my beautiful wife's discarded cosmetics (always a goldmine if donor parts) a dismantled child's toy from the $2 shop (another goldmine for parts) dismantled cigarette lighters, pen parts, cell phone electronics and such I made up this unit, took a silicon mould off it and cast a bunch of them in Silwhite resin. This being the result after using a few pieces of solder wire for further detailing.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5266/powerplant002.jpg

Then the base for the seat from a cut plastic Easter egg and a spoon for the front of the cockpit.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3847/besra005.jpg

The seat was made up from 1/20 Tamiya kit of a Fiat Rally car with a few extra fittings tanks leads etc fitted and primed.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3928/besra004.jpg

The main body I added half a plastic ball to the front, then started to putty and sculpt using 3M automotive body filler which is just a superb sculpting medium. Once mixed and applied it can be cut and then filed then smoothed to a excellent finish within 20 minutes. Great stuff and I highly commend it to all. And it's strong!

The final touch for tonight was to fit the clicking plate from a computer mouse (also excellent donor parts to be had from them all particularly the more modern ones!) for the top cover. The Pilot is one of my own sculpts waiting to be set up for a rubber mould hence the odd midriff! Cheers!

http://img228.imageshack.us/i/besrafin002.jpg/

[Evilivo]

Cooll and inventive - I love kitbashing, it's amazing what designs can be produced with the use of everyday objects :)

[Joshua A.C. Newman]

Kitbashing MaK! Sweet. I look forward to seeing where this goes!

Can you tell us more about the casting?

[Waipunga]

Right. Back on this after being away doing a show etc

The "engine"? Used a six sided lipstick outer casing stolen from my beautiful wife (well it was almost used up :-) ) as the base, then pen parts, cigarette lighter parts, a few parts from motorcycle kits, tube, plus parts I machined up. Then assembled as a master and invested in Silwhite silicon rubber so I can cast as many as I need for future projects involved in the storyline.

Scale is 1/19 which means I can use 1/20 and 1/18 kits for donor parts. The figure (one of the new ones) is 90 mm tall.

The front pod is now basically complete with the exception of the canopy. Next part to make up is the primary propulsion unit, then weapons ancillary equipment etc. Fair way to go.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7153/besra1001.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2600/besra1002.jpg

[Waipunga]

Primary drive added, plus side tanks and the main weapon base shown deployed. More lighter parts, pen parts and the spray mechanisms from stripped out spray cans.

I use CRC 2 part body filler. Very good quality stuff, mixes easily, then can be applied, allowed a few moments to start setting off and then over the course of 20 minutes sculpted and taken right up to 400 grit finish. Surprised that it is not used a lot more in sculpture. It is reasonably priced, is very stable, adheres to just about everything (including itself), takes paint very well and feathers beautifully.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9430/besra2.jpg

[lilalex]

I use CRC 2 part body filler. Very good quality stuff, mixes easily, then can be applied, allowed a few moments to start setting off and then over the course of 20 minutes sculpted and taken right up to 400 grit finish. Surprised that it is not used a lot more in sculpture.

"Kitbashers" rock - I'm always amazed at the creativity and resourcefulness in designing their pieces; I also dig the SciFi history you're developing for your work. Props!!

The thing about CRC and many other fillers designed for industrial application isn't so much about cost, but that they're typically extremely hazardous to inhale and can cause strong negative reactions to Users if not handled carefully; respirators, gloves, disposal, solvents, etc.
With the number of alternative modeling materials available which are equally strong yet non-toxic; Aves Apoxies, Magic Sculp, Milliputs, Green Stuff, etc. I'm surprised that you would use the more hazardous stuff.
But as long as you take the proper safety considerations, more power to ya', Wai'!

Look forward to more updates - and great job on the pics of WIP; I'm always just as interested in the 'processes' as I am in the finished piece. Thanks!!

la

[Waipunga]

Thanks Lilalex, yes you are absolutely correct in regards to the health issues for the body fillers. My apologises, I am so used to wearing masks, protective clothing and well ventilated areas as part of my own work, I take it as second nature with these materials that people will do the same. And yes I use the "more hazardous stuff" because of speed! Time is one of those luxuries I do not possess!

Thanks for your comments Mate, appreciated.

[Lord Cypher]

Ingenious stuff. I've always fancied a bit of kit bashing but havent got enough kits to bash! Or any for that matter! Loving the step by step guide, fascinating stuff. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

[Waipunga]

Thanks Lord Cypher! Yeah bashing is fun and scratch building is even better. It's a blast to build things that appear that might just work even if they rely on rather obscure things such as anti-gravity and extremely small fuel tanks!! Case of Heath Robinson meets SF! Kits? Yeah that are hellish handy but not all that necessary. Best thing is rather then buy new ones ask around and find some child who has started one and then got bored with it as all you really need is the "greeblies" and bits and pieces.

There is a genius called Mark Stevens in Scotland who creates his builds using such things as flymo mowers and such as bases for fabulous builds. Scary and fantastic!

Primary weapon system fairly much finished. Shall hit it with some primer tomorrow. Then run some more piping etc over it.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/538/besra2004.jpg

[Noel Ward]

Hi, thanks for posting this, it's looking really good. I love the idea of building like this but I've never had much luck with it. Generally my stuff falls apart. What kind of glues or adhesives do you use?
Thanks

[Waipunga]

Hey Noel, thanks Mate.

CA glue Dude. (superglue) Have three types in the workshop plus just about every other adhesive known to man as well. (I go through boxes of disposable gloves!) The types I use are the very fluid type, then gap filing and then the slow set gel type. If you want to give this build style a go, rock down to your local $2 shop and pick up a load of stuff. The only plastic to avoid like the plague is the highly flexible low energy plastics as there really is nothing readily available that will bond it. Pretty much any plastic that has a hinge as part of the moulding is LEP.

What I really enjoy about this type of modelling is that it evolves as it grows. The trick is to have a vague idea of what you want and then just go with the flow.

Primary weapon finished.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1931/besra2007.jpg

[Waipunga]

Detailing out the cockpit. Primary weapon system shown in the stowed position. That is one of the design parameters that I have set for myself, with this machine, that such can be folded back against the hull for when the little fighter is on-board it's parent ship.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1969/besra2009.jpg

[Evilivo]

Shaping out great and I like the idea of the folded back weapon :) Is the Parent ship coming soon? :)))

[Waipunga]

Is the Parent ship coming soon? ))
Reply With Quote

Oh Man imagine that in 1/20 scale. The thing would be over 5 metres long! Wonderful dream though thanks Evilivo. Hopefully one day we will all see it in 3D. ;-)

Engines now basically finished, (pipework needed) side/directional thruster bases on, engine armour plates on, yeah slowly getting there.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2499/besra2010.jpg

[Klaw]

Wow, I knew you sculpted, and did blades, but I had no Idea you modeled as well: Awesome and inventive: I look forward to seeing this finished! Have you ever considered a sketchbook thread with your sculpture or metalwork in it? Your sketches, notes and whatnot from your projects would be fascinating I think. And it's all art, so it fits the bill. Just a thought. In any case: AWESOME.

[Klaw]

Also, is this story one you are writing? Sounds cool anyhow!

[Waipunga]

Hey Klaw, thanks Dude and yeah thanks for the idea of a sketchbook Mate. That I shall do for the next one.

"Foot" laid out. As this craft is purely space borne, the only landing gear it would need is something to hang on with, that could also be used to grab things as well.

Just have to make up the canopy, and the port side weapon then the sensor pod, pipe it up and it should be ready for paint.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1931/besra2007.jpg

PS Yeah I am writing three books for this particular storyline. First one is finished and halfway through the second.

[Mox3d]

Oh Man imagine that in 1/20 scale. The thing would be over 5 metres long! Wonderful dream though thanks Evilivo. Hopefully one day we will all see it in 3D. ;-)

Engines now basically finished, (pipework needed) side/directional thruster bases on, engine armour plates on, yeah slowly getting there.



As a 3d modeller I love so much what you're doing. It's wonderful, and inspiring!

With regard to the statement of making the mother or docking ship, I considered that you could simply create the small docking area alone, or just a part of the main vessel to save a bunch of time (and space of course).

Really love this. Thank you for sharing :)

[Waipunga]

Hey you are welcome Mox.

Hugely good fun these builds as there are very few actual "rules" apart from "it should look as if it might actually work", "any part must fit into the continuity of the entire piece" and "it must look cool".

Secondary weapon laid out. Canopy (always an interesting part of a build) to make and then the main sensor suite.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3893/besra2021.jpg

And yes I must give some thought to a dio for it. Maybe a piece of wreckage of some sort with the Besra hanging onto it. Good thought thanks for that.

[Klaw]

Sweet! Nice progress here! Can't wait to see what's next for this! You would not even know this was from common everyday materials: it looks like it is all custom, and looks totally believable!

[Bongsplat]

Excellent use of spare parts Waipunga!

Its amazing how the parts used are now unrecognisable,its turned into an awesome looking craft.

Really great stuff

[Waipunga]

Thanks Guys.

Spot of paint and a couple of views of what will be obscured when the belly tank and the canopy go on. Piping/cables almost finished as well.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1373/besra2024.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/927/besra2025.jpg

[Klaw]

As always, amazing!

[Waipunga]

And almost done. Few little greeblies to add, then sealed off. Pilot's face needs to be finished as well.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/820/besra3002.jpg

[Evilivo]

Extremely cool design! Love it!

[Klaw]

So Cool. This Rocks, my friend! Well Done!

[Waipunga]

Here you go Guys. Done!

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7199/besrafin002.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/87/besrafin003.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/8638/besrafin004.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4536/besrafin005.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/612/besrafin007.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1086/besrafin008.jpg

Right........... on with the next one!

[ZLuca]

This is one of your best !
I love how you used spare parts like mouse and pens!
Final painting is awesome!
Who knows what will be your next!
Luca