"1986 "Young Astronauts" Argo Shuttle For 15mm" Topic

This was some sort of McDonalds happy meal toy:

auction

mcjans.com/ALLu-z.htm

Do you guys think it could work for 15mm?

Thanks,

Dan
TMP link

Not convinced. Detail looks shallow and frankly a bit ropy. Looking at the price I'd either spend the extra and buy something purpose or scratch build and save the cash. And that's assuming the size is okay.

Wow. :) I actually remember having those – that exact one plus another from the same series. They're vacuum-molded plastic, so pretty much a completely hollow shell. You could always fill it with resin or water putty if you wanted something more hefty.

The red one was about 4" long, if I remember correctly. But I don't remember the details well enough to know if it would pass at our scale. Maybe grab one if you see a 99-cent option with cheap enough shipping?

-Chris K.

Then perhaps as a crashed spacecraft, partly hidden by a dune?

link

Dan
TMP link

It could work as a small crashed shuttle, or a crashed transport ship in 6mm. Probably soft enough to cut with scissors. :)

I'll have to dig through my old tub of diecast cars this weekend and see if mine is still in there. Don't remember seeing the red one anytime recently, but I know the NASA shuttle from the same collection is still around my house.

-Chris K.

An application of The Dip will bring out the details fairly well. I've painted and Dip'ed plastic Army Men, and their vehicles, with surprising results -- more detail came out than I expected, and they looked even better at arm's length (actual tabletop gaming distances)! (Link) If they are inexpensive enough, go for it (detail-wise, don't know about scale size). Cheers!

CLKEagle: "They're vacuum-molded plastic, so pretty much a completely hollow shell. You could always fill it with resin or water putty if you wanted something more hefty."
"Probably soft enough to cut with scissors."

QUESTIONS:
How about insulating foam (from a can)? Would that fill it up and make it a little sturdier? Or would it make the ship distorted, as if it was bloated?

Thanks,

Dan

Hmm, I made the mistake of googling "crashed spaceship" and now I can't get this cool terrain project out of my head:

link

And this other one …

link

Dan

Dan:

The expanding foam in an aerosol can expands a very great deal, and it likely would not work for this purpose (very light-weight, difficult to contain its expansion). The non-expanding foam is very light-weight, and not terribly strong. The water putty, used by plumbers, and sold at hardware stores, will work, but I'm not familiar with how heavy it is. Sand, mixed with PVA glue, would work, if used to fill the void; epoxy putty, also available at hardware stores, will do the job. Cheers!

I have used expanding foam to reinforce hollow found forms. you have to get used to it and I use the stuff with the minimal amount of expansion (it comes in different grades).

It can be problematic on more flexible forms as it will bow them out, but a little carving and cutting after it has hardened will usually correct that.

I've successfully used thin plastic packaging, the sort that holds things in place, to make buildings and other structures.

One of the biggest drawbacks is that the cans of foam aren't really good for small uses or multiple separate uses. They tend to leak propellant or continue to gush. So it helps to have several things lined up at once.

-Eli

Guys,

I flew home today and found the two shuttles I ordered a few weeks ago and, guess what!

They are made from a rigid plastic (like the type used with green army men), though the ships are simply shells without bottoms to them. The actually detail looks pretty good for an injection mould piece. Will look even better with the right paint and was.

I will take some comparison pics for you guys in the next day or two.

Dan

Dimensions

42mm widest point
95mm length
30mm maximum height

Here are some comparison pics for your edification:

More pics here:

link

QUESTION:

So, what do you guys think?

Dan

Looks like it would be perfect for 10mm. It's certainly close enough for an active 15mm shuttle, even better if carved up and used as a wreck.

Now I'm hoping there's still one somewhere in my storage boxes. :)

-Chris K.

Looks good to me. Gesso will work as a primer, or you can take advantage of the red as your main color, and just paint the non-red portions/parts. I'd enjoy gaming with that shuttle painted up, no problem. Cheers!

Guys,

Check out the MT32 Buffalo Troop Transport on this 6mm site:

link

"L80, W40m, H25 mm"

Close, isn't it?

Dan

Dan
yes the Bufflo is very close
Have you thought about just adding some thick plastic sheeting to the bottom to make look taller then mold it and cast it, then you can detail the bottom and add landing gears

If your recast it you might be able to add out riggings/stub wings of sorts to add weapon systems in the casting

Dan
Here is a better pic of the Bufflo (a little on the 40k style IMO)