TOPIC:

So this is just a time filler, till I receive my 2 Clod bodies for my Clod crew cab build. I wanted to use my TL-01 chassis for a trail vehicle, and decided to build my own body for it... So here is project Unknown, a cross between a Unimog, and an amoured vehicle of some sort. This build is totally original, with designs borrowed from all sorts of vehicles found on the Internet. And it is a bit of design as I build.

Pictures do far:















The idea behind this build is not to build a hectic crawler, but rather an off road trail vehicle for fun. And something to practice weathering on. So JR, if you reading this, I'll be asking for your help with the painting soon...

Fantastic work there I like the louvres on the back - is that overlapped or just scored?

But ... I've seen that van before - bar the splitty windscreen, it's uncannily like a Toyota Hiace Quick Delivery (Tamiya # 2441)

I know it's not finished yeat, but have you got any more plans for details on the front? Painted/lined/stickered doors & windows always make something look a lot more toylike, so although it's a lot of faffing about, cutting out the doors & windows & backing them with more plasticard (and replacing the undersized doors in the appropriate holes) will pay real dividends in the realism department.

The roof also looks very flat & plain ... I don't know if you already have plans for a rack, but if not, can I suggest something simple like a couple of roof bars & a sunroof (just a strips of 3mm card turned on its side & profiled a little, and a 1mm rectangle with the corners rounded), or just some 0.5mm strips with the corners rounded so it looks like the roof panel has been pressed?

Looking forward to seeing the rest of your build

ps, TBH I think you've already seen what I can do, weathering wise

Hey thanks JR.

The roller shutter is just scored every 6mm with a blunt carpet knife. So it scores, not cuts through.

To answer your questions, yes yes yes and yes. Yes to all the above mentioned. I am going to cut out the windows and doors, and build a scale interior. I was thinking of making a heavy duty light bar for the top, like on the Dakar trucks. And behind that making a openable escape hatch, with ladder rungs down the side of the body. I was planning only 1 door on the one side.

The roof is nowhere near finished. I was always going to make it more dimensional, but you'll see what I mean with that. I'm actually busy with it at the moment.

My whole idea of this thing was more on the military side, so that rules out the sun roof, but the hatch will take its place.

I love your comments, so keep them up, they really motivate me....

I googled the Tamiya Toyota Hi-ace delivery van



I see what you mean by the similar shape... Haha

Jonny wrote:

I know it's not finished yeat, but have you got any more plans for details on the front? Painted/lined/stickered doors & windows always make something look a lot more toy

If you have suggestions, I'm all ears. The only thing I have planned at the moment, it detailing around the windows in the form of riveted strips, to simulate armour glass? Something like this:



With regards to color and weathering, still haven't put much thought into it.

2 Clod bodies?! I've spent months looking for 1 sensibly-priced one, (Broken, mutilated, don't care) & still haven't landed one! People are paying mental money for clod bits over here at the mo, no idea why, it's not like they're rare or anything!

eddrick wrote:

2 Clod bodies?! I've spent months looking for 1 sensibly-priced one, (Broken, mutilated, don't care) & still haven't landed one! People are paying mental money for clod bits over here at the mo, no idea why, it's not like they're rare or anything!

Well, I traded an on road car for 2 clod bodies with grills, blowers, windscreens, and roll bars, and 2 Axial Wraith diffs. eBay prices are mental, and even worse to ship to South Africa...

Louisbaby wrote:

...
If you have suggestions, I'm all ears. ...

Take a look at this

That will surely add the.... Uummm.... Bling factor to the truck...hahahaha, but sadly, not quite what I had in mind...

This is my progress. Worked on the roof a bit. Made a escape hatch that will be accessed up and down the side of the truck. Not finished, but getting closer...