Project Landship Update 3

This week's work started with unexciting stuff; trimming away the pegs that attached the now discarded plastic wheels, as well as a couple of other unwanted protuberances. The mechanism that attaches the tread sections was adjusted while I was at it, making the reversed treads sit better and lowered the hull down a little. 

I also filed off the old moulded 'control panel' fittings that were in the original driving position (and now facing the wrong way) - this area will become a small aft deck behind the bridge tower, where the mast will be mounted.

But that was procrastination while I worked out how to tackle the "Bridge". I want an elevated tower style bridge to:

a. get a less refined, experimental pre-dreadnought ship look, and 

b. avoid a WW2 style tank destroyer profile, which is currently achieves quite admirably!

I decided on a rounded Cupola style, which will house the "steersman" with a viewport to look through. On top of that will be a Fighting Platform with some light weapons for anti-infantry and anti-airship protection (wooden planked to match the main gun platform below it). I'd like a Command platform above that for the Captain, but it may be too much.  I'll keep it open backed for dioramic purposes, and to reinforce the experimental appearance.

Starting with light plastic card I cut the Steerman's viewing slit and built up the edges the plastic strip on both sides, before starting to shape it.

The edging will eventually have rivets to give an armoured appearance

This would need to be glued in a couple of sections to help the plasticard get the right shape. The first and easiest (less 'bendy')  and most important to get right was the front, so I added a small support for additional surface area to add greater strength to this bond.

Once that was dry I did the starboard side, using tape to keep it in shape while drying. During this process, I decided to make the bridge sides slightly asymmetrical to make it more interesting, which will include an offset funnel.

Thats a start anyway. The basic fighting top was similarly made initially with thick card - I played about the shapes, overhang sizes etc for ages. Not happy yet but when I'm satisfied it will be planked with coffee stirrers. 

While things were drying I made some ventilators to reinforce the ship aesthetic. Made from corners of circular sprue and truck headlights, they are a little rough but they'll do - likely to be fitted either side of the Steerman's cupola.

Finally, I've started experimenting with making rivets: clearly an essential part of an ironclad era construction, and something that needs to be endlessly repeatable. More on that next time!