O-F1C E Class drone

   This one has been a blast! Giving myself a time limit for building forces me to think faster in terms of shape relation than my previous project, TUGG, which I had all the time I wanted. I did however have as long as I wanted to paint and apply decals.

   The ship in this project was made primarily out of an old Samsung mobile phone that I found broken on the floor outside. Most of the inspiration from this ship came from an old fountain pen ink capsule. It's a long, thing, slightly tapered tube which I can imagine being a radar unit or fuel tank. I really wanted to incorporate it so I've made it the main component of the ship by placing it in a way that you can view it from almost any angle.

   Painting the theme of a menacing/military drone was a bit of a challenge. It's name was a mash of the word "Office", because all of the parts are from things you'd find within one. So I'm pleased to announce, my makeshift, military, low orbit defence drone "O-F1C E Class".

Post No:2 - O-F1C E Class

    This is the mobile phone that I found. It's condition wasn't much better than this.

   After 2 hours worth of assembling time, this is the result. I hadn't documented the build of this as well as the previous project as I was not only timed but I was more focused on recording the painting. Only offcuts of plasticard were used to keep it random and keep my build time target achievable.

   Looking at the side you can see how the fountain pen ink cartridge suits the body well. Acting as both a tail ballast and a fuel tank/radar of some kind.

   Priming it white helps to lock components down, remove gloss/matte contrast (which creates confusion when trying to imagine what some parts will be made of), removes colour and helps make further paint layers adhere much nicer.

   The front panel has inspiration from the "Scout A-class" from a FPS called Hawken ;) You can see how small this ship is in comparison to my hand.

   This depleted C02 cartridge found outside will be used in another project coming soon. This component will most definitely be a fuel tank for either a long range vehicle or a fueling ship.

   Initially, I wanted the ink cartridge to be this olive drab colour, simulating real life radar covers however I couldn't get any other colour to contrast well with it. So I later decided to paint the entire thing to black.

   After priming it black I lightly drybrushed the black areas with a lighter grey to add detail that was lost.

   This technique is called "paneling" - the ability to create panels using tape or gouging holes. "Tamiya masking tape 6mm" was used and slices into thin strips. Placing it onto the model then painting over it seals it in. A very simple and effective method to add detail to a boring surface. Less is more though so don't go overboard.

   This is what it looks like once it's been painted to blend in with the rest of the radar unit.

   Using "AK Interactive Rust streaks" again on this one to give a more organic essence.

   This is after white spirit has been used to streak it. The next project will have lots of flat surfaces so I shall incorporate a tutorial in that project.

   The panels I found didn't stick out enough so I painted them white.

   This is a decal sheet from Revell "Tornado GR.1 RAF". Lots of great shapes, markings and indicators. Although I found that as my vehicle was mostly black, there weren't many decals that were white or high contrast. Still a very useful sheet though.

Adding more strips of tape for "paneling".

   Merges very well into the background colour and as long as you don't try to pry it off, it will indefinitely stay on the model.

   Painted white and adding more white details to break up the boring grey tone. Also note that more gray paint has been added.

   Micro electronic components (resistors, capacitors, transistors etc.) make great detailing! especially when painted with the contrasting colour. Keep any circuit boards you have as they make great panels because of the small electronic/robotic/space ship details.

   Using Vallejo "Liquid Silver - Silver" for scratch trim on some panels, the engine colour and the vent colour on top (the much appreciated zip tie ;) ) creates a very crisp, bright metallic look. I highly recommend the Vallejo "Liquid Silver" range however being that the pigment is suspended in alcohol, not water/oil/enamel, it makes it very difficult to work with. Smells great but dries literally in seconds. Think of it as painting with super glue. Don't dilute with water otherwise the pigment rusts.

   After adding many more decals, here is the final ship.

   I decided to add blue to the coil at the front (just wire from a broken charger) because although this is a military ship, black/red/white is too cliche. Red is a great colour to accent evil objects and vehicles but in very small amounts. Too often the "Shadow the hedgehog" Black/Red 50/50 mix is done and it not only looks childish but also unrealistic.

   Here we have it. The "O-F1C E Class drone" ready for low orbit planetary defence. I'm debating about adding it to a small diorama which will be the ship suspended in a workshop. Showcasing 1:144 scale human miniatures (as that's the scale all my ships will be in) to help represent how large it is as well at setting the scene. Thank you for viewing. Next project - fuel tanker.