The Rexona Raider was inspired by an article about scratch-building vehicles for Warhammer 40,000 that appeared in White Dwarf issue 100 (or so). Inspired by their cunning use of a deodorant stick, I decided to build one myself. Someone less scrupulous might scan the old magazine to show the original picture, but I am not that individual. You can dig through your old magazines yourself if you care.
The result was this prototype. It's quite horrible, actually. I wouldn't have bothered showing it at all except for the historical relevance.
I don't remember exactly when the prototype was built, but 1988 is probably a good bet. I was still using enamels at the time, and in general lacked proper tools. I also think this was my first scratch-build. As you can see, the results leave a lot to be desired... Note the too-thin paint, the sucky attempt at panel lining... yuck! You should be elsewhere already.
Still here? In case you're wondering about the insignia, Little Shop of Horrors had recently been released, and I really liked it. I even bought the soundtrack album (yes, really, I'm that sad).
I wasn't too happy about it back then either. Some time later I decided to try my hand at the same subject again. This time the results were slightly better. As I was the editor of Riimukiwi (a job which included writing 90% of the articles), I decided to write an article about the construction for the magazine, published in issue 4/90. This means it was probably assembled in the first half of 1990 (since I spent the other half getting state-mandated lobotomy). Unfortunately, the electronic Riimukiwi archives don't quite go that far back, so I can't offer you the original article (and it would be in Finnish anyway).
So, the following is a very short and sweet version of the instructions:
Wash the shampoo bottle and let it dry. Then rough it up with a bit of
sandpaper, this will
eliminate the shiny plastic look that often plagues models made from plastic
containers. Or so I'm told.
If you want it shiny and smooth, don't use the sandpaper.
Remove the bottle top and cut off the internal nozzle. Glue the top back on, e xcept this time at slight angle. Remove the shaft from the spoon, then glue it as a cockpit cover. Glue the engines and other hull accessories on too. Two of the slottabases go on the back to cover up the bottom of the bottle.
Attach cannon and other turret accessories to the turret body. Glue the bit of
sprue on the underside to act as turret axle.
Mark the spot where you want the turret to go on the hull. Drill a small hole in the hull. The turret axle should be tight in this hole. Then glue a round slottabase over this hold. It will act as the turret ring. Make a slightly bigger hole in the slottabase.
If your turret body is hollow on the underside, fill it with putty. While the putty is still wet, smear a bit of grease on the turret ring and press the turret down. Let the putty dry and then gently remove the turret. Check the turret balance. If it droops, glue some counterweights on.
The rough texture (if you sanded it) takes drybrushing very well. Spray
everything black, then drybrush
in a couple of shades of gray. Cockpit looks good painted in glossy black.
Glue cotton balls to the slottabases
in the rear, stretch them out a little and apply hairspray and/or varnish. Add
decals to taste and stir.
Not surprisingly, the model has never been used in a game. It has weathered the years stuck in one of my figure cases until I dug it up for a new photoshoot. To close this off, here's a picture inspired by the model, drawn by a friend of mine. One that, unlike yours truly, actually has artistic talent.
| Online pic of original grav vehicle | guest | Jul 31, 2004 11:08 |
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I believe that Stuff of Legends has a picture of the original model, apparently from WD 95, that may be found here: http://www.solegends.com/citrt/rtgravattack.htm (Just in case anyone is interested!!) |
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| Yup, that's it | maxxon | Aug 03, 2004 15:32 |
That's indeed the original source of inspiration. If you look closely, you can see that my first prototype followed the original much more closely. |
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| Grav Attack vehicle art | guest | Apr 25, 2005 22:51 |
Hi Maxxon, I was in my FLGS last week, and was browsing through a GW artbook. It was called Horus Heresy or something like that, and seemed to be a compilation of the art from the Horus Heresy CCG. One painting was quite clearly derived from Rick's original deodarant flier! I think it was done up in Emperor's Children colors. (Purple and gold) Since I game in 15mm, I've collected a couple mini deodarant sticks and tiny shampoo bottles from samples and hotels, planning someday to do a 15mm version Grav Attack. Ivan DBA |
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Copyright 2003-2021 Mikko Kurki-Suonio
Sucks!
