This is the project I am currently working on - a present for a friend of mine who loves the Land Rover Defender (but has never owned one)

The kit itself has an interesting provenance. It started out as a Ferrari which I later traded for a 1940 Ford which I in turn traded for this kit. You could say that, in a way, it's the first off-road ferrari :( hehe

I want this to be a quick(ish) build so I am really going to just whack it together and hope that weathering will cover my mistakes :)
Speed will be helped by the fact that this is a curbside kit so there is no engine to distract me.

The kit itself is rather simple with a fairly low parts count. The molding is acceptable but it took me a week to clean up all the parts form flash and major parting lines etc.

Since this is going to be a WELL used and beaten up version, the first thing I did after cleaning all the parts was to trash them.

The body has been Dremmeled from inside and then dented and rust holes poked out.
I have also applied dabs of CA glue and sprinkled it with baking powder to get a rust texture in places.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_01.jpg


The roof was also dented as was the hood (which I forgot to photograph LOL)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_02.jpg


Chassis parts were also treated to CA and baking powder...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_03.jpg


The exhaust train was also textured and I replaced the tail pipe with a piece of steel tubing.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_06.jpg

I couldn't wait to try out Lutz's aged seat tutorial. All I can say is that IMHO it ranks among one of the best ideas I have ever seen - deadly easy and the results are just amazing. All in all 40 mins work for all three seats :o

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_07.jpg


I proceeded exactly as Lutz suggests although I added a little touch of my own by earlier Dremelling out the back of the seat (lust like making rust holes) to make them look even more abused. The spring was made with some thin wire and the seat stuffing....

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_08.jpg


...is some of that fluff from the clothes dryer fixed with white glue LOL


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_09.jpg



I thought I would try some armor techniques I have seen so I pre-shaded some areas of the body for extra shadow.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_13.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_14.jpg


The body was painted with a custom mix of Vallejo acrylics (40% French Blue / 60% Dark Sea blue) and followed with some shading using the same color lightened with some white. The roof and wheels are painted with Vallejo white.

Interestingly, the photos do not catch the final results. In reality, the shading etc have give quite a good effect and the body color is sort of "patchy"

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_15.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_16.jpg


The undercarriage also has seen the beginning of the weathering process. Rustall dirt sprinkled over wet matt black paint in places.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_17.jpg


Thanks for looking in :thumbup:


I assembled the suspension parts and attached them to the chassis frame.
Despite being a curbside, the kit has quite an interesting suspension layout and has the option of either a left-hand drive or right-hand drive set-up.

This shot gives you a good view of just what a haphazard modeler I am :rofl:
Who else do you know that would have parts of the underside weathered and other parts untouched?!?!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_18.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_19.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_20.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_21.jpg


And a test fit to see if it has 4 paws on the ground…

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_22.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_23.jpg


The cabin tub sub-assembly completed. I have added some scratches and dirty wash. I will add (or not) some dust and debris once I have solved my conundrum below :)


This is how the cabin looks at present.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_25.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_26.jpg



My dilemma...

Italeri have kindly included an alternative rear door solution on the tree that is not supposed to be used in this version but I painted it up anyway.

If I were to use it, I would be able to make the Landy as a "topless" version.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_27.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_28.jpg


Full-top version...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_29.jpg


The up-side would be that the seats and any detailing would actually be visible. The down side is that it would mean quite a lot more work to make the interior more worth looking at.

In the meantime, I have been invaded by The Blobby-Thing Monster !!!! :rofl:
(see below)

I thought I would make a start on a possible base - a waterfall scene with the LR in the front.
I made an L-shaped base out of Styrofoam but, instead of using "normal" ways to make the rock face, I wanted to experiment with a material I have never used before - the polyurethane expanding foam used to fix doors and windows. (http://www.budnet.pl/zdjecia/nie_czekaj_do%20_zimy_wtekst.JPG)
Boy, when I get it wrong, do I get it wrong!!! What a disaster!!!

Firstly, while I was applying the foam to the base, the base fell apart and two sticky, foamy pieces of Styrofoam fell on the floor. Naturally enough, it fell sticky side down just like the proverbial slice of bread and butter LOL

Believe me, this stuff makes a mess!!! Luckily for some reason I had decided to do this in the garage rather than my workshop.
I had this gunk in my hair, on my hands. on my clothes...everywhere. And boy, is it sticky!!!

Secondly, while I went back to my bench to make a second base, unknown to me the original foam was expanding....and expanding....and expanding...and expanding.
I nearly wet my pants laughing when I returned and found that the stuff had blobbed out all over the place LOL


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_36.jpg


To top it all off, even when I tried to be more conservative with the foam on the second base, it has still expanded so much that I don't think there is enough room there now for the LR!! hehe

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_37.jpg


The Rescue plan :)

Cut away the excess foam and make channel for water fall. Added bonus is that I found a huuuge hollow place in the middle which might make a cool grotto or something :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_42.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_41.jpg


It will look something like this:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_40.jpg


I have opened a Little Rock factory. I am casting 2 million plaster rocks to stick to the places I had to cut flat hehe

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_39.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_38.jpg

:cwm27: I always like to read your WIP´s! It´s a guarantee for seeing something unusual.
Those seats are looking fantastic!
As for your waterfall scene: Ever tried gypsum over steel-mesh? Railway-modelers do their landscapes like that. You can give your rocks their rough structure very easy that way.

Wow, superb buildup Steven! You are becoming quite a master in weathering! I'll be following this build!

:eek: I'm impressed by your modeling techniques more and more each day! :)
You're not only mastering the weathering techniques but you're excellent at building dioramas too! :worshippy

PS: I'll give you a call as soon as I have some doors and windows to fit! ;)

:cwm27: I always like to read your WIP´s! It´s a guarantee for seeing something unusual.
Those seats are looking fantastic!

Already with a new thread, this is going to be a blast. You clearly are a master of weathering and innovation.

Already with a new thread, this is going to be a blast. You clearly are a master of weathering and innovation.
and fun!!

I?m wondering why destroy a good havana cigar to do 3 wrecked seats :D

Bravo!

I?m wondering why destroy a good havana cigar to do 3 wrecked seats :D
Because I am replicating Fidel's own personal 4x4? :D

Bolders have been glued in place and now it just needs to be covered with plaster and primed for painting.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_43.jpg


The chassis is now finished. No more weathering to be done here I think.
When I think that a week or so ago this was just a bunch of bits of black plastic... I smile :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_44.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_45.jpg


The rocks have been primed with automotive grey primer and then given a light disting with Tamiya white primer.
This is more or less how the layout will look (big word for a car body in the middle of grey plaster! :rofl:).

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_46.jpg


Closer view
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_47.jpg


A bit of 4x4 action (well it woudl be if the wheels were on :( )

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_49.jpg

Cheers :)

Hi Steve,

cool project so far. Weathering job on the chassis is great, unfortunately hardly to be seen later.

Excellent as always! Topless looks good to me, unless you could do something a bit more dramatic with the roof - big scratches, rips, rust, dings, plaster rocks(!). Right now it looks a bit like a tour truck or something! Anyway, fantastic work, it'll be very interesting to see how you do the water this time. And the chassis looks awesome.

Great work!

:1:

Looks great!

unfortunately hardly to be seen later.
but we can see it now ;)

I've seen weathering done before, but that rust looks like............RUST. And with that waterfall in progress, I think you should get a job with Disneyland with your skills.

Land Rovers bodies we're made of aluminum...so No rust....

Nice one!

I've always wanted one of these cars since I was younger.

Fantastic weathering skills mate...
Wish I had the guts to do that... I keep on thinking I'll over-do it...
And you got a pm ^^~

Land Rovers bodies we're made of aluminium...so No rust....

Whilst most of the outer panels are indeed aluminium, they can still suffer badly from electrolytic corrosion where the ally turns to a white dust. I believe that this is due to the substructure being steel - the bulkhead is definitely steel & rusts like a fisherman's bucket.

Land Rovers bodies we're made of aluminum...so No rust....
Sshh! Don't tell anyone ;)

Whilst most of the outer panels are indeed aluminium, they can still suffer badly from electrolytic corrosion where the ally turns to a white dust. I believe that this is due to the substructure being steel - the bulkhead is definitely steel & rusts like a fisherman's bucket.
Thanks for that, Paul - good stuff to know. Actually, the weathering on the back drop down door has come out pretty much how you describe :lol: there was some kind of reaction between the medium and the paint which resulted in a white deposit/stain.

What you've done looks pretty accurate to me, especially on the sills - very impressed! If you're wanting to be ultra realistic, a favourite rot spot is the top door hinge area on the bulkhead.

A few useful links that I've just found:

http://rivertonrovers.com/images/albums/NewAlbum_85ab9/109_from_MN_rusty_bulkhead.JPG

http://land-rover-rebuild.blogspot.com/

http://www.britpics.co.uk/LWBrst/

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/117.html

http://www.jojas.co.uk/defender_buyers_guide.htm

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/87.html

Really looking forward to seeing more progress :biggrin: :cool:

What you've done looks pretty accurate to me, especially on the sills - very impressed! If you're wanting to be ultra realistic, a favourite rot spot is the top door hinge area on the bulkhead.

A few useful links that I've just found:

http://rivertonrovers.com/images/albums/NewAlbum_85ab9/109_from_MN_rusty_bulkhead.JPG

http://land-rover-rebuild.blogspot.com/

http://www.britpics.co.uk/LWBrst/

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/117.html

http://www.jojas.co.uk/defender_buyers_guide.htm

http://www.eastcoastrover.com/87.html

Really looking forward to seeing more progress :biggrin: :cool:
Many thanks! :thumbsup:
Great materials and just what I needed.

Hi Steven,

why is it that I must always lough out loud when I read your WIP threads?
Really funny how you experiment with unusual materials all the time, make a mess and still turn it into awesome dioramas. Mucho respect for that!

The Landy looks convincing - in a way. mrgixxer is right with his statement about the rust. Sorry about that, but even our 1964 (never rebuilt) move-the-bloody-oxygen-cylinders-to-the-diving-boat-beach-beater in South Africa didn't have such subtantial rust on the body. Hey - do not ask about the frame and axles, that's a (w)hole different story ;)

Anyway. Weathering technique wise you definitely have some superb skills!

Keep it up, I'll be :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Hi Steven,

why is it that I must always lough out loud when I read your WIP threads?
Really funny how you experiment with unusual materials all the time, make a mess and still turn it into awesome dioramas. Mucho respect for that!

The Landy looks convincing - in a way. mrgixxer is right with his statement about the rust. Sorry about that, but even our 1964 (never rebuilt) move-the-bloody-oxygen-cylinders-to-the-diving-boat-beach-beater in South Africa didn't have such subtantial rust on the body. Hey - do not ask about the frame and axles, that's a (w)hole different story ;)

Anyway. Weathering technique wise you definitely have some superb skills!

Keep it up, I'll be :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
Thanks Seb :thumbsup:

You really would have laughed if you had seen my first attempt at the waterfall :evillol:
I put too much color in the gel and it ended up looking like a river of sh*t running down the mountain :rofl: I had to rip it out and start over again. This time I will be using something else for the water effect.

I can only agree about the rust. My bad.
However, I hope that when you see the finished model you will feel that I have tried to get mostly the rust where it should be and not too much where it shouldn't be ;)

This is how the finished weathering is looking on the Landy

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/2.jpg


Following some very helpful remarks on what does and what doesn’t rust on a Land Rover, I have tried to limit my inclination to make everything rusty :grinyes:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/4.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/5.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/6.jpg


Bird’s eye view. The “climbing” rope in the back is a piece of elastic smeared with MIG pigment dust.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/7.jpg


The revised waterfall. I scrapped the first idea and instead, I used transparent bathroom silicon caulking. When the silicon has fully cured, I shall see about maybe colouring it and/or glazing it with gloss gel. If necessary.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/10.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/9.jpg


The two put together for a test drive.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/12.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/ROUGH%20COMPLETED/13.jpg


Thanks for looking :thumbsup:

The rusted aluminum weathering looks great! :thumbsup:
However the waterfall looks frozen. I'm sure you'll find a way to improve it. ;)

Looks great! Nice weathering.

Waterfall needs color...otherwise it looks an awful lot like...uh...hair gel...:uhoh: :cwm27:

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/celebdatabase/camerondiaz/cameron_diaz7_180_240.jpg

Waterfall needs color...otherwise it looks an awful lot like...uh...hair gel...:uhoh: :cwm27:

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/celebdatabase/camerondiaz/cameron_diaz7_180_240.jpg
:lol2: :lol2: :evillol:
Oh! Tintin Diaz..

http://herokids.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/herotintin.jpg


What can I say? First a river of brown stuff and now a quiff of hair gel..... ;)

I'm working on it but I have to admit it would look very much at home in a frozen scene.

I appreciate the open feed back guys :thumbsup:

Why don't you try with some slightly blue-greenish tinted transparent resin. Try out a few different consistencies that you let flow on a piece of cardboard or Styrofoam inclined. You'll just have to let it flow on using different angles and see which one gives you the right look.

I know it's easier to say than to actually do it! :D

Love the truck, it looks fabulous. You should do some military, those guys are completely over the top, you'd be right at home :) I've seen a few steep streams, usually done with very dark background and just a thin glaze over the top for effect, it looks very realistic, however the waterfall is different if you're going to show falling water, it's a tough ask, we're betting on you though!

Love the truck, it looks fabulous. You should do some military, those guys are completely over the top, you'd be right at home :)
:1:
My thoughts exactly!

Brilliant work as usual! Makes my weathering look crap!

I will be watching this one closely.

What to say that has not been said :confused:

You're an inspiration for all of us :worshippy

...

Poor my beloved Land Rover.... They gave you the only one problem you are not used to have: Rust!
Land Rover bodies can be rusted on the fireguard, rear door chassis and door handles only. The rest is alumade and always in perfect shape also after half a century....
Great job anyway

Master Klutz_100,

Another great model from you!!! What amazing effects sir... Hope you write a very detailed tutorial about "rust".

About the waterfall, it was a very creative thing. Just a comment: I would use another kind of material to make water because it is very white for me.

Great job!!

Fantastic. It's a pleasure to watch this kind of modeling! What more can be said?

Yes, you could apply these skills to modeling tanks and such- but it really is refreshing and fun to see them used on non-military subjects. To me, seeing a 'familiar' subject like a Landy in this kind of setting is vastly better than some armored vehicle.

Needs a bit more in the back. Climbing ropes and bedrolls are a good start. But I'm thinking that what's missing is some huge, valuable, and absurd cargo in the back that must get through to basecamp- like an overstuffed recliner and a satellite dish, or a forklift palette of 10,000 slightly used copies of Playboy magazine. (Come to think of it, that could explain the appearance of the 'waterfall'....)

Needs a bit more in the back....
How about this? ;) :D

Thanks :thumbsup:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_55-1.jpg

looking at the waterfalls i realise that this is the model of the Jenna Jameson Land Rover, isn't it?

looking at the waterfalls i realise that this is the model of the Jenna Jameson Land Rover, isn't it?
Lapo - I must be REALLY old :( I had to Google search to find out who the heck that was :lol:
You are a bad boy! ;) :evillol:


Andy was right that there could be some more crap in the back so I took his advice and made a shovel with a toothpick and a aluminium barbeque plate

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_58.jpg

and banged it up some.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_59.jpg

I also made a kind of blanket roll from a kleenex and Tamiya tape.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_60.jpg


The back is so large I could be making junk till next Easter (so I'll stop now :evillol:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_62.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/WIPs/LAND%20ROVER%20110%20LWB/LR_61.jpg


Don't even ask about the waterfall :p
I can't get it to work to my satisfaction which is annoying but hey, I tried :D

that is just awesome :popcorn:

looking at the waterfalls i realise that this is the model of the Jenna Jameson Land Rover, isn't it?

:lol: You're right, I thought the same first time I saw it, but I didn't find such a nice way to express my POV. :evillol:

Lapo - I must be REALLY old :( I had to Google search to find out who the heck that was :lol:
You are a bad boy! ;) :evillol:

Nah, you can't be that old, she' been around for ages or maybe it's been ages that she isn't around anymore. :uhoh:

SWEET I love land rovers. The Defender is a beast. Do you happen to know if there are any land rover discovery model kits out?

Don't even ask about the waterfall :p
I can't get it to work to my satisfaction which is annoying but hey, I tried :D

Hey, not a problem at all. It's winter, isn't it? Just add some ice and snow, hehe. Frozen waterfalls do look different from flowing/falling ones ;)

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/picture/Tex/frozenwaterfal.jpg

Have fun!

Hey, not a problem at all. It's winter, isn't it? Just add some ice and snow, hehe.
........

Have fun!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/klutz100/SMILEYS/tease-1.gif

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: