Morgan19 Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 I finally got around to solidifying an idea that'd been floating around in my head for a while. Ever since building the Swallowtail for FBTB's B-Wing contest, I've wanted to revisit the near-future United Martian Commonwealth (UMC) universe I'd started with that MOC. The idea of doing an APC-type vehicle, but not one that looks like it's from Aliens, popped into my head a few weeks back. I worked on this model from Wednesday until today, spending about twenty hours total buliding, redesigning, tweaking, and taking/editing pictures. I had a few goals in mind while building: 1) Create a wheeled ground vehicle (which would be my first). 2) Create a MOC with a defined interior. 3) Have space for a "crew', meaning the ability to carry troops onboard and have more than one driver up front. 4) Create a MOC that's more complex than just a brick or two thick-- my voidfighter, for example, was basically a single plate's thickness with a brick on the top and bottom. I wanted to make something more tangible. All in all, I really do love how the Kodiak turned out and am very proud of it. I think I accomplished all the things I set out to do from the above list, and I've definitely gotten back into a MOCing mood. I'm especially looking forward to creating more UMC-themed models to compliment the Kodiak and Swallowtail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UMC's BTR-960 Kodiak (HIFV, Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle) - Main Brickshelf gallery - Schematics - Deeplinks: 3/4 Front | Front | Side | 3/4 Rear | Underside | Ramp extended | Loaded in | Up front | Ready to go | Personnel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments, questions, suggestions, and critiques are all welcome. What do you guys think? Thanks, m19 Quote
Starwars4J Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 Hm, I think I saw this over on Classic-space.com yesterday. This really is brilliant, I love how armored this feels. The interior is beautifully done, the greebles are phenomenal, and well, I just don't think there's anything negative I can say about this! It does look a slight big awkward for them to unload though, as they can only do so from the center one at a time, but that's entirely forgivable. One thing though, why did you make the roof open like that? Was it just so you could see inside? If it's that, why not just make a roof top that simply lifts off, or do you just prefer this design? Man, this is amazingly parts-intensive for something this size Quote
Asuka Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 Very brilliant! *y* An impressive vehicle with a great and detailed interior, a lot of fine greebles and a very good sense for technical realism. I Quote
Wout Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 I'm not so into space but this looks very good *y* Nice inside Quote
Eurobricks Emperor Bonaparte Posted April 9, 2007 Eurobricks Emperor Posted April 9, 2007 I've no suggestions nor critiques. I see no way for improving this MOC and agree with everything that's already been said already. It is very well designed with lots of details everywhere and I like the overall look and feel! Quote
Brainbox Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 Wow! Nice. I like the bulkiness of the whole thing, but it's not so much that it looks 'fat.' I really like the cockpit area. It's nice and simple, but has a nice level of detail in the simplicity. The greebles are good too, especially on the underside. Side doors are good on APC (IMO), but in this case I think the shape screams out for a back door alone. Side doors would just make it too different from the good shape it has now. It reminds me of something from the front view, but I can't think what... Quote
xenologer Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 Its very nice. I'm kinda curious about how the sloping sides were attached and how the geometry works (if there is any) About the only change is a form vs functionality preference... I would have made a working steering mechanism underneath all of that; its big enough that there ought to be room for it. Quote
Capn Kirk 911 Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 You moc looks great, It's just brillant, it looks like something straight out of a video game! I like the bulky-niece to it too, it give it a very strong sucure look to it (Just like me and all of my musles!) :-D. I also like all the weapons. P.s. were did you buy all thouse helmets for your troops, I just have to get some. Ohh and the body too! Or did you just put on the stickers to a black torso. Quote
Gooberz Posted April 9, 2007 Posted April 9, 2007 Very nice, reminds me of a bus from a zombie movie. The name escapes me, sorry. 5/5. Quote
Morgan19 Posted April 10, 2007 Author Posted April 10, 2007 Thanks very much for all the comments guys, it means a lot to me that you've taken the time to post with what you do and don't like. Starwars4J: You know, that is a very good question about the roof opening on hinges... I honestly don't know why I chose that over a lift-off type. I think I was already in the mindset of the back door so my brain just went with that for the top too, but now that you mention it I think I'd like it better if it were a closer seam without those hinge bricks. I think I'll go back and look into that. Brainbox: You're right, a lot of the shape has to do with those chunky side bits. I honestly don't know how I could've gotten away with side doors. ;) The bulky sloped sides are what the frame of the Kodiak is built around and trying to get them to open up there probably would've compromised the structure more than I would've liked. As for what it reminds you of, a lot of people over at Classic-Space are saying it's like an RV or motorhome. AS much as it pains me to point out, perhaps that's it? xenologer: Regarding the construction of the sloping sides, it's based on these parts: + + The 2x1 finger brick is attached to the floor, the Technic pin comes up from it an angle, the 1x1 brick hole hooks into the pin, and the sides are attached to the 1x1 hole brick. There are two of these "arm" assemblies on each half of the Kodiak, with the long plates attached to form the sloped sides. It's a personal preference, but I really don't like parts like steering mechanisms and rotating turrets in official sets and that carries through to what I build. The fact that more often than not pieces like that won't stay where I want them to stay, I think, is what gets me. I'd much rather than everything "in its place" than having wheels turning or guns swinging around every time I pick a MOC up. Capn Kirk 911: A lot of my troop parts I already had, but I did have to make a Bricklink order more torsos and visors. The black visors are just these parts (transorange) spraypainted black. I've put together about a dozen of those black soldiers and have enough parts to make around forty-five. One of my planned future UMC projects is a base of some sort for all those soldiers to hang out in. m19 Quote
Capn Kirk 911 Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 I thought they where they orange color visor in the begining, but still thanks for looking it up on brickshelf for me! Quote
Brainbox Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 As for what it reminds you of, a lot of people over at Classic-Space are saying it's like an RV or motorhome. AS much as it pains me to point out, perhaps that's it? Perhaps. It might also be a bit of this: The Shado Mobile from UFO. Quote
Morgan19 Posted April 12, 2007 Author Posted April 12, 2007 The Shado Mobile from UFO. Ahh yes, I can see the resemblance. And actually, I really like that vehicle and would like to try a smaller transport vehicle based on it Quote
Asuka Posted April 12, 2007 Posted April 12, 2007 I'm not familiar with UFO; is that a desktop miniatures or video game?m19 :'-) UFO UFO is a British television science fiction series created by Gerry Anderson & Sylvia Anderson.UFO first aired in the UK in 1970.... Quote
Morgan19 Posted May 22, 2007 Author Posted May 22, 2007 I made two small updates to the Kodiak gallery this evening: The growing army 1 The growing army 2 I've always wanted to do some sort of "here are the troops" photo but never really had a consistent and coherent enough force to make it happen. Now that I'm producing more of those black antenna visors and have a sufficient number of that torso part, I thought I'd finally get around to doing one. I know the "mysterious squad of faceless black soldiers" motif has been done before, but I'm really proud of my little army and am very excited with the prospect of building more stuff for them to play with. There are a little over twenty soldiers in those photos; I have enough parts to make a little over forty soldiers total, whenever I have time to make more visors. m19 Quote
Starwars4J Posted May 22, 2007 Posted May 22, 2007 Hm, my guys might enjoy taking on yours :-P Very nicely done, and great job on not only the spraypaint but the lighting too! That's always so hard Quote
Brainbox Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 is that a desktop miniatures or video game? That actual pic is a model though. Not mine. Nice soldiers too. The mask/helmet especially has a look of something sinister. Something to do with not being able to see their faces... Quote
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