Return of the HOVER BIKE project!

Well, it only took four years to get going on my HOVER BIKE project. I started talking about it in 2013 - http://onesixgo.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-project-hover-bike.html 

I broke out the project box and started going through all the parts I had collected for the project. I also do a lot of model railroad related projects (( http://n-rail.blogspot.com/ )) and the time has been spent mostly on that side of the fence.   But, I plan on slipping some time in around the edges for this project this summer.

I still have the BluBox Cygirl figure to use for this. She's always been one of my favorites. That's why she's still around while many of her compatriots have been sold off to fund IRON MAN and BATMAN Hot Toys purchases! hehehe

 

I also purchased a fantastic, die cast OVERWATCH gun for her to use. I love the look of it! It's very SCI FI.

Shout out to GIANT TOY SHOP on eBay! Great service and selection.
http://stores.ebay.com/justuffcn/

THE PARTS

I have a good start on the items I want to use on this project. I have some bits purchased from a hardware store, some parts from old model projects, and some cool light options for the piece.

The bike itself will make a fantastic base. I like the curves of it and, once the wheels come off, I'm sur it will look very sci fi and slick.

I think my CyGirl figure will have ol' Red as a mechanic. I'll get some cool tech gear for her to sport.

I'm going for an AKIRA / GHOST IN THE SHELL feel. Katsuhiro Otomo's real word style and the great Masamune Shirow's science fiction goodness is an inspiration for sure. I'll look to these genius artists for inspiration along the way.


GO!

The bike itself will be easy to customize.

I started by unscrewing some key screws and taking off the wheels.

Once the wheels were off, it already took on a futuristic look.

I was sitting there looking at the wheels and thought they might make a fantastic hover engine solution instead of the small, white pipes I had purchased from the hardware store. They look like they would be big enough to support a bike and rider. I'm going to drop lights into them and cover the wheels with styrene or opaque plastic to give the hover glow I want for the piece.

I was on a roll, so I thought I might as well do the base coat of paint to see how it was going to look painted. I was originally going o try to keep some of the original paint, but I'll reintroduce the color later if I still want it.

The post-paint look was inspiring. :) I really dig where it's going so far!

So, this becomes a time management puzzle now. I want to work on this piece, but I'm also looking at completely tearing out my train layout and re-doing it. I think I may work on this during the summer, then I'll start up my revamp of the model rail layout closer to the fall. We'll see.

I've been watching some spaceship building videos on YouTube and they have been super helpful in how I'm thinking through this project. Th steps are the same and the mindset is spot on. Build up the base item, add smaller details, and paint to taste. :)

The TerryOh Studios work has really gotten me into the kitbash frame of mind.

I want to continue the efforts and emulate some of what he is kicking out. I'll post other inspiration artists later.

ONWARD AND UPWARD! Check back for updates!

Cheers!

Sixth Scale GHOSTBUSTERS figures from BLITZWAY

Oh....my...gawd!   I need to find $900 under a rock or something! 

These figures look fantastic. BLITZWAY's new GHOSTBUSTERS offering is the best for true Ghostbuster fans out there. Just look at the details and head sculpts!

More information on their site.
http://www.figures.com/2016/08/25/blitzway-ghostbusters-sixth-scale-action-figures-update/


They come with all the cool busing gear.

They have two packs they are offering up as well. The Doctor Three Pack.

And then they have the full Special Pack.

I could totally see having this set and building an awesome display for it that looks like the rooftop at the end of the first film - lights and all. :::swoon:::  I hope someone does this and takes lots of photos!

Don't cross the streams!

WANT WANT WANT WANT.........    :)

<><>

Snow Corporation

Oh....my......gawd. :)

This guy is not only an amazing artist, but he's a super nice gent as well. Offered to look at my 1/6th scale project and give me pointers if I was interested.

His work has an attention to detail and style that just melts my brain when I look at it. A friend said, Check this guy out. It will either inspire you greatly or will make you stop trying altogether! heheeheh  I'm inspired for sure.

Check out the work here:  (More samples below)

http://www.1-6th.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snow-Corporation/161889887278934

He's bashing some items that are big ticket items as well. $200+ dollar figures and $300+ vehicles. Part of me was shocked at the use of these figures, but seeing the results, it makes sense that this guy has no fear about the ruining of a figure - he's Master status for sure.

The weathering and detail is something I aspire to. I've taken a few passes at this to date, but nothing that comes close to these items. I'm not bashing myself for it - I just need more experience and practice. It's grand to see what could be. I'm eager to jump in and give it a go myself. ((And, happy that I didn't sell all my 1/6th scale figures in my last toy sell off! hehehehe

I think I might give a villain a go, then I'll jump back into my hover cycle project. I think think I'll go as rusted as Snow goes, but I'll definitely make things look worn.

HOT TOYS CATWOMAN body

Yes, that's the KANEDA AKIRA cycle - ripped up and retooled expertly

DID Chicago Gangster Robert

Very cool.  :)

http://www.vantagecollectibles.com/did-chicago-gangster-robert-sixth-scale-figure/ 

$120

Manufacturer's estimated release date is Q1 2015

Robin Williams

Not only was Mr. Williams an amazing talent, he was a collector. A collector of 1/6th scale figures. I happened to be at HEROES CLUB when he was picking up the cycle from AKIRA and the Kaneda figure.  Quiet, very soft spoken and friendly, he looked over the items, thanked Robin and was on his way with very little pestering. Just a few smiles and nods to which he managed a few great smiles back.

The Heroes Club owner Robin was interviewed by ABC recently for a look at Robin Williams and the way he interacted with the people around the Bay Area:
http://abc7news.com/entertainment/residents-share-fond-memories-of-robin-williams/255250/

ThreeZero Titanfall Atlas

HOLY CRAP! hehehee  That's one cool toy!!!!


More on the COLLECTIONDX site!
http://collectiondx.com/toy_review/atlas

I can't imagine having this thing. It would be grand being someone like the Collection DX guy and being able to get advanced figures to review like this. Man, I'd review the HELL out of a figure if it meant that I got to keep it! LOL! I'm a new fan as well - love the CDX site.

At $430 for the figure, I guess that's the only way I'd be able to own it - if it was just handed over for a review. ::grin::   

Sixth Scale displays and OTACOOL rooms

It just dawned on me - I have an office now and have focused on getting my N scale train layout rolling in it, but I have not put any attention into "tricking out" the office itself. It's just a functional space where I work. But there are SO MANY OPTIONS for doing other cool stuff. Breaking out some of my boxed toys and figures and making use of the friggin space! LOL

So...I did a little looking pre-work today and I'm excited about getting the space leaning toward "FUN" and away from strictly functional.




Firstly, display cases would be fun. I have one, but it's tucked back and away and I can't really even see what's in it. I got it at IKEA and it's a great case for displaying figures and toys, so I might pick up another so it's a matched set instead of just the one.






They look great in a series - maybe I should get three?  :)



This all started because I was going to get rid of my BATMAN HOT TOYS figure. It's currently sitting in a room we use for guests that I pass through, but spend no time in. I thought about building a little display area for it, then thought I might build a villain for him to face off against for fun. Then I thought, "Why is it up in that room and not in my office. And....why don't I have my stuff out in my office?!"  Then....it all came swooshing into my brain. :)

There are some beautiful spaces out there. People spend MANY dollars on these figures and want them to be displayed properly. I happen to know that Robin Williams collects sixth scale stuff and is having a nice space built out for them. Makes sense - these figures are hundreds of dollars.

HOT TOYS has even helped with the process with their IRON MAN displays. So cool it makes me want to kick my own face. :)

I'm not going to go the lit wall display route, but I do plan on some shelving I can set some items out on.

 I love the "otaku" office styles with shelves packed with items in a clean, cool looking office. The master of this is Danny Choo - king of the cool. This guy is just....cool. :) He's managed to be a cool blogger, traveler, toy maker entrepreneur that has hero status with me.

http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/21664/OTACOOL.html





Some of these spaces are so awesome. The lighting and the general FUN nature are so appealing. We'll see how my space turns out. I doubt it will be up to this level, but it will be more than a converted garage space with toys in boxes.

 I doubt my wife will want random, cute girls hanging out on my desk while I work, but maybe she'll come down and visit me from time to time. ;)