Custom Hiss Tank V teaser... (Work in progress.)

[Xerofall]

Work in progress, but I wanted to tell someone!!!

I'm going to augment the cool H.I.S.S. Tank version 5 with accessories from Marauder's and Build-a-rama.com to make a more rugged and battle ready tank. I really think it's going to look badass!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/isometricleftfront.jpg

*Courtesy of YoJoe.com

First I'm going to paint that hideous gold black like the rest of the tank. Cut the missiles in half, remove the launcher firing mechanism, drill bigger holes for the missiles to fit deeper into the launchers, kind of like the Wolverine or Whale's missile launchers. I'm going to add a few ammo belts to those twin chin guns. Perhaps a tow hook. I'm still thinking of how to tackle the back end.

Then I'm going to give that bulky turret that hangs down into the troop compartment a custom treatment so it doesn't block so much room. On the right opening I'm going to add storage for tools, crates and weapons. On the left will be for troops or whatever.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/dtc_hiss-7.jpg
*Courtesy of Generalsjoes.com

All over the rest of the tank will be stuff like this...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/Augment.jpg

I'm also going to add some antennas, maybe a radio in the turret, a Cobra flag... I'm stoked! I already ordered the Hiss tank from eBay and it should arrive by the end of the week. I'll be making my Marauder and Build-a-rama order soon, and I'm going to scour my local hobby shops and toy stores to kit bash.

I'll keep you all posted!

[Onslaught Six]

I own this tank, and I honestly cannot think of a decent way to mess with the turret. The best thing I can think of is modding it so the gunner either is sitting down (which could be odd) or he's actually hanging down with nothing around him (which would be even odder.)

I tell you what, though--while the concept of the machine guns up front is pretty cool, I never actually liked where they were positioned on the HISS itself--I blame the fact that they had to be removable on their position, but I've always thought they should be...well, closer to the grille. Like, if I remember right, the original HISS?

Also of note: The back end has space for one--maybe two--figures to stand on and ride, but I always wondered why there weren't any similar platforms on the side.

[Knighthawk]

what version of HISS Tank is this? I'm trying to rack my brain, but the original I had as a kid didn't have the troop compartment, did it?

[Xerofall]

I own this tank, and I honestly cannot think of a decent way to mess with the turret. The best thing I can think of is modding it so the gunner either is sitting down (which could be odd) or he's actually hanging down with nothing around him (which would be even odder.)

Just wait and see what I try. :D It involves the ladder I bought from Marauder's. :D

what version of HISS Tank is this? I'm trying to rack my brain, but the original I had as a kid didn't have the troop compartment, did it?

This is the DTC (Direct To Consumer) Hiss tank version 5. They also sold it at Toys R Us. The original did not have the doors on the side. (That might be my next project however. :D )

Thanks, I'm getting the tank today and I already ordered most of the stuff from Marauder's.

[Xerofall]

Here are some progress shots... Please remember that with a flash, the dry brush looks a lot brighter than it is... it really isn't as silver as it looks...

Of course I still have a ton of touch ups and a lot more stuff to add on, but I wanted to show you guys how painting over the gold looks.

Original version...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/isometricleftfront.jpg

Work in progress...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/c.jpg

I painted the gold on the launchers, the gold on the tread covers and on the canopy. I need to do a few more coats on the canopy and I still need to drill out the missle launchers so the missles can fit in there flush. I painted the two tanks under the side doors, still needs a little touch up. I still have a lot to more to do.

Here're the chin turrets, I removed the handles and will add some ammo belts as soon as they arrive. Please remember that the flash on my camera makes it look a lot more silver than they really are...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/d.jpg

Oh, I've been having so much fun dry brushing that I tried it on the weapons that I'm going to add on...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/a.jpg
Again, the flash makes them look more silver than they are, they look great in person.

My wife thinks the red missles look dumb, but I like them red, like the Stinger Jeep missles, what do you guys think? Should I paint them grey and black or leave them red? Maybe add some black trim to the red? (They'll be inside the launchers, so you really won't be able to see them... but anyway...)

[Driftbot]

aw man keep them red! deffinately has a very '80s cobra feel to it, like you said the stinger! and once you get them all sunk in, they will look bitchin!

as for your turret mod for more interior room, maybe if you cut out the "cup" leaving an upside down "T" shape, like just enough for a trooper's feet to stand on? almost like a pogo stick? that could work. just be careful not to snap it off! maybe re-enforce it with some strip sytrene near the top?

awesome project man. i really wish i had room to customize some vehicles...

[Onslaught Six]

Holy crap, I never noticed those pipes or whatever on the sides of the HISS until just now.

[Kalibus]

Leave the missiles red. They look sweet and stand out against the black hiss. The drybrushing looks great. Any tips for us n00bs on how to drybrush?

[bigbadwolfdaddy]

looks great as hell man

[Shogi]

Oh, I've been having so much fun dry brushing that I tried it on the weapons that I'm going to add on...


Drybrushing for that metal look can get addicting, can't it? :)

Love the detailing your doing on it, can't wait to see all the mods

[Xerofall]

Any tips for us n00bs on how to drybrush?

Put some paint on the brush, then wipe most of it off so there's only a tiny amount. Then wipe the brush over the object, the high areas will pick up the paint.

Just be careful and don't over do it... make sure there's only a little bit of paint on the brush.

[Gentleman]

IF Hasbro were to release the DTC Hiss tank with this paint app, labeling it the "official", retail 25th version of the Hiss tank, I'd have no problem with it.

The mold's always been excellent, it's the paint appplication what never made sense. This way, it does.



So, in essence, GREAT F'N JOB!

[tkprime]

I want a crimson version of that tank!

[Xerofall]

as for your turret mod for more interior room, maybe if you cut out the "cup" leaving an upside down "T" shape, like just enough for a trooper's feet to stand on? almost like a pogo stick? that could work. just be careful not to snap it off! maybe re-enforce it with some strip sytrene near the top?

Oh I have plans for that turret, very similar to what you said... just wait, :)

[Xerofall]

Here are a few more shots...

I've decided not to use missles on the front launchers, instead I'll be converting them into ammo boxes for the front turrets. I'm still waiting for my ammo belts, but in the mean time I'm using Roadblock's belt to demonstrate what I'll be doing. Of course the belt wont be going into the box that low, but you get the jist of the idea.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0045.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0051-1.jpg

[Shogi]

The ammo belt looks good man. That thing is coming along nicely

[G.I.Eddie]

it always amazes me at what a difference some simple detail work will do to the look of things...i mean, you're not even done yet and it looks so sweet...awesome work Xero...

i really have no interest in owning any vehicles as they take up too much space, but this custom is really making me think otherwise...DAMN IT!

[arch2b]

the ammo belt really makes a big difference! if the choice had been mine, i would have cut the top of the box and had the ammo come from the top vs. just above the tracks. i know it's a toy but the idea of ammo belts running just above moving tracks strikes me as a design snafu on cobra's part:p

overall, it looks 100% better with your modifications! before this thread, i had actually never seen this hiss tank.

[G.I.Eddie]

the ammo belt really makes a big difference! if the choice had been mine, i would have cut the top of the box and had the ammo come from the top vs. just above the tracks.

...Of course the belt wont be going into the box that low, but you get the jist of the idea...

Arch, did you not see this?

[arch2b]

:o missed that part, thanks.

[Xerofall]

^^ Hehe, yeah... I still haven't Dremmeld it out yet. It won't be that low.

Unfortunately the two ammo belts I bought off eBay look a tad too big... they go to the 12 inch Joe line. I'll have to see. I may have to buy another Roadblock ammo belt.

[arch2b]

how would the marauder ammo belt for the mini gun work out? does marauder offer anything similar but longer? if so you maybe could mount the mini gun ammo box under the front cab with the belt looped into those. what you've doen so far look soo much better than the stock toy. i will have to keep an eye out on ebay for one of these myself:)

[Xerofall]

As far as I know, Maraduer doesn't offer an ammo belt for the mini gun.

I just ordered one and it came with the gun and the ammo box, but no belt. I wish he did do the belts.

[gijoe071681]

that tank looks awesome. now you've got me thinking i just might customize the ones i've got

[Xerofall]

I just got my order in from Marauder John, now I'm waiting on Build-a-Rama.

:D

[xhairs]

looks alot better so far. way better then hasbros lol

[RolandofGilead]

Looking sweet. I am really impressed with your detail work. Remind me not to show you my Cobra CAT tank when I finish with it. I'd only be embarrasing myself.

[Xerofall]

To be fair, the HISS is black, so it's really easy to detail it. LOL, just grey dry-brush it.

I'm by far no expert, but I am a decent painter when it comes to mucking up something to make it look old or used. The trick is many coats and to alternate between black and grey and use the dry-brush method. If you get too much grey, paint over it with black and start over.

Thanks for the compliments.

[apacolypse]

Looks hella cool so far man!!!

Great job!!

[Xerofall]

Added some accesories from Marauder... coming along nicely...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0002-1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0004-1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0007-1.jpg

You can see that I cut out the cup-like rear turret thing and added a ladder. It really opens up the rear compartment. I removed the side doors so it's easier to see inside. I painted it light grey so it's a bit brighter and easier to see.

I painted the wooden crates brown and dry brushed them with black to bring out the details. I painted the gas cans and the oil barrel flat black, and they'll get a quick once over with some grey to weather them up a bit. I used a piece of scrap ladder as a bracket to hold the oil barrel, it'll all get glued into place. I'm leaving the crates inside loose.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0016.jpg

These are the insides of the side doors. I'll be gluing these into place as well. This is so much fun, thank you all for your comments.

[G.I.Eddie]

this thing is ridiculously sweet...i can't wait to see it with the Build-a-Rama gear on it...

[gijoe071681]

man that tank is lookin awesome i like how you put all the extra stuff on the inside of the fold up doors. and chance we can get a list of all the stuff you bought to make the custom?

[Shin-Gouki]

You are giving me so many ideas.

[apacolypse]

Freaking awesome!!!

[Xerofall]

Still waiting on my Build-a-rama order, but here's a few pics of my progress...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0005.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0003-2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0008.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0026-2.jpg

[Xerofall]

And a few shots of my turret ladder...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0011-1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0013-1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0020-2.jpg

[G.I.Eddie]

HELL YES!!!...screw my no vehic's rule, i'm doing this!....the ammo belts are my fav part about this...just AWESOME!!!...uh, could you possibly return to sender that envelope you get?....J/K

[G.I.Eddie]

got any 3/4 side views with the doors closed and all geared up?

[Xerofall]

got any 3/4 side views with the doors closed and all geared up?

As soon as I finish, I'll provide tons of pics, a list of parts used and anything else anyone needs.

Thanks! This is a fun project and I'm hooked, I wanna do more!!!

It's like crack or meth or something, haha.

[Onslaught Six]

Huh. Putting the barrel and stuff on the back raises the question--how do they get in?

[Gentleman]

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2640/buyfordollaroq0.jpg
I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR!!!

[G.I.Eddie]

Huh. Putting the barrel and stuff on the back raises the question--how do they get in?
using the foot steps on the sides, duh

[tkprime]

That is one of the best customs I've seen in a while!

[Xerofall]

Yeah, the back end is goofy, it's just a windowless opening, so the troops probably wouldn't enter through the back. There was a Prototype that had the entire back section as a drop down ramp. I was thinking about closing off that back window with more gear, but I probably won't.

But I would imagine the troops would use the footsteps on the side of the tank and enter through the door...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0051111.jpg

[G.I.Eddie]

any progress?

[Xerofall]

Haha... yeah, the Build-a-rama stuff should be in the mail today. I have to attach that stuff, paint it, then I have to dremmel out the launchers, finish up some small details, plus I have to wait for my ammo belts to arrive :D, and then take some nice outdoor pics.

I really want to order another Build-a-rama kit and another "ammo & fuel" depot from Marauder John, more luggage for the tank, but I'm out of funds at the moment. I can get by in the meantime, I suppose.

Soon, very soon.

[G.I.Eddie]

but I'm out of funds at the moment.
need a sponsor?:D

[Xerofall]

Naw... I'm just doing this for fun... thanks.

[G.I.Eddie]

found some good 1:18 things you could use here maybe


http://www.gmpdiecast.com/products/default.cfm?category=Tools%20and%20Trailers

[Xerofall]

Okay, got the ammo belts yesterday, thanks guys. Got the Build-a-rama stuff added on. (I'll take pics later.)

Figured out how to make custom antennas. Totally fun, by the way. Painted the tank, dry brushed it to get it weathered a bit and I began to Dremmel out the launchers.

And that's where I ran into some problems. I'm not liking the look of the launchers now. I *may* try something else, perhaps a gattling gun on the left side of the turret and a box of ammo feeding it on the right. Maybe twin TOW launchers...

I dunno...

I'll try to take pics tonight. (I was doing husband and wife things last night, hehe, wink wink, nudge nudge.)

[G.I.Eddie]

perhaps a gattling gun on the left side of the turret and a box of ammo feeding it on the right. Maybe twin TOW launchers...

sounds like you might need more ammo belts

[Xerofall]

I'm good for now actually... I got another one from swafus. And that reminds me... I need to post both of you guys in the Good Traders thread.

[Xerofall]

More updates...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0006.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0019-2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0011-2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/DSCF0010-1.jpg

I made the antennas from scratch, hold the plastic parts trees that model cars come with high over a candle until soft and stretch to desired length. It takes some practice, but it does work well.

I may or may not put the extra missles on the sides.

[OUTBACK]

sick!!!!!!!!

[G.I.Eddie]

I love the little detail of the hose next to the degas bottles(?) on the side...and the fact that it's not symmetrical side to side...and unless you have something to launch the missiles, I'd lose them, or at the very least dry brush/detail em'...
this is by far the coolest custom vehicle I've seen...heck, even when Hasbro does release the new Hiss, it won't be cooler than yours

[Onslaught Six]

Is it supposed to have dark green highlights like that? Because it looks spiffy as hell.

[Xerofall]

It's the lack of lighting in my basement... they're still the stock gold. I'll get some better pics in the sunlight this weekend. (If Utah even has sun this weekend.)

[Hissing Driver]

New to the board and first post.
I must say, you have made a master piece out of that hiss mk V. I figured with my name being Hissing Driver that's gotta mean something. LOL

Now wheres those ebay listings.

[Xerofall]

You pulled up an ancient thread. The finished product is here...

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-customs/3861-custom-hiss-tank-v5-complete.html