[SunbowScrapIron]

PP Scrap Iron - front.


PP Scrap Iron - left.


PP Scrap Iron - back.


PP scrap Iron- right.

I had ARAH Scrap Iron as a kid and the Classified version really pushed my nostalgia buttons.
Getting a bit old for Joe's (not now!) by the time the OG Python Patrol waves hit but my younger brother was still collecting and I thought his new troops were great.
Always struck me as odd that the only named Python Patrol member in the original lineup was Copperhead.
Recently found a reasonably priced loose Scrap Iron locally on EvilPay, pushed the seller for a further 20% off and was successful!
So a custom Python Patrol repaint of Scrap Iron using the Classified PP Officer/Trooper #97 and PP Viper #42 as inspiration, was in order.

Soaked the figure in boiled water for about 3 minutes, then broke down all the body parts.
Head and neck won't be touched, so I put them to one side.
Removed the vest and belt/holster.
Disconnected hands, boots, legs, arms and crotch/waist sleeve thingy from the main body.

Paints used were Testors and Humbrol matt/flat enamels, no gloss or clear coat.
Battleship grey for the uniform, dark grey for the boots, helmet, back of gloves, elbow and knee pads.
Olive green for the vest, belt/holster and wider bootstraps.
Insignia yellow for the smaller details, Drone controller, Pistol slide, undershirt, thinner bootstraps and Python Patrol pattern on the vest straps.
Red for the grenades, vest pouch and Cobra helmet emblem.
Flat silver for the D-rings, clasps and belt buckle.
Mixed a tiny amount of metallic silver with the same red for his visor.
Two coats for most items but three coats for the uniform, allowing minimum 24 hours between coats.

When I was happy with the paintwork, set the parts aside for three days to allow the paint to fully dry (still got a few rubs on re-assembly, bummer).
Hey Presto! Python Patrol Scrap Iron.


Python Patrol Scrap Iron in the wild.


Scrap Iron #74 with custom Python Patrol Scrap Iron.


The whole crew, ARISE PYTHON PATROL!!!

I'm in two minds whether to try a Conquest X-30 style PP pattern on the Drone.
The freehand painting of the PP pattern on the vest straps was quite difficult and didn't turn out 100% in my eyes.
I HATE digital pics, you think you have made your best effort and they show up any little error or imperfection.
Don't look near the Cobra emblem on the right shoulder too closely.

__________________________________________________ __________________________
My first effort at a new and a custom thread, hope I have followed the HISSTANK rules and guidelines correctly, MOD's please notify me if I've crossed any lines.

[CavScout]

That works!

[Ponygt50]

Very cool!

[Rooted]

Nice work, do the drone!

[SunbowScrapIron]

Thank you Tankers, I appreciate your appreciation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooted

Nice work, do the drone!

When I reviewed my pics and post I decided it will have to be done, so I made a start.



The Cobra "LAZER-GUIDED X04" lettering looks great and would be impossible to copy by hand painting.
I've masked the lettering off and given the missiles their first coat of 'Python Patrol yellow'.
Thinking an original ARAH look Drone would be good, so I'm researching what to use for a scratch-built 4 leg mount, then it'll be OG red Python pattern over black with silver detail.
Probably take me some time as I won't rush it.

[Rooted]

Look forward to your finished work!

[tt8l]

Looks fantastic but doesn't the enamel paint eat the plastic and eemain sticky? Especially on softer parts.

[SunbowScrapIron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tt8l

doesn't the enamel paint eat the plastic and eemain sticky? Especially on softer parts.

It has happened to me before on other customs from other series, softer plastics on ThreeA 1/12 figures for one.
Doesn't seem to happen on the denser/harder plastics (body, boots).
Scrap Iron's shoulders, vest and holster did feel a bit sticky on the first coat but it's peak summer in Bizarro World Down Under.
Daytime temps have been in the high 20's C/80's F and Sunday just gone peaked at 33 C/ 94 F.
The enamel paint dries hard within a few hours but I play it safe and allow roughly 24hrs between coats.

Progress on the 4 post stand for the Drone is coming along nicely.
Modelling sprue and the safety covers from disposable razors, didn't do a bad job at all.
I come from an Electrical Engineering background, so only had green/yellow stripe Earth wiring to make the hardwire for Drone/Controller comm's, nothing black heatshrink can't cover
Base frame then first coat and wiring.




I did approx 1 square inch of Red on black with silver detail Python Pattern, on the base of the Drone as a test.
No pics as it looked total crap, just too 'busy' and does not suit all the angles, ridges and recesses of the Drone body, stripped it off.
I have a bunch of spare military model waterslide decals, including some cool skeleton one's.
I'm going to go with something that resembles the ARAH version more with some kooky 'Cobra style' decals rather than a full PP pattern.
It just didn't look right in PP deco.

[SunbowScrapIron]

Just a quick pic with Classified Scrap Iron before I apply some decals for PP Scrappy.
Strong ARAH vibe without the tracked Classified mount.


Movement. 2 o'clock 800 metres. Target locked, ready to fire.

[SunbowScrapIron]

Python Patrol Scrap Iron I presume?

I did do a freehand test section of red Python Patrol pattern over silver and black.
There's just too many ridges and angles on the Classified Drone and it didn't look good at all.
Next choice was to go through my spare 1/35 military model waterslide decals and choose some Cobra appropriate weirdness.
ENJOY!!!
















I doubt Hasbro will ever release a Scrappy in PP colours, so I'm pretty happy with my first ever attempt at a Classified scale custom.
COBRA!!!