[Allamaraine]

Yo! I've posted a bit about working on vehicle models for the Classified line should Hasbro not go all out on the scale. While my 3D printer isn't working right now, my computer very much is and so I've been toiling away at updated vehicle designs for when I can print again.

My design ethos is really straightforward: look like an actual product. In a nutshell that means no undercuts and limited paint application (where most colors are cast directly into the plastic). That also means the detail needs to be increased, not only to match the new scale and modern expectations, but also to fit the aesthetics of the current line.

I have 10 vehicles in one state of design or another, but I'll start off with one of the more popular vehicles...

VAMP
Conquest X-30

[Allamaraine]

It's absolutely not done (no dash, engine, tread, or surface details) but the basic forms are there enough for you to see what I'm going for or to give me critiques. Anyway...

The VAMP




Depending on your preference, you can shift the look closer to Mk1 or Mk2 by popping off some panels and adding/removing gear that slots into the body, like shovels, bed rolls, and jerry can racks.



Oh yeah, and the front wheels steer.

Taking inspiration from the blueprints, the area underneath the doors are now hinged storage compartments for first aid kits, tools, etc.. One of those "no one will ever use it except when taking pics for Instagram" features that I've always really loved on my toys for when you're in less of an "Adventure!" mood and feeling a bit more like role-play, ya know?



That gun on the hood always looked like an afterthought to me, so it's now gone in favor of a gun mounted in front of the passenger, more than a little inspired by the gun on the back of Mk1 VAMP.



And there's a cutout in the hood to accommodate it when you check out the engine.



Tire on rear just for funsies, step for helping Joes in (or dramatically posing on), and just a bunch of other little things to help make it feel a little more real-world and functional. I'm maybe only a quarter of the way through the model, but hopefully you can all see what I'm trying to accomplish with it.



I'll post more vehicles as I work on them, and with any luck I'll be posting new threads in the Finished Customs area soon. Thanks for looking!

[Allamaraine]

Conquest X-30




Like the VAMP, I more or less ignored the real-life inspiration for this one. I re-proportioned the body a bit to get the cockpit to look a bit more natural, and totally changed how everything fits together.



When you've got 8 wings or wing-like fins hanging off a little plane, it's easy for things to get cluttered, so I opted for something a bit more swooping and organic, almost like a flying sculpture where each surface blends into the next. I guess I wanted it to be pretty more than anything else. And don't underestimate how difficult it can get to make something look "swoopy and smooth" without undercuts! There are some weird part breakdowns to keep everything looking good but still feasible with injection-molding.




And ignore those missiles, they're just there to be there, although I did think of a pretty cool modular missile system to post about some other time.

[Duke19821994]

Very nice!!

[HeavyJ]

These look great, can't wait to see your other vehicles.

What do you think the final dimensions on that Conquest might be?

[Allamaraine]

Thanks! The Conquest currently comes in just a hair under 30". I'm looking to cut that down for practicality's sake, but I can only chop it so short before it just starts to look weird.

[ponygt]

Cool!!

[Fenrys]

That Vamp looks great! Would love to have something like that for my Joes

[GarterSnake788]

Wow these are cool! I was wondering where your profile pic came from; it's a sweet redesign of the Conquest!

[Kolschey]

Excellent work!