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Rob Pollock
195 articles

Matilda Swann – Steam Wars

March 7, 2015 · in Sci-fi · · 18 · 1.8K

This is a Steampunk conversion of two 1/35 injection kits. As a 'named' subject, it may well belong in the 'Figures' category, or, 'Armor', given that the original vehicle is a military model, but I've included it here in 'Sci-Fi' instead, because of its transition.

The vehicle unit is ' Zündapp K800 motorcycle w/Steib Nr28 sidecar. The figure is from a 'Zombieland' series. Vintage watch parts were used to create the 'steampunk' aura, with cogs, flywheels, miniature screws, and various stainless flat-profile pieces.

The large weapon mounted on the sidecar is watch parts and brass tube, with a MG34 gun butt and ammo box, from spares. The other sidearm weapons have been modified from kit pieces, and Matilda's right arm has been converted to a pneumatic appendage. My one regret with the figure is that I had to used an injection subject, where the detail isn't as crisp as resin, and the painting detail is perhaps a little less sharp.

While some of the model is painted – the figure, for example – I used Inks as washes over the metalwork generally to create a dull, outlander appearance.

For background, I ran a short WIP thread under 'Sci-Fi' in Groups.

Reader reactions:
7  Awesome

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. I can readily see you have an abundance of two things: Time on your hands (no pun intended) and a creative imagination. And a lot of spare parts (ok...maybe three things). 🙂

  2. Looks like a fun build. What paints did you use for the figure?

  3. Rob, where you a watchmaker in a previous career?
    I am in awe of your imagination and ability to translate that into the model.
    In only a week?
    Brilliant work!

    • Thanks, Bernard.

      'Matilda' is a testor for a second, upcoming Steampunk project. One of my sons-in-law used to have an interest in repairing old watches, as a hobby. As a result, he has a box of old parts he's freeing-up for me to rummage through, I think next month.

      The 'Matilda' parts were sold as pieces for jewellery designers who specialise in Steampunk jewellery, and so were ideal for a small project like this.

  4. That is really cool!
    Great imagination at work.

  5. Very imaginative! I wonder if they offer insurance for a bike like that 🙂

  6. Nicely done and built.
    Great imagination Rob.
    Well done mate.

  7. An interesting and very unique build, like that !
    Great work 🙂

  8. Rob,
    Very very clever. I like your skill and imagineation

    • Cheers, Frank. I should have photographed it in the palm of my hand to show how tiny it is. With the ink colours it looks like a weird hummingbird.

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