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ANATOMY OF A GARAGE KIT: BUILDING THE LOADER

Hey folks,

We thought it would be an interesting idea to post progress pictures and narrative on how we will go about creating the Power Loader kit. So, lets get the show on the road!

We will be focusing on the mechanical aspects first, then add the figure later. To create part masters for the Loader, FZ has enlisted the masterful scratchbuilding talents of Tom "Servo" Seiler. Tom, you're a bad mutha.."shut yo mouth!".

Also, we would like to say thanks to Robert Kerton. He graciously supplied some excellent photo reference of the Loader movie prop. Thanks Robert!

Check out Robert's website >>> Hall of Cool Stuff

 
You gotta start somewhere!

Loader Concept
Click to enlarge

 Just as a reminder, here is our concept sketch created by Gary Glover. This is what we will use to judge basic pose and action. Awesome job Gary!!
Loader Concept
Click to enlarge		 Before any parts are fabricated, Tom creates a mockup out of foam core using an illustration from a book. The illustration is enlarged to roughly 1/8th scale. This will be used to judge basic scale. The image to the left shows the mockup next to the GEOMetric 1/8th scale Ripley kit and a standard can of spray paint. You start to get the idea of just how big this thing will be!
Let the fabrication begin - The Leg Assembly

To begin, Tom will focus on the leg assembly (shin/ankle/foot) first. Only one of each will be made. The parts will then be molded and castings will be used for the left and right leg. The model will be in a fixed pose, but the master has to be somewhat poseable so that the pose can be tweaked along the way.

Tom likes to use an array of reference material, but he will be focusing on photographs of the actual Loader prop used in the film as well as screen captures from the DVD.
SHIN
Image Movie prop leg
Image The shin sides are taking shape. These will be put together to form the lower leg.
Image The back of the shin.
Image The front of the shin.
Image Footrest
ANKLE/FOOT
Image Movie prop foot
Image The beginnings of the ankle.
Image The ankle is basically done.
Image The shin and ankle together.
Image This image shows how the shin moves on the ankle joint.
Image Basic shell of the foot
Image Rough sole of the foot
Image The shin, ankle and unfinished foot together. Next to a can of spray paint, you can sense the scale.
Image The leg finished and primed.
COMPLETED LEGS/HIPS
Both legs are now complete (almost) including the "thighbones" and the hip joint that will connect the legs together. The "hip wheel" (the hubcap at the hip joint) is created from five separate bits of sheet styrene.
Image Completed legs next to standard can of primer spray paint.
Image Another view of the legs.
Image Leg compared to the Halcyon kit leg.
Image The hip wheel takes shape.
The tale of "The Craw"!
The claws and forearms are complete. In fact, all the basic shapes for the loader have been created and await detail.
Image Claws minus end caps and wrist rings.
Image Completed claws.
Image A little image to show the scale of the claws.
Image Claws with forearms.
Image Forearm detail.
Image Forearm detail...another angle.
Anyone need a little tail?
As in, the tail end of the loader, that is!

The "beaver tail" plugs into the back of the torso and is where all the hydraulic hoses come home to roost. And the two large hydraulic actuators that raise and lower the arms rest in the two curved recesses.
Image Beaver tail complete.
Image Beaver tail...another angle.

Stay tuned for more updates!