One of the coolest part of scale modelling is customising your model with small details. This time we’ll be adding custom cables, weld lines, and a simple way to add light damage to your models.
Optional Mod 1 – Backpack cables
Optional Mod 2 – Weld Lines
The Prowler has the same basic shape as other suits, but with more components attached to it. The first one is the camera…, … the ECM pod,… … and what I believe is another tank. In my mind these components would be welded onto the suit’s hull, so I’m going to simulate the weld lines. To do this I need a thin line of epoxy putty where the weld would be. It needs to be a very thin line so here I’m removing excess putty. Once you’re satisfied with the thickness, you can texture the weld by very gently pressing a flat headed tool (flat headed relative to the thickness of the weld) into it. In this picture I’m using the end of a metal file.
Pre-weathering
You’re likely aware that plastic cement works by melting the PolyStyrene (PS) plastic which you then push together. This means that you can apply plastic cement to a surface you are about to add damage to. I’ve brushed cement onto the hatch in this picture…
… which softens it enough that I can add scrapes and dings to it with a variety of different tools (e.g. a pin, the blunt end of a metal file or a piece of brass rod). The cement also roughens up the surface slightly, which adds to the overall weathering.
This is it for what I consider to be optional mods. Stay tuned for the next post where I will go through the painting process! Thanks for stopping by.