Colins (CDWs) Plesiosaur scratch build.

[flyjoe180]

It could be like that film when the American aircraft carrier went back to just before Pearl Harbour only the Ark Royal goes back to the jurassic

The Final Countdown was the film you refer to Ian. I think this will be a great project Colin.

[papa 695]

The Final Countdown was the film you refer to Ian. I think this will be a great project Colin.

That's the one Joe

[Andy2035]

Hi Colin,

No matter what the scientist say, at the end of the day, most of what they say is only speculation, we can only guess what these creatures looked and where like, same as the ones that say things about Black Holes in space, my guess is they are the entrance to a sort of hyper highway and a White Hole is the exit, sorry for going way off track here...

Anyway, I shall look forward to seeing this one being built...

Andy...

[yak face]

Looking forward to seeing this one Colin , cheers tony

[Guest]

well i've made a start

Got the frame made up, and added wire supports for the flippers, these will still be adjustable when the body clay is dry so i can fit to shape on the diorama.

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The basic body shape is there, with exaggerated body folds and ripples, i find it easier to add small amounts of clay rather than sand/file/dremel off when it's dry., the thin clay "wrap" i've used to make the body shape is held in place by scrunched up kitchen roll in the cavity

I've just started the base of the neck and tail so when dry it'll give a more sturdy base to work on the ends of the wire for the head and tail tip

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Just got to wait a few days for this to dry fully and i'll be back on it.

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[Guest]

Excellent start Colin!!

Very good idea for the flippers.

Cheers. Polux

[yak face]

MMM cornish pastie ! ,seriously , it looks great colin , top work mate ,looking forward to seeing it come to life so to speak , cheers tony

[Ian M]

I would not even know where to start on such a project! Watching with note pad in hand!

Ian M

[papa 695]

MMM cornish pastie ! ,seriously , it looks great colin , top work mate ,looking forward to seeing it come to life so to speak , cheers tony

Not too keen on the filling Tony

Great start Colin looking forward to more

[Guest]

I would not even know where to start on such a project! Watching with note pad in hand!Ian M

My way, not necessarily the best way, it to get a general shape, then fill in all the larger details and tidy up joins, after that I make a thin paste of the clay and paint it over the whole model, when its dried off a bit I'll then use tools to add all the fine detailing.

This excludes the head as this will be detailed off the model and then filled and smoothed into the neck.

Its worked with a load of dragons I made for people so let's hope I haven't lost the knack.

*edit* forgot to say this, hopefully, will be specifically Hydrotherosaurus (basically because I like the shape of the head and neck, very monitor lizard like ) which was about 35 - 40 feet long ... So to answer Laurie's question of earlier, it will be about 1/35 scale.

[Guest]

Right then ... Hobby craft "wont crack or shrink when drying" clay is not what it says on the tin.... never had this problem with Das stuff.

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Started the basis of the tail, and filled in a few areas to create body folds/creases etc.

The tail is flattened as i read in a paper that there is evidence that the endmost bone fossils were slightly longer laterally giving an indication that the tail end could be somewhat paddle shaped as an aid to steering ... so that's the direction i'm going in

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[yak face]

Nice repair colin , keep it up mate , cheers tony

[Guest]

Well the trials and tribulations with this rubbish clay continue ..... On picking up the model after drying time the tail broke under its own weight in two places.

It seems there's no binder in the stuff, and it goes almost to powder on drying.

Am going to use polyfiller to coat the model and give me the base for detailing.

The neck will probably end up made from plasticine as I'm not prepared to continue working with the poor quality clay.

Will update with piccies when I've got something other than a broken Cornish pastie to show

[Gern]

Hi Col. Sorry to hear of the problems you're having with that clay.

I'm no expert but if I was in your shoes, I'd scrap what you've done so far (while there's still not too much to lose) and re-start with a better quality clay. I know you're going to reinforce what's there, but I'd worry about it breaking again when handling it for painting etc. Any building is only as strong as its foundations.

Gern

PS Not trying to teach grandma - just a thought.

[Guest]

Yeah youre right, and the though crossed my mind Dave, Still though, plenty of time to complete so I'm going to grit my teeth and try to build up from what I have at the mo.

If it all goes nipples skywards then I'll admit defeat and redo.