Rommel's Rod

[Luca Roveda]

This is another favorite of mine. I have a much more elaborate version on the workbench but unfortunately it is one of my many stalled projects. Like John's great build it is my version of that super detailed Rommel's Rod in the Guest Gallery which was auctioned on ebay several years ago. I would also like to know who built it. For my version I spent a lot of time trying to fit the wheels and track.































This is not the reissued Rommel's Rod but an original partially built model which came apart very nicely. I learnt a lot from building this model so the next would should be better. It is also interesting to see the model in close-up photography as it shows up all the little shortcomings which to the naked eye looked okay!

[John Teresi]

Luca......very nice detail......I see all the extra`s you did......the track wheels look superb......and the weathering is great too......all around great build.

[Luca Roveda]

Thanks John. I have spent a lot of time looking at your model. I really appreciate the amount of work that went into it and what you must have done to make the figures and all the related items - this is the hardest part! The figures really bring the kit to life. Hopefully I will manage to make my own figures next time........

[Rodger]

Very nice indeed. I like the way you have finished the spare. Very cool

[Eggzilla1]

Another great job Luca! The thought and planning you put into it shows. The hardest part of these builds is seeing someone's build that inspires you, and trying not to copy every little detail..........even though you want to. I think you accomplished it on this one.

[noodles]

Excellent build. I'm studying yours for the superb weathering and details, never having attempted weathering before. I see cobwebs on the skeletons! Nice work man.

[Deleted]

Great job! Perfectly done!

[f91]

Love the spare too. The tracks are superb. I personally prefer no chrome on it, but yours is great.

[TheMadModeler]

Either Super detailed or right outta the box these Rods are lookin' good. Every collection should have one and mine will be built soon.. Great build you did..
BiLL..

[gfgcollects]

Another beauty version of this you guys are intimidating the beejezuz out of me, now I'm scared to start mine. ;D

Gerry G

[modelcitizen]

WOW!!!

This beauty's over the top!!! It's hard to imagine a more "elaborate" version!!! Can't wait to see it though ;D ;D ;D!!!

Fantastic craftsmanship Luca!!! Anxiously awaiting your next build !




"Paulie"

[ramone]

Don't know how i missed this Luca,but it sure does look FANTASTIC!!!!

[Brandon]

Very nice! Your photography is great also!

[Luca Roveda]

Thank you all!

I built it several years ago before it was reissued and spent most of the build trying to fit the same number of wheels as in the box art. The super detailed Rommel’s Rod in the guest gallery (which provided the inspiration) only has two outer wheels instead of three:



At first I wanted to make the wheels work but there simply wasn’t enough room for them. It became an obsession of mine to get it right. Finally I had to compromise. I have another version that I have been working on with a slightly lengthened body so that the wheels and track will work. For this one I will try to make better figures so it will probably take another couple of years to finish and many a fit of anger!

Defintely it is worth spending the time on a more realistic skeleton which at least has a rib cage. Something along the lines of Aurora's Forgotten Prisoner.

[rocketeer]

Yeah, I had trouble with the wheel spacing, too, and settled for two outside. Hadn't thought about lengthening the body

[markus]

Love it ..where from did you take the wheels & chains .. from a dragon/revell kit ? Tamiya?

[Steve-o]

both are realy cool looking the picture on the wheel cover is a nice touch !! Luca
Great detail rocketeer !!!
Steve-o

[Luca Roveda]

The wheels and the track are from Modelkasten - MK K-20 German Sd Kfz 7 Tracks (w/ Wheels & Sprockets) - which can be found here www.hlj.com/product/MDKK-20

The Rommel's Rod with the drunken crew is cool! The skeleton has a rib cage - is it from the Lil Coffin?

[markus]

yes ... I also love that RR with the drunken skeletons ... its one of the best dioramas seen in my life ...
Its incredible ... but its telling a complete story ... freezed in a moment ... its ironic, makes you smile ....
what a great idea

thanks for the info with the tracks ... quite pricy

[rocketeer]

May 12, 2010 3:10:58 GMT -6 Luca Roveda said:

...The Rommel's Rod with the drunken crew is cool! The skeleton has a rib cage - is it from the Lil Coffin?

Thanks! Here's the "Completed" thread on that model:

coffincorner.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=completed&action=display&thread=11427

...and the in-progress thread:

coffincorner.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wip&action=display&thread=10637

The skeletons have ribcage/spine transplants from Boot Hill Express skeletons; not too hard to do and improved their looks significantly--although the Boot Hill skeletons' plastic was pretty brittle.

My tracks were from a Dragon SdKfz 7 kit. Lovely things. I cut the halftrack chassis to bits and grafted the bits onto the Rommel's chassis, rearranging as I went to get the wheel & sprocket locations right. It looks as though Luca's sprockets might be just a bit smaller, which would make things considerably easier.

Your paint is also considerably nicer!

[johnverkerk]

YOU GUYS ARE BLOWING ME AWAY!!!,These builds are awesome!!!I have yet to master any kind of weathering.