Model of a Martian combat vehicle equipped with a dual cannon, with a soldier figure

Roadranger.

Black-and-white photographs and technical drawings of a futuristic model armored vehicle

This model is based on a 1/48-scale kit. Photocopies of parts enlarged to 1/24 scale will serve as blueprints for the future model...

A white model of a futuristic vehicle next to its transparent body on a light-colored background

The 1/48-scale model, with, next to it, the start of the "scratch-built" assembly using plastic card cut according to the plans obtained...

Transparent fuselage part being assembled with gray putty for the Mars 2150 model

Making the front fenders and filling the gaps...

Transparent plastic model car with a steering wheel and cockpit currently being assembled

Another view...

A model of a futuristic vehicle made of clear plastic being assembled, seen in profile

Installing the rear fenders...

Translucent model of a Mars armored vehicle under construction, with a transparent hull revealing the seat and cockpit

An overview of the wings in place... And here, I strayed from the original design when it came to the details, ultimately following my inspiration...

Model of a Martian vehicle under construction; the hull is assembled from metal and plastic parts

View from below: after adding a front bumper—a round part that will serve as the engine and secure the front axle—while at the rear, other parts will complete the assembly...

Model car chassis and running gear with wide tires and detailed suspensions displayed on a white background

The wheels: On a 1/20 scale, these wheel assemblies—equipped with gearboxes—will be attached to the chassis. These flexible Formula I vinyl tires will be perfect for driving on Martian sand...

Underside of a Goodyear six-wheel vehicle model showing a transparent chassis and detailed running gear

The axles secured in place...

Bottom view of the chassis of a six-wheeled off-road vehicle model

The finished chassis, with parts from the surplus bin added...

Three miniature model seats currently being made, painted red and gray

The 1/48 scale kit includes three seats, including the driver's forward-mounted center seat. I kept the same layout for the cockpit... Car seats were slightly modified to fit the space...

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled vehicle with red seats and a metallic-finish body

The seats in place for the simulation... The bodywork. The bumper and the new headlights called for a curved fender effect to achieve a more cohesive look... Half of an airplane fuel tank and some aluminum sheets will be perfect for achieving a consistent alignment...

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled armored vehicle with a silver metal body, currently under construction

The floor of the aft deck, where the cannon will be installed, is finished with an Evergreen plastic sheet...

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled vehicle with red seats and a silver body being filled

Another view of the body. A lot of sanding and filling will be required to remove the seams on the fenders and the curved sections...

Silver model of a futuristic six-wheeled military vehicle with red seats and a turret

After sanding the front again, the barrel base is secured to the rear deck...

Gray six-wheel military vehicle model with red seats and a rear platform

Time to sand again...

Scale models of an armored vehicle and a gray spacecraft on a workbench with spare parts

The scrap box—a must-have when you're "scratching"...

Model of a futuristic gray armored vehicle currently being assembled, featuring individual parts

Re-sanding and re-installing the roof...

The Cannon

Beige model of a Martian antigravity tank with two long cannons and an open seat on a blue base

The cannon, first assembly. Star Wars fans will surely recognize some of the parts...

"Dry run" test on the vehicle...

Model of a white, futuristic cannon mounted on a swiveling turret, "Mars 2150" theme

Trimming the piece and sanding the joints...

Model of a futuristic anti-aircraft gun with a seat, unfinished gray paint, "Mars 2150" theme Gray model of a futuristic anti-aircraft gun with a swivel seat and a long missile pointed forward Model of a wheeled armored vehicle equipped with a turret and a long gun, currently under construction

The finished barrel is given a coat of white primer...

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled armored vehicle equipped with an anti-aircraft gun against a gray background

Model of a gray, six-wheeled combat vehicle equipped with a rear-mounted anti-aircraft gun Model of a gray Martian combat vehicle armed with a long, swiveling cannon

Front view; after several rounds of sanding and filling... The seams should become invisible...

Model of a six-wheel truck equipped with an anti-aircraft gun and missiles on a turret

The rear end has been redesigned with a new grille and taillights...

The figurines

Unpainted figurine of a Martian soldier in space armor, featuring antennae and detailed equipment

Figurine of a cosmonaut in a white spacesuit with a red helmet, holding equipment; Mars 2150 model

Les figurines : Un pilote de "Harrier" de la marque Airfix et un chauffeur de camion de la marque Italeri feront office de canonnier et d'astronaute après modifications et quelques pièces supplémentaires...

Gray-primed Martian soldier figurine with helmet, gear, and ammunition crates

The model is then primed with white acrylic paint...

Two figurines of Martian soldiers in spacesuits facing each other on cratered ground

The figures are painted with Winsor & Newton oil paints for the faces and Humbrol for the rest of the equipment...

Painting

Model of a black armored vehicle, viewed from the front, with a chrome grille and bumper

Base coat applied with an airbrush using Humbrol Black 33. Then a "light coat" of Model Master Chrom Trim Black...

Model of a gray, six-wheeled military armored vehicle with a futuristic design for Mars 2150

Model of a black, six-wheeled armored military vehicle with a turret, "Mars 2150" theme

A look at the first layers...

Unpainted gray model of a futuristic twin-barreled artillery turret with a pilot's seat

The barrel is spray-painted using Humbrol's Naval Gray, Phantom Gray, and HX5 Light Gray...

Model of a futuristic gray armored vehicle with a twin anti-aircraft gun mounted on the rear

Top view...

Model of a six-wheeled Martian armored vehicle equipped with a twin-barreled cannon mounted on a turret

The entire piece is given a wash of Humbrol 153 diluted with turpentine...

Model of a six-wheeled Mars rover equipped with a futuristic cannon on a turret

The model needs to dry for several days before the paint is finished...

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled armored military vehicle equipped with a two-seat cannon

Several colors will be used for the paint chipping, the plates, and the vents: Humbrol 31, 87, 183, BLUE 14...

Model of a futuristic gray six-wheeled military armored vehicle with a rear platform

Model of a six-wheeled combat vehicle equipped with an articulated missile launcher

Model of a futuristic six-wheeled military armored vehicle equipped with a twin cannon mounted on a turret

Three photos showing the chipping on the air vents and the rear shelf...

Model of a futuristic military vehicle with a dual-barreled cannon mounted on a platform, "Mars 2150" theme

Another view...

Detailed model of a swiveling artillery turret with a seat, mounted on a weathered armored vehicle

The bionic cannon, ready for action...

Patina

Model of a six-wheeled Martian armored vehicle equipped with a missile launcher, with a rusted finish

Some rust-colored pastel powder will provide the finishing touch and help it blend into the surroundings...

Model of a rusted and weathered futuristic combat vehicle, No. 68, "Mars 2150" theme

Details...

Model of a weathered six-wheeled Martian combat vehicle equipped with a swiveling cannon

Model of a rusty, six-wheeled Martian military vehicle armed with a twin anti-aircraft gun

Model of Martian military vehicle No. 68 equipped with a cannon, with a soldier figurine

Model of a Martian armored vehicle with a figure of a gunner operating a rusty anti-aircraft gun

Model of a rusty Martian vehicle with a gunner figure operating a long, swiveling cannon

Model of an aged Martian combat vehicle, viewed from the rear, with a pilot wearing a helmet

The Setting

A diorama currently under construction depicting a reddish Martian cliff lined with frost-covered rocks

A wooden panel measuring 0.74 m x 0.42 m will serve as the base. A piece of Monument Valley scenery salvaged from an old diorama will serve as the backdrop for the horizon...

Model diorama depicting layered Martian rock cliffs bordered by bluish ice and snow

The extruded polystyrene scenery has been improved. Rocks will serve as a link between the mountains and the ground...

Diorama of reddish Martian cliffs with bluish ice formations and snow-covered ground

A view of the entire set...

Martian diorama model featuring ochre-colored sandy ground, a layered reddish rock cliff, and a central copper-colored monolith

The powdery ground is made from plaster and modeling clay. The rocks are repainted with acrylic paint...

Model of a Martian landscape featuring reddish, layered rock formations and greenish soil beneath a misty sky

The finished paintings...

March 2150 model diorama featuring an armored vehicle and an anti-aircraft gun on ochre Martian soil

March 2150 Diorama: Armored Gun-Mounted Vehicle and Droid on Ochre Ground The set will be touched up later, and a background painted with acrylic paint will be added...

Martian backdrop: layered rock cliff, ochre sand, and painted sky Martian diorama featuring an armed vehicle and figures on reddish ground in front of cliffs The two photos above: details of the set...