Looking For: "Realistic" sci-fi robotic minis/models

[Wihtesparrow]

As the title says, surfing the net I've stumbled upon just a few SWEET looking models that are "realistic" type robotic machines and am looking for anyone who knows where I can find more.

Two great examples of the type of stuff I'm looking for would be the hover tank from MIG Productions and walkers from Dust Tactics. The problem I have with the Dust models is that, based off of reviews I've seen, they're more like cheaply made toys rather than quality miniatures or models.

Here are two images for what I'm talking about. If anyone knows of similar minis to get, it would be great to hear suggestions!! (P.S. I just got into miniature building about a week ago. Woo hoo!!)

 

[PegaZus]

I've got a few, from Starship Modeler's store, but I'm not sure they are what you're looking for, are a bit pricey, and they are out of stock. But might give you some leads.

Gans Panzer Aufkalarungs SK602

Hummel Aufklarungs Panzer Kampf Flugzeug 50

P.K.A. Ausf.G Gustav

And if you're looking for smaller scale, there's Reaper's CAV series. Granted, it's more mecha than robot, but a few of them might be believable as robotics.

 

[Dragonsreach]

The problem I have with the Dust models is that, based off of reviews I've seen, they're more like cheaply made toys rather than quality miniatures or models.

Not quite accurate I've picked up a few Dust walkers for use in Secrets of the Third Reich and the quality is very good.
Granted they are pre assembled items but nothing that should stop anyone painting one up to good effect.
In fact Freakinacage did one to an excellent standard Last Year

 

[freakinacage]

Yeah the Dust stuff is the best stuff I have tried for a while. Superb detail and loads of it. Although pre assembled, they are easy to take apart. They come pre painted which puts a lot of people off but you don't need to strip before you paint them yourself. Will be buying any/all of them that I like!

edit-- thanks Mike, I wouldn't say excellent but I am happy!

 

[Wihtesparrow]

Thanks, everyone. Some helpful stuff. I guess more high tech WWII tanks/vehicles would be more what I'm going after.

@PegaZus: The SK602 is sweet and pretty darn close to what I'm looking for. I've seen those Reaper models before and for me they're just too cartoony/anime like. Thanks for the suggestions!!

@Dragonsreach: Really? Huh. I just saw that they apparently aren't glued together too well and were splitting a lot at the seams. You didn't have this problem? I guess you could use green stuff to help with that, but being so new to the hobby of minis I've never used it so I wouldn't really know.

@freakinacage: I heard they only come pre-painted if you buy them in stores but unpainted if you get them online in some cases. True? Also, do you have a link to the walker you did? I would sure like to see it.

 

[freakinacage]

tbh they are glued well enough that if you aren't worried about that sort of thing, they will hold. Personally I wanted to take them mostly apart so I could clean up mould lines etc so it was fine for that
Here are the two that I have done so far. I have another two on the go

 

[Wihtesparrow]

That's awesome, freak!! Really cool. How long does something like that take?? I love rust and weathering on minis..looks so stinkin awesome. Also, I have a pretty good amount of experience with real painting and drawing (I was going to be a concept artist at one point and drawing is a hobby of mine already). Do you guys think that knowledge will help me with mini painting?

 

[supervike]

tbh they are glued well enough that if you aren't worried about that sort of thing, they will hold. Personally I wanted to take them mostly apart so I could clean up mould lines etc so it was fine for that
Here are the two that I have done so far. I have another two on the go

If that bottom guy stays like that for more than 4 hours, you really should consult a physician.

 

[freakinacage]

Tbh they were just a few hours each. Prime, basecoat, a little highlighting with an airbrush then weathering. Great fun too.

An artistic background should help but painting stuff in 3d is quite different to 2d

 

[Conium Maculatum]

The originator of Dust Tactics also produces bigger models, which may or may not come painted (I honestly don't know). They are availible in 1:48 plastic and 1:35 resin. the 1:35 walkers are obviously massive but a good example can be seen here http://sadoukad16.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/war-walker-finished.html. Also, while trawling the net for other 1:35 robots, I found this http://www.kallamity.com/products/view/HE001D . Not what you wanted but still awesome!!

 

[Wihtesparrow]

@freak: Thanks for the info. Is it possible to do models like this without an airbrush? I'm sure it is, but I'm just not sure on how much more difficult and everything. I just simply can't afford one. And yeah, I figured 3d painting would be massively different. I've been watching youtube video tutorials a lot before I even think about getting started. At least I have color theory and values and lighting and all that on my side!!

@Conium Maculatum: Actually...the Hecaton fits pretty well into what I would be looking for/the other models on that site as well!! ..Except they're all MASSIVELY expensive. Really just any kind of robot or mech that looks mechanically believable instead of cheesy, tranformer/robotech-esque type stuff. Things with a lot of exposed mechanical parts like gears and tubing and pipes and pistons. Not unrealistically clean, smooth and impossibly well-organized like it's from the year 50,000,000!!

 

[freakinacage]

Forgot to say, have only bought them in store so they were pre painted.

Yeah you can paint them without an airbrush but it's a LOT quicker with

 

[Conium Maculatum]

Expense. Yes.... I think that is a problem we all suffer from!