Custom Tomawawk WIP

[Otto the Otter]

This is my custom Tomahawk so far...

First off, I've got to give recognition to Wild Bill, aka RJ from the Cobra Stickers site. Although I had most of the ideas in my head for this project, he was willing to help me out with a few design ideas.

If anything, I'll walk away from this one knowing that a little bit of Green Stuff goes along way. For the interior I used far more of it than I really needed to. Now I know...

Before I knew how involved with this I wanted to get, I had removed the windows and what not and painted it grey. I decided to get a bit more involved, so I split it apart and cut the flight deck from the cargo deck. I wanted to lower the cargo deck so the figures could fit in there a bit better. I cut out a window and crew door where the bomb winglets were located.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust02.jpg

I used some styrene sheets and cut them to size for the large side openings, as well as the chin turret hole. To help the styrene hold the contour of the fuselage, I taped it on the outside. Using some Green Stuff, I lined the opening. I cut some ribs out of cardboard to give the cover some rigidity.
I used Green Stuff to fill in the recessed areas where the large missiles were mounted as well as the depression around the chin turret. I also used a little bit of Green Stuff to fill in the holes left by the rear stabilizers. You can also see where I cut out the "Hell Hole" in the bottom between the landing gear nacels.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust03.jpg

Before painting, I used different coloured Sharpies to mark off where I wanted to paint what colour. I remember this being a pain back in the day when I painted models; trying to keep the lines striaght from one side to the other, and making sure you get the colour on the same side of the line on each side. You can also see where I covered the space where the tail fan goes. I used the tail fan itself as a template and cut out the shape from styren and secured it in place with Gorilla Glue and Green Stuff.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust06.jpg

[Otto the Otter]

These are the interior parts. The flight deck, cargo floor, engine components and mini-guns for the side windows. Using the guns that come with the Tomahawk, I cut the gun from the mount and left a small platform on which to mount the Marauder mini-guns. I left part of the cargo deck in tact behind the seats and drilled holes so the gun mounts could be mounted.
I had planned on using the regular cargo deck for the inside, but I can't cut straight lines for crap with my Xacto saw (see first picture), so I made a template out of card board that would cover the whole area. Using that template, I cut out the shape in styrene and used the card back from a figure for some strength to the styrene, as regular cardboard was just a bit too thick for what I wanted.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust08.jpg

Here it is after the primary painting has been applied. I still need to go back and touch up a few missed spots.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust09.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust12.jpg

Here is the side with the removable cover. I used some more cardstock from a figure card back and lined the edge of the opening. The Green Stuff was applied to this lining instead of the fuselage itself (like on the other side), this way the side can be removed. I also made a small half door for the lower part of the crew door. I need to get some more thin wire and I can make a bit of a hinge so it'll fold down and act as a ladder to board the helo. You can see the top of the gun mount poking up over the top of the half door.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust13.jpg

Here's the interior. I removed the winch from the bottom and Gorilla Glued it to the overhead in the cargo area so the guys can fast rope through the Hell Hole. I have a couple of plans to add some seats. You can see the port side gun mount by the front window.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust18.jpg

Couple pictures with a Tomahawk and custom Tigerfly
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust20.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/ottotheotter/My%20Joes/Joe%20WIP/ThawkCust21.jpg

I still have a few more things to add, add some dull coat, custom decals and few other items.

[Marty]

I love reading and checking out photos of step by step customs like this. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and lessons learned while doing this kind of thing. Well done, I can't wait to see it finished.

[WildBill]

Otto!
This turned out amazing. I really like the winch idea and the cargo hole(hell hole..I'm a civillian pilot not military:).
Looks like you've got a good Assault Helicopter Company started there. Very nice.
Can't wait to see it in a dio.
RJ

[Death_at_Midnight]

This is really nice. A fantastic job. I'll have to re-read it more carefully at the office, as I am just skimming it right now. I also appreciate the step-by-step series of photos. Thanks for sharing!

[rnrhero]

Great looking custom. If I ever get a second tomahawk I have had plans for something similar but this is just great. Love the Hell Hole. I would have never thought of that.

[Sonneilon]

Can I have the folded bills on the table? lol

The colors are a bit too bright for me as it stands. But I'm guessing that under the right lighting conditions, they'll be ok. I need to look thru this one closer to see how you filled in that door!

[Scuba Steve]

That is awesome Otto! I always felt the Tomahawk could be improved but not with my lack of skill! This looks great, can't wait to see it in action on the photos page or better yet in a full dio!

[Outrider]

That's an awesome effort man!