Cerberus and SAFS Space Type 1/76

Some composing of the possible diorama. 

Little SAFS taking shape. Small drill bits are extremely useful 

My first SAFS 

That coil from body to frame was annoying 

Now the basic SAFS is modified to look like the space type SAFS or Fire Ball. 

Some Surfacer 1000 as primer and increase adhesion. 

I scratchbuild one tiny rocket motor, made silicone mold for it and casted them. 

SAFS primed with black and added some white lightly. Rockets were painted beforehand. 

I guess I didn't thin the white paint enough, but it was mainly for shading. I should maybe paint it with brush... 

Cerberus has been started 

Here are units Apple, Baker and Charlie. Apple is the group leader and so has a Doppler radar. Baker took a hit from the Cerberus. 

Cerberus is started. There is lots of depth in this model, so I must paint parts before adding them. 

The construction manual is not very helpful here, but fortunately I have a good reference book Ma.K Modeling Book 2. 

Parts in place. Needs more cords 

Baker and Charlie has been primed and rocket motors are added. 

Instead of 0,8mm plastic rod I used 1,2mm injection needle as a laser gun. I scribed more details into the barrel part in the turret. I still need to figure out, how I make tentacles for this. 

All cords should be in their places. 

Next should be airbrushing with black primer everywhere. 

Primed with flat black and more colors are added like a shading. I hope this kind of shading shows and doesn't get hidden. 

Primary colors in Cerberus. Next would be details with brush. 

Too late I checked the back of the box. 30 meters would mean almost 40 cm in scale 1/76, but my model is just under 14 cm... This is because the kit was originally 1/220 scale. But it is still believable for this diorama project. 

Details and dry-brushing done on Cerberus. 

Cerberus has eyes! 

Baker is the sacrificial test subject for my brush painting. 

SAFSs have finally main colors brushed and the first clear varnish coat. Next would be decals and weathering. Cerberus is almost ready as most of parts has finishing matt varnish coat. Although tentacles are still missing and the diorama base should be made. 

Cerberus is ready except the tentacles. 

SAFSs got their decals. The unit markings A, B and C are self printed and others are from leftovers. 

Cerberus has now tentacles! Still unpainted in the picture, but I did paint them black with some grey variation. 

Lunar surface is coming! The bottom is a MDF plate from a painting frame and then there is some kapa-sheets adding height difference. 

I planned to cover the whole surface with DAS paste, but then I just used it to form the crater. Rest of the surface will be made from woodwork filler. My idea is that SAFS have retreated to hide in the crater and behind some rock, while the Cerberus is on the flat lunar surface inspecting the parts left by Baker. 

SAFSs got weathering and final matt varnish so they are ready. I added some metal wire into the feet of Apple and Charlie to keep them standing in the diorama base. 

Lots of rocks made of DAS paste and carving foam. Mostly it is stone-effect paste. 

Additional paint and first time I used pigments (the brown parts). 

The diorama is close to ready. It needs a nameplate and maybe some battle effects on the ground. 

It is ready!