PlaymoFriends
Creative => Customs Gallery => Ships & Vehicles => Topic started by: Bill Blackhurst on January 24, 2012, 03:12:28
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Hello everyone. Today I got 2 4878 Robo Gang SUV's that I have decided to customize into vehicles that some people in the United States would use to chase severe weather during the Spring when tornado season is active in Tornado Alley in the midwest. These people are meteorologists that actually try to predict by forecasting where the next severe weather is going to be & drive specialized vehicles to intercept the tornado's that are spawned due to these weather super cells. They call in their reports to the emergency alert stations that warn people to seek shelter from tornado's that they witness on the ground. Some of these meteorologists actually try to get as close to the twister as possible to release weather probes to monitor the wind speeds & barometric pressures inside the active tornado. The vehicles can be equipped with cell phones, GPS, laptop computers, some even have Doppler radar, & cameras to record the tornado's activities, then some teams sell their film footage to TV stations for news reports & documentaries. This is the first SUV, that I have started working on with additional changes to be made as I get parts from DS.
(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4896/pict0011wp.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/pict0011wp.jpg/)
Passenger side of vehicle showing the cell phone, video camera, & spotlight in position.
(http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2575/pict0002cw.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/pict0002cw.jpg/)
Laptop computer that controls the radar & diagnostic equipment.
(http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9777/pict0003cw.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/pict0003cw.jpg/)
Another view of the passenger compartment.
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2633/pict0007ry.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/pict0007ry.jpg/)
A view of the on board GPS system in the center of the vehicle dash board.
(http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/9743/pict0006pp.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/pict0006pp.jpg/)
Drivers compartment showing binoculars, thermos of coffee, & spot light positions.
(http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7379/pict0016ak.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/pict0016ak.jpg/)
A view of the extra red cell phone on the center console.
(http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/739/pict0010ma.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/pict0010ma.jpg/)
Left side view showing the weather probes in the ready position.
(http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1015/pict0004be.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/214/pict0004be.jpg/)
Right side view showing the Doppler radar, tracking radar, & radio antenna systems.
(http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2391/pict0005rt.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/pict0005rt.jpg/)
Front view showing the self recovery cable winch system.
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3513/pict0008gv.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/pict0008gv.jpg/)
Adjustable satellite transmitting system dish.
Well, that's all for right now folks! As improvements are made I will try to update the pictures showing what I come up with next! I hope you like this version so far!
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cool! are you gonna add more utility features like roll bars, a bumper guard, some light bars etc??? what else do you have in store?
(I love utility vehicles, like in Jurassic Park and in the movie TWISTER)
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Awesome, BB! So excited to see you finally get a chance to make this custom!!! It looks great so far, your klickys seem quite prepared to take on anything! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/bravo-009.gif) The thermos of coffee is a nice touch for those long hours on the road. Love the radar and satelites, looks quite realistic. Can't wait to see improvements as you get more parts in.
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cool! are you gonna add more utility features like roll bars, a bumper guard, some light bars etc??? what else do you have in store?
I'm currently thinking of adding only some heavy duty off road lights. I consider the vehicle being heavily armored with bullet proof glass to prevent impaling objects & the vehicle itself has a built in roll cage for passenger protection. Presently I'm trying to decide on a cartoon twister picture to add to the hood in place of the stock design. A twister with evil eyes, that kind of thing like came on the old Plymouth Dusters.
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That would be really cool, though actually the swirly designs that came on it kind of work ok. They're reminiscent of swirling winds. The part on the side that says robogang has to go, though. :lol:
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That would be really cool, though actually the swirly designs that came on it kind of work ok. They're reminiscent of swirling winds.
I still would like to do a custom design though.
The part on the side that says robogang has to go, though. :lol:
Yeah, I agree :P!
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A very smart idea of a custom, Bill!! :)9There seems to be more items at the back rocket compartment... Looking forward to more additions!!!
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A very smart idea of a custom, Bill!! :)9There seems to be more items at the back rocket compartment... Looking forward to more additions!!!
Thank you everyone for the positive comments! You are correct, Panos! It houses the chain saw for clearing roads of trees & debris, wood cutters helmet, 2 suit cases, & a crate for storing the extra cameras & video equipment, so, you caught me stashing things ;).
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This is the second edition of this topic showing the second custom Storm Chasers vehicle & some additional improvements to both the first & second vehicles.
I hope you enjoy this latest revision.
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5106/pict0001pm.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/pict0001pm.jpg/)
This is a photo of 1 of the 2 new high intensity spot lights, mounted on the side of the rear upper quarter panels.
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3268/pict0004zz.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/pict0004zz.jpg/)
The new touch screen monitor system control mounted in the center of the passenger compartment interior.
(http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3050/pict0002sa.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/pict0002sa.jpg/)
A photo of the new front high intensity spot lights mounted above the cable winch.
(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7363/pict0003rg.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/pict0003rg.jpg/)
The new anemometer being shown on Storm Chaser vehicle 1.
(http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4672/pict0009eo.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/pict0009eo.jpg/)
An overview showing Vehicle 1's updates.
(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/715/pict0005pq.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/pict0005pq.jpg/)
Storm Chaser vehicle 2's roof mounted diagnostic equipment.
(http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/6439/pict0007kg.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/808/pict0007kg.jpg/)
Left side view of Storm Chaser vehicle 2.
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/430/pict0008hb.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/pict0008hb.jpg/)
A picture of vehicle 2's driver.
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/8436/pict0006as.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/pict0006as.jpg/)
An overview showing Vehicle 2's updates.
That's it for this update. I hope you like them.
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Ooooh, I love it, BB! I really like the anemometer!!! How did you make that? ???
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Ooooh, I love it, BB! I really like the anemometer!!! How did you make that? ???
It's 99% actual Playmobil stuff. ;)
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Fine, don't tell me. (http://mazeguy.net/angry/muttering.gif)
:P
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Fine, don't tell me. (http://mazeguy.net/angry/muttering.gif)
:P
OK, the only component not genuine Playmobil is the red fan blade coupler!
Maybe we should have a contest to see if anyone can name all of the stuff, complete or partial that I used in it's construction ;).....hmmmmm
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Ooh, that sounds like fun! :yup: The one I'm really curious about is the red..... thing. Not the coupler, the other one.
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Ooh, that sounds like fun! :yup: The one I'm really curious about is the red..... thing. Not the coupler, the other one.
You're going to have to figure that out yourself! ;D
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I got it! :yippee: It just came to me! 30 22 8600 - Lantern holder, curved top (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-22-8600)
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I got it! :yippee: It just came to me! 30 22 8600 - Lantern holder, curved top (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-22-8600)
That's the first part, now for the rest!
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Now all you need is a real twister to test your new rigs in....how do we do that? Nice new wheels!!!
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Now all you need is a real twister to test your new rigs in....how do we do that? Nice new wheels!!!
Thanks, Pgal! I've been considering a leaf blower,........hmmmmm ;D
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
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so cool! now i wanna make one! and some jurassic park vehicles. and some MAD MAX vehicles!
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Awesome SUV, BB! I actually had to google the real 4878 to know the difference, your additions fit so right. :)
Will you get rid of the rockets? Or do you have a special use for these?
Best,
A.
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Great additions to the vehicle Bill!!
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Awesome SUV, BB! I actually had to google the real 4878 to know the difference, your additions fit so right. :)
Will you get rid of the rockets? Or do you have a special use for these?
Best,
A.
Yeah, I did the same thing! The additions fit in so seamlessly, it looks like they're supposed to be there!
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Thank you everyone for your positive comments, I truly appreciate them ;D!
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so cool! now i wanna make one! and some jurassic park vehicles. and some MAD MAX vehicles!
I want to see your versions Atto :high5:! I have come to really like this SUV :love:! I am even considering making some 4878 customs for my PCPD SWAT team for special usage ;)!
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Awesome SUV, BB! I actually had to google the real 4878 to know the difference, your additions fit so right. :)
Will you get rid of the rockets? Or do you have a special use for these?
Best,
A.
Thank you A.! I am not using the large satellite, but the 4 small side door rockets are being used for weather probes that the real life Storm Chasers actually deploy into a tornado to obtain critical weather data, so as they are shown in the pictures is the way they will stay :). I'm trying to continue to customize current projects like the 3526 Fire Engine customs that I have done in the past, so they can be returned to their original form very easily.
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This is an excellent project Bill. You're doing a great job. Now I want a full size one, though maybe that's a little overkill out here where we only have maybe one mini tornado every decade or so. :lol:
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This is an excellent project Bill. You're doing a great job. Now I want a full size one, though maybe that's a little overkill out here where we only have maybe one mini tornado every decade or so. :lol:
Thank you Tim! bb & I were discussing this custom a while back when the TV show Storm Chasers was actually on TV & we were watching it at the same time! The idea just hit me, & finally when I was able to get 2 4878's, I've never looked back :lol:! Now, if I can just get some permanent DS parts, I'd like to stop stealing things from my other sets :P!