(Custom) Lancer Assault Rifle

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 03-28-2011, 09:55 PM

I'm currently on a Special Effects Development Degree at the University of Bolton (UK) in my first year. For the physical effects (non CGI) side of the course, we were given a chance to build something to show our skills, so I decided to build a replica Lancer from Gears of War.
Currently, I've worked on the thing for about five weeks, in between classes, and other projects such as a Autodesk Maya 2011 project and a five minute short film. The Lancer is nearing completion now, and needs only a few more additions before I paint it, then put every piece together (I'm leaving the ammo magazine and chainsaw grip handle unnatatched during painting to allow them to move when it all goes together. Hopefully you guys enjoy the pictures (below). I will try and update this post as often as I do the work!

Plans:

This Image Was Automatically Resized by using the Screenshot Tag. Click to view the full version

Designs transferred to MDF:

Cutting of rough shape:

Detail Plating:

More to come!

**AdamFenix** · 03-28-2011, 10:14 PM

Lookin' good, bro! That's a lot of work!

I cheated... I got a Triforce Lancer.

**Slayac** · 03-29-2011, 11:17 AM

That is impressive

**Doctalen** · 03-29-2011, 12:11 PM

Looks nice. I never noticed they had a handle though I thought they kept their hand in that space between the chainsaw an gun

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 03-29-2011, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by AdamFenix

Lookin' good, bro! That's a lot of work!

I cheated... I got a Triforce Lancer.

It was tempting to get the Tri-Force one, but I decided to just make my own. Currently it's coming in at around £100 to build it which is way cheaper than the TriForce one. Plus, this way it contributes to my degree.

**mlinwood** · 03-30-2011, 07:59 AM

That's brilliant. The tri force was too expensive. Wish I had skills like yours. You should consider making other weapons. The longshot would be too cool.

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 03-31-2011, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by mlinwood

That's brilliant. The tri force was too expensive. Wish I had skills like yours. You should consider making other weapons. The longshot would be too cool.

My current plan is to make a weapon per project/semester at University. I'm either gonna work on the Snub or Shotgun next. I have considered the Longshot a fair bit, and it'd be a great weapon to have a go at.

As a side note, all the detail panelling is now on the gun body, so I've now just got to wrap up on the ammo magazine, and the thing will be ready for painting which should be fun. I'll try and get more pics up as I progress through this weekend.

**Slayac** · 03-31-2011, 03:07 AM

I'm just curious, how many hours have you put into this?

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 03-31-2011, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Slayac

I'm just curious, how many hours have you put into this?

So far, I'd say about 25 hours. Most time consuming parts so far have been sanding, and cutting the plasti-card for the plating along the sides of the gun. While the card is thin, it's surprisingly tough, and has broken a few of my craft knife blades.
Ultimately, I'd imagine the project to come in at the 35-40 hour mark. I'm just finishing up on the final pieces of plating, making it ready for painting either this weekend or next depending on when I get time.

**Slayac** · 03-31-2011, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by c SPARTAN117 c

So far, I'd say about 25 hours. Most time consuming parts so far have been sanding, and cutting the plasti-card for the plating along the sides of the gun. While the card is thin, it's surprisingly tough, and has broken a few of my craft knife blades.
Ultimately, I'd imagine the project to come in at the 35-40 hour mark. I'm just finishing up on the final pieces of plating, making it ready for painting either this weekend or next depending on when I get time.

Wow thats not long at all. You must have a lot of skill

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-01-2011, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by Slayac

Wow thats not long at all. You must have a lot of skill

I dunno if it's skill lol, but I just planned every aspect out before I set out to make this thing. I knew I wanted an opening ammo magazine area to allow the magazine to drop out like in game. I also knew I wanted the grip handle for the chainsaw to be on a pivot so it folds to and away from the gun. I also knew exactly what materials I needed, and how much of them to get the correct 1:1 scale. In doing this, when I moved away from the planning phase, it was relatively easy to start, as I knew what needed to be done first, and what last.

Well today, I've got a review with my tutors to see how the project is going. He's an outright Gear head himself, so it should go smoothly, especially when I'm the only guy in the class who's done something for this project.

Hopefully I can upload the latest pictures when I get back.

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-11-2011, 09:36 PM

Thought I'd give you guys a bit of an update. The whole thing is ready for paint apps which will commence next week in between BETA time. Here's some more recent pics of the Lancer, so enjoy:

Ammo Magazine:

Misc pieces (sights, barrels etc):

Magazine cover pieces (will pivot to allow the magazine to be reomoved from the gun):

LED light test (currently dropped from the gun due to risk of damaging the wood. They will be added at a later date, with luminescent blue paint being used for the lights instead):

(Me), with Lancer:

**jared88** · 04-11-2011, 09:49 PM

holy crap thats impressive as hell! good job man

**Slayac** · 04-11-2011, 11:34 PM

cant wait to see what it looks like finished

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-12-2011, 05:55 PM

Thanks guys. Like I said, I'm trying to get it painted this week and next, so I'll post up some in progress paint pics when I can, along with some of the finished gun.

**AdamFenix** · 04-12-2011, 07:44 PM

You have an amazing amount of patience to do this... I tried something like this with papercraft and ended up smashing it into oblivion.

**RAAM582** · 04-12-2011, 09:02 PM

That's pretty awesome, can't wait to see the finished model. Great job so far!

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-13-2011, 11:35 AM

All right then guys, I'll see what you lot think. I'm debating on if I should add a blood effect over the chainsaw bayonet, kinda like the old Amazon Lancer/NECA 7" figure Lancers, or leave it clean like the Tri-Force/ in-game model. So guys and gals, what do you think? Blood, or no blood?

**AdamFenix** · 04-13-2011, 11:47 AM

Tiny bit of blood splatter? Don't make it obnoxious.

**RAAM582** · 04-13-2011, 02:41 PM

I would leave it clean, IMO.

**1xsecret** · 04-17-2011, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by AdamFenix

Lookin' good, bro! That's a lot of work!

I cheated... I got a Triforce Lancer.

It's funny Cus I've heard a few people say that you lie about having one.

**RAAM582** · 04-17-2011, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by 1xsecret

It's funny Cus I've heard a few people say that you lie about having one.

He has pictures of him holding it, it's in his signature.

**AdamFenix** · 04-17-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by 1xsecret

It's funny Cus I've heard a few people say that you lie about having one.

ROFL! Check the signature, bro. And if people have the balls, add my MSN. I'll webcam that **** for proof.

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-18-2011, 02:41 AM

Guys really? Don't start arguing over who owns what.

**RAAM582** · 04-18-2011, 07:50 AM

LOL Collectors these day... amirite?

**Fiery Duck** · 04-22-2011, 12:25 PM

What kind of class is this for? I would love to do some kind of prop making in college/as a real job.

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-22-2011, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Fiery Duck

What kind of class is this for? I would love to do some kind of prop making in college/as a real job.

This is for a University Degree; Special Effects Development in either a BDES, BSC or HND (depending on my specialisation).

**B41RD** · 04-23-2011, 10:22 AM

spartan that is mint, i wanna see it painted. maybe paint it without blood first and post it up on here and see what people say, maybe you could make it interesting and do a quick poll - with or without blood.

**B41RD** · 04-23-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by AdamFenix

ROFL! Check the signature, bro. And if people have the balls, add my MSN. I'll webcam that **** for proof.

i like the neca lancer better fenix... just kidding

**Fiery Duck** · 04-23-2011, 02:42 PM

Is the detail painting just cut out of plastic? I'm having trouble telling from the pictures.

**Slayac** · 04-23-2011, 07:23 PM

Who would lie about owning a lancer or any gow item. People are pathetic if they start rumours saying someone doesnt have something just because they are jealous.

On topic: Hope you get this done soon! Cant wait!

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-27-2011, 06:34 PM

Ok then. I've started adding paint. I used a gray primer all over the pieces, then added 2-3 coats of plasti-kote gray spray paint. I've started to add detailing in black which is almost done now. I'll continue this over this weekend, finishing the detailing, adding a black wash and the blue lights on each side.
I've taken some more pics, but my memory card reader is having a bit of trouble at the moment. Hopefully I can get some more pics up by the weekend.

Also, for the blood issue, it's currently not having any on. I'm painting up the chainsaw to be 'clean', and I'll consider Baird's idea of creating a proper poll later.

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 04-29-2011, 12:47 PM

Photo Update guys. Enjoy!

**Slayac** · 04-29-2011, 07:50 PM

Nice!!!!!!!

**RAAM582** · 04-29-2011, 10:14 PM

Lookin' great bro!

**c SPARTAN117 c** · 05-05-2011, 08:15 PM

Another update. The Lancer is practically done. As I speak, the final strip of glue for the front sighta is drying. Once this is done, I'll paint the glue strip, then varnish it. Everything else on the gun however is done. I don't have any complete photos just yet, but below are some images of each individual piece finished, before they were glued together earlier today:

p.s. The 'shinyness' on the pieces isn't present on the finished gun. I'm presuming the shine in the photos is due to the varnish still drying on the pieces.