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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

@tim-popelier.com

2K followers 1.7K following 1.8K posts

Dutch 3d miniatures designer, TANKHEAD lore author and rusty goldsmith. @Tankhead-mecha.bsky.social He/Him https://tim-popelier.com

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · Oct 18

hey I'm Tim. I design/sculpt miniatures and models, anything from tiny chubby tanks to kangaroo cavalry and trashbags. Occasionally I actually get round to painting my own designs as well. I also wrote a little book called Tankhead with my friend @emersontung.bsky.social

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Reposted by Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 7h

We at @tankhead-mecha.bsky.social agree!

Sherman firefly tankhead, with covered joints and ghilly suit.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 7h

We at @tankhead-mecha.bsky.social agree!

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 7h

A true fashion icon.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 12h

Really like the obvious and well used bolt on points for extra weapons/armor!

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Reposted by Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

Sparrow S.A./イグルーシカ @sparrow-s-a.bsky.social · Dec 30

プラ板工作で架空戦闘機の造形をおこない、ついでに作った模型を飛ばす。というアカウントです。
オリジナル架空機のデザインもしますし、ファンアートでもアレンジするか、あるいはリデザインして造形します。

これは「戦闘妖精・雪風」の小説中の記述を元にしてデザインした戦術戦闘電子偵察機 FRX00／FFR41MR メイヴ・雪風、およびその原型機となった無人戦術戦闘偵察機FRX99（書かれたシーン／ディテールから機体の形状や構造を再構築したもので、単行本表紙のイラスト等とは異なります）。
1/100スケール、原型からレジンキャスト複製、組んで塗った機体を外撮り・画像加工して空撮風にしたのが4枚目の画像。

1. プラ板工作中。すべての箇所は積層あるいは組んだプラ材から削り出して成形。キャノピーも積層プラ材から削り出した原型からヒートプレス成形（透明PET樹脂製）。

2. エンジンとエンジン・ベイおよび吸気系。じっさいにはこれらの内部構造の造形が先行する。インテーク／エアダクトやエンジン周りの構造・エンジン自体も当然デザインするのだが、機体の概形とか構造も含めて「造形しながら形状を考える／考えつつデザインに反映する」と言ったほうが近いと思う。
例えば主翼の位置（＝空力中心位置）とか、もっとも重い構造物であるエンジンの搭載位置／機体の重心位置など、「いかにも飛びそうな」デザインを考えつつ、そもそも格好良くないとならないので、検討する事柄は多い。

3. ディテール・スジ彫り中。パネルラインについても「機体のどこに、どのような機材が収まっているか」について考えつつ全て現物合わせで工作する。

4. 原型パーツ。これらをもとにしてシリコンゴム型を作りレジンキャストパーツを複製。

1... Plastic plate work in progress. All parts are sculpted and molded from laminated or assembled plastic.

2... Engine, engine bay and air intake system. The modeling of these internal structures is actually done first. The intake/air ducts, and engine are also designed, but it would be better to say that the shape of the fuselage, including its general shape and structure, is “considered while modeling/reflected in the design while thinking”.
For example, the position of the wings (= aerodynamic center), the position of the engine, which is the heaviest structure, and the position of the fuselage's center of gravity, etc., It has to be designed to “look flyable,” and it has to look good to begin with.

3... Detail line carving in progress. The panel lines are all made to match the actual fuselage, while thinking about "where and what kind of equipment will fit in the fuselage?".

4... Prototype parts. Based on this, duplicate the resin cast parts.

複製したレジンキャスト・パーツを組んだ状態の2機、FRX00とFRX99（奥の機体）。

The two fighter-aircraft, FRX00 and FRX99 (the one in the back), with the replicated resin-cast parts assembled.

完成した模型、FRX99「レイフ」とFRX00／FFR41MR メイヴ「雪風」（奥の機体）。
1/100スケール、いずれも全長180㎜。

FRX99は左エンジンを引き出してある。原型状態の写真にあるとおり、エンジンは別体で造形されてエンジンベイの中に収容可能、機体の後方から脱着することができる（実在の戦闘機でもしばしば同様の構造／アセンブリが見られるとおり）。ターボファン・エンジンの入口部ファンもエアダクト後端に接合してエアインテークから連なる吸気系システムを再現してある。

FRX00, the Fairy Air Force's tactical electronic warfare / recon-fighter, and FRX99, the unmanned aircraft from which it was modified, appear in the novel "戦闘妖精･雪風".

The design and sculpture is based on the description in the book "戦闘妖精･雪風" (Not based on the cover or any other existing image).
1/100 scale, length 180mm.

FRX99 has the left engine pulled out. As shown in the photo of the Process of prototype, the engine is sculpted separately and can be housed in the engine bay and detached from the rear of the fuselage.

空撮風画像。
模型を外撮りして、別に撮った背景と合わせてPhotoshop5.5を使って加工（古いバージョンを使うのは、単に慣れたインターフェースだから）。

撮影は雪上で模型を棒に挿して撮り、上空における光源（地表や特に雲による反射光）をシミュレートしている。なので、こうした画像を作るには冬場が最適である。
合成が自然に見えるよう調整、必要に応じてエンジンノズル／エキゾーストの陽炎、あるいは（ここでは付けていないけど）ベイパートレイル等々。

Aerial style image.
The Aircraft model was photographed outside and combined with a background photographed separately and processed using Photoshop 5.5 (I use the older version simply because it is a familiar interface).

The shots were taken on snow to simulate light sources in the sky (reflected light from the ground surface and clouds in particular). Therefore, winter is the best time to create these images.
Adjustments to make the composite look natural, engine nozzle/exhaust shimmering if necessary, or (though not added here) vapor trails, etc.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

I feel like there is a good George Miller joke here, but between happy feet, babe and mad max I'm not sure which one is the exception?

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

Actually that lighlights another point. The pirates game only needs an empty table, somewhat water colored ideally. Islands etc were packed in and can be flat without looking bad! Just all works together nicely.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

Nono, I make those kind of minis and I agree with you. There is an inherent charm to the system. I could see a steampunk ships or sci-fi landships ala Deserts of Kharak game with this system as well. Torpedo boats and aircraft as flat tokes etc.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

Mage knight Clix, the dungeons version specifically, soon expanding to regular one. Never liked the blind boxes but there were plenty of fantastic sculpts in the range, hampered by soft material and thick pre-painting.

The box and contents of Mage Knight Dungeons, showing miniatures, tokens and a map.

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

I'd need to dig, but I used to have a couple I'm sure. Each booster came with some tiny dice as well IIRC, which is always fun. D6 but non standard number distribution depending on color even. Simple design and cool to get them in the package!

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

Thats a new one to me as well. I appreciatie the attempt but I think the need for transformation may have required a bit too many compromises. The small scale of those ships helps abstract the limitations as well.

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

When can one claim themselves to be an Orificionado anyway?

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 15h

Aye its a super interesting approach to minis! There were a couple more games from wizkids that used it, a spaceship one and fantasy steampunky car racing IIRC? though the pirates one always felt the best to me, the shapes just work so well!

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 16h

I wonder if this was to prevent motion sickness? Anchoring the table like that should prevent that entirely, but yeah it sacrifices a lot! No minimap of upcoming terrain either, which would at least let you plan a bit.

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 16h

The qualities that make a space marine a cut above the rest. Brain, brawn and blockages.

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 16h

Those service studs on their foreheads are just hammered in right? Would make most people frown I'm sure!

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 16h

parts breakdown on the cars. Bogies use a keyed peg, they go in 90 degrees twisted and stay in nicely. Couplers use 2mm round magnets, that way if they g et bumped they just decouple instead of break.

3d render showing the bottom of a small scale railroad tank car, the bogies and couplers are sepperate pieces with holes on the bottom of the car to connect to.

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Reposted by Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Time to mix some of @thelazyforger.bsky.social and my own 6mm miniature magic.

3d render of a dilapidated shed housing rusty train cars

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Reposted by Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

CJ Shearwood @cj.shearwood.games · 19h

2010: The Year We Made Contact About Your Extended Warranty

ian.fenrisgames @fenrisgames.com · 19h

the human resources centipede

Courtney 🐙 Lovecraftian 🐙 Actually @hexadecibelle.fyi · 21h

the blair witch project manager

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Reposted by Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Somehow 3d printers are the domesticated ones. They know their owners can and will swap out their guts if they throw a tantrum.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Rusty trains and sheds with stains weekly?

Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Time to mix some of @thelazyforger.bsky.social and my own 6mm miniature magic.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Worlds most evil looking aircraft carrier?

TANKHEAD @tankhead-mecha.bsky.social · 1d

Most shipheads stand upright in a human-like posture, but when designing an aircraft carrier shiphead this can be a challenge. The Graf Zeppelin used a stooped configuration first developed for the Panzerblitzechse II to increase its launch deck length.

The Graf Zeppelin, A Jethead carrying Shiphead from Tankhead artbook by Emerson Tung and Tim popelier

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

Somehow 3d printers are the domesticated ones. They know their owners can and will swap out their guts if they throw a tantrum.

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Tim Popelier, Tankhead Text Typer @tim-popelier.com · 1d

had to happen at some point. Happy birthday!

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