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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"Gort! Klaatu Barada Nikto!"


"For our policemen, we created a race of robots."

This 28mm scale Gort was sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file from "Thingiverse". Based upon the giant robot seen in Robert Wise's 1951 science fiction film "The Day the Earth Stood Still", the figure was produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.


The miniature was primed using a double helping of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then layered using a mixture of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Scalecolor" White Alchemy. Initially, I had planned on pigmenting the "eight-foot tall, seamless" automaton with pure "Vallejo" Gunmetal. But having seen a colourised photograph taken from an old black and white movie still, it was clear that the metallic member of an interstellar police force was a lot shinier than normal.

Gort with heavy supports applied through "Chitubox" Basic

However, the disconcertingly weak "Scalecolor" White Alchemy paint was so transparent that without some assistance from the much thicker, almost gloopy, "Vallejo" Gunmetal", it was never going to cover the figure's original "Citadel" Abaddon Black undercoat. Indeed, even after I used the "Vallejo" Gunmetal as a thickening agent, I still needed to apply numerous coats of pure "Scalecolor" White Alchemy over Gort in order to ensure good coverage.


With this problem well in mind, I also watered down the "Citadel" Nuln Oil I ordinarily use to help shade any silver-coloured metallic areas. The entire miniature was then dry-brushed with (more) "Scalecolor" White Alchemy to bring out any details. I also 'picked' out the law enforcement robot's visor using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Abaddon Black to help it stand out from the rest of the model.

"Squiddies sweeping in quick."

"Big Mr Tong" has actually sculpted Gort in three additional poses, which are available via his Patreon. and I may well 3D print one of these at a bigger scale in the future, in order to better capture the automaton's towering height. Furthermore, I'll be a bit more careful removing the heavy supports applied by "Chitubox" Basic, as I inadvertently snipped off one of the automaton's thumbs whilst cleaning the figure up with a pair of clippers. Luckily, "Elegoo" water washable resin really bonds together when given a smidgeon of superglue.


Finally, alongside Klaatu's guardian I have also completed two more 28mm scale metal SpyBots by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". These can be bought individually as SKU: MINI 649 or as part of the four-figure deal - DEAL 193. The single-cast models were predominantly painted using "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, "Vallejo" Gunmetal, "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash so as to tie them in with my previously painted 'pilot' piece...

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planetmut
Nov 08, 2022

Great job on Gort, Simon, you've really captured the look of the movie's robot! Shame the paint didn't do what you'd hoped, but maybe starting with a much lighter basecoat would help next time?


Love the spybot too, the dark paint and rust really gives them a sinister look.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Nov 08, 2022
Replying to

Cheers Matt. Gort definitely needs a lighter prime to begin with, imho. I may well print some more out in the future (with different poses) and see how they turn out. Just a couple more of the SpyBots to finish, and then that's their five-figure unit finished.

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undercoat2670
Nov 06, 2022

Two great looking paint jobs. The contrast between the clean bright metallic Gort and the dirty, rusty Squiddy is really stark. That Gort has painted up so well. I am very impressed with the detail and clean look of your 3D prints!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Nov 06, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Undercoat. Gort is a cracking example, imho, of how 3D printing can really provide some diverse figures for your wargaming table. Lots more stuff from Big Mr Tong and other sculptors to come I assure you. 😀

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wsd50
Nov 06, 2022

Nice work on the spybots Simon they have come out nice and rusty!


But that Gort miniature is superb! what a wonderful crisp print too though you said you had problems with the painting he looks absolutely spot on to me! You mentioned you wanted a bigger version, so how big is this one?


Cheers Roger.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Nov 06, 2022
Replying to

Cheers Roger. Gort is 37mm high, so a few mm taller than my not-Black Hole Sentry Robots. In the film he absolutely towers above Klaatu, so if I was to do him again - and the suggestion he's just one of a team of police robots is encouraging me to do so, then I'd probably raise him to 40mm in height, maybe a bit more..?

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wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
Nov 06, 2022

Nice print of Gort Simon, and great painting, shame about the problems with the paint, but at least you were able to overcome them in the end. Another two great looking Spybots as well

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Nov 06, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Dave. I think the "Scalecolor" White Alchemy paint simply needs a much lighter base layer than black, LOL!!! Next time I'd probably go straight with a prime of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and then apply the White Alchemy after that.


I've a hobby evening a week set aside for my "Crooked Dice" collection, so another two more Spybots should be finished soon.

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