MetalEarth Mars Exploration Rover & Drone

Torsten
Looking forward to more, you have real talent for building these types of models

Dash Rendar
That does look pretty awesome indeed. I am really intrigued by these metal earth models.

bughunter
Cool stuff, looks one of the best kit of that company. I don't like the early kits much because of the very visible "connectors". It looks like thy changed this, the new stage coach is also nice. Is the applied paint robust? I ask because of the bends.
You made a nice job so far 👍

Michael Kohl
Cool project

bughunter
Forgot to mention, these rovers are putting the inhabitants of Mars under stress! 😉
Youtube Video

Nathan Dempsey
Great build. I may have to pick up one of these now.

John Thomas
Very cool

Roger Trewenack
Thanks for all your comments folks - Love the video, Bughunter!!
Some of of the connectors are still visible, and in some cases that would be hard to avoid. There are also opportunities for hiding them by folding the tab & eye inwards so that the join is "inside" the pieces. I do this for most of the rolled pieces joins - but you need very fine pliers. I'll see if I can illustrate that later in this build!!
Regarding the robustness of the prepainting - it's ok if treated carefully, but doesn't survive some of the insertions where parts rub together when connected.
I'll keep posting.......... !;^)}

Roger Trewenack
for a Quick lesson on the hidden tab/eye mentioned above - see photo #29 in the journal.

Torsten
Admirable, I am always amazed how well you build it

Dash Rendar
This is looking better and better. I was wondering, how is folding these things compared to PE? I see they seem to be perforated along the folds, does it fold easy?

Roger Trewenack
Hi Dash, folding is pretty easy - they have perforation on some of the longer bend lines, and "thin-lines" etched into the PE (on either side in the new kits) for you to bend at.
To give you a better indications, I'm only using pliers to do my bends, mostly narrow nosed pliers, but I also use wide ones which look like a hammer-head-shark, too. I don't use the folding tool with a blade anymore.
So don't hesitate - pick a simpler one & have a go!! Need a sharp pair of nippers too - "Plato" is a good brand, or "Xuron"

Michael Kohl
I did not like the construction with the latches at the beginning, but watching your progress the result is pretty cool.

Michael Kohl
Congrats. Lookin good. It only needs a playground to roam...

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Very cool project! The Rover and helicopter are looking great.

Dash Rendar
That looks absolutely terrific! Very well done. Quite an impressive model actually.

Mike Blackwell
Great job! I just bought one of these on eBay; your photo essay will be *supremely* helpful when it comes time for me to build mine.

Roger Trewenack
Glad to be of service, Mike !;^)}