1/6 Scale Aliens United States Colonial Marines

Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

by Chris Chulamanis

AKA FNG USCM

Inspiration, procrastination's manifestations, and some happy accidents along the way, or how an insane back burner model project, which took years to complete, came to be at last . . .

Check out Sci-fi & Fantasy Modeller Magazine.

Preliminary Magazine Cover Layout

A hard copy of this article is available in Volume three of Sci.fi & Fantasy Modeller (www.scififantasymodeller.co.uk)

A ride for my 12 inch USCM section.

Introduction

I was inspired to create a 1/6th scale USCM (United States Colonial Marine) way back in 1986 after having seen Aliens. Everything about the look of the Colonial Marines and their gear really appealed to me, and so much so that after more than a decade, I found myself making 1/6th scale USCM kits for action figures. Thoughts then turned to making an APC in 1/6th scale; after all, "my 1/6th scale marines needed a ride." The project would sit for months at a time on the back burner and be years before it would be completed; oddly enough coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of Aliens.

Check out issue #45 of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Models International. Among the many interesting articles and photos relating to the Alien films you'll find a feature about EVA Models and my 1/6 scale USCM Rifleman Kit.

"Go big or go home"!

-- Pfc. Jesse DeGraff, USCM M56 Smartgunner

This APC is BIG! It measures, give or take a bit, 64" long with the turret down and stowed. It's 22" at the widest point and stands about 20" tall with the turret in the upright position. The distinctive wheels are 10" in diameter. It weighs in at 124 pounds. It's an R/C vehicle and has a complete, fully detailed interior, as well. Pretty much everything was scratch built except for a few found objects that coincidentally fit the bill for specific details.