By Emoninja
Oct 18, 2017
“Frontline express, let’s go!”
After the initial release of Halo Wars 2, DLC for the game was released and with it, the release of a new unit. Enter the M650 Mastodon APC. In game this unit functions as a mobile troop garrison. For me, it was so much fun garrisoning units and having them tear through enemies. To me, it looked like a bigger, meaner version of the Warthog and that was one of the reasons I fell in love with the design, so I set to work building a custom version since Mega Bloks hasn’t yet.
Before this point I had collected mostly figures and most building sets I threw in with my old Lego collection. Once I decided I was going to attempt a custom build, I knew there were many parts I would need to complete as accurate a replica as possible. This project was pieced together from several different sets. I can’t remember every single set But there was certainly a Vulture, Kodiak, Wolverine, Fire Base, Scorpion, Jack Rabbit, Drop Turret, Anniversary Warthog and an NMPD Pelican among others. Not all sets were purchased at once, but as stated above, I mostly collected figures and had a decent cache of parts to work with.
The Mastodon was designed to accommodate as much interior space and detail as was plausible to keep, while maintaining the design aesthetic on the exterior. There are a few places I had to compromise based on the parts (or lack there of) that I had on hand. I kept reference photos and did my best to maintain scale and relative positioning of all the main design elements.
The most interesting and fun part to build was most definitely the interior, as it is never seen in game. I had fun imagining what it would be like crammed inside one of these things, so I built in things like extra weapons, ammo and health kits. I also wanted a very detailed cockpit and gunners’ station, so a lot of time went into positioning that part of the vehicle to ensure there was enough room inside to do the detail I wanted to add, while at the same time allowing me to design the exterior in scale.
All together, this project took about 2 weeks total to complete. I was determined not to have to go and buy another set or sets just for a few parts. I really hope you enjoy seeing the pictures as much as I enjoyed putting this one together!
“Fuel tanks, check. Marines, check”
Thanks
After the initial release of Halo Wars 2, DLC for the game was released and with it, the release of a new unit. Enter the M650 Mastodon APC. In game this unit functions as a mobile troop garrison. For me, it was so much fun garrisoning units and having them tear through enemies. To me, it looked like a bigger, meaner version of the Warthog and that was one of the reasons I fell in love with the design, so I set to work building a custom version since Mega Bloks hasn’t yet.
Before this point I had collected mostly figures and most building sets I threw in with my old Lego collection. Once I decided I was going to attempt a custom build, I knew there were many parts I would need to complete as accurate a replica as possible. This project was pieced together from several different sets. I can’t remember every single set But there was certainly a Vulture, Kodiak, Wolverine, Fire Base, Scorpion, Jack Rabbit, Drop Turret, Anniversary Warthog and an NMPD Pelican among others. Not all sets were purchased at once, but as stated above, I mostly collected figures and had a decent cache of parts to work with.
The Mastodon was designed to accommodate as much interior space and detail as was plausible to keep, while maintaining the design aesthetic on the exterior. There are a few places I had to compromise based on the parts (or lack there of) that I had on hand. I kept reference photos and did my best to maintain scale and relative positioning of all the main design elements.
The most interesting and fun part to build was most definitely the interior, as it is never seen in game. I had fun imagining what it would be like crammed inside one of these things, so I built in things like extra weapons, ammo and health kits. I also wanted a very detailed cockpit and gunners’ station, so a lot of time went into positioning that part of the vehicle to ensure there was enough room inside to do the detail I wanted to add, while at the same time allowing me to design the exterior in scale.
All together, this project took about 2 weeks total to complete. I was determined not to have to go and buy another set or sets just for a few parts. I really hope you enjoy seeing the pictures as much as I enjoyed putting this one together!
“Fuel tanks, check. Marines, check”
Thanks