Neal Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 (edited) Coming on and looking good.If you want an idea for a diorama, I built mine twenty years ago scooting past a probe droid kit that I'd picked up from somewhere or other. Looked quite effective. Thanks for that, diorama is a job for another day for me Nearly there..... Applied the matt klear to the rear after doing the wash. Re-did the light dry brushing as it was lost whilst doing the above. On dry fitting the rear pods I've noticed that there is a glaring gap and unfinished surface which I think I can tidy up with some plasticard once I've picked some up. In the meantime started the dry brushing on the cannons and damage. I'd load some pictures but photobucket seems to have changed and I can't seem to get to the img codes from my iPhone. Edited January 19, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Very nice work Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Very nice work Neil Thanks Mish Still can't get img codes from photobucket via the iphone (they seem to have removed the url button) Anyway here's the pic of the gap and unfinished end of the rear pod in it's installed condition. I also did the kit display stand last night, but it's got worse fit issues than the rest of the kit combined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Have you put the Photobucket iPhone App on your iPhone, that might work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 That's coming along really well. I have a suggestion or a quick fix for that gap that you've highlighted in the photo above. Brush some white PVA glue into the gap and then run a wet finger (preferably your own ) over it, to wipe away the excess. It'll dry clear, then you can touch it in with your base coat and add some more weathering, just to blend it all together. It's a little trick I use now and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) That's coming along really well. I have a suggestion or a quick fix for that gap that you've highlighted in the photo above. Brush some white PVA glue into the gap and then run a wet finger (preferably your own ) over it, to wipe away the excess. It'll dry clear, then you can touch it in with your base coat and add some more weathering, just to blend it all together. It's a little trick I use now and again. Smiffy, thanks for the tip that's something I've never thought of. Unfortunately I've only just read it..... There was a vertical gap as well so out with a new bit of plasticard and it looks much neater. Fixed the canopy glazing, and the canopy, left it hinged as the fit was good without having to glue it shut. Fixed the pods to the upper body and the body together. Closing up was a bit of a 10 handed operation as tapering surfaces meant I couldn't clamp it properly. Overall the fit is ok, not great but probably good enough. There are a could of gaps at the back tucked away behind airbrakes which I might try and fill with Smiffy's pva recommendation. Started the dry brushing on the cannons and damage. I'll finish off with the tamiya weather set when the body is all finished with the matt klear. One final push and it'll be done. As always comments, tips & critisism welcome PS photobucket isn't any better even with the app I can't get the IMG links on my iphone, so it's now out with the pc. Edited January 21, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) Found that the front mid portions of the cannons (attached to the front pods) were a bit short in meeting the rear cannon sections so again out with the plasticard and a quick shim. In hindsight I shouldn't have attached the cannon section to the front pods. The front of the cannons fitted really well and went on nice and straight. Ive only lightly attached them as they've a bit vulnerable (I've already knocked them off once) A bit of touching up, a coat of matt klear and some finishing with the tamiya weathering set and it's done. I'll take some decent pics and put them in the completed build thread, but in the meantime here were are: Build Summary Overall I really pleased with the outcome, I suspect there are loads of kit errors (cockpit being the obvious one) and my execution of it, I was aiming for a reasonable faximily of a snowspeeder that had taken part in the battle of Hoth and I think I've done that. Using maskol to add chipping worked really well with a bit of planning, whether it would be accurate enough to work on something small like a 1/72 spitfire walkway would be interesting to see. Promodeller wash works brilliantly; highly recommended. Tamiya weathering set was a great new find for me too. This has been the first time I've had a stab at any kind of scratch build, I think the vortex generators really add to the overall appearance and the rear changes help in a rather dull area of the model. The modular build was a bit of a challenge, there was more than one occasion where I had to disassemble something as I'd not followed the instructions. Did plenty of dry fitting but still had fit issues with the cannon. Overall I really like the look I've achieved but it could be argued that the weathering is a bit heavy. On balance this is probably the best model I've ever done. Thanks to all those who have provided help & advice, I really enjoyed the build and overall GB experience. Comment & opinions always welcome Edited January 22, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire23bc Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Neal, that looks fantastic. I don't think the weathering is too heavy at all; I think you got it spot-on. This is one to be proud of. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrvr6 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasonb13 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 It looks excellent Neal, well done! Love the weathering, a nice battered look! You've put a lot of work into it and should be rightly feeling proud of yourself! J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Great build Neal, looks like its seen plenty of action on Hoth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks Chaps. I think we all see the flaws in our work, so impartial opinions count for a lot. Hopefully should get some pics loaded in the finished builds gallery tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Velociweiler Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I have to say that does look an awful lot like the studio originals. I'll have to read up again on the overall grey colour you used - it looks just right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) I have to say that does look an awful lot like the studio originals. I'll have to read up again on the overall grey colour you used - it looks just right. Hi, Thanks for the comments. Ref the colour; with a bit of help and direction from Tinners and his Falcon I used 40% XF-2, 40% XF-80, 20% XF-55, measured by eye mind. It went in quite dark and dried lighter if I remember correctly. Edited January 23, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Looks great Neal! You've done a great job with the kit! Cheers, Håkan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Looks great Neal! You've done a great job with the kit!Cheers, Håkan Håkan, Thanks Edited January 24, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Few Pic's that didn't make the Finished Build Gallery plus backstory Back Story (ref Wikipedia, wookiepedia, TESB, plus a bit of my imagination) Inacom T-47 transport craft were hastily modified by the Rebel Alliance to create a short range fighter. Main changes were the addition of heavy cannons and thermal shields to the generator radiators enabled operations in Hoth's extreme cold. Many of the craft were only just readied in time for the imperial assault, the paint especially was is in short supply and suffered badly during operations. Field modifications by the ground crew were common and as a result rarely were two speeders the same. In battle the snowspeeders proved tough craft able to withstand multiple cannon hits, sustaining only cosmetic or superficial structural damage. Their high speed (1000kph max, 600kph combat) and excellent manoeuvrability (augmented with large upper and lower differential airbrakes) made them difficult targets for imperial ground troops. With their unique harpoon and tow cable weapons speeders from Rogue squadron were able to defeat the Empire's fearsome AT-AT walkers for the first time. Following the fall of Echo Base snowspeeders were used to cover the final Rebel withdrawal with many being captured or lost in battle, as a result of this and their specialised Hoth modifications few now survive. Thanks for looking Edited January 24, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Duplicate Post - Deleted Edited January 24, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikmuntz Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Neal, that looks great! That looks just like the real thing and trust me, I have seen the real thing up close and personal But really, that is a great build and I love the story that you prefaced it with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Great build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Great weathering, just looks superb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greased Lightning Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Great weathering job, gotta a love a beaten up speeder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjhm Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Great to see it finished and looking so good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) All, Thanks for the comments & support chaps. Looking forward to seeing all the X-Wings, Tumblers, Battlestars, Vipers, Tripods, Super Valkyrie, Clippers & shuttles joining it in the gallery. Just waiting for the postman so I can get on with the next GB project..... Edited January 25, 2012 by Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I like the battle damage, just right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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