Gekko_1 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) Well, after watching Andy's build with great interest, my kit finally made it to the bottom of the world! (Adelaide, South Australia). What I wasn't prepared for however was just how good a kit this one really is! I must say, hats off to the engineering department at Bandai for I have never built a model quite like this one, and I've been modelling for 41 years. The quality of plastic is first rate. Not too soft, not too hard. Very easy to work with. The parts breakdown is VERY cleaver and fits together without glue very well. I'm one of those fussy modellers that has to have everything perfect (which is probably why I finish so few models) So I was very surprised at just how quickly I was getting the parts off the sprues, cleaned up and ready. Here's where I was at after an hour and a half. All parts were lightly glued with Tamiya extra thin cement. Building this kit is so hassle free that I keep thinking I'm doing something wrong! About three hours into the build I'd gotten the head all off the sprues, cleaned up and dry fitted/pushed together. Next it was time to pull the head apart and tackle those seats. First, remove the locating slots for the pilots...... Then clean up the area.............. And make some seat cushions from plastic card. Job done in about 15 minutes. The only issue I've come across so far is a very slight gap at the front of the head. So here is where I'm at three and a half hours into the build. I'm very impressed with how things are going. For anybody who is suffering from, or has suffered from AMS (advanced modellers syndrome) this is the model for you! Next it is time to prime and paint the cockpit and mid section and try and decide on a camouflage scheme for it. At the moment I have 20 different schemes drawn up with more on the way! http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234978670-star-wars-at-st-camouflage-schemes/ Cheers Richard. Edited June 17, 2018 by Gekko_1 fixing photobucket broken links 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misrule Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I had one show up this morning too, very crisp bit of plastic Look forward to what you come up with 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Great start Richard. I had the same issue with the roof plate. I shaved the insides of the locating holes which made it fit a bit better but there's still a bit of a step on mine. It's remarkable how quickly it falls together isn't it. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Great start Richard. I had the same issue with the roof plate. I shaved the insides of the locating holes which made it fit a bit better but there's still a bit of a step on mine. It's remarkable how quickly it falls together isn't it. Andy Yeah I'm really impressed with it. The diorama potential for these is epic. I just hope that in time Bandai bring out the AT-AT, AT-TE and AT-DP. That would be crazy diorama time! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) Sprayed some Vallejo grey primer, slightly darked with black, onto the mid section and cockpit internals today. This is where I'm at after another 3 hours of work. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get some time to start painting the cockpit. Cheers Richard. Edited May 29, 2018 by Gekko_1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Small update. Painting, detailing and weathering of the cockpit has begun. Base coat for the mid section done. Cheers Richard. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Really like the look of the camo on the mid section, should look stunning when it's all done in that. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 OK, I'm calling the cockpit done. Only additions were the seat cushions. Cheers Richard. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMD70 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Looking great that is Richard! Come on postman hurry up... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWO_D_Rankin Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Cockpit looking great. Looking forward to the rest of the built. Thanks for the sneak peek at the camo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Rose Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Thats looking great Richard, the camo looks amazing, look forward to seeing the whole thing in that scheme! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Lovely biscuits. Is it propped up on a cat's brain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Here's the mid section ready for weathering. Cheers Richard. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Great work mate. Love the paint chipping, really brings it to life Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 5, 2015 Author Share Posted April 5, 2015 Still mucking about with the mid section. Cheers Richard. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 That's really starting to come together now. The chipping looks great, particularly on the underside dome, wish I'd added a bit more on mine now Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 That's really starting to come together now. The chipping looks great, particularly on the underside dome, wish I'd added a bit more on mine now Andy Thanks Andy, this is the first time I've had a good opportunity to use all of Mig Jimenez's techniques. Having watched his instructional DVD's many times I've been keen to apply them to a science fiction subject. Having a lot of fun with this one! Cheers Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brolyss4 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) Oh my....this is looking really good, sincerly, I wouldn´t agree on a camo scheme for this model, but your paint job is pretty nice. I will follow this thread closely. Did you used a fine tip brush or a sponge to do the paint chipping? Edited April 7, 2015 by brolyss4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Oh my....this is looking really good, sincerly, I wouldn´t agree on a camo scheme for this model, but your paint job is pretty nice. I will follow this thread closely. Did you used a fine tip brush or a sponge to do the paint chipping? Yes, mainly a fine tip brush and maybe 5% with a sponge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) OK guys, here's the mid section finished. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The operational environment that I see this AT-ST operating in amongst the wadis of the Judland Wastes fighting a Tusken Raider insurrection. So terrain like this.................. Next, its on to the legs! Cheers Richard. Edited May 5, 2015 by Gekko_1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Rose Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 That is some really fantastic looking weathering on this Gekko. Enjoying watching this come together 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 That is incredible good work going on there - superb and very eye-catching interior along with wonderful exterior paintwork - you obviously have done this before 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 That is incredible good work going on there - superb and very eye-catching interior along with wonderful exterior paintwork - you obviously have done this before I've been modelling for a very long time, but this is the first time I've actually put all these sorts of detailed painting and weathering techniques together into a model like this. Watching an instructional DVD on the subject of weathering is one thing. It can become quite daunting to then actually apply it to a model yourself. But I think I'm doing OK and things are progressing well. Cheers Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 The legs. Quick undercoat of Alclad Black primer. Here's the legs with the sand and caramel colours applied. And a test fit with the mid section................ Next, on to the dark brown................... then the fun part..................... weathering! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gekko_1 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Dark brown done................. Cheers Richard. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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