Dermo245 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 (edited) Hi everyone, So after the Podracer last year, I've been itching to try another Star Wars build. I've had this one in mind for a while but only getting around to it now. Going to combine this little fella... With this donated toy bit.. To make this! (fingers crossed) I can't say that i've ever used toy scraps or modelled snow for a diorama........might be biting off more than I can chew! Cheers, Dermot Edited September 27, 2016 by Dermo245 Forgot images 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Sounds like it should be a cool dio. Looking forward to seeing it come together. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 Thanks lads! So progress from last night. Took the AT-AT leg apart with the aim of removing surplus toy plastic (as indicated by the arrows) . And after some cutting, Dremelling, gouging (and the odd swear word), I got to here. Not 100% screen accurate but I think an improvement over where things were. The horizontal beam through the top of the foot should really be a cylinder but I'm going to leave it....lack of time as well as my limited modelling skills! Next, got started with Wedge and his gunner. In the kit, both crew have this pose... And after some modifying. Narrowed the arms for the gunner so he can hold his controls (L) and gave Wedge a head turn (R) As the Snowspeeder's going to be turning slightly left, I've modified that side airbrake. First, cut it out with RB Productions great little micro-saw Then some greeblie detail to the underside.. And boxed off the bay itself and added some strip bits.. Because this opens on the side of the 'Speeder, I figured that also needed some detail. And dry-fitted together - I like how it's coming together! Still to add some more bits in there to make it a bit more busy. Thanks for looking. Dermot 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanised Dwarf Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 This looks awesome! I shall be following this closely as I have just started the same beastie but I'm boring and will only be doing it oob. I like what you have done with the pilots I really dislike the figures and I can't seem to get a smooth orange 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Liking your work Dermo245. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Rose Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Really dig the concept, and thats some killer detailing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Thanks for the comments everyone - much appreciated. Got the back of the toy AT-AT leg covered with plastic card to cover up the hollow beams that are there - while you won't see this side of the diorama (in theory), I couldn't leave it like that. I'll trim this to fit better and also add some random panels from plastic card to break up the plain look and for weathering highlights. Also started painting Wedge and his gunner Jansen. I'm not the greatest figure painter (especially when I see them now through the Macro lens) but should be fine when in the cockpit and seen from a couple of feet away. Just need to finish the faces and add some oil for depth and contrast. More Friday night as out for some work beers tomorrow Thursday! Cheers, Dermot 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Hmmm.....a few too many work beers last night so may not be at the bench tonight....I know....softie. So here's a quick update on this one! The toy AT-AT is missing a 'toe' so added that from plastic card. The foot also has a linkage part which I guess is some kind of AT-AT ankle joint (please correct me if I'm wrong) so added that from the inside bit of a ballpoint pen You can see it on the right-hand side of the foot in this screengrab... And with a connecting part expertly milled from plastic rod (i.e.hacked from a suitably sized sprue), this will also join with the leg. All the best, Dermot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpopandchips Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Looking good, nice work so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomMajor Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Looking forward to the next update post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted September 26, 2016 Author Share Posted September 26, 2016 So got the 'speeder buttoned up last night. Our crew protecting themselves from AT-AT fire by using the seldom-seen Rebel applique armour Some cleaner pics... Still need to do some work on the seat belts. Not the greatest looking finish on the crew figures but I'm happy given the scale and the canopy that will be on top. If I had more time, I would revamp the crew and use better figures. More later! Cheers, Dermot 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Still enthralled Dermot, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orangesherbert Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Whenever I see those pilots they make me chuckle. Who actually thought, "yep, think we nailed them there. Hit the button" 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted September 27, 2016 Author Share Posted September 27, 2016 Got started on the base last night - some leftover kitchen unit from some recent home improvements. Painted a suitable colour (aka what was in the shed) And then working out some layouts with the AT-AT leg and the speeder. Looking at it, the speeder might 'break' the edge of the base ever so slightly which is probably diorama heresy...but I want the cable to be long enough but not too long...The speeder is also coming along. Thanks for looking! Dermot 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 this is going to be a stunner of a Diorama - brilliant work so far there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 (edited) Snowspeeder getting there.. For the diorama base, I went for a longer piece of wood as I felt the other piece was too short for what I planned. Cut up some cardboard for some groundwork which I glued down with white glue. And then lashings of pollyfilla. I've never done much groundwork for modelling, let alone a snow diorama so apologies if this looks a bit rough and ready. Some stones from the garden to break up the surface and make it more Hoth-like! While it's drying, I've stippled the top surface in places with a paintbrush to give it some texture. For other areas, I've dampened it down with kitchen towel, again for some texture but also to give some surface contrast. I've still to paint and weather the AT-AT foot but it's just pushed in here temporarily to make a foot print. I also built up the sides around the foot to show where it's displaced some snow. Decals on the Snowspeeder next. Thanks for looking! Dermot Edited October 1, 2016 by Dermo245 spelling mistake 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 Decals on...starting to come to life now. Can't wait to start weathering! Cheers, Dermot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 And weathering is done! A mix of Flory Models wash followed by some oils and pastels. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadman Disciple Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Nice work so far Dermot. The weathering has really bought the Snow Speeder to life, can wait to see what you do with the rest of the diorama. Wayne. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 So after a couple of coats of Medium Grey brushed on, the AT-AT leg got a heavy duty panel wash.. Cleaned up and think it looks ok. Then masked off and painted the central part where the leg moves around the foot, so to speak. This should be a detailed, recessed area but I was in a rush to get this finished. Also started to do some weathering on the leg...mostly by brush or pastels as I don't have an airbrush. More tomorrow night! Thanks for looking. Dermot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 And sooner than expected, I'm calling this one done! Will post some more pics in the Gallery. I was in a little bit of a hurry to get this one done and the biggest issue I had was finding a 'tow cable' that was thin enough to the scale but would support the weight of the Snowspeeder. In the end, I went with a thick paper clip and I think it kinda shows to be honest..but anything thinner and Wedge and Jansen were nosing the surface of Hoth. I think it could also be longer to give a better sense of motion and relative distance. I'm also not too proud of the diorama base though it was my first time trying to replicate snow. I've learned a lot for the next time! Juuuuust about fits on the backdrop... Nah...up close works better. Looking at it now on the shelf, I know I could do better though my 3 Star Wars fans at home absolutely love it! The Revell kit is not bad and while nowhere near the Bandai standard, it looks like a Snowspeeder and benefits from a little work to improve it as well as weathering. WIth more time, I would have gone to town on the AT-AT leg to really improve it but for my first time using a 'toy' as part of the hobby, I'm happy. Thanks for commenting and following - enjoy your modelling! All the best, Dermot 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orangesherbert Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thats cool. Like it. And really quick! Give ILM a call 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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