The Velociweiler Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Crossing the reef at the lagoon inlet, Second Element, 19th Regiment (Heavy Reconnaissance) - the much feared Stormwalkers on patrol detachment from Star Destroyer Eradicator during extended anti-piracy operations. With a service life quite different from the Assault AT-AT's which conducted the brief attack on the Rebel Base on Hoth, these Walkers display the very considerable scarring of long-term reconnaissance service. One in particular having been brutally flayed by a four-day hypersonic sandstorm. Base model is the F-Toys pre-painted AT-AT which stands roughly six inches tall. Whilst the replica is arguably the best of all plastic AT AT's which have been available, the main fault is the very stiff pose that assembly without modification obviates. The model can be encouraged to shed its constituent parts at which point the modeller can give all the articulation that a superior model needs. It needs a wee bit of filler and additional detail - not much, but the effort is worth it. Whilst it was released some years ago, they can still be found quite readily on Ebay. http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1423.l2649 This was my first attempt at the hairspray weathering technique and I was really quite impressed. The dark undercoat is Halford's Vauxhall Hazel Brown, with a bit of overspray splashing with rust red primer. Then hairspray, a coat of mid-grey primer, hairspray again, then overcoated with Humbrol 64 aerosol. After paint chipping etc, the models were then finished off with varying degrees of Tamiya weathering pastels. The base is Trumpeter No. TU09808 http://www.hannants....product/TU09808 The base was given a sheet of kitchen aluminium foil over which I dabbed irregular and semi-transparent blotches of mid blue and green. The sea base is from bathroom translucent sealant The first layer comprised two full tubes of sealant mixed with a couple of thimble-fulls of Inscribe 'Deep Teal'. Whip it all in as if you were making dough and upon reaching a consistent colour, just paste it over the base in a thick buttered layer. Then the models were placed into the soft sealant. It took only an hour for that initial layer to solidify, so the wave patterns, spray and surges could be built up with the second layer shortly after. (This diorama base was started midday sunday 26 August - it was complete as seen by 9pm...). It was topped off with a wee bit of drybrushing with enamel white, which proved about as easy as drybrushing a melting ice-cream... The second layer was coloured more thinly with blue and green food colouring - just a few drops of each - and the paler surging patches had a few drops of tamiya matt white mixed into this thinner-coloured paste. The upper layer needed only around half a further tube of sealant. It remains pliable for shaping for a goodly amount of time, attaches to the under-layer of silicone without complaint and whilst its dextrous qualities for the modeller are very compliant, the shape it is given is immediately and permanently retained - it's a dream to work with. (Naturally, however, it reeks with a very strong, pungent acrid vent-off. If you have sensitive eyes and\or breathing, then I'd recommend you work it outdoors...) The translucent nature of the silicone means that its diorama transparency is very satisfying and when sunlight falls on the base, it gives a very pleasing glowing cerulean blue shimmer, aided by light reflecting back from the aluminium foil on the underside. Hence it will translate nicely to most forms of maritime diorama - with an added bonus that ships with little below the plimsoll line need not be waterlined. Perhaps another important thing I need to mention is that I've never tried this silicone rubber technique before. This was a first, Armed with a few kitchen spatulas and discarded toothbrushes and cafe coffee stirrers (thanks, MacDonalds...), these effects are an absolute doddle to achieve. However, with the material venting off, I won't be closing the display case lid for some weeks, just in case the vapours damage the transparent case itself. I could be wrong, but I'd rather err on the safe side there. Edited August 27, 2012 by The Velociweiler 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khimbar Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Superb. Absolutely love it. And the detail to the backstory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Smashing model, though I do think that the underlying concept indicates that the SW universe does not have physics as we understand it - can you imagine the gyros straining to keep those things upright in those waves? But it LOOKS very cool, so that's OK!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oileanach Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 That is absolutely stunning! Can I pinch the wave technique? Brilliant piece of work mate, thanks for sharing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foghorn Leghorn Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 That is just so damn good. Love the concept of the display and a great dio base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Superb. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyro-manic Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Superb! I will have to try that base technique at some point - bookmarked for future reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Concur, That's fabulous work. I especially love the shot with the clouds. Might nick that for my desktop. Keep them coming. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 That is a superb piece of building - that water technique looks the business, very effective! Love the sand-blasted AT-AT, looks really worse for wear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carts Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Really impressive,love the back story too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeley Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 That looks great, I especially like the overhead shots with the sun glinting on the 'waves' Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Very cool idea and love the water effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilgrim_UK Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Absolutely Classic stuff. As others have said you nailed the water effect wonderfully. Hope the troopers have there regulation supplied waterwings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Velociweiler Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Thanks for the comments all. To be honest, I was surprised at how quickly the diorama could be completed. I've had this one planned for years and was expecting a couple of weeks work. I only had the silicone sealant idea a month or so ago. As for them being able to stand upright in the storm, I can't say. I've never driven one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 That's top notch work and really nicely executed - they look like three prehistoric monsters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chablar Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Wow. That looks absolutely fantastic. Very very good job my friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lar74 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Excellent.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Great idea, well executed! Really love the whole thing. Plus I have a project coming up which will need water....thanks for the tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muller Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Reminds me of when i take the dogs to the beach! Love it, great idea and execution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 That is quite a novel build, Very very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulj Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thats a great idea for the setting for a few at-at's, very atmospheric, and can get a very good impression of the movement of the waves and the vehicles fighting their way through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMChladek Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Oh my! The oxidation on the aft most AT-AT really sells it I think. It almost looks like a cross between ESB and Raise the Titanic! Original, different, very cool looking. I LIKE IT!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 A brilliant idea, flawlessly executed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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