IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM - FINAL IMAGES

Hi everyone,

Well, this is my final set of images taken to commemorate almost 3 months of work, none of which would have been possible without the support from you guys!

Thank you all for posting. (God knows what I'm going to do next!)

Here is a link to the slideshow of images shot during the build and on location on Endor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30029551@N06/sets/72157616471685709/show/

And in case anyone is interested, here are images of all of my creations so far. ENJOY!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30029551@N06/sets/72157617781357772/show/

I have to say a special thanks to everyone who has posted and given me moral support, I have a huge amount of respect for the modelers here and your postive feedback has really been appreciated.

Finally, here is a link to the slideshow of images shot during the build and on location on Endor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30029551@N06/sets/72157616471685709/show/

And in case anyone is interested, here are images of all of my creations so far. ENJOY!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30029551@N06/sets/72157617781357772/show/

Thanks Hans, 

Wow! That is spectacular.  I look forward to the shots in the woods. 

Thanks guys for all of your support and love through this build.

I'm virtually finished, just a couple of minor details and I can finally get some sleep!

Here are my final pictures before I present the full diorama shoot.

That is very very cool! I love everything about it. Can't wait to see it down in the woods and some final pictures.

Josh

Thank you very much for your comment Baron, this is only the second time I've used an airbrush and I've only ever dry brushed aircraft models before.

I thought the same as you, it is most like a ship. Funny but painting this model made me think of the Ironclad ship Thunderchild from the album cover War of the Worlds. A WW1 battleship would be a great next subject.

J

Your weathering looks right on for the subject-probably weathered like a ship, and the garrison would have to keep at it constantly. 

Starting to look like an ILM piece, great progress!

Regards,

Brad

At last I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I've painted all of the parts and am finally happy with the finish, the last thing I did was to coat the whole thing in automotive lacquer to give it a metallic sheen.

I've just got to make the central Gantry and because the whole thing is designed to be assembled and pulled apart I've decided to make it out of Foamcore and clad it in plastic sheet. It will be fixed to the model by Velcro for ease of use.

Here are the updated images:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3488321354_199ff71678_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3487507475_72da825678_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3488321044_9b0bc6a6e0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3488320684_5d29d0f3ce_b.jpg 

Thanks Hans!

Yep, I kninda knew that a wash was going to be a problem (but I see where you were coming from), I only recently discovered the wash tecnique when I did some experimentation with some acrylics but it is now my preferred method for adding oil effects.

Thanks for keeping an eye on my post.

Regards,

Just a tip for future reference on washes.. They're best applied over gloss surfaces as the smooth finish allows for more capillary action and and easier wipe-down... Then shoot it with clear flat and start the drybrushing... Shoulda tipped you off earlier, sorry 'bout that...

As for the build, WOW!  I didn't have a clue on the size until you posted the wide shot with the couch!

WOW!  This is REAL AWESOME!  Any chance I can bring my two boys over soon?  They are real into Star Wars too! 

 Will you add some LED lights to the diorama next?

Hans & Baron,

With this model it's hrder to do a wash as the paint isn't easy to rub off. I've found that if I spray the plastic primer from a distance it sticks to the PVC surface much better, but it creates a rougher paint surface that is harder to apply a wash to.

This is what I've done. I've airbrushed a dark colour first (thanks Hans), then I've dry brushed my own mix of light brown and muted red to look like rust. I've then dry brushed a light grey. Since taking these images I've also given the surface a ligh coating of the original colour to ease off the weathering a little.

Progress looks great Skonch!  And you can't go wrong with Hammer's method.  Just remember, patience, and keep checking your work.  Have you thought about using chalks, too, for some weathering?  I love how easy they are to use.

And thanks for the kind word for my "measure twice" rule.  I have to admit, though, it's actually an old woodworker's rule (well, young woodworkers use it, too ).  It takes only one ruined piece of oak or cherry to drive the lesson home.

Yes, your platform is going to be a real stunner when you're finished!

Regards,

Brad

Thanks Hans,

The issue with this model is that the ageing needs to be subtle. I guess that the structure would have some weathering in the recesses, a bit like a patina.

I'm definately going with your recommendation though.

Here is the first completed leg section minus the weahering/panel lines.

ADVICE NEEDED-

I am now at a the stage where I can think about the final paint effecs and weathering.

I am looking for ideas for the drybrush colour. At the moment the whole model is painted in a darkish grey. I am going to use a very gark grey/black for the oily marks and will use an arbrush to apply but I need something that will bring out some of the detail and provide a bit of texture. I was thinking about a duck egg blue and use a dr brush technique.

Any suggestions?

To the Baron,

Your comment "measure twice and glue once" came at just the right time and has almostsaved the project.

I took it upon myself to rig up the lighting before I glued it all into the platform, I spend 2 nights soldering all of the little LED's to the wires, hooked up the battery and switch and.....Nothing! it didn't work.

So, I went back to the Maplin Geezer who had originally showed me what I needed and he had failed to mention that the LED lights have positive and negative (I had assumed that they were like Low Voltage lighting).

I have now rectified the problem and can now proceed.

It just goes to show that the input and support from experienced modellers here really helps!

If I said this thing is going to be to scale with the Star Wars Hasbro ATAT walker (the larger one with 4 legs) and to scale with the stadard figures you might get an idea of the size of it.

I'm just in the process of painting the landing pad section and I just have to assemble the leg sections and the whole thing will be ready for final effects painting and eletronics. It's gonna be a beast!

Brad,

Thank you for your reply, I especially like your comment "measure twice, glue once", I think that''ll be my motto for this project.

For adhesives I've got some 2Pack Epoxy both 5 minute rapid set and 30 minute set, they have been for fixing the plastic sheeting to the MDF.

 For PVC to PVC I've got some "Pipe Weld" (a search on Google suggested it) I've not used any yet though. I've also got a tube of 2Pack rapid set adhesive for plastics althouigh your suggestion of contact cement sounds much more appropriate.

My other solution is much more old fashioned...Nuts and Bolts, which may be the best solution.

Up to now I've been very good with materials as there has been hardly any wastage, so I'm a bit angry with myself for throwing money at environment destroying glues that I can't use.

Anyhow, today I've taken the afternoon off and am doing some wiring and applying primer to some of the parger parts.

More images very soon.