Endor Landing Platform for Kenner / Hasbro Figures

Image Diary Day1

Smeagol,

No need for drugs my young friend! I use the Jedi mind trick...

Here is the scenario

 [wife]WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING DOING IN MY LIVING ROOM?

[me] you don't mind if I make a huge Endor Platform !

[wife] I don't mind if you make a huge Endor Platform!

[me]You want to make me a cup of tea and some cake

[wife] I want to make you a cup of tea and some cake!

[me] Move along

[wife] I'd better get moving!

Smeagol, there are other good uses for the Force, but I shouldn't mention them here!

+++LATEST UPDATE+++

I've managed to get the first gantry completed. I've formed templates for he remaining 5, so still a long way off, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

The Gantry is made of wood with the railings made from some metal fencing purchased from a garden store. For obvious reasons I've had to file down any sharp edges.

The base of the gantry is made from the same MDF as the main platform. The roof is made from a thinner piece of wood.

Here are the images:

And here it is taped to the main platform support just to show you how it looks in comparison to the rest of the set.
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This is JUST MASSIVE.....   WOW !!!!

Keep up the good work !

Hi all,

Well after lashings of Tea and Cake I have completed all of the Gantry's and given them all a coat of paint.

I've made some decals and this is the first complete unit. I'm going to add a bit of weathering once the whole unit is assembled. I think I'll use a duck egg blue.

I'll post more pics soon

I've said it before and I'll say it again - you've got to be the worlds kewelest dad!  That is some seriously kewel stuff, Julian! 

Skonch wrote:

Smeagol, there are other good uses for the Force, but I shouldn't mention them here!

i wish i was a jedi :(

Don't be so downhearted -Now you can! check out the Jedi Gym here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPsDDr0n9AE

May the Force be with you...

Skonch wrote:

Smeagol, No need for drugs my young friend! I use the Jedi mind trick...   Here is the scenario  [wife]WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING DOING IN MY LIVING ROOM? [me] you don't mind if I make a huge Endor Platform ! [wife] I don't mind if you make a huge Endor Platform! [me]You want to make me a cup of tea and some cake [wife] I want to make you a cup of tea and some cake! [me] Move along [wife] I'd better get moving! Smeagol, there are other good uses for the Force, but I shouldn't mention them here! If that doesn't work you could always remind her how freaking expensive kids toys are now.  I bet you save a boatload.

Right! I've painted and re-painted the first leg section and I am finally happy with the results. I wasn't happy with the duck egg blue.

I have done a light airbrush in very dark grey, then have dry brushed using a pooy light brown mixed with a dull red, this gives a rust effect. then I've done a light dry brush with a light grey.

Here are the images:

HOLY BEJEBUS THATS BIG!!

Though, seriously, it looks as if its not standing up straight, it looks tilted.

OH FOR GODS SAKE SMEAGOL,you would have to ruin everything!!!

Ok, there is a very slight tilt, but I think in this case that the camera angles might be making the error look far worse than it actually is. Also the gantry's are not fixed and a couple might be out of alignment which would also contribute to the tilt effect.

I can assure you however, everything will be right on completion.

Smeagol, words of wisdom as always!

I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel

I have finished painting all of the elements and have coated the lot in automotive lacquer to give it a metallic sheen.

Now all that's left is the central gantry and the rest of the lighting. I'm also lloking for ideas for making the rig more stable for my kids. The whole thing will endure play as is, but I can just see it falling over if someone were to push it too hard.

I have thought of only allowing it to be played with if it's butted against a wall, perhaps I could make some securing straps, I just doubt that my wife would want me drilling into walls on account of my Star Wars creation. The other is to create a couple of stabilising bases out of MDF and secure them to the feet of the platform. I could create a decal to lool like a forest floor.

Any ideas? I'm all ears.

Smeagol, I think I've straightened everything out a smuch as I can now.

And the whole thing squared away:

Looks fine to me, standing straight wise. 

You want a good idea to keep it from tipping, Make a base, just get some plywood and mount it on it, you could even build a small forest clearing under it for figures and such to go on as well!

Yes, that's a good idea! I was also considering making a couple of horizontal stabilizers out of MDF that the feet could be screwed onto. I'd paint them the same was as the base that way they'll look in keeping with the model.

 I hope you can see what I mean! what do you think?