Star Wars GB Episode II CLOSED

That was me, but it was the MPC kit.

Another update:

Spent some time deciding what direction I wanted to go with the engines on this kit and I have to say that I have never cared for the look of the white or off white engines that the movies or other modelers have done with them. That said keep in mind I spent my years in the Air Force working with Jet engines and I have always believed that, although in space, these engines resembled jet engines. That said I decided I wanted to make the engines look how I feel they should have always looked. So, I went ahead and started the process to make them look the way I want, not the way the movies or others have portrayed them.

Sorry to the purists out there, but I like the look better this way.

So, what I did was I painted the engines with Mr Metal Color 212 and 215, Iron and Dark Iron. The main body is Iron and the exhaust is Dark Iron, ever so slightly darker. These two colors are buffable paints and go on VERY dark. But once you hit them with a cotton bud and rub them a bit they begin to shine and brighten up; giving the surface a metal appearance. Now they need to be cleared because these metal colors come off VERY easy so handling them is a NO NO !! . Clear them and then continue to work with them. I will do more with rust and some blue and orange tones to bring out the burnt metal look later.

I also got all the decals on and I have to say, next time I'll paint them all on. Two reasons, one, they are a PITA to work with as they stick almost insantly and won't slide around, even with Micorset and water, and two, they just don't want to lay down over the surfaces. It would have turned out better to paint them on. 

My kit came with Millenium Falcon instructions which aren't very helpful here so I had to download some off the web and the images are poor. So, some of my decals are mis-placed for position, but it's too late now. UGH !! Oh well, moving along. 

One last thing before I go. I can't explain it but my heart just isn't in this kit. I could be spending much more time detailing it up and filling in seams and what ever but I just don't want to. So, I'll make it look decent but it's not by best effort for sure.

BK

I managed to complete the engines today as well. I am pretty pleased with how they turned out. Once the painting was done I used FLory wash black and rust to dirty them up a bit and then rubbed in some Tamiya Burnt orange and blue from their weathering kit. A quick buff with a soft cloth and another gloss clear and this is the result. I managed to get the color changed of heated metal I was trying to achieve and it's a nice motivator to have something new come out as you had hoped.

BK

Whaaaat?! Can't get into an X-wing build. This boggles the mind. Well, it is looking very good none the less. I am one of the purists that you spoke of, however, I can see your point and it does look good. Carry on BK, carry on!

Falcon, AT-ST, lots of activity! I don't feel so alone anymore. :-)

BK, I know how you feel--just happens with a build sometimes, your enthusiasm flags and you have to push through. :-( Regardless, the engines turned out really nice. Maybe that little victory will be enough to keep you going? 

The X-Wing in general is a conundrum; the level of weathering for the X-Wing builds I've seen online seem to be all over the place, whereas the Y-Wing has more recognizable baseline of dirty. Not sure why.

And problems with decals duly noted. I had already planned to paint the stripes, so your experience is confirmation.

Wasn't aware of the Screamin' kits! Time to do some Googling. Sounds like they produced larger figures only, no ships?

As for my Y, getting down to the nitty-gritty of weathering and main assembly, with still more pipes to install (and, yes, I broke three of them). I won't post any more pics until she's done, since I'm close to the end. Maybe another week or so.

Cheers!

PB

Getting the engines looking how I wanted is a big boost to the build for certain. I have to say that the kit is very good and the fit is great if not a tad tight in spots. The quality is very good and the detail level built in is quite good also. Don't get me wrong about the build, I do like this kit and find it one of the higher quality kits I've worked with. I am just forcing myself to get it built so I can have it out of my stash. What I really want to be building is my prop planes. So, I've put a self imposed duty of getting this one done and this is not helping me feel motivated about building it. On any other day/week/month I most likely would be very interested in detailing this one up. It's a worthy kit for sure.

BK

The Screamin kits are okay, they are the only ones I am aware of that are this large. The company has long since been gone and the only way I know of getting them is off of ebay. They have also done some horror figures, Freddie, Pinhead, Elvira and the like.

Bish, I have found that expanding foam in a can works well and is not as heavy. Keeps the shape of the figure too.

Okay, I am about 75% done with the weathering. I spend some time with Tamiya's weathering kits and also some chalk pastels to get her acceptable battle hardened and worn, but not too much so. I have some Flory washs to do yet and seal it in, build R2-D2 and then final assembly. 

BK

Nicely done, BK! 

Now I'm all amped up to get to mine.

I am offically calling this one DONE !!

I got all the detail work done, clear, weathered and whatnot. I am a bit frustrated by the instructions though; I painted and weathered it up thinking I had the wings up when all along they were facing down. So, all my weathering is upside down now. To the laymen you won't notice, but it bugs the crap outta me. Anyway, for a rushed build it didn't turn out to bad. This kit will look stunning with just a little more care and time. Thanks for looking.

BK

Awesome work, Brandon! The engines did come out great.

So wait--You weathered a set of the wings thinking they would be the top set, but during assembly turned out actually to be the bottom set? If so, gotta make note of that, too.

Porkbits

Awesome work, Brandon! The engines did come out great.

So wait--You weathered a set of the wings thinking they would be the top set, but during assembly turned out actually to be the bottom set? If so, gotta make note of that, too.

 

Yup, the only way you can tell which way is up is to install the assembly the clamps it all together. There are two pegs that align all that and those will dictate up; so you should figure that out early, mark the set up inside where they hinge, and go for it. Other than those pegs, there are no differences from top to bottom.

BK

That's good to know, thanks for the info! 90% chance I would've done the same thing.

BK, your X-wing came out great, even if the engines are painted wrong . Just kidding, I like how it turned out

-Stephen

WOW!!!!!!!  Stellar works everyone!  Wanted to chime in and let everyone know that these builds are inspiring to say the least!

Eagle90

Bish

Good to see you popping in eagle. Hopefully you can get to gluing some plastic soon.

 

Thank you sir!  I'm working on it!  Worse case......I start buying stuff I need to build with! 

Thanks, Eagle! It's been fun so far. Maybe done with the Y in another week...? Sloooow boat over here.

Alright, I am done with these two models and I have pictures . So without any further delay: Screamin 1/4 scale Chewbacca with bowcaster. That bow caster gave me the most problems.

And introducing C3PO  in 1/4 scale. Titled "Oh, a transport". PLAADOW!

Thanks Bish for a great group build, I look forward to the next one!

I appreciate it Bish. I will still be active here, shoot may even build another model. I was thinking of the chiss  clawcraft, besides looking forward to seeing your trooper.

Outstanding builds, Stephen! You nailed the finish on 3P0. He would look great on any desk or shelf.