SS Tie Bomber Kit

[daverep]

(06-30-2012, 11:45 PM)Troy Downen Wrote: I'm really enjoying this build, Dave. This must be Dean Johnson's kit. I picked one up a few months back as well and can't wait to get into it. My wings look like they were cast considerably better than your copy, though. I have to say that you're managing quite well with the clean-up.

Two questions (one for you, Dave, and the other is a general question for the group):

* Dave, can you say something about your paint mix for the base color? What colors did you mix and in approximately what ratios? I like the look of what you achieved.

* All: was the TIE Bomber filming model lit? I've reviewed the appropriate scenes in ESB and it's impossible for me to tell but the reference photos here on the site clearly show red pips in the cockpit and at the aft end (presumably engines). Were those bulbs?

Thanks!

Troy,
Thanks for the compliments! Yeah, I had to do a bit more clean up than what I thought I should have considering the price of the kit, but no worries because I thought I could learn some things during the clean up. I actually had to contact him concerning the first set of wings. They were pretty bad, but he turned around this set VERY quickly and shipped them out express mail if memory serves. They weren't perfect, but MUCH better than the originals he sent to me which was fine.

Here's what I used for the paints...all Tamiya. I started with a 10ml bottle of XF-83 (Medium Sea Gray) that was about 3/4 full, then added a little bit of white (XF-2) to lighten it up a bit. Not too much...maybe make it a shade or two lighter. Then I started adding XF-8 (Flat Blue) until I thought I had the shade I wanted...maybe an eighth of a regular 23ml bottle? Maybe not even that much. I hope that helps...I usually don't measure out stuff...coming from a theatrical set design background (on the side, that is) I've always just mixed enough until I was satisfied with the color.

Well...except for this time. I definitely didn't mix enough up to cover any other modifications I wanted to do, but I'll remember next time!

Concerning the lighting, I'm totally not an expert, but I'm pretty sure the red bulbs you see on the studio kit are actually lights. I don't remember off the top of my head if the engines are actually lit in the movie or not, but the cockpit definitely was not.

Okay, got my materials this morning for the base. I decided to go with a more porous styrofoam because of the ultracal top coat. Plus, the insulation foam is just too dense thus too heavy.


You'll also notice some really dense foam that is used for floral arrangements. Probably won't use it, but at this point I have no idea. I'm making this up as I go...

I cut the styrofoam to the size of the base and left a hole for the mount.


I then just drew some random lines to represent the striations of the surface then cut them into pieces.


Took the pieces and cut them down to varying heights to match some of the plate photography references that I found.


That's where I stopped for the moment...getting a nasty thunderstorm here and had to come inside from cutting the styrofoam. I didn't think my wife would appreciate me cutting these up inside.

Next I'm going to map out where the 9volt base is going to be as well as the on/off switch and the circuit board for the lighting. I'm going to try and make this so all of that can be accessible. I remember Randy at VoodooFX telling me that the circuit board needs to be able to vent because it gets pretty hot which makes sense.

Hopefully I'll have more time to post this evening (my time). Thanks everyone for the looks and the comments. They're greatly appreciated!

--Dave