Death Star 2 Port Attack Diorama

[OTnROTSfan]

Hey all,

First WIP over here. Posting some catch-u-up pics.

I love building [big] dioramas with structural elements I haven't seen tried before (love building architectural models, too). I have always wanted to do the cool red port from ROJ with all of the ships diving in (or fleeing out). I started designing this about 1.5 years ago, spending about four months figuring out scale and how to design a multi-layered approach to building it. I work on it slowly (like 2 hours a week) with my work/life schedule, but have come quite far. Hoping to finish this around this time next year.

Long story short - she's in 1/144 scale and it is about four feet wide, three feet high (with the partial laser tower), and will have a removable "port" top that should be around three feet by four feet (so I can get everything through common doorways). I got a kickstart to actually doing it at a local store that was closing... I got myself a big heavy welded metal rack for $25! I saw potential in it and away I went...

Oh yeah, and it WILL be lit...

Full Project Build so far...

Started here:





Got to here:



1-144 MF in the Hole:



Currently working on the tunnel lighting tubes:





Full Project Build so far...

More soon...

[erospawn]

Thats lookin really cool! Can't wait to see more!

[JAWS]

Oh wicked man youve posted at the site. Very kool mate. Have been watching you build this for a while now. thanks for the update & welcome.

[427 Cobra]

I love dioramas! Especially Star Wars dioramas. I saw this on another website,but I haven't heard anything new lately. I'm glad to have you here. You definately fit in!

[OTnROTSfan]

Thanks guys. I'm slow... but I eventually get there. ;-)

[JAWS]

Well glad you have & hope to see others do the same.

[scratchy]

I can never get tired of looking at this build, great idea to do it. I like to see what you have in plan for the rest of it.

[darkimmitator]

That is one cool dio man !!!!!!! Excellent results so far .Looking forward to seeing more .

[OTnROTSfan]

Two months... and little progress... Took a month to rebuild the computer. Gone all next week (again), but will be at WF (woo!). Finally working the other light tubes.

Designed up the back right light (first long tube).

[JAWS]

Thanks for the update. Hope to see you back soon.

[427 Cobra]

Thank GOD, you haven't forgotten us! It's OK, we all work slowly when we have to. This has been a recent occourance with all of us lately. As long as your still with us - that's all that matters.

~ Cobra Chris

[OTnROTSfan]

Thanks.

Got the first light tube painted up and started on the first long light tube. Still need to route out between several of the upper holes and file/widen the rest to standard width, but coming along. These were just rough cuts to trial it.

Hope to finish up the first long light tube this week, and then start on the final long tunnel light, and then FINALLY on to the top/surface port in June or July.

[427 Cobra]

I love lights! Slow & steady is the way to go. As long as you finish, that's what really matters. You'll have something everyone will love, and it'll be something you can enjoy everytime you look at it.

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

Lookin good Kevin. Thanks for droppin an update for us.

[OTnROTSfan]

I would have felt bad if I didnt' light this baby up... this is just a little different than wiring up some LEDs...

This is the kind of stuff that gets me fired up (when it works). :8) I came up with a cheap sanding trick to make the oblong holes even out and have matching ends... I clamped the metal hole guide to the pipe and used it as a straight-edge to slide/sand the holes even in both directions. It gives uniform straight height, too. The dowel sander is from a cheap foam brush that was just the right size.

Got to paint/mount the back light tube and onto the last one in the front left of the tunnel. Progress - haven't made this much in a while!

[427 Cobra]

Thank you for sharing that tip about the brush with us, Kevin. This is also how I make a lot of oblong holes as well. There are a lot of tricks to get the job done. Maybe I'll post a tutorial when I feel better. This is truly one of the best builds on any diorama I've seen so far. I loved Jedi, and this adds to the world of known models on the subject. Thank you again for sharing this on our site.

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

Thats a good 'Tip' on that process. Nice work. Keep at it. This is a fantastic project.

[OTnROTSfan]

Got the final light tube roughed out for the main tunnel (whew!). Added another little cheap trick to cut the oblong holes... used my grinder to cut a hunk off a cheap metal tool hanger shelf and used to rough out the oblongs.

The tunnel shots are with all tunnel and backlights turned on -- NO other lights on in the room. Lights the whole tunnel up nicely. I held a cheap piece of blue cellophone in front of the camera lense and really like the "eerie blue" effect, like they did in shots in the movie.



Just need to sand and clean up the rest of the oblongs, paint all of the light tubes and run final wiring, finish the tunnel grid structure and static tubes, and on to the top of the port.

[darkimmitator]

This thing is ultra cool !! I love it ,and can't wait to see it in it's finnished form .Awesome job dude !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[427 Cobra]

(07-23-2010, 09:27 PM)darkimmitator Wrote: This thing is ultra cool !! I love it ,and can't wait to see it in it's finnished form .Awesome job dude !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely! I've been watching this since the beginning, and to have this on our forum is too cool! I love the blue light effect - this looks exactly like the movie stills! I don't what inspired you to build models, but I hope it never ends.

~ Cobra Chris

[scratchy]

I always like checking up on how this build is coming along. When this build is finished, will it be depicting the Falcon entering the Death Star or exiting?

[OTnROTSfan]

Thanks all!

Working my way around the right tunnel and starting to mock/line up the front...

Hope to be painting/glueing up all the structural right and front parts by this weekend... then onto the design of the top port (finally!).

[OTnROTSfan]

Finally got some good painting weather for the longer pieces. Found some 1/4i square channel in my stock and figured out how to make the inner structure connections all pretty and square. Also used real wood cross-pieces, just like a lot of parts on the original.



Got all but the lower left light tube done. Ran out of small tubing, but got most of the right side and front tubes on. Will wrap up the last light tube and couple of missing smaller tubes this week, and then time to (finally) buy some more MDF for the top and start the port.



And all the light tube bulbs can actually be changed if they burn out (which took most of the time on this phase)...

[JAWS]

The red color on steel always looks 'strong'. Nice work keep us posted.

[OTnROTSfan]

Now for the fun part...

Top surface layout... still deciding on building out the whole port, or the 3/4 sliced-off front like it is now. Leaning toward doing the whole port, as long as I've come this far. Now to cast the set of frames in resin or scratch them all from wood, like the originals (or so I understand)...

[JAWS]

Very KOOL! Can't wait to see what you do here.

[OTnROTSfan]

Decided to finish up all of the smaller details of the tunnel. Wrapped up the front section of the rack and the sanding, painting, and mounting of the final light tube... p.s. the only light used is from the tunnel lights...





Off on a trip the next week... but will be working on the design of the top port and surface. "This is where the fun begins..."

[427 Cobra]

Very cool, Kevin. Thanks for the update. Because of the latest events in my personal life, I've been unable to spend a lot of time on the forums. I missed these last few posts - I guess this got buried under other subjects?

~ Cobra Chris

[natter]

Incredible work! Congratulations! It real looks !

[JAWS]

Nice. Yes it does look real. Really hangin to see some ships in that tunnel!

[OTnROTSfan]

Life's been nuts here too, Chris... only been posting like every couple of weeks all summer. Phase 2's done, though... finally working on the top surface and the port structure design.

Jason - yeah, now that I'm starting on the top port, dug out the 1-144 FM MF to start working on it, too. So finally working on one of the core ships.

[427 Cobra]

What are you going to use for the X-wings, and TIE fighters? I know they make them, but the ones I've seen are horrible. I'd make my own from scratch. It wouldn't be too hard - Scratchy's making a Star Destroyer in 1/2222 scale! How long is that Falcon? I can make an X-wing the same scale with it, then recast the fuselage as one piece with glue on wings similar to the Salzo kit. This would be easy enough to recast over, and over for multiples. The detail would be sparse, except where scribed on the wings, and fuselage. Maybe I'll do one to see how hard it is over the Thanksgiving holiday.

~ Cobra Chris

[directorcass]

Very nice work on the diorama. It will definately be unique when you finish it! Also noticed some cool kits on your desk in your first pic. I spy a Salzo V3 X-Wing, an Anigrand Star Destroyer and an unknown large Falcon. How are those coming along?

[OTnROTSfan]

Chris,

It is in 1/144, so using the F-toys (which will be taken apart, lit, modified, and weathered)... MF will be the FM 1-144 one. I have a built Argo, but kinda heavy to mount (and kinda rare, so keeping that separate)...

(11-14-2010, 12:06 AM)427 Cobra Wrote: What are you going to use for the X-wings, and TIE fighters? I know they make them, but the ones I've seen are horrible. I'd make my own from scratch. It wouldn't be too hard - Scratchy's making a Star Destroyer in 1/2222 scale! How long is that Falcon? I can make an X-wing the same scale with it, then recast the fuselage as one piece with glue on wings similar to the Salzo kit. This would be easy enough to recast over, and over for multiples. The detail would be sparse, except where scribed on the wings, and fuselage. Maybe I'll do one to see how hard it is over the Thanksgiving holiday.

~ Cobra Chris

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Director,

Thanks on the dio. Slowly getting some time on it again.

Those are on under the bench currently... That was the Cooper SD (although the Anigrand one is boxed under the bench, too...). I got all cleaned and deflashed, but that's about it. The MF is an original SMT one... I got the main parts primed. That's too, sitting in a big clear bin right now to remind me to work on it again...

(11-14-2010, 11:18 AM)directorcass Wrote: Very nice work on the diorama. It will definately be unique when you finish it! Also noticed some cool kits on your desk in your first pic. I spy a Salzo V3 X-Wing, an Anigrand Star Destroyer and an unknown large Falcon. How are those coming along?

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* * * * *

Well everyone... it's been two months. I got put on the lead of a massive work project when I got back from Labor Day. That, and we had to clean up from three recent days of 60+ mph winds. Also always take a break between phases to work on other stuff (note the side project freshly basecoated in the background).

But, Phase 3 has begun... finally!

I decided to do the entire port, after all... will make pictures easier and more robust. Now you see why the top surface will be removable... 40" by 48".



More soon... I promise...

[427 Cobra]

(11-15-2010, 12:59 PM)OTnROTSfan Wrote: Chris,

It is in 1/144, so using the F-toys (which will be taken apart, lit, modified, and weathered)... MF will be the FM 1-144 one. I have a built Argo, but kinda heavy to mount (and kinda rare, so keeping that separate)...



More soon... I promise...

I was going to say, you'll have to repaint, and do some reworking on those 1/144 scale X versions. They look good in the pictures, until you get one, and see how sloppy it is! I still would like to make one over the holiday just to see what it would take to do it, to see how it would turn out, and to inspire myself to keep going with the big X. The deadline for getting this done is almost here, and I still have to make the fuselage! This is going to be a mad dash to the finish. If I can get that done, I'll be very happy! I can't wait to see your weathering on these with this finished.

~ Cobra Chris

[OTnROTSfan]

Got the full hole cut and replaced the cement blocks it was sitting on with some temporary big wheels. Kinda looks like one of those street food carts in the short term. At least I can move it around now, and get underneath better to work on it.

I had been using a piece of table glass as a template for the hole, with packing tape around the outside so it wouldn't shatter... worked pretty darn nice, if I do say so, although it did crack once it fell through after cutting. It was cool being able to see through it and that it was still all lined up while cutting. Now to decide which part to work on first... so many options here...

[JAWS]

Awsome. Lookin really good there. Can't wait to see the outside hull come to life. Thanks for the update.

[OTnROTSfan]

Been a while, eh? Hehe. A major work project (and winter) has kept me away from progress for months... but...

Got the top mounting holes permanently fixed into the inner surface panel and the white gridwork that appears under the surface is completed. Also finally lit the inner "laboratory" bay. Still deciding between green or blue filter under the light... comparison shot included. Have seen both lighting wash schemes used. I can switch them, so no biggie.

Started laying out the surface. Looks like they used standard ceiling light diffuser egg crate grid (or similar 1/2") on the original. Since mine is in smaller scale, I've been looking for smaller gridwork. Interesting that a 1/2" egg carton grid panel I had bought when I started is now "smaller" than the 1/2" grid panels you can buy now. Gotta love "standards". Both are too big of a grid anyways.



Have been playing around with 3/8" paint bucket strainer grids I found. They seem like they will work... might have to double them up for more prounounced thickness. At least they have the squared crossbars (not rounded). Will mock up a prototype structure in the next couple of weeks... off we go on the fun part... finally!

[OTnROTSfan]

Here goes nothing! And the fun part begins... At least this is the part I have been waiting for all along (and dreading)... LOL

Started the full-size prototypes for the red port structure. I tacked this together the past two nights for more sizing tests and checking some math.



The hole is undersized on purpose (so I can fit it just right at the end, in case of any gaps).

I hope to clean up the proto and get a couple of side inner boxes made and primed this weekend for final sizing tests and tweaks, color tests, etc...

[JAWS]

Looking good Kevin.
Can't wait for more on this build.

[OTnROTSfan]

Thanks.

Crazy work schedule again and a broken tooth to deal with... but got through the prototyping and sizing phase... tried a bunch of different square tube materials and think I have it worked out.

Out of state all next week on business, but getting my styrene stock order in tomorrow so it will be waiting when I get back. Then onward...

[OTnROTSfan]

My order came in while I was gone last week... and I stopped and raided the paint department of plastic bucket grids one more time. Funny looks ensued.

[Cylon-Knight]

OTnROTSfan your diorama is AMAZING.
How will you put the ships into the diorama? Wire? Plastic rods? What will help them "fly?"

[OTnROTSfan]

(03-30-2011, 10:27 AM)Cylon-Knight Wrote: OTnROTSfan your diorama is AMAZING.
How will you put the ships into the diorama? Wire? Plastic rods? What will help them "fly?"

Thanks! I finally should be working on it again over Mem weekend.

Haven't decided on that one out, yet. Still deciding on the lighting of the ships as to whether they will have self-contained wiring/lights/power or if they all are powered through the mounting rods to centralized power.

[OTnROTSfan]

First - thanks all for waiting... and off we go again!

So... back to this project (after six crazy summer months away from this project with work and family activities). Been looking at the ROJ Blu-Rays, too... some great, clear surface detail I didn't have before!

The first two large port structures took about six hours apiece. Doing assemly line with my new mini-powered chop saw averaged about three hours apiece (no part sanding - nice!).

I got four more large structure frames assembled today to get almost half of the needed twelve done. Need to cut the front cross-bar pieces for each and then super-detail them like the others. Will do that next weekend. What a tedious task these are to make them all line up and work out to the same height... like always: measure twice, cut once.

PROGRESS!!!

[JAWS]

Sweet. Looking good. Veryglad to see some progress. Great work. Awsome project

[OTnROTSfan]

Starting to look like something familiar:

The latest four still need putty and paint, but six down, six to go... with my Argo MF for reference... finally got around to making a plastic dust cover over the tunnel hole while I'm working on the top surface.

[dbhs]

Looking great, Kevin.

[OTnROTSfan]

Picking up steam again...

Putty and paint part 2. Half way done with the large port structures... six more to go. Have some vacation coming up and hope to plow through the last six around the New Year.



With a little Endor blue-light action...

[JAWS]

Hey Kevin Happy Birthday mate!
I hope you have a great day, a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Jase.