Space Cadet #11 - Bandai Scout Trooper and Speeder - 1:12

[DBMiller]

Can't wait to see what's in store for the poor storm trooper.

[digger303]

Can't wait to see what's in store for the poor storm trooper.

Clothes hanger ed by a wookie

[bfrd]

Can't wait to see what's in store for the poor storm trooper.

Me Too!!!

[bfrd]

Now that I am back from the family holiday I need to get back to this little project. Took me a few days to remember where my bench was, but found it this afternoon.

I mounted the print with some 3M Super77. Sticks much better than the other stuff I used. I had to take a knife to the dio base as some of the molding material got in the way. After I got the edge cleaned up I was able to attach the two parts. I am incredibly stoked about how well the two parts blend. If you didn’t know me, you might think I actually know what I am doing.

[digger303]

That is good.

[Twokidsnosleep]

How friggin good is this taking shape
Wowzers

[Kingdan]

Yeah that's worked amazingly well love it mate

[gaz45]

That is some awesome work there mate

[bfrd]

I finished up the decals and started on the weathering. I mixed some Ultimate Mud and Rust washes. I wanted some reddish brown dirt for the basic layer. I then “flicked” the same mixture onto the trooper to simulate mud spray.



Once this fully dries I will see what else needs to be done.

[Kingdan]

Good call on the Ultimate washes mate perfect

[bfrd]

Ok, folks, this one is done. Finally, time to reveal how the scout trooper is going to hate life. I am attempting to recreate the scene where Luke chops off the nose of a speeder. In the movie, the scout trooper's speeder starts spinning and hits a tree. I didn't think that was interesting in a static diorama. So in my world the scout trooper is going to go flying.

The first step is to chop off the nose. Although I have been planing this build for more than a year I had to build up some courage to actually go through with it. Up until now I could just bail out and place the scout on the speeder and call it a day.



Ok, that part is done. No turning back now. The next step was to emulate metal that was cut via lightsaber. The cut in the movie was pretty clean so there wasn't really any slag. First I drilled out the ends of the shaft to make them look like tubes. I used several different sizes of drill bits. This part is far from perfect as even at a low speed the bits melted the plastic instead of cutting through it. There is a small boo-boo due to melting plastic. I would actually recommend doing the last drill bit size with a manual pin vise. After I got the "tubes" ready I just used plain white paint on the face of the cut shaft. I let this dry and followed up with Vallejo Model Air Fluorescent Red (which looks more orange to me). The effect isn't perfect but will do to simulate what I am after. Sorry I didn't get a picture of this on the bench.

To create an in-flight scout trooper I went way low-tech and used thread. I ordered "magician's thread" from Amazon. This stuff is incredibly thin. So thin it is nearly impossible to use! Many curse words were uttered (or screamed). This is synthetic nylon that unfortunately doesn't tie worth squat. The best way I found to use it was by using Blu-Tack. I removed the joint that I wanted to use as an attachment point. Then I took a little ball of Blu-Tack and just rolled it around on the end of the thread. Once I had a good amount wrapped into the ball I dropped it into the joint and reattached the limb. The thread is fairly strong for as thin as it is, but you still can break it if not careful. I placed the diorama base into my light tent and just used Tamiya tape to tape the other end of the threads to the top of the light tent. I took me several tries to get the lengths and position where I wanted them, but eventually, it was set and ready for photography.

[digger303]

Ok, folks, this one is done. Finally, time to reveal how the scout trooper is going to hate life. I am attempting to recreate the scene where Luke chops off the nose of a speeder. In the movie, the scout trooper's speeder starts spinning and hits a tree. I didn't think that was interesting in a static diorama. So in my world the scout trooper is going to go flying.

The first step is to chop off the nose. Although I have been planing this build for more than a year I had to build up some courage to actually go through with it. Up until now I could just bail out and place the scout on the speeder and call it a day.



Ok, that part is done. No turning back now. The next step was to emulate metal that was cut via lightsaber. The cut in the movie was pretty clean so there wasn't really any slag. First I drilled out the ends of the shaft to make them look like tubes. I used several different sizes of drill bits. This part is far from perfect as even at a low speed the bits melted the plastic instead of cutting through it. There is a small boo-boo due to melting plastic. I would actually recommend doing the last drill bit size with a manual pin vise. After I got the "tubes" ready I just used plain white paint on the face of the cut shaft. I let this dry and followed up with Vallejo Model Air Fluorescent Red (which looks more orange to me). The effect isn't perfect but will do to simulate what I am after. Sorry I didn't get a picture of this on the bench.

To create an in-flight scout trooper I went way low-tech and used thread. I ordered "magician's thread" from Amazon. This stuff is incredibly thin. So thin it is nearly impossible to use! Many curse words were uttered (or screamed). This is synthetic nylon that unfortunately doesn't tie worth squat. The best way I found to use it was by using Blu-Tack. I removed the joint that I wanted to use as an attachment point. Then I took a little ball of Blu-Tack and just rolled it around on the end of the thread. Once I had a good amount wrapped into the ball I dropped it into the joint and reattached the limb. The thread is fairly strong for as thin as it is, but you still can break it if not careful. I placed the diorama base into my light tent and just used Tamiya tape to tape the other end of the threads to the top of the light tent. I took me several tries to get the lengths and position where I wanted them, but eventually, it was set and ready for photography.

That's a great looking diarama you have put together there.
I find difficult threads to tie usually succumb to fishing knots quiet well.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I think it is hilariously awesome

[Kingdan]

Love it definitely one worthy of a prize just for the comedy values

[Stokesy44]

He's thinking I spent years in the infantry and when I finally get a job where I'm not on my feet all day this happens. God must hate me!

Great result, makes me want to buy the kit myself - although I'd probably just leave the poor conscript on the bike!!