Star Destroyer Devestator Reference Thread

[omes72]

Am starting this thread for reference on the ANH Star Destroyer Devestator.
Theres not alot out there so am hoping we can accumulate some good reference.
Heres what I have which isn't alot but a start.

[FANTAMATION]

Hey, if you go to the Modelers Miniatures and Magic website just click on the reference tab then scroll down and click on Star Wars and then scroll down to the Devastator model there will be more pics of that original model than you'll know what to do with!!!

[omes72]

Yeah I already have all of those thanks. I also have another 1500 highres pics of this model that are amazing. Im trying to bring out any production & behind the scenes images of the original build as it was in 1977. Iread in an article with David Huston that the Devestator was one of the last models to be built. I suspected that the starboardside of the model was not detaild which has been confirmed by a very good source. I would just love to see an image though. Thanks.

[asemblyrequired]

those last three images are amazing. Seeing the Donor kits behind takes you back.

-James

[FANTAMATION]

Glad you got those, and am REALLY stoked that you are doing this because this is a model I've always wanted to do accurately!! There are some shots in those images I mentioned of the un-detailed sections of the Devastator. Thanks so much for doing this Omes!!

[Falk]

... And another great reference thread. Thank you Jase!

I do not have to contribute much, but I think the missing parts on the neck's back (referred to as "possible truck axles") look like shaft pipes / stern tubes (do not know the proper nautical term) to me.

Cheers,
Falk

[ckwanwoo]

Hi Jason,

Recently, I'm REALLY insipiring by your ISD thread and Rick's making.

Also, I would like to rebuild my SD after completion of SC.

thanks Eric.

[Marv]

Can't wait to see the outcome of your project.

[Aurora]

Nice to see some more pictures of the frame an a shot of the rear at that angle. But i have nothing to add that you probably all ready have (wanted to build this but just to many unknowns at the time)

[omes72]

All of what I have is in the first post...
Other than 1500 shots of the studio model as it stands today.
If anyone has anything on this model I'd be extremely greatful.

[omes72]

Bump. Anyone have anything on this model? Are there any other books with ref other than Chronicles. Doesthe making of Star Wars book by Rinzler have anything? Havent got that yet. Thanks.

[jedimaster]

Yes it does Pages 78 and 273 have refs. 78 has pix similar but different to the ones above and 273 has pix of them filming with the SD inverted for the camera flyby for the opening scene.
Sorry no scans at the mo.

[ringa]

Something to add to the collection of knowledge... The model was painted as it was being built. Both starboard and port side kit part details were glued over paint. The famous opening scene of the destroyer flying over the camera POV was filmed upside down with an incomplete model. Only the bottom and back were finished.

[omes72]

Thanks Rick. So if I only detail the bottom, bridge & rear i'll have an accurate ANH Devestator! If only the boytpm wasm't so heavilly plated... Would kill for a clear picture of the antenna standing up.

[ringa]

Originally Posted by omes72

Thanks Rick. So if I only detail the bottom, bridge & rear i'll have an accurate ANH Devestator! If only the boytpm wasm't so heavilly plated... Would kill for a clear picture of the antenna standing up.

You would have an accurate ANH Devastator that was shot for the overhead POV only. The front of the superstructure would need to be done as well. The starboard side and front were detailed after the overhead flyby was shot, but before the very next shot from the front as the Blockade Runner flies past the camera with the SD in pursuit. Plus, some detailing was done on the top hull, but changed much before ESB (see the Chronicles).

Also, I should mention that it is not entirely clear whether the port side was detailed for ANH, or just for ESB. Both sides were left blank for the open shot. They might have detailed both sides at the same time.

[morsesith21]

Heres a question about the devastator. I noticed in anh that the only lights it had were in the engines and main hangar bay. Then in empire it was lit through out the super structure. Did they add lights or was it an optical effect to sync with the avenger and executor models?

[star-art]

Does anyone have a screen cap actually showing the Devastator model in ESB? I've never been able to spot it.

There were several models built for ESB in different sizes. One small model was made from brass and was fully lit with fiber optics. As far as I know, the Devastator model was never retrofitted with any fibers. At least I never saw any when I was looking at it in person.

[ringa]

The Devastator never had more lights added to it. It does show up a lot in ESB. The scene in question shows the Devastator from a side view, flipped horizontally (so that the port side with guns becomes the starboard side with guns) with window lights added in post to match the Avanger (see photo below). My guess is that it was probably used in this scene because the 8-footer was either not finished, or was being prepped for a different shot. Either way, the Devastator was used to keep production moving.

Devastator can also be seen a few times as the fleet of destroyers approaches Hoth. In the scene where the destroyer approaches Hoth to engage its "first catch of the day," it is actually the 4-footer from the back. When the ion canon fires shots and hits it, the view from the front of the same ship is the 8-footer.

There was a smaller, 1-foot destroyer model made with fiber optics for Empire that was used only for background shots of ships far away or with the command ship.

[ringa]

Some Devastator shots in Empire...



In this scene, Devastator is shown twice...

[NAZGÛL]

I didnt know that. Cool info!

[morsesith21]

Yup! that shot with the executor was the one I was inquiring about! Wow! you really do know everything about this model Rick!

[star-art]

There she is! I can't believe I never spotted it before. Thanks, Rick!

[ckwanwoo]

WoW...Rick~!

Actually, I didn't think Devastator had any lit effect by fiber optic excl. engine lit up.
I'm wondering whether the lit effect on the side of Devastator is added by CG?

thanks Eric.

[ringa]

Originally Posted by ckwanwoo

WoW...Rick~!

Actually, I didn't think Devastator had any lit effect by fiber optic excl. engine lit up.
I'm wondering whether the lit effect on the side of Devastator is added by CG?

thanks Eric.

Hi Eric. You're right, the Devastator did not have fiber optics. The lights were added in post production. One tell is that the lights are misaligned. Look carefully, the lights on the lowest structure of the superstructure actually extend beyond the structure itself.