That really does look amazing. Are you going to make a little sandy base for it to sit on?
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I was always very disappointed in how the 'thopters looked in the movie - Especially the Atreides one.
They're supposed to function like birds ( Hence the name ), and simply having little stubby wings fold out, before the boxy pile of junk floated away.
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You could use what the film crew used to shoot the Sansworms. Microballoons. You can get them at the best hobbyshops or any fiberglass supply store. You could presculpt the base form and glue a layer or the Microballoons on top. It would look really good.
Or you could use baking soda and airbrush the sand color over it.
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