1/144 Hoth and Echo Base Diorama (WIP)

[korben44]

So, with this diorama, I'm going to be a bit ambitious. My reference image is this:



My plan is to do three modular sections.

1. The battle outside Echo base
2. The Echo base hanger that houses the Falcon
3. The rear of the Echo base hangar with additional ships and maybe one Rebel transport ship

Being a 1/144 scale, it should not take up too much space. And while I'm typing this, I may do it in a three-level platform instead of one sprawling diorama. Or, since the plan is to go modular with each section, it can be set up either way.

I have three of the models that are going to be used in the display already mostly completed. I say mostly since the AT-AT will have a lit cockpit.

 

[Analyzer]

Looking forward to it.

I plan on a multi-level one myself as well. The AT-ATs and snowspeeders on top, with the hangar underneath

 

[3Dsf]

Hmmm. So I should finally finish up that X-wing open canopy and cockpit, then?

 

[korben44]

Looking forward to it.

I plan on a multi-level one myself as well. The AT-ATs and snowspeeders on top, with the hangar underneath

What are you waiting for?! lol

Hmmm. So I should finally finish up that X-wing open canopy and cockpit, then?

You read my mind! I see that 308bits has the Y-Wing canopy and a Tie Advanced one, too. Not that I'll be using that in this one... I'll definitely need more snowspeeder canopies, too.

I tried cutting out the x-wing canopies that came with them, but I broke one and didn't try again...lol...

Help me, NKG, you're my only hope!

 

[Analyzer]

Hmmm. So I should finally finish up that X-wing open canopy and cockpit, then?

Yes please!

I have 3 of the Snowspeeder canopies ( 1 open and two closed ) I need to pick up a couple more opened ones

 

[3Dsf]

I'll have another look. I've already had two rounds at the problem. And I've got semi-workable models. The problem is that the X-wing canopy struts are so thin at 1/144 that it's hard to get them looking okay but still be printable.

 

[Analyzer]

it's a shame they couldn't be printed "clear"

 

[korben44]

What's really disappointing is that bandai only includes stickers with the at at... The helmet ones are basically useless.

Here's the interior:

 

[3Dsf]

Well the Form2 can print clear resin and I’ve experimented with that. Problem there is that the print emerges from the resin totally transparent and crystalline and gorgeous. And then you clean and cure it and it’s all translucent. You have to polish it for ages to make it transparent again.

But with the x-wing and its canopy struts you can’t access the flat glass areas to polish since the struts are raised. So that wouldn’t work. Shapeways doesn’t help as they have translucent resin, not clear.

 

[korben44]

Even if the struts need to be thicker, I'd be happy with that... It just helps offer the illusion of realism at this scale. Are the struts any thinner than on the 1/350 Falcon canopy?

 

[Analyzer]

What's really disappointing is that bandai only includes stickers with the at at... The helmet ones are basically useless.

Here's the interior:

View attachment 1014651 View attachment 1014652

I had waterslide transfers in mine

 

[korben44]

I had waterslide transfers in mine

Maybe I misplaced mine... I'll have to look again. It's been known to happen...lol

 

[Fett_Ish]

I am doing just the ATAT level. One downed ATAT, one in the midst of being tied up and one going along its merry way. I am hoping to be able to do the tied up ATAT with a leg in the air as it is trying to step forward and the Speeder will be held in the air by the "tow cable". I am thinking also of trying to have a ATST chasing a speeder while it is throwing up a wake of snow like the X-wings ove the water in TFA. I'm not bothering with the interior of the ATATs but I am looking at nkg speeder interiors. I have some Tamiyia snow on the way and when it gets here I'll start laying out my scene. When I was a kid I had that old dio with the ATATs and loved it. I'll be watching your progress korben44!

 

[korben44]

I am doing just the ATAT level. One downed ATAT, one in the midst of being tied up and one going along its merry way. I am hoping to be able to do the tied up ATAT with a leg in the air as it is trying to step forward and the Speeder will be held in the air by the "tow cable". I am thinking also of trying to have a ATST chasing a speeder while it is throwing up a wake of snow like the X-wings ove the water in TFA. I'm not bothering with the interior of the ATATs but I am looking at nkg speeder interiors. I have some Tamiyia snow on the way and when it gets here I'll start laying out my scene. When I was a kid I had that old dio with the ATATs and loved it. I'll be watching your progress korben44!

Be sure to post your diorama! I could steal some ideas! I'll be doing some initial planning on the module setup this weekend. I'll most likely be getting the supplies I need to make it a reality this weekend.

 

[3Dsf]

An easy one could be a downed speeder with open canopy and "Dak" inside.

 

[korben44]

Here's the trio all done up :

 

[korben44]

And it begins... Here's the basic layout of the Echo Base part of this three section, modular diorama:

 

[Duncanator]

Great project! Can't wait to see more.

 

[barney five]

looking forward to see progress on this cool project.

...man that bandai AT-AT in your first post is just pure model porn.
its so precise scale, sharp and crisp, only whish it was a little bit of a larger model.
it itches me to buy one nonetheless

 

[korben44]

looking forward to see progress on this cool project.

...man that bandai AT-AT in your first post is just pure model porn.
its so precise scale, sharp and crisp, only whish it was a little bit of a larger model.
it itches me to buy one nonetheless

I, too, would like a larger scale some day. But I understand Bandai's reasoning to go with 1/144. It saves space... Any larger and I would not be able to do a diorama like this with the space I have in my apartment. The detail is amazing at any scale.