1/48th GUNSTAR in progress

[Dobber]

Hi everyone. Thoght I'd show some progress shots of my 1/48th Gunstar from the movie "The Last Starfighter." Let me start by saying this kit was a MESS.... Nothing fit even close to alright, and many of the details were very soft. Considering that I waited nearly 7 months for this thing due to retooling or new molds or something I was a bit disappointed. The kit didn't come with any instructions or decals so I guess I'm going to be hand painting all the markings.

Now for the good. I really like the scale of this beast and seeing as I love the design, it is pretty accurate to the CG model from what I could tell from the countless screen pauses I've been doing trying to get the correct details and colors. Only inaccuracies I could find are the engine struts are just wrong, they should have a sharper edge to them instead of being flush with the "wings" and seeing as how the model is hollow I didn't want to attemt to correct it and then end up ruining the model. Next, the Canopy is a little too bulbous or round in the front and sits just a little too high. Lastly, I would have really liked to have the option to display the model with the Death Blossom panels open....but beggers can't be chosers. :confused I've only seen one other Gunstar model out there that is in a smaller scale but seems to be more accurate, but unfortunately it isn't available anymore so.....

Well, here are some pictures of my progress, I haven't started the engines yet and need to do countless touch-ups and detailing still, but she is comming along. B)

http://www.badongo.com/pic/284429
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284431
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284432
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284436
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284439
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284437
http://www.badongo.com/pic/284440

Hope you all like, despite the problems, I can't help but still like this model.

Chris

 

[KnightAsylum]

Thanks for sharing.
Yet again another model I would like to get, but never see for sale.

 

[Dobber]

It's available from Monsters in motion

Chris

 

[Kuhn Global]

Nicely done Chris.

It's a B-E-A-uty....

 

[Dobber]

Thanks Kurt, still got a ton of work to do on this, but I guess the harder the project is, the more you appreciate it when its done.......as long as it turns out good that is.

Chris

 

[RedTwoX]

Mmmmmm.... Big Gunstar *gurgle*

Thanks for sharing the pics. I've been eyeing this MIM kit for quite some time. Your critiques are just the most recent of many I've read about their products (not just the Gunstar, ALL of them). However, they are pretty much the only game in town right now where this kit is concerned.

You've off to a great start. The build is looking good. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[swfan]

I've been looking at that kit for a few months. Thanks for the review. Yours looks beautiful. I know it would just wind up on a shelf if I got one behind the 1000 othe rmodels I have

 

[Dobber]

Thanks everone, I'l be sure to post some updates as progress is made.

Chris

 

[dualedge]

I can't see the pics Is it a Windows only thing? Man, I'm a big fan of the Last Starfighter. Been wanting to build one of those kits for a long time. Absolutely love the Gunstar.

 

[Dobber]

I'm not sure, I tried to use Wacky Chimp but it said the files exceeded it's limits, which is strange because these are not big pictures. I can send you the pics via email if you want me too. Just shoot me a PM if you are interested.

Chris

 

[Aegis159]

Sadly the problems you've pointed out weren't there when the kit was still a "garage" kit and MiM wasn't producing it. I built one for a client quite a while ago and I didn't have any fit problems or the soft details issue... not sure what MiM has done to the thing.
Unfortuantely this seems to happen with A LOT of the pieces MiM picks up from various producers. The Anubis spinner kit is a perfect example... more soft details, poor casting, reduction in extras that came with the kit, etc, etc...

 

[Dobber]

I'm really bummed that it didn't even come with Navigator and Starfighter figures, god nows they would be visible enough. I wish I took some pitures initially so you all could see what i was working with. Oh well. I haven't really worked on her in the past few days, I hope to get back at it maybe tonight or tomorrow. You know how it is you can get tired having to mask/paint remask paint another part...so on. get kinda of fried.

Chris

 

[Dobber]

Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while Work is going in spurts on this thing, but aside from painting the cockpit all Major painting is done. Now is the "fun" part with all the touch up and detail painting....which....on this model is quite a bit. From the last pics nothing much has changed. Most of my time has been doing the engines, which yet again, where a bit of a challenge on this kit. I have also been "two-tonnig" the ship so I posted 2 pictures that sorta show it but it's kind of hard to see. Engines and main hull still need much work, in the areas of touch up and detailing but you get the picture of what I'm going for now that the main colors are down.

http://www.badongo.com/pic/301536
http://www.badongo.com/pic/301539
http://www.badongo.com/pic/301540
http://www.badongo.com/pic/301541
http://www.badongo.com/pic/301542
http://www.badongo.com/pic/301543

Chris

 

[Kuhn Global]

Looking very nice Chris..

Can't wait to see this beastie finished.