Hey studio scale nuts! Just a lil inside on a project I’ve been dreaming about for years.
A small group of us have been working on this for the past 5 months.
Leaving the Star Wars universe for a bit….
The ILM studio scale Bird of Prey!
39” from nose to tail!
That’s right! Construction is underway!
When breaking down a replica of this magnitude careful planning is in order. With limited reference available it was almost impossible to build a BoP part for part accurate… till a few months ago. I received about 40 photographs taken by an industry master of the BoP! He worked on ST III ISFS and STIV the Voyage home. I learned about the hero model and well as the foam version and the Pyro models.. to make three of those … someone has the molds to the BoP out there.. wish I know who it was……
How are we going to pull this off? Technology folks is the key! Im so lucky to join forces with two of the best 3D artists out there! Our very own Michael Reis and Ron Headly of Custom Replicas fame! We have collected the best reference available and have broken down every screen cap, photograph and drawings in attempt to deliver a part for part accurate BoP.
We are not making a fan made “looks like a BoP” in studio scale model.
This model will be as accurate as possible to the filming miniature. Scale, movable wings, lights and accurate kit part detailing is standard with this build.
After researching known reference we have created a study model in the computer. We are checking line and form to see the best way to approach its production. Here are a few shots of the study model.
Now we have taken studio model reference and scale data to begin to produce the parts that make up the BoP see pics below. These are still work in progress shots. Progress none the less.
Each of the build team owns most of the BOP kits ever produced. We can see the inaccuracies on each and the parts they got right. Anyone who knows my Star Wars kits will know that it’s got to be accurate or its not worth doing.
I’ve been able to make out about about 12 kits and about 25 parts! Luckily for me ILM used some of the same kits used in their studio scale Star Wars stuff! Enough about part lets talk about the process!
Once the main hull and body parts are made and approved we will use CNC, STL, laser cutting and other means to produce the master patterns. Molds will be made of the super detailed parts and apoxy shells will be produced. These shells will fit onto a metal armature that will support the replica and wing hinge mech.
There will be plant ons of accurate details that will be produced in resin. Each wing will be made of sandwiched acrylic with the 3 layer feather pattern laser cut and glued down. Very strong! A wing drive mechanism has been designed and will raise and lower the wings. A sound designer in Denver, Colorado has taken the job of producing coordinated sound effects.. cloaking …weapons… firing ect.
The Bop will be displayed on a lighted replica weapons console from the actual bridge of the live action BoP! Display screens shown cloaking, weapons status and other cool blips and pings are there!
So it’s time to get your Klingon…on… I will update this thread as new renders are produced and throughout its production to include molding and casting of the parts!
KAPLA!
Steve
A small group of us have been working on this for the past 5 months.
Leaving the Star Wars universe for a bit….
The ILM studio scale Bird of Prey!
39” from nose to tail!
That’s right! Construction is underway!
When breaking down a replica of this magnitude careful planning is in order. With limited reference available it was almost impossible to build a BoP part for part accurate… till a few months ago. I received about 40 photographs taken by an industry master of the BoP! He worked on ST III ISFS and STIV the Voyage home. I learned about the hero model and well as the foam version and the Pyro models.. to make three of those … someone has the molds to the BoP out there.. wish I know who it was……
How are we going to pull this off? Technology folks is the key! Im so lucky to join forces with two of the best 3D artists out there! Our very own Michael Reis and Ron Headly of Custom Replicas fame! We have collected the best reference available and have broken down every screen cap, photograph and drawings in attempt to deliver a part for part accurate BoP.
We are not making a fan made “looks like a BoP” in studio scale model.
This model will be as accurate as possible to the filming miniature. Scale, movable wings, lights and accurate kit part detailing is standard with this build.
After researching known reference we have created a study model in the computer. We are checking line and form to see the best way to approach its production. Here are a few shots of the study model.
Now we have taken studio model reference and scale data to begin to produce the parts that make up the BoP see pics below. These are still work in progress shots. Progress none the less.
Each of the build team owns most of the BOP kits ever produced. We can see the inaccuracies on each and the parts they got right. Anyone who knows my Star Wars kits will know that it’s got to be accurate or its not worth doing.
I’ve been able to make out about about 12 kits and about 25 parts! Luckily for me ILM used some of the same kits used in their studio scale Star Wars stuff! Enough about part lets talk about the process!
Once the main hull and body parts are made and approved we will use CNC, STL, laser cutting and other means to produce the master patterns. Molds will be made of the super detailed parts and apoxy shells will be produced. These shells will fit onto a metal armature that will support the replica and wing hinge mech.
There will be plant ons of accurate details that will be produced in resin. Each wing will be made of sandwiched acrylic with the 3 layer feather pattern laser cut and glued down. Very strong! A wing drive mechanism has been designed and will raise and lower the wings. A sound designer in Denver, Colorado has taken the job of producing coordinated sound effects.. cloaking …weapons… firing ect.
The Bop will be displayed on a lighted replica weapons console from the actual bridge of the live action BoP! Display screens shown cloaking, weapons status and other cool blips and pings are there!
So it’s time to get your Klingon…on… I will update this thread as new renders are produced and throughout its production to include molding and casting of the parts!
KAPLA!
Steve
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cool:thumbsup
