AMT Anakins Podracer
- Thread starter starks
- Start date
starks
Sr Member
Well, we have been lucky.
The cyclone slowed down before crossing the mainland and reduced to a tropical low. We still got some strong wind gusts and there is torrential rain but overall, we have been blessed with the best case scenario we could have hoped for.
After getting storm prepared I had not much else to do in the last few mornings so had modelling time
I wanted to address the figure issue. Even if I buy a 1/32 something pilot, it needed modification for helmet, goggles etc. I recall when doing railway modelling when I was younger, people would make their own figures from sculpey.
I just happened to have some so using the factory figure as a guide just made something a bit beefier. I made a basic torso shape and round head and sat it in the seat. I chiseled the end of a paintbrush and went to work pushing in detail. I originally did full legs and feet but they ended up being a bit long and had to trim them off. The thighs sit right under the dash panel anyway so you would never know.
After I had the shape I took the figure off the seat and baked it. There was too much bulk in the rear of the figure so I dremeled that down, the back is against the seat anyway.
I should add here that I used the factory figure for helmet reference and it is wrong. When looking at paint schemes later I noticed the helmet is more like a bicycle helmet with ovals on the sides. I've tried to paint it somewhat to give that illusion but if anyone else attempts this just be aware.
I used the kit supplied arms and here he is sitting in the pod. The factory figure has gone in the parts box.
Do this again, I wouldn't waste my time moulding in the harness, I should have made a harness like I have in other builds, I generally paint strips of masking tape.
My sights not so great now and I shake a bit hand brushing but with a coat of paint.
I have everything in place now, I think the vast majority of weathering is done, I've done some paint chipping etc on the Pod. I want to do a few more things with the diorama base, some more detail, small rocks etc but need some more PVA and the weather is not really permitting hardware store trips right now. I also plan to do a light blue back board to simulate the sky to help with some depth. There is little sunlight at the moment and lots of rain so sorry for the indoor pics but here is where we are at right now. As I move to finalising this I promise to get some photo's in the sun. The engine glow is so cool in person, I'm really happy with that. The glow of he power coupling doesn't really work but for the time being at least, I'm going to stick with the kit supplied part.
Cheers,
Josh
The cyclone slowed down before crossing the mainland and reduced to a tropical low. We still got some strong wind gusts and there is torrential rain but overall, we have been blessed with the best case scenario we could have hoped for.
After getting storm prepared I had not much else to do in the last few mornings so had modelling time
I wanted to address the figure issue. Even if I buy a 1/32 something pilot, it needed modification for helmet, goggles etc. I recall when doing railway modelling when I was younger, people would make their own figures from sculpey.
I just happened to have some so using the factory figure as a guide just made something a bit beefier. I made a basic torso shape and round head and sat it in the seat. I chiseled the end of a paintbrush and went to work pushing in detail. I originally did full legs and feet but they ended up being a bit long and had to trim them off. The thighs sit right under the dash panel anyway so you would never know.
After I had the shape I took the figure off the seat and baked it. There was too much bulk in the rear of the figure so I dremeled that down, the back is against the seat anyway.
I should add here that I used the factory figure for helmet reference and it is wrong. When looking at paint schemes later I noticed the helmet is more like a bicycle helmet with ovals on the sides. I've tried to paint it somewhat to give that illusion but if anyone else attempts this just be aware.
I used the kit supplied arms and here he is sitting in the pod. The factory figure has gone in the parts box.
Do this again, I wouldn't waste my time moulding in the harness, I should have made a harness like I have in other builds, I generally paint strips of masking tape.
My sights not so great now and I shake a bit hand brushing but with a coat of paint.
I have everything in place now, I think the vast majority of weathering is done, I've done some paint chipping etc on the Pod. I want to do a few more things with the diorama base, some more detail, small rocks etc but need some more PVA and the weather is not really permitting hardware store trips right now. I also plan to do a light blue back board to simulate the sky to help with some depth. There is little sunlight at the moment and lots of rain so sorry for the indoor pics but here is where we are at right now. As I move to finalising this I promise to get some photo's in the sun. The engine glow is so cool in person, I'm really happy with that. The glow of he power coupling doesn't really work but for the time being at least, I'm going to stick with the kit supplied part.
Cheers,
Josh
starks
Sr Member
Hi all,
So I'm about finished with this. I've added some smaller rocks and dust around which is really all I wanted to finish up. I still want to paint out a blue backdrop and will post a pic whenever that happens. I need to do a backdrop for my At-At and want to work out what I'm doing with the N1 and Vulture droids I just built and will mostly work out all the back scenes together.
Comments on this model kit. It is a great kit. No it is not modern Bandai and everything does not line up perfectly, but its 90-95% there at worst. There was also the incorrect part in the assembly instructions issue and Ani being too small. I still realistically have him too small but it is an improvement.
The decals are not quite accurate but painting solved that issue greatly.
The great parts of the kit is that it is highly detailed, as far as I can tell very accurate to the studio model and prototype within a 90% tolerance. The engines are extremely close, the cockpit is missing some interior detail but otherwise It is really great. It built easily enough but does require some great attention to the painting for accurate results. Overall I recommend this kit for anyone wanting to build Anakins Pod.
I have to say I was looking at pictures of Revells offering of this kit, and it is really sub standard by comparison. Yeah it builds a Pod racer but the details are highly inaccurate. If buying a kit, go the AMT.
It is overcast today but got a few outdoor pics.
All the very best to my fellow builders and everyone who was kind enough to come along on this build journey with me.
Cheers,
Josh
So I'm about finished with this. I've added some smaller rocks and dust around which is really all I wanted to finish up. I still want to paint out a blue backdrop and will post a pic whenever that happens. I need to do a backdrop for my At-At and want to work out what I'm doing with the N1 and Vulture droids I just built and will mostly work out all the back scenes together.
Comments on this model kit. It is a great kit. No it is not modern Bandai and everything does not line up perfectly, but its 90-95% there at worst. There was also the incorrect part in the assembly instructions issue and Ani being too small. I still realistically have him too small but it is an improvement.
The decals are not quite accurate but painting solved that issue greatly.
The great parts of the kit is that it is highly detailed, as far as I can tell very accurate to the studio model and prototype within a 90% tolerance. The engines are extremely close, the cockpit is missing some interior detail but otherwise It is really great. It built easily enough but does require some great attention to the painting for accurate results. Overall I recommend this kit for anyone wanting to build Anakins Pod.
I have to say I was looking at pictures of Revells offering of this kit, and it is really sub standard by comparison. Yeah it builds a Pod racer but the details are highly inaccurate. If buying a kit, go the AMT.
It is overcast today but got a few outdoor pics.
All the very best to my fellow builders and everyone who was kind enough to come along on this build journey with me.
Cheers,
Josh
stevielewis
Sr Member
Great looking build! Looking forward to seeing it with the background you will paint for it.
starks
Sr Member
Great looking build! Looking forward to seeing it with the background you will paint for it.
I had originally planned just a blue sky kind of thing but it really needs some depth inside that gap, some more rock features in the distance perhaps. Thanks for the kind words.
Hopefully it was of some help, excited to see your use of the LED filaments if you go that way!
Cheers,
Josh
starks
Sr Member
Thanks mate,
The figure sculpting is actually rather simple.
Make a basic body and head shape and using a pointed tool... I used a dental tool I have for scribing lines, just sort of push the details into it. We're not making a Rembrandt here so just needs to resemble shape of a face, clothes etc.
You can even bake the putty off at various stages then add further details and bake again.
Cheers,
Josh
The figure sculpting is actually rather simple.
Make a basic body and head shape and using a pointed tool... I used a dental tool I have for scribing lines, just sort of push the details into it. We're not making a Rembrandt here so just needs to resemble shape of a face, clothes etc.
You can even bake the putty off at various stages then add further details and bake again.
Cheers,
Josh
