AT-AT diorama - FINISHED PAGE 6!!!

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

So, it has been a while so time for another update.
I’ve got a fair bit done and I’ll soon be ready to start scribing and messing around with the bodies. For me one of the things I didn’t like with the ertl kit was the neck. The way it connected with the head and body looked a bit rubbish – also it looked too thin in diameter.

So, after looking for ages I managed to find a styrene card, which was cut with ridges which I could use for the neck tubing. I then found some plumber’s plastic pipe of appropriate diameter and glued the ridged styrene to it. This was tricky but I managed to carefully warm the plastic to make it more pliable. I would glue a bit on and then clamp it for a few hours before bending the plastic further, gluing and repeating. It was time consuming but the final result looks way better.

As I had redone the necks I needed to add the neck supports. For this I used Adobe InDesign to create a template. I printed the template and tried it with paper until I was happy with the design. Then once the design was finalized I reprinted and used spray mount to stick it to some white styrene. I then cut out the design, peeled off the paper and gave it a bit of a sanding. Again, I glued in sections and clamped each part until it was done. I then added the bolts from some old kits I got off ebay, and primed the whole lot.

You can see the new neck coming together on the right and in the centre are the neck templates

Here is a comparison between new and old necks:

.

After I finished these they didn’t attach very well to the body, so once again I got on the computer and redesigned the front part of the body, printed out, stuck to styrene and cut out:

This shows roughly what it looks like now:

And just a test shot using an old ertl body I'm using for paint experimentation:

.

I'm on with the guns now and will update soon!
Comments/criticism always welcome

 

[NAZGÛL]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Great job! Ive built one many years ago. I remember it was really nice, but you are making those shine. The snow effct on the mountain looks really good. I gotta do a dio some day!

Dig the mods you did. Whats a glass bead?

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

The mountains were just a test with a smaller model but I can't wait to get this done! The 'glass beads' were literally beads used for making necklaces that you would find in a craft shop; I just looked for ages until I found these tiny ones.

 

[danikin72]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

I was wondering if you were still on these?

Looking good, the neck is major improvement, I should have done that with mine.
Makes me want to get some of these and have a go at it, very inspiring.

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Thanks Danikin; I've finished the side guns now so once I've done the chin guns I'll update this. The revell neck was fine though wasn't it?

 

[danikin72]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

The neck needed a lot of work, I ended up scraping the whole thing really.
I really didn't like the ridges and the neck rings that attach to the body and head were horrible. They had huge gaps where the rings meet the body/head.
For turning purposes I guess.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Can never get enough of the AT-AT. I am wanting to mold my Wizards AT-AT since I enjoy the size and I think it is a decent base and create a dio

 

[gobelas]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Great job, I also have an ertl ATAT kit in the box, and may be one day I´ll make it...

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Okay, another update. I've sorted the guns out by using brass rod, a couple of details from some cannibalised kits and a load of patience!

Side guns done ^

For a before-and-after comparison ^

Main guns are now lengthened with brass rod and primed ^

Side guns lightly primed and ready ^ (apart from the one on the end... lost the shield bit on the side and I'm pretty pi**ed off about that! Back to the drawing/cutting board for that one.)

The underneath bits ^

More AT-AT bits ^ These are such a pain to sand - the seams were terrible, and being rounded didn't make them easier to sand. I had to cut thin strips of sandpaper and use a flossing motion like a shoe-shiner

Really wanted to add these side ports ^ as it will give a little more accuracy for the rear of the AT-AT

My AT-AT graveyard ^


Still taking ages to do, but getting there. I have to scribe the bodies after this, sort out the panels on the back of the walkers and then I can think about constructing and painting. Funny really, still haven't put these things together yet and some sections will need to be completely painted before they do get assembled.

Once the walkers are finished I will work on the diorama which will include snowspeeders, loads of troops, trenches and gun placements. It is a miracle I am still motivated but I will definitely see this through.

And then... I'm gonna make a walking one. I figure if adriano kenobi can make this:

AT-AT Walker Motorizado - YouTube

Then I can too. I am learning all about programming servos so this will be a nice challenge.

Feedback/criticisms welcomed

 

[Star Raider]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

These look fantastic... I'm really surprised how well the very small tiny details look... for ones like the lighter or penny...

The detail is amazing!!

 

[Locry]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Your detailing is crazy at that small a scale!!! How are your eyes holding up?

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

My eyes are ***ked

 

[clancampbell]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Staggering upgrades, incredible details!

Rich

 

[baloo]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

... After that, hard to wait patiently the sequel hehe! :love

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Well, here's another quick update!

I've sorted the underside of the AT-ATs. These are not really screen accurate but I thought I'd add a little more detail just to stop it looking too much like a model kit. A lot of this detail might not get seen so I just wanted to add a bit of mechanical interest. By the way, the white disks at the front are made from buttons! They were the perfect size

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Hi everyone, another update.

I have been scribing all of the body details on the AT-ATs, but I still have the tops to do.

This has been very tedious due to the small scale but I'm pretty pleased with them up to now

^ Here is the technique I use for the scribing. I first chisel off the existing raised panel lines using an x-acto knife with a 17 blade and give it a bit of a sanding

1: I then use a needle in a pin vice to mark the end points of the line

2: I scribe using the needle/pin vice by taking repetitive passes

3: Out comes the number 17 x-acto to remove the displaced ridges pushed up by the scribe

4: finished result (sanded with wet and dry)

DONE!

And then I started to build some new side details to make it a little more screen accurate

^ I made 3 of these out of styrene and very finely cut copper rod

I wasn't completely satisfied with these so I remade them and then cut out the appropriate shape in the AT-AT's side armour. I then glued in place

^ The finish is a little rough but seeing as I'm doing a beaten up vehicle I can use imperfections as paint scratches/dents

^ Repeat 3 times

^ Settles in pretty well when primed

That's it for the moment. I'm working on the tops now and then I'll tackle the rear armour To further the battle damage and chips I've been carefully attacking the plastic with a knife, cutting small ridges and scrapes. These will be enhanced with paint afterwards

Thanks for looking!

 

[NAZGÛL]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

I like! Has that AT-AT finish. Well done! :thumbsup

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Started the work on the top of the AT-ATs by removing the raised lines, scribing new ones, adding detailing and then sticking back on all the damn stuff I couldn't avoid with my knife!

added new raised detail on the rear sections

Next, I re-did the front vents by adding corrugated styrene and then making a window to lay over the top. I was not sure whether to bother doing this, as they don't look terrible as they are, but I think it was worth the extra effort

Then I made some new vents for the rear of the AT-AT out of scribed styrene

This is all the extra detailing I'll be adding to this area because it is pretty accurate as is , I just wanted the vents to jut out more and fill the space more like the studio model.

Currently working on the back panels, sorting out the armour plates. I'll post more soon! Thanks for looking, comments/criticism weclome

 

[Chaank]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Wow, I'm loving it! Good to see some thing a bit different. Love the detail your putting into this. Are you gonna put any other vehicles/ships in it?

 

[christrom]

Re: ertl AT-AT diorama WIP

Thanks Chaank! There will be 3 AT-ATs, rebel soldiers in the trenches, gun emplacements and 2 or 3 snowspeeders flying around. Currently working on the rear portion of armour on the AT-ATs and will update soon