Ertl/MPC Snowspeeder Question

TridCloudwalker

TridCloudwalker

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
Does anyone know exactly what scale the MPC/Ertl Snowspeeder kit is? It's often listed as 1/35, yet when I see people acurize it, they tend to place 1/24 scale pilots into it. Any ideas?

Also, while we're on the subject, is the Hasbro Snowspeeder to scale with the action figures? And would you classify the action figures as 1/18 scale?
 
This kit is very hard to tell by looking at it, the pilots are way undersized, the filming prop didn't have full figures in it, which is why the pilots look so queer. I think a 1/18 scale pilot would probably fit into this kit better but I don't think the kit its self is 1/18
 
I've frequently seen the MPC speeder referred to as 1/35 or 1/32 scale, which I think is based on the size of the pilot figures. However, the kit figures are very (very) oddly proportioned, and appear too small compared to photos of the studio miniatures or live-action setpieces. If you look at the cockpit footage from the movie, there's very little headroom, the tops of the pilots' helmets look to be within an inch of hitting the inside of the canopy. I've also seen a figure of 1/22.5 scale quoted, which sounds more reasonable to me.

I've been (slowly) working on an MPC speeder, and am converting a couple of Tamiya 1/24 rally car drivers into pilots. They fit OK in the cockpit, except there isn't quite enough headroom. I've taken out the floor of the cockpit and trimmed down the thickness of the seats, and I'll glue the seats directly to the inner surface of the model's underbelly. I'll also need to trim down the figures' posteriors a bit, but they should fit when I'm done.

I also tried fitting 1/20 scale F1 drivers - they looked good as far as leg and shoulder room, but were just too tall to allow the canopy to close.
 
I just ordered a couple of those Tamiya drivers a couple days ago. Good to know they'll work.

Got any in progess pics of yours?
 
Thread resurrection!

Based on the full sized set piece that had actual humans sitting in it, the scale of the MPC kit comes out to be right between 1/24 and 1/25 scale. Granted, it appears that there was some extra space added under the snowspeeder prop to accomdate the actors (look closely at the movie and you may see some evidence of that).

In fact, having studied a bit of the full sized prop, it looks like MPC likely based its kit on dims from the blueprints of the full sized set piece as apposed to the filming miniatures. I'm guessing that MPC was going for a straight 1/24 or 1/25 scale kit and had to compromise the figures (mostly from the chest down) to get it within those dims.

The 2010 Hasbro Snowspeeder looks to have done the same thing- its a very nicely scaled 1/18 version, but with a little extra added underneath (in that intake are) to make room for the action figures. This is probably the best compromise I've seen between miniature and real-life size. Certainly better than just scaling up the whole ship until a person/scale figure fits inside.

Mark
 
The snowspeeder's actual length is 5.3 meters. I'm not sure if this takes into consideration the harpoon gun which extends a bit in the back. But at 1/18 this is 29.4cm (11.5 in). The Hasbro is a quarter inch short of 11 inches. A desktop model nearly a foot in size is good enough for me.
 
Last edited:
If you take into account guns (forward and rear facing), flaps, etc. the 5.3 meters is just inches (full scale inches) away from the same calculations I was using. Sounds like we're all on the same page, scale wise.

The new Hasbro speeder, being really well done this time, is a nice big impressive model. Wouldn't take much to eliminate all the toy-like aspects. It even has SCRIBEd panel lines!

M
 
Heres a few shots that might help in comparing the size of a pilot to the speeder.
I dont know how tall Mark Hammil is though.
Snowspeeder.jpg

Snowspeeder2.jpg
 
A few together here, my V 3.1 1/24 gear down x wing (a WIP), MPC speeder and a 1/24 rebel pilot figure......looking at the pics above makes me want a hoth dio in 1/24!
mike
 
Mark Hamill is 5ft 7in, which at 1/18 scale is 3.7 inches and which the Hasbro figure matches. A little repaint is required (the iris of his eyes look too light making the black tiny pupils stand out - thus making him look like an evil Mark Hamill). iBut the basic face sculpt is pretty good. This is, of course, Mark Hamill after the car crash which made him look a bit different in ESB than in the first Star Wars film. It would be fun to apply your military figure painting skills on this new Hasbro Luke. I would also cut off the visor and scratch thinner ones in.

LukeSkywalkerHasbro.jpg
 
Last edited:
mslz22 said:
A few together here, my V 3.1 1/24 gear down x wing (a WIP), MPC speeder and a 1/24 rebel pilot figure......looking at the pics above makes me want a hoth dio in 1/24!
mike
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. The SS speeder--and the MR speeder--are far too big to be in scale with the SS X-wing. The widely available (at least 11 currently on e-bay) MPC/AMT snowspeeder is good enough for me to work for a hoth dio with SS X-wings, though those X-wings are much more pricey and rare. That's a pricey diorama. But still, somewhat possible. Cheaper, though, of course would be 48th scale with FM.
 
I figured the scale would be closer to 1:26. Using a scale calculator, I compared the length of the full size speeder (5.3m) and the SS model (20.5") and it makes it 1:10 scale. The MPC model is 8" in length, making it 1:26 scale compared to the full size speeder.
So, a 6 foot pilot would be around 2.75".
 
I used 1:24 scale figures.

www.therpf.com

Animatronic MPC/ERTL Snowspeeder

Hi all, I've always liked the MPC Snowspeeder, one because it's quite big and easy to detail, second it's movable flaps and air brakes make it easy to present it in a dynamic flying pose. This is the third time over the last 20 or so years I am building this one and with the advances is...
www.therpf.com www.therpf.com

I think they are a good fit, but it soon becomes clear that the speeder was never designed for people in it. Other people have run into that problem as well.
 
you could always go this route? I have the MPC kit and put my order in for this upgrade. nicely done as well.

www.falcon3dparts.com

Cockpit set for AMT/ERTL Snowspeeder

This is an upgrade set for the AMT/ERTL Snowspeeder kit — the largest version of this model, with a scale of approximately 1:22. The set replaces the kit’s inaccurate cockpit with a screen-accurate version. The seat is a separate piece to allow for easier adjustment. Two pilot figures are...
www.falcon3dparts.com www.falcon3dparts.com

I have purchased may things from them, they even custom built an LED light board for my Nebulon b model.
here's a look.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10221130119664833


Aloha...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Analyzer
Star Wars Micro-Galaxy aka Jazwares
2
Replies
33
Views
4,328
jkno
jkno
-E-
Hasbro Pulse 1984 Proton Pack up for Pre-order
2
Replies
39
Views
3,393
Halliwax
Halliwax
mung
TV stand Starship
Replies
5
Views
1,176
Couchdivot
C
INVAR
"1/48" Bandai A-Wing
Replies
7
Views
3,032
Victor3
Victor3
mung
Tank Hull Spaceship
2 3
Replies
41
Views
5,789
rbeach84
rbeach84
Back
Top