Hoth Ion Cannon Diorama in 1/48

[Muzza]

The idea is to build a diorama of Hoth for the 40 Years of Empire.
Including a working Ion canon lazer turrets one AT-AT one AT-ST and a few snow speeders.
I have had printed the lazer turrets 4 off but I think I will be only using two of them.

 

[Muzza]

Made a start on the Ion Canon, making the plating for the outside.

 

[thegnome]

Interesting beginnings... I like it.

 

[Analyzer]

Looking forward to it!

 

[Haui]

want to see more. Here my interpretation:

 

[i am leaf]

Muzza did you get the turrets on Shapeways? I'd love to purchase some, or the spares you don't use

 

[Muzza]

Just a small tip when heating plastic to form over a mold always remember to make both surfaces as clean as possible to prevent the anything from being transferred through the plastic.



Below is a sticker on the plastic, I didn't see when I formed the sphere.

 

[Muzza]

want to see more. Here my interpretation:
View attachment 1089326

WOW that looks great I hope I can do as good as this, Incredible!

 

[Muzza]

This is what I was Up to this weekend.
I attached the ball to the base and spaced out the laser turret.

 

[Muzza]

Because I want the nozzle of the canon to recoil fire like in the movie I have some clear tubes that fit inside each other that are the perfect size.

 

[Muzza]

Muzza did you get the turrets on Shapeways? I'd love to purchase some, or the spares you don't use

The Turrets I paid for the file and had Kingbob print them for me.
We could make some for you if you like, what scale would you like it in?

 

[PHArchivist]

How big was the studio model?

 

[Muzza]

How big was the studio model?

We estimate it to be 300mm in diameter.

 

[Analyzer]

For vacuforming the hemispheres, what thickness plastic did you use?

I've been trying to get a good pull of much smaller ones but I keep winding up with the very top of the hemisphere being way too thin

Also, I would be interested in the turrets as well

 

[joberg]

Eager to see your next update!!

 

[Muzza]

For vacuforming the hemispheres, what thickness plastic did you use?

I've been trying to get a good pull of much smaller ones but I keep winding up with the very top of the hemisphere being way too thin

Also, I would be interested in the turrets as well

I am using 2mm thick HIPS plastic sheet.

What is your heat source for heating up the plastic?

 

[Analyzer]

I am using 2mm thick HIPS plastic sheet.

What is your heat source for heating up the plastic?

That might be the issue. I have been only using 1mm styrene stuff since it was what I had on hand

For heating the plastic. I am using one of these small vacuum forming machines

 

[newmagrathea]

I was going to ask the same thing. What did you use to heat the plastic up?

 

[Muzza]

That might be the issue. I have been only using 1mm styrene stuff since it was what I had on hand

For heating the plastic. I am using one of these small vacuum forming machines
View attachment 1090487

Is your ball a 300mm /12" one?
1 mm is very thin when you are trying ti stretch it over a large surface.

 

[Muzza]

I drilled the hole in the ball 52mm and the angle of the center equatorial plane is 45-47deg





Then I drilled the same size hole into the formed spheres so I can line up my marking out to the hole.