For funzies, a look at this 1977 shot that was replaced in the SE. This is from a 4K scan, but it is dumbed down 49% to get the filesize down for uploading here.
I'm a "bring back the original" guy, mind you: but I can understand GL wanting to fix this. I don't know if you could even call this a matte "painting". It's a photograph of the model, with a black cutout area around it with no attempt to blend the edges into the live action background. The mounting covers are even missing on the ends of the mandibles!
The cockpit and the area of the ship behind it are the fullsize set. You can follow the seam along the right (our right) of the cockpit and up and over and back. They did do a good job of getting a shot of the model at the right angle, focal length, etc, that they could line it up this well.
What also sells it is that the troopers moving draws the eye. By the time the 2 second shot is over, you haven't had the chance to scrutinize.
Love it.
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