Printable 1:38 T-16 Skyhopper

[SteveStarkiller]

Hey folks,

got a new project going. I've been working on a photomatched T-16 for a while now, and I got the sudden inspiration to print it. I recently put a lot of new work into the model, including replicating some of the original kitbashed parts (like the Saturn V Escape Tower on the main wing).

I've just now finished and ordered the upper wing and body from Shapeways. I'll post pictures when that arrives.

The scale is something like 1:38 based on the dimensions of the full scale Skyhopper that appears in Luke's garage.

here are some renders of the model I'm making printable.




and here're the parts I just ordered.



depending on how this goes, I may offer kits if anyone is interested

thanks for looking!

 

[moffeaton]

Cool!
A couple of people and I are back on the studio scale one, so this is REALLY exciting to see!

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Thanks Moffeaton! I've been referencing that Cantwell T-16 Research Thread for all my parts.

Hey, would you be able to tell me, what are the actual dimensions of the main wing? I scaled mine down to make it cheap as possible (since printers charge by volume), so the vertical wing is about 7 1/4" tall. If I could get accurate dimensions, I could scale it back up and print it as studio-scale at some point.

Thanks again.

 

[moffeaton]

Gimme a couple of days - I'm rooting around for the file I made last year, lol

 

[superjedi]

Hmmm. . . might be interested in a kit, if and when.
Got a growing womp rat problem around my neighborhood.

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Hmmm. . . might be interested in a kit, if and when.
Got a growing womp rat problem around my neighborhood.

well you know, they're not much bigger than an exhaust port.


Got some work done on the engine block.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Those are not pictures of an actual physical model? Those are digital 3D shots? If that's the case, then I think that's one of the first time I've been fooled.

 

[Contec]

Those are not pictures of an actual physical model? Those are digital 3D shots? If that's the case, then I think that's one of the first time I've been fooled.

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Thanks Too Much Garlic. Hopefully the finished product will look as good as the renders. Actually, for whatever reason all the renders I've made of this model in particular seem far my photorealistic than any other models I've rendered with the same program. In theory the model and printed parts should look exactly the same. We'll see about the paint job though, not my strongest suit.

Contec,

heh, good one.

 

[Jaitea]

It really does look like a physical model, (pity George Lucas couldn't do that)

Looking great Steve, can't wait to see more

J

 

[SofaKing01]

OOOOOO Those renders are very convincing! I think a 1/6 scale would be cool!?

 

[moffeaton]

My "sorta" measurements: http://www.therpf.com/f10/cantwell-t16-skyhopper-research-thread-88537/index7.html#post2916993

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Sofaking, 1:6 scale would be really, really awesome. Way too expensive to print the whole thing. But it probably might work if you scratch-built the wings and body from scaled up dimensions, and then printed all the greebles. What do you think, we could do that instead of the x-wing (as a test run for that build)?

Jaitea, thanks man! More on the way soon. Can't get enough of this build at the moment. Simple and elegant.

Moffeaton, thanks again! I'll put those dimensions to good use.

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Little more work on the engine block. I hope to print it next.

 

[SteveStarkiller]

 

[SofaKing01]

I can't get over how real those renders look!

 

[SteveStarkiller]

Sofaking, yeah, these renders are pretty satisfying. I have this weird feeling I'm going to take photos of the real printed parts and they're going to look fake in comparison. Heh.

Hey Moffeaton, I have a favor to ask of you. Would you be able to take a couple photos of your Hawk Crusader Tank body on a cutting mat? I'm having trouble nailing down the back half of it, and if I could photomatch the part it would be a great help. The grid of a cutting mat would be perfect for matching the perspective. No problem if you can't get a chance, I've got it pretty close from some photos you already posted of it, but I want to get as close as possible.

thanks!

 

[SteveStarkiller]

good news and bad news. The printed upper wing arrived from shapeways (photos to follow)! the bad news is that, at 1mm thick, the wing is so thin that it's warped into a gentle but irritating right hand curve.

so I had a question: is there any way to correct a thin and warped part? Something you can spray on it, or paint it with, or something that will stiffen it up or reinforce it? I'm willing to accept that there's simply no way, but just in case, I'm throwing it out there.

How do you deal with a 1mm thick warped plastic panel?

 

[vaderdarth]

You can try to gently warm it up with a heat gun on a completely flat surface and once it is warm and conforms to the flat surface, put a weight on top of it to hold it in place while it cools. Might work, might not. Once it's flat and stable, you might reinforce it with some flat brass stock. 1mm is going to be a challenge.

 

[moffeaton]

Just saw this - will take Crusader pics tonight if we still have power.