Replacement Parts for the Hasbro Black Series T-47 (Snow Speeder)

[spudkopf]

Test install, using an 8G x 25mm screw, based on this test fitting, I now think that these are a little on short side and that an 8G x 30 will be a better choice, as the 25mm ones have already run out of clamping force. May even end up installing M4 nutserts and then use M4 bolts to secure them.

Once installed the barrels are completely unsupported just like the screen used models were, so quite happy with that result.

My mounts project the barrels so they are more or less close to parallel with to the speeder body, where as it appears the barrels angle down slightly in the reference pictures of these still existing models to the point that they almost touch. Not sure if this is a result of droop over time or was the original intension. Rewatching ESB did not shed any light on things and referring my copy of "The Art of" with confirmation bias fully engaged suggests the amount of droop was not event on the models when the pictures were taken, however these images are too small and by no means ideally framed to be certain of any kind of conclusion. In short unless I can find anything definitive, then this is what I'm going with for the time being.

Cheers

 

[spudkopf]

No actual parts update here, but while trying to figure out how best to get a paint match, two things that had simply only been a minor annoyance were becoming more concerning the more and more I looked at the speeder. Simply put after removing and replacing the access panel numerous times I stared to notice it was now becoming fare more obvious to my eyes that it was indeed a removable panel. The other thing was that beyond the applied distressing paint applications the appearance of rest of the ship seemed somewhat dare I say clean.

So I have attempted to rectify both visual issues with the one method. Now after rejecting the idea of a full on weathering approach simply because I did not think I'd be able to pull it, I instead settled upon a less is more approach and just applied Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colour to all the panel lines, this has had the duel effects of making obviousness of the removable panel more or less disappear and grime the speeder up to match the distressed style paint aps and the numerous moulded damage details. It also balances things out some, well at least IMO.

I also added this stuff to the frames of the canopy glass as well as using it to make some of the raised details pop, again IMO it gives it just a little more zing for want of a better word.

Just thought I share, just in case others may be interested in applying this relatively simple technique to their own speeders, the stuff is fairly forgiving, but a steady hand is required in some places, something I'm finding out that I do not have as much anymore.

Cheers

 

[joberg]

Great work and the overall look is spot-on

 

[spudkopf]

Decided to dump the old design attempt for the underside infills and have now moved to completely remodel them from scratch in SolidWorks. In some was this is fortunate as my research has now revealed that unlike my initial thoughts that the is in fact a step at the leading edge of about 5mm, Hasbro way over modelled this by about about 20mm (at the widest point), curiously Hasbro actually has modelled the correct step position but as a recessed panel line, anyway my infill is being designed to hopefully correct this discrepancy.

Following is a picture of the first protype print test being loosely placed for a test fit, Seeing that many of this part were based on 50% measurements and 50% guesswork, this aint so bad for a first try. When pressed into the place the fit is even better than that pictured.

There is much still to do, like having to refine some of the fastener holes locations of the surface details and I'm still working out how best to model the front portion, but its a start.

Today I found a paint colour that while still not perfect is by the closet that I've managed to find thus far, following is a quick and dirty test of it applied to an unprimed (right) and a primed and clear coated (left) The other two canon parts in the image are raw PLA and one painted with Tamiya TS-81 Royal Light Grey.

As you can kind of see in the picture above, this grey it still a tad warmer than the base plastic colour is. Can't really do anything about this either as it is of all things a Dulux Duramax spray can paint called Chalky Finish Elegant Greige and the finish is very matte indeed, I tried putting some clear coat on (right) however this had the effect of only darkening the appearance, maybe once suitably grimed up and distressed the difference will be not be as obvious.

Cheers

 

[spudkopf]

A little update on the infill, minor tweaks to the dimensions and surface details and initial attempts at modelling in the nose section.

Off to bed, so something to test out tomorrow.

Oh and the paint colour is growing on me, wonder if I can decant some for use through the airbrush?

Cheers

 

[spudkopf]

A minor update:

Another print induced pause on the infill progress, had me switch attention to the the cannon base and boss fitment and painting.

One of the initial major paint changes I made was to repaint the louvres behind the cannon base from what was a dark silver to a light gunmetal, something I was quite happy with until I reviewed every reference I could find and realised that these should simply be grey with dark black like colour in the recesses. So yet another masking session insured.

With the grills repainted grey I then attempted to do work on the recesses. First method I trialled was to use some black pinstripe sticker (the one used for cars) and cut them to size and inlay them. Looked pretty good from a distance, but the stickers just did not want to sit evenly on the surface and at certain angles this just looked bad.

Attempt two saw an attempt to paint the in, and again looked quite acceptable from a distance, but horrible when viewed from any closer than 30 to 40 centre metres (around a foot or so in old money).

Needless to say, yet another masking session insured and the grills were returned to just grey. All accompanied by well deserved expletives as even though I was using low tack masking tape, the process of removing the masks also managed to lift off some of the light grey painted panel ascents too, so these also had to be masked off and retouched.

As far as modelling goes, I have making a few what seem to be quite miniscule adjustments to the cannon bosses, these adjustments are to do with trying to achieve the best visual fit and attachment alignment.

One unforeseen issue being that the hidden moulded support substructures of the mounting pods are causing my screws to pull in on an angle and to be off-centre, while also causing the bosses to lift noticeably. All becoming even more evident when I switched to trying to use nutserts, especially the off centring.

So I have been tweaking the model to try and remedy the above, things like making the locating plug less penetrating, apply a slight angle to the mounting face, and reducing the main flat cut by .025mm.

Hopefully these changes will all combine to make the fit more accurate by making it somewhat less so.

Sadly the alteration to the face angle has cause my original supports to not really work anymore, so I have also been having to tweak the Cura slicer settings, so fingers crossed for print attempt number 5, seeing that each of the previous attempts has taken about an hour, this is becoming a time (and filament) eater for sure.

Will post again with piccies once I get a good result.

Cheers

 

[spudkopf]

No pic's the whole angle thing just caused crappy print results, so dumped the idea entirely, well almost, in that I reprinted bosses specific to my
installation by offsetting my screw holes to match my offset mounting points, this fix should only be specific to my installation so will not be reflected in the final model.

I said well almost, as I have queued up a tweaked version that has a slight forward sloping angle to the flat surface that intersects the fuselage plating, just to see what happens. if it has a positive effect then I will incorporate the change into the release version also, but only time can tell.

Pic's to follow soon.

Cheers

 

[spudkopf]

Sorry for the lack of updates, just got a new family member in the form of an 8 week old puppy, and seeing it's just me and her there's not been any real time to spare on other things that aren't essential.

Based on my own speeder attachment outcomes/difficulties, and my dissatisfaction on the overall robustness of the attachment, I did some more tweaking to the design of the cannon boss, attempting to give it a more universal fitting arrangement.

That and the fact I ran out of my preferred filament.

Will try a get a few moments to show the changes, and yes I know I said so before, but the design is pretty much locked into final now.

Cheers.

 

[rigormortis]

Did you ever release the files somewhere?

 

[spudkopf]

Did you ever release the files somewhere?

Not yet but soon. Life's managed to get in the way a tad once again, but I hope to do it this week.

Cheers