SS snowspeeder - muse

[qcfoundry]

Watching Michael (3d builder) keep on popping out all his scratch speeders, I get the fever to do one also. But I have to ask, if I want to go for full fledged studio scale yet start with another model as a jump-off template, which model out there would get me closest. AMT, the new FM, or perhaps the hallmark ornament (their tyd. shuttle did well)?

Looking for some feedback on the good/bad of each of them (or others?) as use for a template to build a SS model. Perhaps I use certain areas for different ones?

 

[mug1000]

I have found either using fine molds version or using MR snowspeeder will be a good place to start

 

[eagle1]

Watching Michael (3d builder) keep on popping out all his scratch speeders, I get the fever to do one also. But I have to ask, if I want to go for full fledged studio scale yet start with another model as a jump-off template, which model out there would get me closest. AMT, the new FM, or perhaps the hallmark ornament (their tyd. shuttle did well)?

Looking for some feedback on the good/bad of each of them (or others?) as use for a template to build a SS model. Perhaps I use certain areas for different ones?[/QUOTE

Hi mate, I would forget the MPC/Ertl/AMT kit as it's way off the filming models dimensions. The FM kit, well, never seen it but IMHO, it's really hard to measure off such a small representation of this craft!. Never heard of the Hallmark speeder so can't comment on this, how big is it?.

What I would suggest is if your'e up for it, is to draw your own working drawings from the available ref (there's some really good orthographic pics out there) and build your model from these & tweak the details as you go along dude!.
If you build from details from alot of the available speeder kits you will end up with a mish-mash model with probably exagerated dimensions & you will not be happy. Also a rough prototype model made from say cardboard/balsa goes a long way in getting the details just right for you.
Stu

 

[qcfoundry]

both good comments. thanks

i had forgotten about the MR. however, its a little less "easy" to get my hands on just to dim & ref.

stu,
good advice. i'm already ahead of ya. i'll be doing complete drawings before i do my first mock ups. i was just looking for a "live" model first. as good as photographs are, you really can't get a true orthographic pic without distortion, etc.
-muse for a start to draw the rough shapes.
-cross-ref that with all known ref material.
-then insert/check with drawn donor kit parts.

thats the plan at least.

 

[MonsieurTox]

Q, I would go with the 1/48 FM model. Stu is right, it's small but I think it's a good base to get a 3D representation of the model. Some areas are a bit tricky (like the underside) and having a physical model in hands, even small, can help. But yeah to get the correct dimensions use kitparts, no other way !

 

[qcfoundry]

thanks julien,
i was kinda hoping someone would say FM just so I have a stronger reason to buy one. the kid is pretty small, but i'm just going to be dimming the major planes and angles. won't need to measure anything really small since they'll likely be donor parts, etc.

btw, i do have the hallmark ornament.
its .."cute". i'm assuming its a similar size as the FM. not currently in hand, but from memory, i think the hallmark is about 3.5" long? something like that. may gut it just for the audio in it.

 

[MonsieurTox]

Can't say for the hallmark SS as we dont have this stuff here, but the FM will do a good study model and a nice little model to try paint techniques and to get a pleasant tiny display SnowSpeeder !

 

[Dedalus5550]

Here's a link for the Hallmark as some people didn't seem aware of it.
http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/2010-Rebel-Snowspeeder--Magic-_p_31964.html

The speeder in the picture with a white background looks really good, and that got me into a Hallmark store, but the speeder with the blue background shows the overdone/chunky details that stopped me from buying one. I can't say much about the over shape, angles, measurements, etc. And it is very similar in size to the FM kit.

Out of curiosity, are you aware there's a SS kit that is available or was very recently? Seems like the last I heard there were a few leftover because not everyone who originally showed interest actually showed up with money. It's a bit spendy, but it would shave off so much time. And is it a faux pas to seek out someone who has one and ask about measurements? Does that infringe on the original kit maker's intellectual property. Or maybe get in touch with someone who has a MR speeder. What's the word on the accuracy of that one (the MR)?
Mike Todd

 

[ralphee]

You'll not beat the MR for accuracy, it was scanned from the original motion control Rogue leader prop, and both motion control props, differ in hull dims here and there.
I think the FM is more generic TBH, but a good base point to work from.

lee

 

[ralphee]

Few key points in hull difference from Rogue leader, compared to Rogue two, the nose area, or more so, how the lower hull nose meets the upper front plate, compare the ref, youll see it Quincy.

The upper hull overhang, its larger on Rogue Leader, and, there is Plastruct T strip applied to the joins in the hull edges.

Trailing edges of the hull lower, there longer on the Leader prop.

U channel, its applied to the underside trail on the Rogue Two prop, but not fitted to the Leader prop.

lee

 

[qcfoundry]

yes! i realize there was a kit recently made. but can't a man be interested in tackling the project from the ground up?

lee, you're a tanker ship of info.
lots of good info up front. will keep all that in mind.
much appreciated.

half to admit some confusion..
when you say upper hull and lower hull. i'm assuming the lower hull is the bottom "scoop" assembly, where the upper hull is the basic plain/plate/wings you see from a bird's eye view?

 

[ralphee]

Yes Q, the ship is two halves, and yes the lower hull "scoop" area, this is in fact the difference, the fron of the Leader scoop butts against the upper facia panel, leaving a lip, Rogue two, seems to fit more flush and is sanded in to meet this plate......its hard to explain LOL, but youll see it with your eagle eye :lol

The upper hull, is super easy to scratch, its the lower where things get a bit weird, ILM, have built an angled ship, but, that lower scoop, has a curvature from front to back....mind bender lol.

Oh and just to add, im pretty certain, Rogue Leader, has a styrene hull, with cast parts, where Rogue Two....seems to be fully cast.

Wish there was more info on these, more motion control ships must have been built, but i get to wondering, if any were blown up with Pyro's, before then went for a larger Pyro/Hero design?

lee

 

[qcfoundry]

might be a silly question. there are technical drawings in ART OF ESB. has anyone every took a moment to compare those drawings to the finally studio models?

 

[ralphee]

I wouldnt trust any of the drawings Quincy, but, that said, ive never compared them......arent the ones in the "Art" the same drawings in the Tech Journal....i cant recall, but if so, they are way off buddy.

Id go with the FM, and tweak from there TBH, as loaning an MR may be futile :lol

lee

 

[3d-builder]

Watching Michael (3d builder) keep on popping out all his scratch speeders, I get the fever to do one also. But I have to ask, if I want to go for full fledged studio scale yet start with another model as a jump-off template, which model out there would get me closest. AMT, the new FM, or perhaps the hallmark ornament (their tyd. shuttle did well)?

Looking for some feedback on the good/bad of each of them (or others?) as use for a template to build a SS model. Perhaps I use certain areas for different ones?

If you like my speeder you don't like it because of it's studio scale
pinning!:lol If you like my models it's because I make them for fun
and I don't get real concerned about stuff!thumbsup If you want a nice speeder just start making it.

I understand the budget issue I wasn't going to try to find a Master Replica, I could build so many speeders just off the cost of that physical reference. Yes Julien and lee said it the FM is very good I am using it now for my small 1/16 scale speeder. Got it on SSM for $30 something dollars. And yes the MR is great also if you got the cash to spend, but they are very nice when you get it you might be tempted to just keep it and not build your own!!!:lol Pick up a FM
and put a ruler on it it's small but not to small!:lol

Listen the first cut you make, the first thing you glue together can
be wrong.......if you worry to much you end up back at the starting line sooner or later you have to shove off.:thumbsup Of course you should have a good plan but allow yourself to have a good amount of fun also!:lol

Looking forward to your model!

 

[3d-builder]

Ya I used the old AMT kit 3 or 4 years ago because thats all that was there, and I tried looking at the filming mini to adjust things. I think if you pick up the Fine molds you will have to look towards the filming mini references a little less.......or you can look at even more depending on what you want to do. Only you can determine what is perfect for you.

Making the speeder is a study in making good templates,
but even more important and difficult is figuring out the
correct sequence in which things should be done! There
are so many parts to make and they all have tops sides
and bottoms.Then there are a few round parts in there
also.

I still have no "Real starting standared" Every time I make one
I try something a little different, but I never write it down so I
forget!thumbsdown

 

[qcfoundry]

I appreciate the words Michael and agree. I would say my approach is a bit of both. I want to have fun building and fully realize I won't knock out the ship the first time, even if I labor over my paper templates several years. I'm figure its going to be a long journey and just getting some feedback of where/what is a good first stepping stone.
I'm very aware I won't nail it. I'm really interested in getting a bulk of the donor kit parts in there, and just want to have those special areas to have adequate room when they are installed. I'm probably less concerned about the perfect angle of the tusks or the angle of the front of the cockpit. It tires me when I read about those issues when ppl are tackling the x-wing. I get off on seeing a menagerie of greeblies and kit parts stuffed together -- hence thats where i'll spend most of the time -- pinning down those areas.

This is a project way down the road. Just trying to get my thoughts together.

Thanks guys.

 

[3d-builder]

The way Gort mastered the patterns was a real eye opener for me!
I have many of those pics in my spiral binder in plastic sleeves, go back in that thread he did an amazing job! I don't know anything about the right parts you would know more than me!:lol He did a great job of breaking it down, and he did it very clean!

 

[qcfoundry]

I'm a big fan of not reinventing the wheel. I'll def'ly be heavily reviewing your's and Nick's builds, once I get into things. Huge thank you (to both) for providing such nice SBS shots of your building processes.