Studio Scale T-16 Skyhopper

[marvin]

So I also decided to recreate the T-16 Skyhopper that Luke Skywalker plays with in the homestead. Although the design has never been my favourite it is growing on me. I built it because it seemed fairly easy to do and because I like the model. Not as a concept but rather for its prop value.

I made a quick model in Sketchup. Jason checked my measurements for me (thanks again for that) and I was really close on most of it. On some dimensions down to only 0.2mm off. Exported the shapes to illustrator and had everything lasercut in clear and black acrylic. Here's the results after about a week playing with the lasercut parts.

 

[vectorzero]

Excellent. Looking forward to seeing it. Are these of any use?

 

[moffeaton]

NICE! Love the stand, too.

 

[marvin]

Excellent. Looking forward to seeing it. Are these of any use?

Yes! I only saw those tonight and have them saved. Thanks for posting.

 

[EE89]

Awesome! I really like the stand too. Would you consider making some extra stands to sell? ...or at least one more?

 

[marvin]

Well I'm not good at turning metal. Actually ruined one of my chisels with just this thing.

To be honest it's not that difficult. Just get a set of parts from www.grandbrass.com (1/4 I.P.S.), find the correct size nut somewhere and get some K&S brass rod. Go to a local machinist have them cut and thread the rods and cut down the nut a bit and drill and thread three holes in the nut's sides. Bob's your uncle.

Is anyone building this by the way?

Here are the parts that I used to make the stand:

GRAND BRASS BB0-1/2X6/32 1/2in. SOLID BRASS BALL WITH 6/32 FEMALE TAPPED BLIND HOLE
GRAND BRASS NI4-0X1/8BR - BRASS 4in. X 1/8ips. (3/8in. O.D.) THREADED HOLLOW BRASS NIPLE
GRAND BRASS NU434 1/8-27 I.P.S. Female X 3/4in. BRASS FLAT ROUND KNURLED NUT
GRAND BRASS RE8FX4X3/4 1/8ips FEMALE X 1/4ips MALE THREADED 3/4in. REDUCER WO SHOULDER
K&S METALS KS8166 3/16 Brass Rod 12in (4.76mm)
K&S METALS KS8137 7/16 Brass Tube 12 Inches

Think I used a 1/4-27 I.P.S. Female X 1in. X 1/4in. Thick BRASS NUT for the centre piece. I had to put in a spacer to make it all fit.

 

[joewhite]

You da man, Marvin!!!!

 

[vectorzero]

How have you done the base? Is the wording etched in some way. It reeks of quality.

 

[CutThumb]

That model looks like the entire room was showcase designed for it. Or should that be the other way around? Classic base design and the ship looks great!

 

[marvin]

Hahaha that's my attic and im in the middle of a complete cleanout. Its actually the only angle that is remotely presentable.

Yes it's laser engraved in black matt acrylic. This gives a really small surface etch in grey. I wanted to do it this way to give a museum type base. One that does not take the attention away from the model itself. I have these based made for all my models now.

 

[moffeaton]

I like the matte black idea! I do the same thing on gloss black but it's a pain to keep clean.

 

[marvin]

Yep. More dust just equals slightly more matted surface [emoji16]

 

[Lee S]

Dust gives it the 'archived' feel

 

[marvin]

I was looking at Sancrawler pics (you know why) and thought exactly the same thing Lee

 

[joberg]

Looking very good marvin!

 

[Rhett Thanas]

Oh, heck yes. I've long felt the T-16 Skyhopper was such an under-appreciated design in the EU universe. I have so many fond memories of staring at the pixelated FMVs in Rebel Assault.

Great work!