Project: Revell AT-AT Walker

anamorphicWayne · Jul 1, 2016

swmodelfan1977 said:
Wow, you made it !!!!!!!
It is looking good. Would like to see movie later. ;-)
Please make sure center pin of cam is better to be supported by upper leg cover. It is meaning another end of center pin that one-end fixed by epoxy but another is not. Some sort of support required. Upper leg cover can have such small digged hole because outside surface have mold.
This is what I have done with my prototype. I assume that you have made but just in case.

I'm well ahead of ya swmodelfan1977. The upper leg covers have a round hole to accommodate the center pin as well as the two channels to support the Pistons. And they lay nice and flush against the legs. I'm not using flat head screws to lock them down, so hopefully the set screws I'm using will work.

joberg said:
Yes! Success all the way!

"Qapla'!" Thanks, joberg.

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

THE LEGS Part XXII

Updates and Prepping.

Well Peoples, I'm in the last leg of this project, so here's another update before I present the final model. Yes, the final model.

I needed to make bases for the springs in the feet. I started with four 2mm aluminum disks. These will prevent the Upper Feet from popping out of the Lower Feet Caps.

Next, I needed something to support the springs. I cut out four wooden disks. These will be bolted to the metal disks and the Upper Feet.

For Tie-Downs, I used four 'easy key release key chains' and mounted the ends in the Upper Feet. They will be eventually bolted to the Foot Pins.

And lastly, I found these French wisks at the dollar store. They fit perfectly within the Foot Chambers.

More to come.....

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

THE LEGS Part XXII

Updates and Prepping.

To help secure the Upper Leg Caps to the Upper Legs, I added short pins.

Next, I made up the Foot Pads.

On to the Hip Plates. I added the Guide Pins.

Then, I shorten the bolts that secure the Lower Foot Caps to the Foot Shells.

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

THE LEGS Part XXII

Updates and Prepping.

After a few adjustments, I added the Posts for the Support Rods to the Ankles.

Realizing the set screws, that adjust the tension on the Horse Shoes, weren't going to work, I thought of adding small ball bearings and springs within the Ankles.

It was tricky getting those things in, but I prevailed. To be able to adjust the tension now, it was a matter of tightening the allen bolts on the Horse Shoes.

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

THE ENGINES Part I

The next big job was the two Engines; Front and Rear.

I started with a template that I made up from my research.

I decided to use the original Revell Engine parts for this stage mainly because of its complex shapes and it would be less work for me to make them from scratch.

I had to shorten the two parts and do some major modifications to get them more or less accurate.

To start, the front Engine had to have layers of styrene to it build up.

It was the same for the rear Engine.

Next, was to construct the mount. All made from styrene pieces.

More details were added as I went along.

The rear Engine 'thingy' and the front Engine pan.

Lastly, was the greeblies. All made from styrene.

More of the Engines to come......

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

THE ENGINES Part II

The next final stages was to add on all the greeblies, piping and rivots and then priming.

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

PAINTING and WEATHERING Part I

For a base coat, I looked into what ILM and other modelers have used and decided I'm going to apply the main coat with Tamiya's Surface Primer and then apply a light mixture of Tamiya's Sky Grey XF-19 and Flat White XF-2 with a drop or two of Flat Yellow XF-3. This gave me a nice off grey with a tint of yellow very similar to ILM's color. IMO.

The paints I used:
Tamiya Light Grey Surface Primer - the overall coat

A mixture of:
Tamiya Sky Grey XF-19
Tamiya Flat White XF-2 - about 80-90%
Tamiya Flat Yellow XF-3 - a drop or two

For this stage, I coated all the parts with Tamiya's Surface Primer first and then applied my mixture.

Next is the weathering......

anamorphicWayne · Aug 27, 2016

PAINTING and WEATHERING Part II

I looked at different approaches to weathering and thought I try this technique. Basically, I used soft pastels and water. I first applied a dry dusting in certain areas of the model with black and brown/orange. And then went in and added subtle details with the same colors but watered down. After everything was done and approved to my liking, I coated all the parts with Tamiya's Flat Clear TS-80. Luckily, the clear didn't react to the pastels.

Note: The lighting is a bit off, but I color corrected the best I could.

I'm doing a proper photo shoot of the model later today, so hopefully I'll have them uploaded tonight.

swmodelfan1977 · Aug 27, 2016

It is really amaizing and comprehensive build log.

swmodelfan1977 · Aug 27, 2016

That bearing is good idea with respect.
I made comment at unappropreate position but I meant for #184 Horse-shoe bearing.

VFX Freak · Aug 27, 2016

Amazing work and wonderful documentation! Thanks so much for sharing your insane journey. Can't wait to see the final result.

dragnink · Aug 28, 2016

Killin' it Wayne. Your weathering looks very convincing. It's been great following your progress on this over the past year, very much appreciated all the updates you sent off board while I was away from the forums. You're a stop away from jumping off the crazy train and I've still got a little ways to go--that constant battle of making it more perfect than the original, or including all the minor asymmetries and variances between similar parts. It can drive a man mad!

Nostalgic · Aug 28, 2016

That just looks awesome!!

Can't wait to see the end result...

anamorphicWayne · Aug 28, 2016

swmodelfan1977 said:
It is really amaizing and comprehensive build log.

Thanks swmodelfan1977. It has been quite a challenge.

- - - Updated - - -

VFX Freak said:
Amazing work and wonderful documentation! Thanks so much for sharing your insane journey. Can't wait to see the final result.

Thanks VFX Freak. Insane? I'm getting there. I'm presently working on the pics and should have them up today.

anamorphicWayne · Aug 28, 2016

dragnink said:
Killin' it Wayne. Your weathering looks very convincing. It's been great following your progress on this over the past year, very much appreciated all the updates you sent off board while I was away from the forums. You're a stop away from jumping off the crazy train and I've still got a little ways to go--that constant battle of making it more perfect than the original, or including all the minor asymmetries and variances between similar parts. It can drive a man mad!

Thanks dragnink. All your input, over the year, has been most useful. Much appreciated. Luckily, I'm already a bit loopy, so I don't have far to go. LOL

I should have the final pics up soon.

- - - Updated - - -

Nostalgic said:
That just looks awesome!!

Can't wait to see the end result...

Thanks Nostalgic. Should be soon.

holtaa · Aug 28, 2016

Bravo! Very nicely done.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

joberg · Aug 28, 2016

Very nicely done man! What an update...this is going to kick some serious behind when all finished; I cannot wait!!!

sithman66 · Aug 28, 2016

THIS is just insane! and disgusting!........in a VERY good way!!!!

AWESOME BUILD!!!!

anamorphicWayne · Aug 28, 2016

THE FINAL MODEL

Okay Peoples, after nearly two years of laboring me arse off, here's the Little Beastie. I'm quite pleased how it turned out, despite some technical difficulties. Unfortunately, I won't be animating the model anytime soon. The Piston mechanism does work, but I need more time to work out the bugs. Perhaps, one day. All the joints are poseable, which I'm amazed they worked out the way they did.

All this, done on a crappy drill press, a few end mills and a lot of elbow grease. :confused

The model is 13" high, 16.5" long, 6" wide and weighs about 5lbs.

I really gain a deeper appreciation for Jon Berg, Phil Tippett and Tom St. Amand for getting these models off the ground. Geez, that wasn't bloody easy.

I like to thank everyone who commented and expressed their interest in the project. It's much appreciated.

I do have a few other projects on the go, but right now, I'm totally spent. :sleep For now..........

Cheers,
anamorphicWayne

:cheers