Revell U-Wing
- Thread starter Vanoyen
- Start date
Hunk a Junk
Sr Member
Really nice! Can you talk about the modifications? I see you added the missing snowspeeder engine grills to the stern and some engine lighting. I have the same kit just snapped together waiting for me to decide whether I want to tackle modifying the wing pivot point to be more accurate or just ignore it. I wish Bandai would do a 1/72 version.
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Wow great job.
Details please!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Details please!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Vanoyen
New Member
Ok so here's a quick build log...
I'd originally planned to just make the kit out of the box because I was expecting Bandai to make a 1/72 scale version and the Revell kit would be a practice run but they released a 1/144 version instead. After that I decided to add a few of the missing details.
This included:
- Scratch built rear radiator thingy
- A few new panel lines (particularly around the cockpit)
- Engines that light up
The overall look I was going for...
I'd also planned on making a nice beach dio for it to be flying over but half way through the build I realised the colours of the Scarif U Wings were different so I put that idea on hold. I'm actually going to build up a version of the Tie Striker "concept" but I'll save the details of that for another WIP
I didn't take any pics of the radiator but I pretty much just measured out the rear end, cut a piece of 0.3mm styrene sheet to fit then used it as a template to measure out another dozen. I trimmed the corners off each one, glued a stick of styrene (same width) between them and that was pretty much it.
For the engines, I used the electronics that came with the model. A small circuit board with built in switch fits snugly in the fuselage. It powers a small green cockpit light and speaker which lights the cockpit (a horrible bright green) and makes a laser sound when the button is pressed. the button is actually very cleverly hidden under the round thing at the rear of the ship.
First I got rid of the speaker and cockpit light because I was going to replace them with the engine lights.
I drilled holes through the engine cowlings (correct name?) and fuselage halves then ran the LED wires through. Just test fitting at this stage.
Doing it this way you can position the wings in the forward and rear positions.
Next thing to do was to cast clear blue engines because the kit engines were solid grey plastic. I made a mould of one of the engines from sillicone rubber...
Then used clear epoxy with a few drops of blue food colouring to cast the parts...
As I only needed the end nozzles of the engines, it didn't matter if the front bit was a rough. I cut the ends off the kit styrene nozzles then replaced them with the epoxy casts and did a quick lighting test.
FYI for anyone looking to use this method... I used bright-white 3mm 3v LEDs. The kits used 3 LR144 1.5v batteries which gave an output of 4.5v. It's a little higher voltage than the 3v LEDs were designed for but they're pretty forgiving these days and it worked out fine.If I wanted to have them on a lot, they probably won't have a long life span but I'm only planning on switching the engines on every now and then for a few mins to admire them lol. If you're still nervous, pre-made LEDs with built in resistors will fit in the engines just fine.
I painted the rear engines a medium dark grey shade then gave them a wash with Flory Models black and air brushed the nozzles with a darker grey to copy the look of the U Wing in the movie.
The panel lines I added were mostly on the engines as this area was lacking a lot on the kit. They were a real pain too... even with tape as a guide, the scribe just wanted to go off in different directions. I'm guessing it may have been irregularities in the plastic but not really sure. I also scribed in the panel line that runs through the middle of the canopy (missing on the kit) and it made a pretty surprising difference to the overall look.
Another little I added (but is hardly visible) was scratch built control yokes (also missing from the kit). I've got to tell you, at approximately 1/110 scale, they had to be tiny lol. I also moved the figures forward just a little as they were too far back.
Anyway, that's pretty it. just let me know if you'd like paint colours, etc. The painting was pretty much one big experiment for me but I took notes of all the paints used and mix ratios.
Thanks for looking.
I'd originally planned to just make the kit out of the box because I was expecting Bandai to make a 1/72 scale version and the Revell kit would be a practice run but they released a 1/144 version instead. After that I decided to add a few of the missing details.
This included:
- Scratch built rear radiator thingy
- A few new panel lines (particularly around the cockpit)
- Engines that light up
The overall look I was going for...
I'd also planned on making a nice beach dio for it to be flying over but half way through the build I realised the colours of the Scarif U Wings were different so I put that idea on hold. I'm actually going to build up a version of the Tie Striker "concept" but I'll save the details of that for another WIP
I didn't take any pics of the radiator but I pretty much just measured out the rear end, cut a piece of 0.3mm styrene sheet to fit then used it as a template to measure out another dozen. I trimmed the corners off each one, glued a stick of styrene (same width) between them and that was pretty much it.
For the engines, I used the electronics that came with the model. A small circuit board with built in switch fits snugly in the fuselage. It powers a small green cockpit light and speaker which lights the cockpit (a horrible bright green) and makes a laser sound when the button is pressed. the button is actually very cleverly hidden under the round thing at the rear of the ship.
First I got rid of the speaker and cockpit light because I was going to replace them with the engine lights.
I drilled holes through the engine cowlings (correct name?) and fuselage halves then ran the LED wires through. Just test fitting at this stage.
Doing it this way you can position the wings in the forward and rear positions.
Next thing to do was to cast clear blue engines because the kit engines were solid grey plastic. I made a mould of one of the engines from sillicone rubber...
Then used clear epoxy with a few drops of blue food colouring to cast the parts...
As I only needed the end nozzles of the engines, it didn't matter if the front bit was a rough. I cut the ends off the kit styrene nozzles then replaced them with the epoxy casts and did a quick lighting test.
FYI for anyone looking to use this method... I used bright-white 3mm 3v LEDs. The kits used 3 LR144 1.5v batteries which gave an output of 4.5v. It's a little higher voltage than the 3v LEDs were designed for but they're pretty forgiving these days and it worked out fine.If I wanted to have them on a lot, they probably won't have a long life span but I'm only planning on switching the engines on every now and then for a few mins to admire them lol. If you're still nervous, pre-made LEDs with built in resistors will fit in the engines just fine.
I painted the rear engines a medium dark grey shade then gave them a wash with Flory Models black and air brushed the nozzles with a darker grey to copy the look of the U Wing in the movie.
The panel lines I added were mostly on the engines as this area was lacking a lot on the kit. They were a real pain too... even with tape as a guide, the scribe just wanted to go off in different directions. I'm guessing it may have been irregularities in the plastic but not really sure. I also scribed in the panel line that runs through the middle of the canopy (missing on the kit) and it made a pretty surprising difference to the overall look.
Another little I added (but is hardly visible) was scratch built control yokes (also missing from the kit). I've got to tell you, at approximately 1/110 scale, they had to be tiny lol. I also moved the figures forward just a little as they were too far back.
Anyway, that's pretty it. just let me know if you'd like paint colours, etc. The painting was pretty much one big experiment for me but I took notes of all the paints used and mix ratios.
Thanks for looking.
Vanoyen
New Member
Just while I'm remembering it, another mod i did was to carve the grooves along the sides of the wings. They are missing on the kit. I scribed along the middle first, the same as if scribing a panel line. I then used a square mini file to widen the groove and put in a wash of very dark grey.
Excellent work!
If your looking for an X-wing to put along side of it, the Revell Pocket X-wing is 1/112 scale
Here it is along side the Revell U-Wing and the AT-ACT for size comparison
http://i.imgur.com/QcjL0Vf.jpg
and here it is painted up as Blue Squadron
http://i.imgur.com/RkFowvP.jpg
If your looking for an X-wing to put along side of it, the Revell Pocket X-wing is 1/112 scale
Here it is along side the Revell U-Wing and the AT-ACT for size comparison
http://i.imgur.com/QcjL0Vf.jpg
and here it is painted up as Blue Squadron
http://i.imgur.com/RkFowvP.jpg
Very nice build. You've captured the look of the U-Wing from the film. Very nice! I'd be interested to hear about paints. What was your base color?
SB
Vanoyen
New Member
Cheers Steve. I primed over the original paint job with Tamiya fine white primer from the spray can. Then I pre-shaded with Vallejo Grey. Then I base coated using Vallejo Off White, Deck Tan and Light Grey at a ratio of 10*2*2.
The blue marking were then masked off and painted. I forget which colour I used but I think it's a little too bright. If I could redo it, I think Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue would be perfect.
Then I painted hundreds of tiny chips. That was a paint in the arse and if I ever do another one I'll probably just use a chipping solution instead.
Most of the weathering was done using MIG Filters "Dark Grey for White". I'd apply it, let it sit for a few minutes then dabbed at with a sponge until it looked right to me. If I wanted to single out panels as being a little darker I just repeated the process over them.
After that I just dry brushed a few select areas with "502 Abteilung "Starship Filth" and "Engine Grease".
The rear fuselage engine thing was painted with Vallejo Grey and Light Grey (about half/half) then given a wash with Flory Models "Dark Dirt" which was wiped off with a damp cloth after dry.
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