The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Creative Engineering => Custom Vehicles => Topic started by: WhillsScholar on April 28, 2017, 09:09:22 AM
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This 1:18 scale U-Wing (from Rogue One and the fourth season of Star Wars: Rebels) is made from cardboard and paperboard. It’s designed for the 3.75” action figures. The building plans I designed are free for all Star Wars fans who want to make one of their own. Links to the plans are at the end of this post.
Length: approx. 55 inches/139.7 cm. Wingspan: approx. 6 feet/183 cm.
(http://i.imgur.com/wcZtRbC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZcBv0NG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/n6cEcdR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MS5rf1n.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DQhipHk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eBYQZeL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8aDOpcN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aNeEr3j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6QkKSrL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MyUBnSF.jpg)
https://youtu.be/7UYz6_bxYSQ (https://youtu.be/7UYz6_bxYSQ)
https://youtu.be/phsTSKVHhCw (https://youtu.be/phsTSKVHhCw)
Templates
(Building plans and photo guide)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/todzssgzqyqy48u/U-wing_1-18_scale_templates_w_UPDATES_1_and_2.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/file/todzssgzqyqy48u/U-wing_1-18_scale_templates_w_UPDATES_1_and_2.zip)
Accessory Pack
(Building plans for the inside elements)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/v90cence644d3y1/U-wing_1-18_scale_accessory_pack.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/file/v90cence644d3y1/U-wing_1-18_scale_accessory_pack.zip)
Paint Guide
(How to prep and paint cardboard models)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/bcoq2p5o28z51l5/U-wing_1-18_scale_paint_guide.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/bcoq2p5o28z51l5/U-wing_1-18_scale_paint_guide.pdf)
Alternate Engine Build
(Build the mid- and end sections of the engines so you won’t need to paint them)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tu7cl7m19ze4j6e/U-wing_1-18_scale_alternate_engine_midsection_and_end.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/tu7cl7m19ze4j6e/U-wing_1-18_scale_alternate_engine_midsection_and_end.pdf)
Sound Add-on
(Implement the sound board from Revell’s U-Wing model)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tvi784qvqab8q7d/U-wing_1-18_scale_Revell_sound_addon.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/tvi784qvqab8q7d/U-wing_1-18_scale_Revell_sound_addon.pdf)
Photo Album
(200+ photos of the fully painted 1:18 scale U-Wing vehicle playset)
http://imgur.com/a/VCxsf (http://imgur.com/a/VCxsf)
Design Archive
(Archived photos showing the original design and build process)
http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2 (http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2)
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Other news: I may design and release separate plans to finish out the inside of the U-Wing, maybe this summer if I have the time. It would comprise of these main elements:
1. The backplate with the circular power reactor (I envision that we could use the bottom of a large, plastic juice bottle for this).
2. The removable, 6-seater bench.
3. The two archway pieces that separate the cockpit and troop hold sections.
4. And, of course, two separate pilot seats. (The single cockpit seat in my current design has always been meant to be a placeholder.)
If my U-Wing vehicle playset could be considered a dollhouse (which it essentially is), then these four things would be furniture. So that’s why I plan to release the plans for these as a separate download kit, and not an “update” to the main build. :)
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A question I’ve been asked: if you’re not familiar with model building with cardboard, how should you start trying to build this U-Wing?
My recommendation is to start with building the cannon housing. It’s a small component and not too difficult to build, but is also one of the most important since it “anchors” the look and underlying front structure of the ship. Focus on getting it right, and you will be well on your way.
Next, build the top cockpit. Focus on getting this part right. You’ll need to use the xacto blade to carefully cut out the windows, and this should encourage you to hone your cutting skills.
Next, build the top section. It’s just 5 main pieces (without the detailing).
Next, cut out and assemble the wings.
Once you have the above 4 components built correctly, this should motivate you to continue because when you arrange these parts on a table or the floor, you will see that it’s already looking like the U-Wing. You’ll have the top section of the ship, which should give you a boost and sense of accomplishment.
The troop hold can be difficult to put together and align correctly. I suggest building it upside-down. Temporarily tape the sides of the troop hold to the bottom plate/floor of the troop hold, then tape the sides onto the large core plate. Take the three sections of the back: temporarily tape the largest bottom piece (which would be the top piece, right-side-up) to the troop hold sides, and adjust to make sure the sides and bottom are properly aligned. Then take the smallest, top piece (which would be the bottom piece, right-side-up), and temporarily tape it to the troop hold sides, adjusting to maintain proper alignment. You fit in the middle piece last.
It is important, of course, to ensure that the troop hold’s sides and bottom are in correct alignment. Otherwise, the ship’s bottom section will be lopsided, and this will also throw off the three triangle pieces that make the lower cockpit windows, the moulding pieces that join the troop hold and lower cockpit windows, and mess up the sliding of the doors.
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A good question I’ve been asked is what tools did I use to make this U-Wing. And here they are -- not pictured are super glue and toilet paper.
(http://i.imgur.com/xJ4phxd.jpg)
Just as I wanted to keep the materials that the U-Wing is made of simple, cheap, and easily acquired (shipping boxes, food packages, etc.), this philosophy extended to the tools. There is nothing expensive, hard to find, or “exotic” about these tools.
The Sharpie marker was used to trace the template patterns onto cardboard sheets. The red pen was used to mark measurements.
Masking tape was mainly used to temporarily hold pieces together until they were glued. The tape would be carefully pulled off before pieces were glued together.
As for the glue, believe it or not, it’s just cheap school glue. I suppose a hot glue gun could be used, but I avoided using this, because hot glue tends to dry too quick for me to handle cardboard pieces, positioning them correctly before the glue dries. School glue is designed for paper, and that’s what cardboard is -- two thick paper sheets that sandwich a corrugated (fluted) sheet between them.
The coffee stirrer was used to spread the glue thinly across the cardboard, wipe off excess glue, or jab glue into tight spots. Toilet paper was used to wipe away excessive amounts of glue and also spread it.
The only other kind of glue I used was super glue. You should use this when gluing together the plastic cups that make up the engines, and when gluing plastic detailing pieces onto these cups. Don’t use super glue on the cardboard or paperboard. Super glue doesn’t work as well on paper and damages this material.
The glue stick is for applying the decal sheets onto the cardboard.
The white masking tape was used on various parts of the U-Wing to cover the ends of the cardboard and other detailing. I didn’t cover all exposed ends. This is mainly an aesthetic choice. (You can find white masking tape in the arts & crafts section of Walmart.)
The black electrical tape was used for the cannon guns.
A cutting tip: Cut your cardboard against two large-sized sheets of scrap cardboard. Even if you are working on a cutting board table that has a surface that can withstand cuts, you will get cleaner, straighter cuts if you cut against two layers of cardboard. This also helps to keep the blade of the utility knife sharp, since it won’t get worn out faster running against the harder surface of the tabletop.
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Wow, massive and big like it should be.
Grats on it, shes a literal work of art. I can't wait to see the interior parts.
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Wow, o wow. This is fantastic! Off to share. Thank you for sharing it.
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That looks fantastic 10/10
Ron
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Fantastic,amazing & mind-blowing!!!! :o
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wow
that is an awesome playset
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Here's a preview of the upcoming Accessory Pack I'm currently designing. It will have templates and instructions for interior items -- which will include better pilot seats, the troop bench, and these you see here: the archways and power generator back wall.
(http://i.imgur.com/eUn8IBa.jpg)
This Accessory Pack (which will be a separate download package) will also include templates to upgrade the look of the side doors.
(http://i.imgur.com/86J6GwO.jpg)
You won't need to cut new doors -- just cut out and glue on this additional piece!
There will also be three new pieces you glue to the sides of the lower half of the U-Wing that will make these upgraded doors flush with the sides of the troop hold... and improve their sliding.
(http://i.imgur.com/TvV0092.jpg)
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The Accessory Kit will be ready for free download before July 1! I plan to include some old-school, Kenner-style decals, too.
(http://i.imgur.com/HiTCGx7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/G8wL6ze.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9r9l3b0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1wBK5vk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8D1xVuO.jpg)
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Here's a bonus item that will be in the Accessory Pack: templates and instructions for building this rotating gun mount. You'll be able to put this inside the U-wing's troop hold, aiming it out one of the side doors. I'm trying to design it so that most of the missile launcher accessories that come with the Rogue One figures can fit on it.
I deliberately designed this to be a toy-ish, asking hypothetically, if Hasbro made a U-wing at 1:18 scale, what play elements might they include in it? Now you can put those action figure missile accessories to good use!
(http://i.imgur.com/xNFw1n2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1PmJKD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TTQOhnz.jpg)
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I could never have imagined that it would be possible to make this high level of detail only with cardboard and toothpicks.
Excellent work.
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Very nice. Time to go share more on this to the front pages.
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Another piece planned for the Accessory Pack:
(http://i.imgur.com/3UM4Eei.jpg)
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Very nice.
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The pilot seats and control panel glued together. (The left seat is set back a little for K2.)
(http://i.imgur.com/X7yTLpL.jpg)
Current status of the Accessory Pack -- I'm well ahead of schedule! Just working on the decals*, and taking instruction photos for the guide.
* -- Blank decal templates will be included to invite anyone who has better art skillz than me to design their own decals for the interior. My limited drawing skills only allow me to create Kenner old-school style art. :)
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Looking good. Off to share the latest progress.
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This is spectacular mate, well done! Looking forward to seeing it completed.
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One more sneak before I release the Pack later this month (only have to work on the decals now). Before and after the interior is filled out:
(http://i.imgur.com/abz9KGe.jpg)
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Back to the front pages.
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I’m proud to announce the release of the Accessory Pack today!
This ZIP package contains plans and photo guides for building things that go inside the 1:18 Scale U-Wing, turning it into a true playset for the 3.75” figures. This includes the pilot seats, troop bench, and other interior elements of the U-Wing as you see in the movie.
Download it now:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/v90cence644d3y1/U-wing_1-18_scale_accessory_pack.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/file/v90cence644d3y1/U-wing_1-18_scale_accessory_pack.zip)
(http://i.imgur.com/abz9KGe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jjvhtkX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z3RNB7i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TkkMnwn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Csc7Xqc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rWr8Bzn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ELg2REY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GtGd8PR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Qgphk58.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3YnZtIh.jpg)
The Accessory Pack also includes templates for pieces that improve the look and function of the side doors...
(http://i.imgur.com/5sXA8g4.jpg)
BONUS: you'll find plans in the pack for a rotating gun turret that can be used with the missile launchers that come with many of the Rogue One action figures...
(http://i.imgur.com/Bq5mc9D.jpg)
And this Accessory Pack even includes these decals below. (I designed them in old-school Kenner style.) After you've built and painted these interior components, just print these two sheets? in color on 8.5 x 11", cut the decals out, and stick them on with glue stick or spray-on glue. (Two of these decals have an Easter Egg -- can you spot it?)
(http://i.imgur.com/C9YyEsV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7klWWxA.jpg)
You can see more images, and follow photo updates that I put online here:
http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2 (http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2)
Happy building... and may the Force be with us!
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TIP FOR DIORAMA BUILDERS: the components in this Accessory Pack can be used as a display set for your figures.
To build a diorama that is more true to the internal set of the U-Wing as you see in the movie*:
1) Don’t add the front-most piece to the power reactor wall. (This is the sheet of cardboard that has the two handles made with toothpicks). Build another archway (like the one that’s placed behind the cockpit). Put this second archway up against the front of the power reactor wall.
2) The depth of the circle of the power reactor wall measures 0.5 cm. Increase this depth to 1.0 cm.
3) Extend the length of each interior wall mod plate, so that there’s more wall space to fit an additional wall chair (the non-functional square piece) toward the back of the ship. So on each wall mod plate, there will then be two wall chairs, framing both sides of the side doorway.
4) Using the templates from the 1:18 scale U-Wing build-it-yourself kit, assemble the lower half of the troop hold, the bottom cockpit, and side doors. (Remove the starboard or port side of these three pieces if you want to display only one side of the interior set.)
(* -- The interior set of the U-Wing is physically longer than what can realistically fit inside the ship, based on its exterior design, as you see in the movie. I’ll explain this discrepancy, which happens all the time in movies/TV series, between the outside and inside of he U-Wing’s design, and the compromises I made for this, in a follow-up post later this week.)
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You can read my comments on the front pages. So awesome!
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Very interesting materials your using (cardboard), can't wait to see what it looks like painted, Fantastic Idea
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Design notes on the 1:18 Scale U-Wing Accessory Pack
It’s not necessary to read this if you just want to download and start making the interior accessories for the 1:18 scale U-Wing. I provide this here to archive my design process, for myself, and those in the future who google researching into designing models/toys based on fictitious vehicles. (If you want to use this Accessory Pack to build a standalone diorama of the U-Wing’s interior to display your figures, the notes below may also be of interest.)
(http://i.imgur.com/1Rl0Emt.jpg)
(The scratch model I threw together to test my early design of the cockpit control panel.)
I discovered that the interior set of the U-Wing as seen in the movie is longer than the ship’s exterior as seen in the movie. This happens a lot in movies and TV productions. It suggests that the exterior of a vehicle was created first. The interior set was likely designed after, and adjustments were then made to accommodate for production details, like camera and lighting placement.
So it appears the U-Wing interior set was lengthened by adding two arches (one between the troop hold and cockpit, and a second arch framing the power reactor back wall) and four fold-up chairs hanging at the sides of the side doors.
The problem of course is that this makes it difficult, if not impossible, to cram all these elements inside a real-world model of the U-Wing that has been built to correct scale as its original exterior design. The papercraft model plans that I used as the starting basis for my 1:18 scale version is, in my assessment, very accurate to the exterior design of the ship as you see it in the movie. The creator of this smaller-sized, papercraft model did an excellent job.
I put together the following image to help me that illustrates the contradictions between the exterior and interior of the U-Wing:
(http://i.imgur.com/zBmh2Wa.jpg)
Consider how wide the interior design elements of 1 and 2 appear to be, and how they should exist as located between the windows marked by 3 and 4. Could they *really* fit within the available space as seen in this exterior shot of the ship?
The same contradiction exists for the back part of the troop hold: consider the widths of the items in circles 5, 6 and 7 relative to the area outside of the ship where these things should exist inside.
(Circle 8 points out a design continuity error with this window. It is upside-down in the interior set.)
Hoppycreations managed to squeeze most of these things into his impressive U-Wing for 3.75” figures. (His U-Wing is of his own design, and is a little smaller -- about 1:20 scale, by my estimates, based on studying his videos and taking measurements from them.) Adjustments had to be made, though: he narrowed the width of the doorways of the side doors. In fact, I noticed it appears he added a wall section so there would be enough room to put in the fold-up chairs that hang toward the front of the troop hold. And the rear of his troop hold looks like it’s extended back a little, in order to fit the second set of fold-up wall chairs in front of the power reactor...
(http://i.imgur.com/rxhTCC3.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5zn0gPT2hs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5zn0gPT2hs)
When it came to my Accessory Pack, I asked myself if I *really* wanted to put all these elements in. Doing so would require redesigning the bottom of the troop hold to be longer, thus, tearing it apart and rebuilding it. However, this would alter the original exterior design of the U-Wing (as it appears in the movie), narrow the doorways of the side doors, and change the center of balance of this ship making it even more rear-heavy. (This was a big issue I had to work out while engineering the wing swing-out mechanism. It’s one reason why my building plans instruct putting fishing line weights inside the cannon housing to provide counterbalance.)
My final decision came to this: my original goal was to make what would look like a hypothetical toy Hasbro might make (if they did the U-Wing in 1:18 scale). So from a childplay perspective, is it necessary (and “fun”) to have all four wall seats put in? To have the rear arch? Practically speaking, what additional play value would these two things add? None, really.
Thus, I dropped the two wall chairs that are set toward the back in the original movie set, and “flattened” the rear archway -- turning it into just a sheet of cardboard that frames the circular power reactor.
As for the two remaining wall chairs that are in front, they could be designed to actually fold down, I suppose. (And you can most certainly modify them to fold down, if you want.) But again I asked, what’s the play value of having them fold down? Is being able to seat two more figures going to make this huge thing more “fun” to play with? Lol
So this is why I came to the final design decisions I made for the interior pieces.
In my next upcoming post, I will share advice, notes, and pictures of the U-Wing fully painted. For now, know the first rule when painting cardboard: Lightly prime the cardboard and paperboard surfaces with gesso first. Then use *only* acrylic paint by brushing it on. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER KIND OF PAINT (e.g. enamel, oil, spraypaint, tempera). I'll explain more in this future post.
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This is by far the most detailed U-Wing I've seen so far. A fact which is even more impressive if you consider that most of it is made out of cardboard.
Thank you very much for the very detailed building instructions and the decal sheet.
Excellent work!
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Thank you for sharing how you are doing all this and providing such great resources. Your attention to detail is just outstanding. Off to share the latest.
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UPDATE: paint preview!
I've been painting the entire playset inside and out. Here is a quickly snapped sneak preview of the interior components fully painted and with the decals glued onto them.
After the painting is done, I'll put online a whole bunch of new photos of the completed ship. I'm also hoping to get a Bodhi figure for the shoot -- you can't break up the team!
At the same time, I'll also post a brief guide that will explain how to properly prep and paint cardboard/paperboard models.
(http://i.imgur.com/eO2ZksU.jpg)
"She has a gun."
(http://i.imgur.com/w3NeDju.jpg)
"Hand it over."
(http://i.imgur.com/2zqSPZx.jpg)
"We're going to a war zone!"
(http://i.imgur.com/Fm3WyZv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dWjd9dg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/q6veSRu.jpg)
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Wow, that is sweet. SDCC is in high gear, but gotta get this on the front page.
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This is really awesome indeed. Keep up the great work.
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Paint guide for U-Wing 1:18 scale vehicle playset kit
(http://i.imgur.com/M11Ylwa.jpg)
PDF version of this paint guide:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/bcoq2p5o28z51l5/U-wing_1-18_scale_paint_guide.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/bcoq2p5o28z51l5/U-wing_1-18_scale_paint_guide.pdf)
This guide can also apply to prepping and painting any cardboard model properly.
General rules for painting cardboard and paperboard models:
1. Brush GESSO over the cardboard and paperboard pieces and sections to be painted. Use art paintbrushes to apply the gesso. DO NOT use foam brushes.
2. Apply the gesso in thin strokes. You are not applying color -- you are just covering the piece with a thin surface of gesso. Wipe off excessive amounts of gesso with a napkin, paper towel, or toilet paper.
3. After the gesso has fully dried, if there are any rough areas, smooth them out by gently brushing the dried surface with an anti-static wiping cloth. Use a used toothbrush to smooth hard-to-reach spots. Fine-grain sandpaper can be used but do so very carefully.
4. Paint over the dried gesso'ed areas of the ship pieces and sections using art paintbrushes. Use ONLY ACRYLIC paints. (DO NOT use any other kinds, which would include enamel, oil, spray paint, tempera, and watercolor.)
It is advised that you use a new set of brushes, not the ones you used to apply the gesso. This is because the gesso will likely have worn out those brushes.
5. DO NOT apply gesso or paint to the top section of the U-Wing or its wings. There's no need to since the white poster board plating sections and wing decals already provide color.
6. TIP: DO NOT squirt gesso or paint onto a model piece/section from the bottle or tube. Put the gesso or paint first on a scrap piece of cardboard, and dab your paintbrush into that:
(http://i.imgur.com/ynPRWyq.jpg)
7. TIP: Avoid applying gesso and paint to areas that will not be seen when the U-Wing is fully assembled, and areas that will be covered with decals. You want to avoid wetting and weighing down the cardboard and paperboard with excess gesso/paint:
(http://i.imgur.com/HzJRMKM.jpg)
8. TIP: Black gesso can be used to block out text and graphics printed on cardboard. But it will make a lighter-colored acrylic paint painted over it a little darker.
9. TIP: When they're still wet, gesso and acrylic paint can be washed out of paintbrushes under running warm water. A dab of dish soap can be applied to the brush to help remove the paint. Paint thinner is not necessary; it doesn't work well for removing gesso or acrylic paint anyway.
Painting the plastic sections of the engines:
1. Apply BLACK GESSO to the engine mid-sections and end sections (which are made of plastic cups). The black will help cover up the graphics and text printed on the yogurt cups.
2. After the gesso has dried, paint the mid- and end sections with MULTI-SURFACE acrylic paint. (Regular acrylic paint will more easily flake off from the plastic after it has dried.)
3. Alternately: spray-paint the engines, if you are skilled at using spray paint. (You need to use a good quality spray paint that can bond to plastic.)
I suggest detaching the mid-section and end section from the main engine, so that you can spray-paint these sections separately. To do this (if you have already put these components together), carefully cut the rear rim of the main engine and unwrap it. Then you can pull the mid-section and end section off:
(http://i.imgur.com/xFC59Rh.jpg)
My personal paint color guide for the 1:18 scale cardboard U-Wing:
1. Apply BLACK GESSO to the arch, cannon housing, outer-facing sides of the interior wall mod plates, pilot seats (including stand and control panel), power reactor wall plate, rear heat fins piece, engine mid-section and engine end sections.
Apply WHITE GESSO to the remaining pieces/sections.
2. Paint with MATTE GRAY ACRYLIC: arch, cannon housing, pilot seats (including stand and control panel), power reactor wall plate, rear heat fins piece, engine mid-section:
(http://i.imgur.com/PPwHOY8.jpg)
3. Paint with MATTE BLACK ACRYLIC: the flight controls (and the stems they are attached to), and end sections of the engines:
(http://i.imgur.com/QKmVcTm.jpg)
4. Paint MATTE WHITE ACRYLIC: everything else.
5. For the top section of the U-Wing, use a white-out correction pen or white paint marker to fill in the gaps between the plating sections:
(http://i.imgur.com/4QVmppR.jpg)
6. Paint in SILVER ACRYLIC: the troop bench:
(http://i.imgur.com/0ycXhhu.jpg)
7. DO NOT paint the underside of the wings. This will add weight to them, and probably cause them to bend. Leave them alone, since people will rarely see their undersides. If you still really want to cover the original cardboard, cut to fit and glue white paper sheets, or white construction paper, onto the undersides of the wings.
What is gesso?
It is a tacky paste that’s usually a mixture of acrylic paint, talcum powder, and white glue. You brush it over a canvas or wood to prep these surfaces for paint. For cardboard/paperboard models, it does the same thing and can also help protect the paper surface from getting soaked with excess paint. You can buy it from arts supply stores in a bottle or tube:
(http://i.imgur.com/cIKxkfe.jpg)
When dry, the gesso'd surface will feel chalky to the touch. This helps paint to stick to it.
TIP: as it starts to dry, gesso can be used to fill in small holes and narrow gaps between pieces of cardboard/paperboard:
(http://i.imgur.com/wrx6xOB.jpg)
Why only use acrylic paint?
Acrylic dries fast and doesn't consist of as much water and oil compared to other kinds of paint:
(http://i.imgur.com/b3ehI9E.jpg)
If you use other kinds of paint (e.g. enamel, spray paint, etc.), you risk wetting the cardboard a lot, which will likely warp and damage it.
NEVER slather on the gesso or acrylic paint. Brush on thinly, let dry, before you apply another layer -- but only if it's necessary to have more.
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U-wing 1:18 scale engine alternate build
It can be difficult to properly paint the plastic sections of the engine -- the paint might peel or flake off due to the flexible nature of the plastic cups. So here's an alternate way to add color to them, by glue-sticking paper wraps around these cups.
You can download the photo guide to this engine alternate build as a PDF. Or, scroll through the step-by-step photos at the second link below. (These photos also show a closer look at the layout pattern of the engine detailing that uses plastic wire ties.)
U-wing 1:18 scale engine alternate build guide (PDF file):
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tu7cl7m19ze4j6e/U-wing_1-18_scale_alternate_engine_midsection_and_end.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/tu7cl7m19ze4j6e/U-wing_1-18_scale_alternate_engine_midsection_and_end.pdf)
(http://i.imgur.com/ekocraJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dRiY3UC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sSoGL66.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VdkpgEo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zMU4WLf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yIELLfu.jpg)
You can view the complete photo guide to this U-Wing engine alternate build here:
Rogue One U-Wing 1:18 (for 3.75" figures) -- UPDATES:
http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2 (http://imgur.com/a/P8OP2)
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U-Wing 1:18 scale massive photo dump coming on Force Friday!
I’ll be dumping a whole lot of photos of the fully finished 1:18 scale U-Wing on Force Friday (September 1). It will be nearly 200 pictures (or more than 200), which will include hero shots and close-ups that will reveal the nitty-gritty spots of this vehicle playset. Personally, I always clamor to see lots of shots whenever I’m admiring someone else’s model build, both flattering and unflattering shots. Since I always designed my U-Wing to be a kit for the public to download and make for themselves, I’m aiming to give you more than enough photos of the completed ship. So you’ll have tons of visual resources to refer to if you want to build your own.
Here’s a preview below -- and the whole Rogue One gang will be there. (Bodhi cost me $21 on ebay!)
And there’s going to be one last special thing added to this U-Wing… it’s hinted at in the fourth/last photo below...
(http://i.imgur.com/75pzMXl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8wyMJPt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1JclRWQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Cuy4AX0.jpg)
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Talk about one fantastic project. I do love seeing how you did all this. Off to share the latest.
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Every time I see a new update on your project I'm totally impressed by the detailing you create with cardboard.
Thank you very much for the detailed building instructions and keep up the great work.
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Massive photo dump of fully painted 1:18 scale U-Wing vehicle playset
Happy Force Friday! I’ve put online over 200 photos of the finished, fully painted 1:18 scale U-Wing vehicle playset.
Below is just sample. You can see the rest of the photos here:
http://imgur.com/a/VCxsf (http://imgur.com/a/VCxsf)
(http://i.imgur.com/wcZtRbC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZcBv0NG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/n6cEcdR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MS5rf1n.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DQhipHk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eBYQZeL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8aDOpcN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aNeEr3j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6QkKSrL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MyUBnSF.jpg)
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But wait… there’s one more thing… :)
(http://i.imgur.com/jjEploj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hvIgjrK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7loplKd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rX8D2MR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sJVqgEX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EXeSamU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RwpPEKl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pg5pqA8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bo5ZbuH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RSrT0vm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dYIRjNr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oBYL5pQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5VUuath.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UCE41F0.jpg)
https://youtu.be/7UYz6_bxYSQ (https://youtu.be/7UYz6_bxYSQ)
https://youtu.be/phsTSKVHhCw (https://youtu.be/phsTSKVHhCw)
Sound Add-on
(Implement the sound board from Revell’s U-Wing model)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tvi784qvqab8q7d/U-wing_1-18_scale_Revell_sound_addon.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/file/tvi784qvqab8q7d/U-wing_1-18_scale_Revell_sound_addon.pdf)
Happy Force Friday, everyone!
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Daaaang dude this is amazing. Love the cannibalized lights and sound effects very cool.
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Wow, talk about one awesome project. Off to share the latest.
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Thanks for all the comments, everyone! For me, this project is finally FINISHED. *relief* :)
Which is fitting since the focus of SW is shifting to TLJ. (But the U-Wing will appear in the final season of REBELS.)
Feel free to message me directly if you are building this U-Wing and have questions or just to share your work -- I'd love to see it!
I was interviewed by MAKE Magazine about my 1:18 scale U-Wing:
makezine.com/2017/09/01/force-friday-fun-build-a-cardboard-u-wing-from-rogue-one/ (http://makezine.com/2017/09/01/force-friday-fun-build-a-cardboard-u-wing-from-rogue-one/)
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Cool deal. I can see why someone would want to interview you.
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Here are links that may be of interest to any who are interested in building cardboard models.
I recommend this guy's YouTube videos if you want to learn the basics of cutting cardboard properly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E6UbAs2sCs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E6UbAs2sCs)
Here are two brief articles I recommend reading; they are about architecture modeling, but the general rules apply to building cardboard toys. (The first article says not to use box cutters, but ignore that since it's talking about building architecture models!)
https://youngarchitect.com/2014/03/31/building-architecture-models/ (https://youngarchitect.com/2014/03/31/building-architecture-models/)
http://www.arch2o.com/make-impressive-architectural-model-complete-guide/ (http://www.arch2o.com/make-impressive-architectural-model-complete-guide/)
This guy has been building Star Wars vehicles out of cardboard for 3.75" a lot longer than I ever have. He built most of the Clone Wars era vehicles, and they are amazing. He also built his own U-Wing around the same time I was building mine. Seeing his work motivated me to up my game, adding more details to my U-Wing and building out its interior. If you are building your own U-Wing from my kit, this is the guy you have to thank for inspiring me to keep at it.
https://www.youtube.com/user/hoppyscreations (https://www.youtube.com/user/hoppyscreations)
Here's another Star Wars vehicle builder to check out for inspiration. He builds ships for the 6" figures, and his building material of choice is styrene (plastic sheets mostly used for architecture models):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIihDTqvNvcd4-wk2HC-7Q (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIihDTqvNvcd4-wk2HC-7Q)
So you want to build your own U-Wing, but need a 3.75" Cassian figure (the one that comes with Hasbro's U-Wing) -- but you don't to have to buy Hasbro's U-Wing and you can't find that Toys R Us exclusive two-pack with Cass and a Stormtrooper? This seller is selling spare Cassian figures that came from the factory in China that produced Hasbro's U-Wing.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Star-Wars-Rogue-One-Tie-Fighter-Pilot-Figure-Imperial-Trooper-Action-Figure-Model-Stormtrooper-Toys-for/32801575962.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Star-Wars-Rogue-One-Tie-Fighter-Pilot-Figure-Imperial-Trooper-Action-Figure-Model-Stormtrooper-Toys-for/32801575962.html)
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Great links. Thank you.
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3 more recommended links I forgot to add:
This guy restores old toys, many of which are vintage Star Wars. He created a custom interior for the vintage AT-AT, designing original decals for the inside. In another video, he shows how to bend clear plastic sheets to make a cockpit window for the Imperial Shuttle. Both of these techniques can apply also if you're designing your own original toy. (He also makes repro decal sheets and generously gives them away.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-GOSNxXB8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-GOSNxXB8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrIvBoCyp4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrIvBoCyp4)
Of course you should bookmark the Rebelscum photo archive of Star Wars toy vehicles. I found this a great resource for studying the photos in order to be inspired by the "look and feel" of the way Kenner and Hasbro designed things.
http://www.rebelscum.com/hasbro.asp (http://www.rebelscum.com/hasbro.asp)
http://www.rebelscum.com/VINvehicles.asp (http://www.rebelscum.com/VINvehicles.asp)
GI Joe toys are no longer popular, unfortunately. But many of the vehicles Hasbro made are amazing and should be closely studied if you are aspiring to design your own vehicles for 3.75" figures. Hasbro made such huge vehicles for the Joe figures. Check out the Defiant space shuttle vehicle playset -- that thing is just nuts!
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/ (http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/)
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/87/defiant/ (http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/87/defiant/)
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Great idea to use the light and sound module from the Revell U-Wing.
Thank for the links.
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This U-wing build was just amazing! Your attention to detail is fantastic and the painting tutorial was really helpful, thanks.
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A U-Wing appears in the 4th season of Star Wars: Rebels (Episodes 3 and 4). Note that the animators corrected the interior-vs-exterior dimensions paradox I wrote about earlier. The troop hold is shorter in length, shallower. There is clearly no space between the side door and arch for the fold-down seats…
(Also, the power reactor is covered by a shielding panel, or the animators neglected to put in the circular design of the power reactor.)
(https://i.imgur.com/RrW72AV.jpg)
The animators also corrected the continuity error with the window, as you see here at the lower-left…
(https://i.imgur.com/9vlPnH5.jpg)
Again, note the interior where the arch and side door meet -- no room at all for a fold-down chair! :)
(https://i.imgur.com/KmLY9uW.jpg)
Guess who are in the pilot seats: Saw and Two Tubes!
(https://i.imgur.com/kMHGaVM.jpg)
Some exterior shots of this U-Wing in Star Wars: Rebels…
(https://i.imgur.com/o19Zaqj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/adwQNMb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NxYlkfT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oGIaHWR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WgF6eAr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3V2Zdmc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/13ntWYu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4Ae1GXb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PK7NLr7.jpg)
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Wow, your attention to detail, even with the interior of this ship is just amazing.