The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Creative Engineering => Custom Vehicles => Topic started by: StarAlien70 on March 15, 2020, 01:40:09 PM
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Hi all. Here's more information on the custom 1:18 scale Expanded Universe Imperial Swamp Crawler I started showing on my custom figures thread, here: http://www.imperialshipyards.net/SMF/index.php?topic=9737.msg217294#msg217294
This was originally a 'soldier force' vehicle, I would have preferred to use the grey version of this as a base vehicle, but I could only get hold of the green one. I think it is based on a German TPz Fuchs. I used various plastic bottles, egg cartons, and lids to "Star Wars-ify" it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663031117_181fa72114_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662396233_ecba732864_c.jpg)
Cockpit: I wanted this to have an AT-AT head feel. The side guns are blasters from the POTF Stormtrooper. The chin guns are from 'The Corps' First Response Tank - Wilko Heroes in the UK. The 2 buttresses under the chin are from the Rogue One 'Rebel Commando Pao VS Imperial Death Trooper' 2-pack. Various plastic pieces used; Shampoo lid, honey bottle bottoms, contact lens cases.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662748626_42a6bfa0c6_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663030997_b780ed37cb_c.jpg)
The top of the shampoo lid acts as a blast shield for the viewport - orange perspex from 'Tic-Tac' breath mints box.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662209388_a1c2ca5418_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663030462_a79932c38e_c.jpg)
Next: The Droid Compartment...
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Yepper, I noticed the resemblance to that AT-AT right off. It looks fantastic. Folks are loving this on our Facebook Page too.
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I’m loving the paint apps on this thing. Man, that crew you put together really shines.
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Absolutely love this mate, awesome work all round.
Ron
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Thank you all so much for your comments, likes and shares. I'm glad I persevered with this, I almost binned it at one point.
The Droid compartment: A TLC Build-a-droid astromech body already fit nicely into the existing socket on top of the vehicle, but I decided to put a lift in so it could pop-up into the socket. I cut out the side panels to put an access ramp. I have always found it frustrating when vehicles have hollow insides, but don't have any access to it (so I'm looking forward to getting TVC Troop Transporter).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663030912_81e02102ce_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663030882_fc668aa375_c.jpg)
The block part of the ramp is made from cut up pieces from a pack of disposable razors and packaging from some biscuits for the tread. This is also the access for the turret, you can just see the base that I put in for the turret.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662209648_a782e10954_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662748201_77f638f030_c.jpg)
There is a dividing panel between the droid compartment and the cockpit, which is made from plastic cut from a Christmas chocolate selection box and some more orange perspex.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662209503_9d4d777817_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662748106_129941c05c_c.jpg)
Here's some WIP images of the droid lift: I cut out the shape for the droid from the existing enclosed socket, then added a cut out plastic lid (dark grey) to extend the shaft.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662395738_ddae6af12f_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662932856_deffde9a84_c.jpg)
The vitamin tablet tube used for the lift droid holder, fit perfectly around the TLC-BAD droid body:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662395933_23c338e98f_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663216977_16cb24937d_c.jpg)
Next: The Turret Section...
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Scratchbuilding at its finest. Anything’s a candidate. Love all of the pics.
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Wow, how cool is that and such intricate work to make that happen. It turned out great. Back to the front pages. Thank you for showing us how you did all this!
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This is real achievement as far as I’m concerned.
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This thing makes me smile every time I see it, would've killed for one of these as a kid! The droid lift is a nice touch.
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Great vehicle, I really like the wheels and cockpit
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Thanks again for all your comments, glad you're liking this. Here's some more.
The Turret Section: The gunner has access to the turret from the droid compartment ramp.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662209688_8945cea477_c.jpg)
Here's some WIP images of the turret section, which is made from a coffee jar lid, a cream pot lid, an aerosol lid, and a tablet pot.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662395483_c42e8af964_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663216707_3dc8563814_c.jpg)
Positioning the turret base, showing room for 4 troopers at the rear of the vehicle.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662933311_c7eb6e7407_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662933241_4895ac18d3_c.jpg)
I cut the bottom off the existing turret tube to allow the figure to stand lower in the turret.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663217047_acbf770882_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662932781_165f599d71_c.jpg)
The plastic components with sections cut out and assembled.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662396278_41521d1239_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662933436_4b6bd0307d_c.jpg)
Next: The Troop Compartment...
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So cool. Man, you didn't pull out any stops on this one. You have got to pleased with this.
Off to the front pages.
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Nice, gunner height
Looks good.
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These posts are among our most popular on FB this week.
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Thanks again for your comments, likes and shares. Here's the last set of images for now on the Swamp Crawler.
4 Seater Troop Compartment: I cut away the rear panel of the vehicle to put in an access ramp, this section was the lid from a plastic container. I used the metal rods from an umbrella to attach the ramp (old umbrellas come in useful).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151322_e277aa6660_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151162_5fa1fe3d7d_c.jpg)
The lid already had the slits cut out of it, which make a great shape and allow a peak into the interior.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662330268_66db1a636a_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151297_35a956853f_c.jpg)
The seat sections were made from parts of the droid harnesses from the 'Royal Starship Droids' set, with the back rests each made from half an earphone cord tidy.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151397_3bbf3e4dc9_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662868696_e9b7dba4b6_c.jpg)
The seats can be pushed up. You can see the back of the turret base with a viewscreen attached.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662868611_afcb824869_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662330213_c1d8ed295e_c.jpg)
I cut off the top hatch and reattached it with a hinge, so it can be opened. I also cut away a section from the top to put the orange perspex skylight in.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151262_5567b9caaf_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662330593_ab83b4ca2b_c.jpg)
The interior floor and walls are lined with plastic from a Christmas chocolate selection box packaging which gives a great texture.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662330163_e2310a8ac3_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151492_8c4b219858_c.jpg)
There is a blaster rack on each side of the interior, these are cut down rifle racks from the POTF CommTech Stormtrooper.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49662330328_29c39e9d78_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49663151607_99f33f6c14_c.jpg)
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Wow, such good attention to little details. This was really well conceived and turned out just brilliant. You have done a spectacular job building a vehicle that totally fits the Star Wars 'verse and is really functional to boot. Great job.
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With each section you have shown us you have shown how much playability and interaction vehicles need to have for our action figures. This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing all the small details that really make this one of the best creations I have seen for some time. Off to the front pages.
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Wow! Gotta loce troop transports!
Is that a workin LED inside? If so, how does it work?
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Wow. This is sooooo good. It makes Hasbro $80 stuff look like commercial junk. Your work is a reason to DIY and not support di$ney owned stuff. Please keep it up.... And make more vehicles 😉
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Thanks everyone for your comments.
Is that a workin LED inside? If so, how does it work?
No, it's just the light shining through the orange skylight. I would like to have put lighting inside it, but I'm no good at electronics.
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I would take a vehicle like this with all kinds of play features over any kind of electronics any day. You have created a blueprint here Hasbro should follow. I am gonna send them this thread link this week so they can see what we here at ISY thinks a vehicle should look like.
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Wow again, I like the view screen on the turret base, reminds me of old school gi joe.
Good use of the Naboo Royal starship droid mounts. I always did like those things
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This is gorgeous. The scratch built components are beautifully done, and the modifications to the front section really transform that vehicle into something that looks in universe.
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Thanks for all your comments on the Swamp Crawler, glad you liked that so much.
Here's a custom Imperial Speeder Bike for 3.75" figures.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49875016367_c000784413_c.jpg)
I never managed to get hold of the remodelled exclusive Speeder Bike (I think it was part of the Movie Heroes collection ?), so I kitbashed 2 of my own version from these parts:
TFA Elite Speeder Bike
• Main body, engine & foot controls
• Thrust flaps
• Manuevering control unit (cut from outrigger section)
• Blaster cannon
SW Saga Deluxe Clone Trooper Speeder Bike
• Side pods
• Hand controls
• Vanes & outrigger section (cut from manuevering control unit)
The parts that needed most work, were cutting the 'outriggers' off their 'manuevering control units' and getting the side pods to fit nicely.
Also, the pegs on the foot controls are at the back, but the Scout Trooper's foot holes are near the middle rather than the heel. I drilled new ones at the heel, but they can't be too deep because of the ankle joint, so I shortened the pegs a bit on the foot controls (the feet stay on reasonably well).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49875016272_e10ecde14f_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49875016337_163c93f248_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49874175148_ffc4c70b64_c.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49875016307_bf497afdec_c.jpg)
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Just a great bike. Just awesome. Nice work. Love your images too. Lots of skill to doing that right too.
Off to the front pages.
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Nice job on these speeders, great combination of parts. The pictures are really cool!
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I actually thought that these were 1:12 scale at first, you did an excellent job mate.
Ron
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Great job piecing this together it looks great. The TRU speeder is great, but this is better. Notably the handlebars, my TRU handlebars are all bent up.
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I'm late to the party, but your Speeder Bike looks absolutely stunning! Such a great mod. I was really surprised when I learned that Hasbro utilized the brilliant mold of the Toys "R" Us Exclusive Speeder Bike from 2012 (http://www.imperialshipyards.net/SMF/index.php?topic=10614.msg212384#msg212384). I've been keeping my eyes open for the TFA Elite Speeder and can currently find one for 12€. Your masterpiece would be perfect to be released in The Vintage Collection. Excellent work on modifying and painting this one!
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Thanks for all your comments on these, I had missed some of them as I forget I'd posted on the vehicles forum. Glad you like them.