The Imperial Shipyards

Imperial Creative Engineering => Custom Figures => Topic started by: Splashcoat on July 04, 2013, 01:09:41 PM

Title: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Splashcoat on July 04, 2013, 01:09:41 PM: Here’s a look at my modification of the old Kenner “Power of the Force” Imperial Probe Droid action figure. It’s essentially identical to the Kenner toy only with refined antennae made from wire, action feature firing missiles and screw holes puttied over, improved detail highlighting and an accurate coat of paint... and a nifty stand made from an old Gatorade container lid.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img823/3016/f6ui.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img809/7661/ksu5.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img11/9174/g71n.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img854/7161/w0na.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img33/3921/37fb.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img600/9778/31se.png)
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Wookie-Balls on July 04, 2013, 04:06:40 PM: Very, very nice work! Strangely enough I found my old PD in a loft clear out the other day as considering doing something similar - although I doubt as well as this one!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Luke Sprywalker on July 04, 2013, 06:27:47 PM: Very nice work to transform this from a toy to a great display piece! The wire looks so much better and the stand is just great!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: JediMerc on July 05, 2013, 05:24:58 AM: This turned out very nicely!

What brand/ paint color did you end up using for this? Also, what type of wire did you use for the antennae? It looks perfectly straight and very fine (i.e. thin), which worked perfectly here.

*i love the PD image you added here; never thought of the droid's code transmission as sounding like that! Lol
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Tamer on July 05, 2013, 07:43:09 AM: Boy I agree, such a great looking custom with some very close attention to detail. Back on the front page.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Splashcoat on July 05, 2013, 07:45:19 AM: Thanks, everyone.

@Jedimerc: The paint is Semi-Gloss back and comes from Tamiya's line of model paints; I feel that the semi-goss finish gives a decent metallic look. The paint is designed for plastic models so it works fine for figures as well. The thing is, it will only provide even coverage if it's applied by airbrush. Brush painting large areas of vinyl with this paint just won't work. As for the wire, it's annealed florist's wire that I found at a craft store. It's a very rigid, almost springy wire that I believe is made for use by florists to create flower arrangements.

Cheers.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: The Willoughbian on July 05, 2013, 09:26:26 AM: Nice. Looks great.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: mr.Jedi1977 on July 06, 2013, 07:22:39 AM: Wow! This is truly amazing all around ! The antennas just make this so much better
And how a little bit of paint can take a project and make it so much better . Again
Excellent job
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Spookymufu on July 06, 2013, 11:24:49 AM: Id like to know a bit more about the base...
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Clonehead on July 06, 2013, 12:44:27 PM: Very nice work on that one! That base turned out well.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Jedi Minstrel on July 07, 2013, 07:12:23 AM: TOO COOL!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Splashcoat on July 07, 2013, 08:51:50 AM: Quote from: Spookymufu on July 06, 2013, 11:24:49 AM
Id like to know a bit more about the base...

A few years ago, Gatoraid mix came in a container which looked like a scale model of their 5 litre cooler:

(http://www.sharpesafety.com/catalog/images/9/2389.jpg)

I thought the lids would make cool-looking bases for models so I stockpiled a few; I just epoxied a rod into the lid and filled it with plaster to add some weight. Sadly, Gatoraid mix now comes in a tin with a plain soft plastic lid that is useless for this application.

Most of my small scale SW models are on these bases:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img526/9348/dsc13291109.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img854/9382/dsc11020898.jpg)
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Spookymufu on July 07, 2013, 03:38:28 PM: those bases are perfect and I have NEVER seen that Gatorade container before. Thats really neat
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Splashcoat on July 08, 2013, 05:01:25 AM: The actual container looked like this (cigarette lighter not included):

(http://i43.tinypic.com/24oih.jpg)

I'm down to my last couple of lids. I'm thinking of making a mold of one so I can cast more in resin when I need them.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Tamer on July 08, 2013, 05:28:18 AM: I am definitely thinking mold this up and cast it. Heck, sell it here; folks would buy em! I can see they make great bases. What is the diameter of these again? Looks roughly to me to be about three to four inches.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: hangarbay94 on July 09, 2013, 02:32:38 PM: That's exectly what the figure needed, the antennas are perfect! I also had to laugh at the "Frammin of the Frim Fram!" that's a bumper sticker if ever I saw one!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Splashcoat on July 11, 2013, 05:59:10 PM: Quote from: Tamer on July 08, 2013, 05:28:18 AM
I am definitely thinking mold this up and cast it. Heck, sell it here; folks would buy em! I can see they make great bases. What is the diameter of these again? Looks roughly to me to be about three to four inches.

That's not the worst idea I've ever heard, Tamer. The lids are 3 3/4" in diameter (about as round as a figure is tall) and 3/4" high. Adm. Ackbar thinks that they make a swell hero figure stand. I'd be happy to cast extra for people if there's any interest.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img835/1290/h4zo.jpg)
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: koth on July 12, 2013, 04:08:46 AM: Love the Probot and the stand is a great idea
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Tamer on July 12, 2013, 08:01:08 AM: I think folks would love em and I could feature them on our front page and our facebook page. A couple people might see em. 8)
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: JediMerc on July 13, 2013, 04:35:02 AM: Quote from: hangarbay94 on July 09, 2013, 02:32:38 PM
I also had to laugh at the "Frammin of the Frim Fram!" that's a bumper sticker if ever I saw one!

I would definitely buy one of those opinion one was produced!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Mungo Baobab on July 13, 2013, 10:45:40 AM: Nice use of the Admiral!
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: CHEWIE on August 23, 2013, 06:46:59 PM: That probe droid looks amazing. I'm glad I saw this thread.

0/
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Mr. Black on August 24, 2013, 04:30:31 AM: Very nice work, love the use of semi-gloss and gloss paint. And yeah, great display base.
Title: Re: It must be an Imperial code.
Post by: Luke Sprywalker on August 26, 2013, 05:09:32 PM: Very nice work on the models. The lids are so cool as bases! I too would pick up a few from you.