Star Wars NEW Republic Gunship- Bob's Build

F131

F131
Thanks. The bubbles are a pain to assemble....but my procrastination has to end. I need to finish this model before Mass Effect 3 come out next month. Otherwise I will write this project off for a month.
 
F131 , I'm not shore if this helps or not but sometimes when i can't find a clear canopy for my planes i make a mold cast out of wood then shape it that i want it to be , then smooth it out with light sandpaper until there's no bumps ect ect. Find some plastic coke bottles or anything Similar that's clear, cut out the centre of the bottle where there is no bumps or ridges on the plastic an heat it up with hot boiling water for 5 to 10mins then quickly remove it out of the boiling water & put it straight on the mold cast that you make. You might need to find some gloves to work with & wax paper. Put the wax paper over the plastic & press down , work your way around the mold cast.

The glue that i use is clear canopy glue it works on anything , paper , balsa , wood , cardboard , ect ect.
http://www.duanesplanes.com.au/product.php?productid=25&cat=5&page=2

Hope this help or i hope you worked it out already mate.
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
F131: You could try vaccum forming. There are quite a few videos on youtube about how to make your own DIY vaccum form.

Either way you go with this, good luck.

You are doing a great job so far.
 
Z

Zathros

Nice thing about the vacuum forming is once you make a jig, it is easy to make molds. I wouldn't bother with this Gunship as it looks so excellent, there is no distraction. For cockpit canopies, it can be a big difference, depending on the model. The clear bubble canopies are a classic example of a need for vacuum forming, though I have seen people do creative tings. Chiawatkom makes a mold out of epoxy ( the positive side) and just heats the plastic sheet near an open flame and pulls the sheet over the plug it's all over in about 1 second, just using his thumbs!!
 

F131

F131
Thank you both for the great ideas. I was planning on building a P51 Mustang D and as struggling what to do about the canopy. I did find clear globe from a vending maching. They are a touch small (and a bit cloudy) but they look so much better.
 

F131

F131
OK, I'm back in buisness. $2 later and I found a decent solution to my globe issue.:mrgreen: Painting the globe/Lazer holder will improve the effect.
 

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Z

Zathros

Those are looking great. You've got a great pair of balls to work with! :p:twisted: Congratulations!
 
Great job F131 :thumb: , Looks spectacular.

sign1 you found my eyes , i lost them :eek: when i see your progress on the Star Wars republic gunship.:mrgreen:
 

F131

F131
Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I've been putzing with this since before Christmas and it feels good to be almost completed.
A little tip for any one planning on building this NRGS, the forward turret blisters look a little rough when assembled. This was easily fixed with some wall spackeling and fine grit sand paper. A little spray paint and it looks pretty good. Also, Q-tips are the right diameter for the forward guns.
 

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F131

F131
Canopy is on and shes ready for a test flight.
 

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Haereticus

New Member
This is really beautiful! Extremely well built. I was thinking about putting one of these together for a kitbashed/scratchbuilt wreck diorama inspired by this beauty I came across today:
kit_16_good9.jpg
 

F131

F131
Ok, all I really have left are 18 missles to make for the aft launcher. Fun Fun.
 

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Looks awesome mate :thumb: , it looks like it ready to take off without no pilot inside it.sign1

Are you going to have that hanging on top of the ceiling or have you made a stand for her to sit on.
 

F131

F131
What I have been doing for model stands (as long as I have shelf space) is buy a cheap wood base at Michael's Craft, some clear plastic tubing at a local surplus store, drill tube holes, stain wood and you have a good looking stand with the illusion of flight.:thumb:
 

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Wow,Wow,Wow :eek: god i'm soo jelouse of your models, you done your models justice mate.

Thanks buddy for telling me how to make a perfect stand for the models.:thumb:
 

arkon

Member
very nice model and inventive solutions to the problems you have come across. might have to steal....... i mean borrow your idea for display stands!!!:thumb:
 
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