Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

[FichtenFoo]

So here's my next project... not a mecha! I know some of you are getting dissapointed by this, but I do have mecha in the pipeline so no worries! This is a fun build so far. The kit's going together rather easily (only 6 or so hours of clean-up) and some of that time is doing slight mods for some lighting/motor functions.

I did my first casting/mold making ever today for this so that I can light it up nicely. Still waiting on some lights and electronics to arrive in the post, but casting was the hard part and it wasn't even as hard as I thought it'd be. I had a good teacher though. Thanks Fulcy!

Anyway, here's some pics and info:

http://fichtenfoo.com/02GiantRobots/02b-Slave1.htm

[mechaneil]

This looks like a very interesting project. I particularly like your idea of lighting up this kit and also using servo motors on the guns and stabilizers. This would look great with the FM Millennium Falcon.

I used to be a big fan of the SW saga, but has somewhat lost interest along the way. Used to have a bunch of model kits (vehicles and figures). This one might just give me a reason to start collecting and building SW related kits again.

On a side note, on that Smooth-on Super Sampler kit, how much resin(A+B) and rubber(A+B) is included in the package?

[FilmMkr]

Hey there, Cat Daddy -

I have some shots of a very nice buildup of this kit from a Japanese magazine (Hobby Japan?) from a few years ago.  Shows very nice paint and shading, not that you need any help in that area.  I'll scan 'em when I get home from Colorado Springs tomorrow.

FM

[GK]

There is a forum I belong to, TheRPF, which tends to be a pretty good resource when it comes to all things Star Wars. They also tend to speak your name whenever Mech modeling comes up  
If you like, I could put up a request (since you have to be registered to post) for some photo's of the actual filming miniature.  :)

[xamel1975]

Here's a link that I found on the net. The article was featured in Tamiya Model Magazine long time ago but I remember the builder said he uses salt weathering on his Slave 1.

Link

[FichtenFoo]

Thanks guys!

mechaneil: I plan on doing similar lights and motors with a FM Falcon in the Future... just need to raise the $$$ for one first. Maybe I'll sell the finished Slave 1!

FilmMkr: Thanks! Any refs I can get would be very helpful.

GK: Someone emailed me a link to that site this morning. I have no idea who they are though as they didn't say where they saw the build up (I posted this at SSM, ModelGeek, and the MIG forums as well) or what their username was. I looked around briefly, but didn't see any studio model shots, just finished FM model pics. I didn't realize I was known in the prop circles. (in before Zero makes a crop circles joke) That's funny! Yeah, if you can, please see what you can get for me! Much appriciated!

xamel1975:   Thanks! You're like the 4th person to show me that link, but that's one of the first (and best) reference pieces I found on my own weeks ago since I subscribe to TMMI. I actually sent a message to the builder of that one earlier today asking if he had good ref links. I like the colors he chose better than the Fine Molds color chart except for the underside.

Boy... maybe I should start a reference link section on my in-prog page for this. That'll help others in the future I bet.

[GK]

I put in the word, I'll see if they bring anything to the table and link you to the thread when that happens.  

[FichtenFoo]

I put in the word, I'll see if they bring anything to the table and link you to the thread when that happens.  

Thanks!

[Maschinen Krueger]

Castin' Craft Clear Resin - Oh, that stuff is gawd awful. Polyester resin, bleh! are the parts sticky. There are far better clear casting Urethane resins that don't stink. Look around for it. I have that TMMI issue if you need scans. He used Gunze mask and not salt.

[FichtenFoo]

Castin' Craft Clear Resin - Oh, that stuff is gawd awful. Polyester resin, bleh! are the parts sticky. There are far better clear casting Urethane resins that don't stink. Look around for it. I have that TMMI issue if you need scans. He used Gunze mask and not salt.

Yeah... it's not pleasant to be around, that's for sure. The first part wasn't tacky at all... the second though has a very slight tack to it. Good to know it's nothing I did then. Someone sent me scans of the TMMI article already, but thanks!

[Maschinen Krueger]

maybe wipe them with acetone to remove the sticky, or toss it. I hate that stuff. Ruined good molds with that crap.

[GK]

No word yet, I'll have to try and bump the thread later. But, you'll be the first to know when I hear something back.  

In the mean time, I found these:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/starwars/smith_sw3.cfm
Picture of the actual miniature. Theyre a bit small, but, better than nothing I think.
I also found this nifty build up:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/starwars/rm_slave.htm

I'll see if I can find anything else.  :)

EDIT: Okay, some people got back to me on the RPF. I've got 2 more links for you and these have much better picture of the real deal.
This one you'll have to scroll down a bit, but there are quite a few pictures of the Slave 1.
http://www.studioscale.com/images/reference/Other/Frank%20Wire/index.htm
This one here, just click on "enter" than "ships and vehicles" and find the Slave 1. You'll see a row of empty boxes, but those are the pictures. Just click on them to view.
http://www.halstensen.com/

[FichtenFoo]

Thanks for the references everyone. The Slave 1 is primed, but I noticed a few seams that needed a bit of surfacer on the hull halves so I need to wait for that to cure, resand and reprime before painting. I also have most of the electronics done. Basically everything is done except wiring the LEDs up and that's because they're in the mail and haven't arrived yet. It's an easy step though with wire wrap so it won't stop me from starting to paint. Here's some pics and more info:

http://fichtenfoo.com/02GiantRobots/02b-Slave1.htm

[riccardo]

These Slave 1 parts look....familiar.
Nice and clean job on the ligths so far.
Paint job wise are you going to use alclads and weather them on this one? I'm very curious about the paint chipping you will achieve.

ric

[tetsujin]

About the mold rubber - that's OOMOO 30 I'm guessing?  It's decent stuff and I used it for about four or five years before switching to Mold Max 10 - but the thing about it is that it tears easily.  If, after this project, you find you want to cast stuff more regularly or reuse molds repeatedly, I would strongly recommend switching to Mold Max or another mold rubber.  OOMOO isn't tough enough to survive repeated pulls.  You might also want to see if you can find a local supplier for the stuff - I know there's a couple art supply stores in Boston that stock Smooth-On mold rubbers, so perhaps there's something around where you're at, too.

I use a cheap digital postal scale for measuring out the Mold Max, I figure the precision of the thing is good enough, especially considering that not all of what I pour into one cup is going to make it into the other due to surface tension, etc.  Overall the "mix by weight" thing wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected before I tried it.

[FichtenFoo]

Here's the latest on the Slave 1. I used the Windsor Newton masking fluid and a sponge to apply the mask for the chips. Man I love that stuff! Masks thin and removes with little effort!

Here's some pics and more details:

http://fichtenfoo.com/02GiantRobots/02b-Slave1.htm

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

Riccardo: No alclads here... there's no real metallic parts on this ship. The engines are a little copperish, but alclad would be overkill there.

[FichtenFoo]

More progress. I painted the hull red and dark gray. The chips turned out great! Here's some pics and info:

http://fichtenfoo.com/02GiantRobots/02b-Slave1.htm

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

[mtomczek]

Like I said in IM, this is looking really great. It's honestly looking on par with the original so far. Keep up the good work!

[Major Blah]

Tight!!

Gotta give this Windsor Newton + Sponge technique a try, I really like the effect.  Classic SW style.

[FilmMkr]

I should prolly be flogged for this, but oh well.

My deepest and most sincere apologies to you sir - I thought that these pix were of a better model.  I tore them out of one of my Hobby Japan magazines a couple years ago and stuffed 'em in a box for reference for another (read: different) kit.  After seeing your skillz and those of the FFF brethren, I can see that these will be of no use to you.

Having made my mea culpas, here are the scaled-down scans.  If, for some reason, you fel that they might be of some value to you after all, I have full-up 300dpi 2100x2987 jpegs that I could email or ftp to you.

Just lemme know.

Filmy

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)

Boba Fett's Slave 1 (Fine Molds)