A-Wing

[Walter2]

Engine and wing.

 

[mijob]

Nice work I think you can go nuts on greebling this midel.

 

[thegreek270]

Very nice work Walter2

you can go nuts on greebling this

Yea, i remember my build. And i still think there is more potential for greebles, but at some point a model has to finish....

..to start another one (ore two or three ......)

 

[zathros]

The instrument panel looks good, like Rhaven said, print those parts out twice, cut out the holes, and place the whole piece behind with a plastic film, that will give you a 3D cockpit instrument cluster. You know, only people who make masterful builds like this get recommendations. This is one my favorite Star Wars ships. I'd take my thumbs, or some kind of rounded tool, and make sure the two rear ovals in the back are symmetric, as they look a little wonky in the pics. Great build, and great build thread.

 

[Walter2]

A little Greebling and the ship's cannons (very fiddly).
Now all that's missing is the cockpit canopy. I will try to build it using transparent plastic film.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You are making great progress on this project! I like the amount of detail and greebling that you are putting into this model.

 

[mijob]

That looks really good I like the add-ons.

 

[thegreek270]

I like those Greebles, make more of it .....

 

[zathros]

I never noticed how much greelin' could be done o this model. The fuselage is extremely straight and true. Lookin' real good.

 

[Walter2]

First attempts with the hood. The rear part works perfectly (bend is not yet finished).

The front part does not work in the same way because the curvature does not cooperate.

Therefore, I cut out the blue part from the original, placed it underneath, and transferred the cut lines to the foil. However, this means I have to add two additional bridges, otherwise I won't be able to glue it. I don't see any other option except making a plaster cast of the original and trying to bend it with a hair dryer, but that probably won't work.
Unfortunately, I forgot to blacken the inner edge.

 

[zathros]

Heat works well for any plastic sheets to turn into a windshield, but you have to make a buck to pull it over. The paper windshield can be filled with foam and used as a buck. As far as the paper, you can moisten from the back side where you need it to contour and get the compound curves you need. A large moist sponge works best.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is a youtube video that might help you with making press formed canopies.

 

[Walter2]

Very informative video. I'm going to try it with a plaster mold.

 

[Sky Seeker]

Cabin...

Love that cockpit! Your model is looking pretty sharp!

 

[Walter2]

The A-wing is finished except for the front part of the hood. I tried to shape the plastic using a plaster mold and a hair dryer, but it didn't work; the plastic didn't even get properly warm. I'll probably build a thermoforming device out of wood (not that difficult), which has a connection for a vacuum cleaner that can be used to suck out the air and allow the hot plastic (heated in the oven) to settle over the mold. When I build it, I'll post the instructions (thanks to Raven Blaack for the link).

That's all I can do for now, but I'm happy with the model.

 

[mijob]

This is looking great you have done a great job.

 

[zathros]

If you have a gas stove top, you hold the piece over that with some tongs, I guarantee you that it will soften into a sheet of plastic that, if you could take it, you could pull over your face and get the shape.. Never do that as the burn might make the plastic a permanent fixture on you. The other way is using a non stick pan, or making a 1/2" wooden frame, tacking the plastic sheet over it, stick if in the oven at 350F and the second the center of the plastic starts to drop, pull it out and pull it over the plug, using oven mits.

Paper burns at Fahrenheit 451F (Great movie Montag), so there is danger of fire, and you are watching it continuously. you preheat the oven.

YouTube doesn't seem to be allowing video clips to be shared anymore, can't share video clips of the movie.