[Prince of Styrene II]

Well, sure enough just a day after getting my "Tri-Foil Trainer" in the mail I started working on it, despite the fact that I still have to finish my WonderFest entry.

I'm still working on the R2 Van, in fact here's a teaser to some progress before I dilvulge my Skyhopper pics- TIRES!!
http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/R2Van/tires_finish.JPG
I even flattened the "bottom" of the tire to give it that feeling of weight.

Now on to the 'Hopper! After doing some minor cleanup work as is expected with resin, the first thing I thought was how I was going to display this beauty! Then I remembered this trading card from years ago:
http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/Skyhopper/TradingCard_small.jpg
Sure, I can do that!

But on to the T-16 mods first! The first thing I noticed is that the vertical wing, when slid into place, doesn't quite match up with the leading edge on the "divider" of the cockpit. That was easily fixed by adding a milimeter to the length.
http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/Skyhopper/VW_TabAdd.jpg

Yesterday, I spent a lot of time doing nothing at work, so I brought some small parts & tools, but I forgot my pin vice!

I decided to give the gun barrel a real metal look, so I replaced it with a length of aluminum tube. I cut off the barrel tip & glued it on. Then I spent the next hour routing out the gear-looking thing with a ribbed nail I found to allow it to slip it over the aluminum tube.

http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/Skyhopper/gun_barrel.jpg

Then in a really fun time, I gave the 'Hopper angled flaps! Here's a shot of the vertical wing & the port wing:
http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/Skyhopper/flaps.jpg
It was pretty easy as the kit already had the flaps scored into the wings. I cut them out then traced the outline into sheet styrene, CA-ing them into place. I gave the flaps a "left turn" to match the trading card & what I'll do with the dio. Note I also scored the line into the styrene to match the kit's lines.
http://planetmyhill.com/Modelmaster/PICS/Skyhopper/VW_flap1.jpg

And yes, the womp rat is already in progress, but for now looks just like a couple lumps of Aves!

Opinions always welcome!

 

[Lloyd Collins]

Looking very good! I like that you are improving the model.
As for the womp rat, how about a red target on it's butt. Luke does say " I used to bulls eye womp rats, with my T-16, back home.

Also, GET THAT R2 VAN FINISHED!!

 

[Prince of Styrene II]

Looking very good! I like that you are improving the model.
As for the womp rat, how about a red target on it's butt. Luke does say " I used to bulls eye womp rats, with my T-16, back home.

:lol: That's halarious!! I was thinking about at least doing some missed shots in the rock- little blackened blast holes.

Also, GET THAT R2 VAN FINISHED!!

Wow, Lloyd, it's almost like you've lost faith in me! *sniff* I'm hurt. :tongue:
Actually, for the van, there's not too much more to go. I still have to finish the van's & the 'mech's decals, but after that it's only putting the rest of the van's stuff in the back. I bought some little rocks for the wall around the parking lot, & the Exec West sign should be easy as well as the little bushes at the entrance.