Hi all, this is really the first dedicated sci-fi project I’ve done. I purchased this kit a couple weeks ago at a local model show, only cost me 7 bucks. Not bad, considering the Finemolds kit is about $100 if I’m not mistaken. I knew this kit was OOP so I had to scoop it up as soon as I saw it. My boss is a huge Star Wars and Boba Fett fan so I’m putting this together for him. Has any one else built this kit yet? I’m using the Nov. 2008 issue of FSM for inspiration and tips, I’ll be using the same salt weathering technique. I only hope mine will turn out half as well.
Any how, the kit:
Nice looking, fit has been a little bit of a hastle. There are still seams I have to correct on the engine burner cans. The ‘wings’ were ridiculous, in my opinion, to put on. The rods that hold them in place were inadaquate, so I lengthened them with pieces of q-tip rod.
Tell you the truth, that didn’t help much either! Took some crazy glue to get it to set without sagging. Turns out, there are support struts that help keep the wings from sagging, too bad I didn’t find this out until after I attempted fix the wings on. Worked on the interior a little bit, kinda free lancing it as I’m not sure if there are any actual reference photos so I’m going by the color guide and a little imagination.
Well, comments of any kind are welcome and I hope you’ll all come along for the ride. Thanks,
Jon
I built one of the original Empire kits way back when but never got around to painting it, I have one of the newer kit’s waiting to be built.
Your best bet for reference would be Studio Scale forums like RPF, Modelers Magic has a couple, Starship Modeler, there are others but unfortunately many have become MEMBERS ONLY forums and can’t be viewed any more.
Do a search and you should be able to turn up pictures from exhibits that people have taken, some are very detailed close ups.
If you are going authentic paint than you will need to get Floquil, that’s what ILM used.
I have some paints (mixed brands) jotted down, info I got off RPF.
Main Fuselage Testors MM IJA Grey (Greenish Grey)
Also 50/50 IJA Grey and MM Camouflage Grey
On the Skirt Flat Gull Grey
Box Car Red (Floquil) or Polly Scale Mineral Red, Red w/ camo grey and a little white for the pink.
Dark Green areas Polly Scale German Uniform Grey or Vallejo Field Grey.
Rear hull mainly Gull Grey
Details in MM Neutral Grey, Flat Black, Dark Gull Grey and Field / German Uniform Grey.
I think there is also some yellow and rust.
E…
Division6, thanks for the advice! My biggest worry in fact is getting the colors to look right. I tend to mix my own colors, but this one was gonna give me trouble so showing me my best options was a big help indeed! I’ve also visited Starship Modeler before, that’s a decent site for this genre. Hopefully I"ll get some interior done and get some more pics up soon.
Thanks,
Getting the colors right is why I never painted the first one, that and almost no picture reference.
E…
Just a small update. Its all together now, just waiting on paint. I realize it probably would have been easier to paint in sub assemblies due to all the weird angles and crevasses but there were definite fit issues and large gaps. So I didn’t want to have to apply filler and sand over the top of my finish. Fit was the biggest disappointment of this kit. The two lower hull halves were the biggest problem, I still have to use some styrene or plastic card to fill a gap where the hull meets the fuselage, by the loading ramp. Any how, I hope to paint it soon. Gotta finish Boba Fett too.
A some what blurry view of the interior.
Thanks for looking, comments, criticism and advice are always welcome.
Jon
PS - Remember “he’s no good to me dead”.
I built the FM Slave I and the painting guide is quite comprehensive… Unfortunately, it is the Janga Fett (blue) not Boba Fett (red) version, otherwise I’d scan it and send it to you. However, you may be able to get someone here or on SSM board to provide the Boba Fett painting guide.